The 2019 GMC Terrain has 3 safety recalls and 187 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (70 complaints).
Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints187filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 3reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths12 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 20V668000 · Oct 29, 2020 · 194,105 vehicles
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
Seats
NHTSA recall 19V184000 · Mar 7, 2019 · 120 vehicles
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192209550.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
NHTSA recall 18V576000 · Aug 30, 2018 · 210,628 vehicles
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2019 GMC Terrain SUV FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
18.5%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
2019 GMC Terrain SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
16.4%
Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Terrain AWD Diesel
32mpg combined
City / highway
28 / 38 mpg
Fuel
Diesel
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,000/year to fuel
Terrain FWD Diesel
32mpg combined
City / highway
28 / 39 mpg
Fuel
Diesel
1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,000/year to fuel
Terrain FWD
28mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,400/year to fuel
Terrain AWD
26mpg combined
City / highway
24 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Terrain FWD
24mpg combined
City / highway
22 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel
Terrain AWD
23mpg combined
City / highway
21 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Engine
70
0
2
0
72,000 mi
Service brakes
65
1
0
3
—
Power train
53
0
0
0
14,000 mi
Electrical system
39
0
1
2
15,900 mi
Unknown or other
21
1
0
1
230 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal
9
0
0
0
4,697 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Power assist › Vacuum; Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
8
0
0
0
74,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance Automatic emergency braking; Adaptive cruise control
7
0
0
0
—
Back over prevention Sensing system › Camera
7
1
0
0
55,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
6
1
0
0
15,900 mi
Exterior lighting
5
0
0
0
—
Steering
4
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 1, 2026Power train Transmission leak caused but start and stop accumulator
Oct 12, 2026Engine VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 103,576 Incident location: [XXX] Safety Complaint: While my wife was driving our 2019 GMC Terrain into a shopping center parking lot, the vehicle suddenly experienced a severe loss of braking assistance. The brake pedal became extremely stiff and difficult to depress, and she was barely able to slow the vehicle. This occurred unexpectedly while the engine continued running, creating a serious risk of a collision. Following the incident, I inspected the vehicle using an OBD-II diagnostic scanner, which identified diagnostic trouble code P0016 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation). The vehicle also displayed an oil-pressure warning. We subsequently had…
Sep 21, 2026Service brakes While driving on an interstate, vehicle became sluggish when accelerating. Took off on exit, engine was reduced to 50% power, attempted to drive to large parking lot, lost brakes, got the vehicle stopped in an intersection, would not shut off, go into neutral. Finally shut off, had to call tow truck, holding up traffic in a busy intersection. Was told it would be just $900 to fully diagnose problem, but it appeared the vacuum pump failed, threw broken metal into engine and now will have to be replaced at my cost. NO advanced warning of any type of problem, no warning lights, etc.
Sep 22, 2026 · 60,000 milesPower train The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle failed to shift into park. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that three fault codes were found. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be disassembled for a full diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was scheduled for the transmission to be disassembled for the diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Sep 15, 2026Service brakes On 9/15/2026, my wife drove her car, a 2019 GMC Terrain, to a doctor's appointment. She reported no known issues with the way the car operated during her drive nor had she or I experienced issues prior to this event. After she finished her appointment, she attempted to start her car and was unable to get the car to start. She also noticed that the brake pedal was stiff and hard to depress. When I arrived, I tried to assist her, thinking that an electrical issue was the fault. However, I was still unable to start the car and I had to have it towed after I couldn't start her car. I had it towed to a mechanic who initially thought the car had a bad starter, however, after attempting to…
Aug 24, 2026Service brakes While driving my 2019 GMC Terrain with three children as passengers, the vehicle developed a braking/engine problem. The brake pedal became very hard, and the vehicle subsequently became undrivable and would not start. I received no advance warning through the GMC app indicating that the vacuum pump was failing. The vehicle was towed to a GMC dealership. The dealership diagnosed a failed vacuum pump and advised that the engine requires replacement, with an estimate of approximately $11,238. I purchased this vehicle new. I am very concerned that a vacuum-pump failure can result in reduced brake assist/increased brake-pedal effort and major engine damage without adequate advance warning.…
Aug 20, 2026Visibility/wiper This is the second time I have noticed storm heavy rain that my car is taken on water. We had an extremely heavy rain in June and no windows was left open. I did not know water had gotten into my car for an entire month when I heard a solution sale when I came to a break, what I did realize is that there was condensation buildup is inside of my car, but it was not sure why. After searching, I was able to locate and discover thatI had at least 3 inches of water standing water in my spare tire, section of my trunk. There was also an extreme amount of water on my floors in the back row once I took out my mats, I found there to be mold back there.Still unsure of how t the water got into the car…
Aug 15, 2026Service brakes On Saturday, August 15th we were driving on the freeway when with no warning the check engine light came on and the vehicle began to run poorly, and then the vehicle lost electrical power and it became difficult to steer and the brake pedal became stiff, making it difficult to stop and pull over. The vehicle would not start on command but kept running very poorly, it also became impossible to shut the vehicle off until it seized. It was later towed to a local repair shop, and today, Friday August 21st the shop confirmed that the vacuum pump on the brake assist failed and it would need a total engine replacement.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.