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2020 GMC Terrain

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2020 GMC Terrain do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 40 of 195 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports2 fire reports3 injury reports

Forward Collision Avoidance complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2025
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

my vacuum pump went out. my brakes went out at 86k miles. very pour design.

NHTSA ODI #11635979

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrash

The brake system failed. No warning. When the brakes failed, driver ran the car into a tree to stop instead of hitting pedestrians or other vehicles

NHTSA ODI #11632538

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2024
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

My Terrain has a light that has been coming on for a couple months. Service Brake Assist. I took it to the dealer after my brakes locked up and about $800 after getting it fixed the light continues to come on. The forward collision light comes on every time I start the car. More the check engine light came on and says engine e…

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My Terrain has a light that has been coming on for a couple months. Service Brake Assist. I took it to the dealer after my brakes locked up and about $800 after getting it fixed the light continues to come on. The forward collision light comes on every time I start the car. More the check engine light came on and says engine electrical system. What the heck is going on? I love this car and take very good care of it but I feel like the $800 that I just spent was a waste. I fear that I will get in a wreck like when the brakes totally locked up and I couldn't press on them.

NHTSA ODI #11628017

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2023
EngineForward Collision Avoidance

This GMC I just purchased in October 22 2022 and have been complaining since December 9,2022 the vehicle emergency braking will activate when I'm driving down the interstate or local roads I could be doing 70 and brakes will just lock up throwing me and my son forward , this has happened 4x , Gas Pedal when taking off at red lig…

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This GMC I just purchased in October 22 2022 and have been complaining since December 9,2022 the vehicle emergency braking will activate when I'm driving down the interstate or local roads I could be doing 70 and brakes will just lock up throwing me and my son forward , this has happened 4x , Gas Pedal when taking off at red light or pulling out the vehicle is hesitant and will not go this has happened on 3 different occasions. I called roadside on star they said there is a problem with the on star saftey feature will not work properly this was towed 2x to different shops, Also while driving this vehicle it will just ingage itself in park while driving called on star they did diagnostic there was all kinds of Coded for Transmission and Engine as well as Emissions this vehicle is a safety hazard.. And I have tried to take back to dealership where I purchased they keep making excuses to not see this CPO with lifetime Warranty and still under warranty from GMC vechle Mileage was at 29k when problems stared vehicle only has 31k I can't drive this vehicle due to my son's and myself along with others saftey this is ridiculous and also GMC just informed me the Vin # they have for my vehicle and whats on it are two different numbers! Yet nothing is being done I'm paying for a vehicle that I can't drive I have proof GMC knows about the fraud from dealership but GMC says its a sales thing This vehicle has been flooded two mechanics have confirmed and GMC is aware so why not do something I don't know exactly the history and GMC doesn't either please someone contact me GMC this is crazy and you know it's a safety issue with this 2020 GMC Terrain you even said so

NHTSA ODI #11524133

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2023
Back Over PreventionForward Collision AvoidanceLane Departure

None of these features have ever worked

NHTSA ODI #11501918

Mileage unknown · Jan 15, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceCrash

The emergency breaking system failed to engage. Failure to engage caused collision with another car

NHTSA ODI #11501917

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceVehicle Speed Control

Not long after I bought my 2020 GMC Terrain my adaptive cruise started disengaging. There are never any warning lights, except the noise and vibration of the seat before it shuts off then tells you it's disengaging. I didn't think anything of it until it's became a regular occurrence in the last month or two. I tell my dealershi…

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Not long after I bought my 2020 GMC Terrain my adaptive cruise started disengaging. There are never any warning lights, except the noise and vibration of the seat before it shuts off then tells you it's disengaging. I didn't think anything of it until it's became a regular occurrence in the last month or two. I tell my dealership about it and they drive it but it never disengages on them, so they say nothing is wrong with my vehicle. I have a picture of the "adaptive cruise disengaging" and video of where I can't reset it until after about 15 or so minutes or letting my car set for a while or turning off the engine then it works again. I also have noticed that my auto start/stop hasn't been turning on & off anymore.

NHTSA ODI #11432173

Mileage unknown · Jun 25, 2021
Electrical SystemForward Collision Avoidance

On fairly level ground, reduce speed hill descent control msg has activated (12 mile and maxwell area 2x, Rochester Hills Kohls parking lot exit) and once entering river bend dr. vehicle has also has had activated brakes on oak hill street in rochester. the vehicle has less than 4100 miles. very concerning about activated br…

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On fairly level ground, reduce speed hill descent control msg has activated (12 mile and maxwell area 2x, Rochester Hills Kohls parking lot exit) and once entering river bend dr. vehicle has also has had activated brakes on oak hill street in rochester. the vehicle has less than 4100 miles. very concerning about activated brakes.

NHTSA ODI #11422295

Official recalls

2

23V339000 · Child Seat:vehicle Latch Anchor

May 11, 2023

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 29, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.