The 2020 GMC Terrain has 2 safety recalls and 197 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (65 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints197filed by owners
Crashes · fires7 · 2reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Child seat › Vehicle latch anchor
NHTSA recall 23V339000 · May 11, 2023 · 668,187 vehicles
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. 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 N232403240.
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.
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
2020 GMC Terrain SUV AWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
16.4%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2020 GMC Terrain SUV FWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
18.5%
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
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 FWD
27mpg combined
City / highway
26 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 9-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel
Terrain AWD
26mpg combined
City / highway
25 / 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*
Service brakes
65
5
0
2
34,415 mi
Engine
58
0
0
2
67,000 mi
Unknown or other
34
0
2
0
—
Power train Automatic transmission
28
0
0
0
53,500 mi
Electrical system Adas › Hill descent assist › Sensor
27
0
1
0
5,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
25
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
11
0
0
2
—
Forward collision avoidance Automatic emergency braking; Adaptive cruise control
8
2
0
0
—
Back over prevention Rearview system braking; Warnings
7
0
0
0
71,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Delivery › Fuel pump
7
0
0
0
45,175 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
7
0
0
0
108,000 mi
Structure Body
5
0
0
1
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Sep 15, 2026Service brakes While driving at the speed limit the vacuum pump failed on my 2020 GMC Terrain. This failure led to me enter an intersection with heavy cross traffic, nearly striking g several vehicles. This is the 3rd time I have had to replace this pump in 2 years. The pump explodes sending chards of metal into the engine leading to more damage and labor intensive work.
Aug 29, 2026Service brakes While driving my 2020 GMC Terrain, I experienced a sudden loss of normal braking assistance. I had been traveling on the highway and exited onto a main road. As I approached a red traffic light at approximately 50 mph and attempted to brake, the vehicle would not stop normally. I was unable to stop for the red light and went through the intersection before I was able to safely get the vehicle off the roadway. Fortunately, there was no vehicle directly in front of me and I was able to make it through the intersection before any other cars, so no collision occurred. The vehicle was subsequently inspected and diagnosed by a GMC dealership. A diagnostic scan performed after the incident showed…
Dec 17, 2021Engine Having the start stop issue on my terrain and recently over the last few months, it has been using oil everything that sounds exactly like the recall but mine is not included. My start stop is not working and I have to get him since it had only 60,000 miles on it years ago, but nothing was done.
Sep 2, 2026Fuel/propulsion system Fuel pump control module and or the in tank fuel pump failed and or isnât making proper connection for car to run correctly. Safety was put at risk as car came to abrupt halt while driving. Driver was outside of vehicle at busy intersection for vehicle diagnostics and battery jump. Battery was removed and new battery installed yet problem persists. Not confirmed by dealer but code is as follows (p129F). Maintenance performed by owner;Code reader used for diagnostics, new battery installed. Problem persists. Car started, drove and stumbled to then die. Check engine now displays.
Aug 24, 2026 · 92,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The brake pedal was depressed to the floor, and the vehicle slowed down and eventually stopped. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a failed vacuum pump. The mechanic informed the contact that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure was a known issue with the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
Aug 19, 2026Fuel/propulsion system COMPONENT OR SYSTEM FAILED - GMC Dealership replacing fuel pump. SAFETY OR SAFETY OF OTHERS AT RISK - stalled in remote area with no internet/cell service. In order to get to safety we travelled 13 miles of narrow 2 lane roads with no shoulder or escape areas. Road included 3 miles of a steep downhill grade. HAS THE PROBLEM BEEN REPRODUCED OR CONFIRMED BY A DEALER - Yes, Walser GMC [XXX] WERE THERE ANY WARNING LAMPS, MESSAGES OR OTHER SYMPTOMS OF THE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE FAILURE - No, drove 400 miles w/2 stops, rest stop and lunch/gas. Got to our destination, shut off the car. Needed to move the vehicle to designated parking spot and at first the vehicle would not start, got it started but…
Aug 23, 2026Service brakes The brake suddenly became impossible to depress more than 3/4 of an inch. Almost unable to stop nearly hitting another vehicle. The dashboard then lit up with a "service brake system" warning. Luckily was only a few minutes from home brought it home and began the search for the issue. The brake vacuum pump failed. Unsure of further damage at this point. It being Sunday am unable to contact a shop or dealer.
Aug 19, 2026Service brakes While driving, I suddenly smelled something burning. Immediately after, a warning popped up stating 'Engine power is reducing,' the check engine light came on, and I experienced a sudden, near-total loss of power braking assist, making the brake pedal extremely hard to press. I had to use intense force to bring the vehicle to a stop. A scan of the vehicle's OBD-II codes revealed codes P0556 (Brake Booster Pressure Sensor Circuit), P0014 (Exhaust Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced), and P0017 (Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation). This is a known failure where the engine-driven mechanical brake vacuum pump seizes up, destroys the braking vacuum assist, and bends or shifts…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.