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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

Service Brakes complaints

63 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 2023
Service BrakesCrash

Driving down the freeway and all of a sudden got a service break assist notification and without warning I was unable to stop the vehicle. I was able to coast my way off the freeway and upon my exit I tried to pull into an empty parking lot but there was a fire fence I ended up crashing into which is probably what brought the ve…

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Driving down the freeway and all of a sudden got a service break assist notification and without warning I was unable to stop the vehicle. I was able to coast my way off the freeway and upon my exit I tried to pull into an empty parking lot but there was a fire fence I ended up crashing into which is probably what brought the vehicle to a complete stop. This is very dangerous and I have read numerous complaints from other 2020 terrain owners who have experienced the same problem. Mechanic stated I need need vacuum pump for brake booster which of course my warranty doesn’t cover. Something seriously needs to be done about this. My accident could have been a lot worse

NHTSA ODI #11544808

Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2023
Service Brakes

I was driving on the interstate when my brakes went out. I was able to get off at and exit and pull into a gas station but had to put on the emergency brake.

NHTSA ODI #11543728

Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2023
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlInjury

While on highway service brake system warning light came on,brake became hard to apply almost causing an accident. Vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop(dealer).after paying over $1600 the problem was not resolved and found there are numerous complaints about issues with the terrain and no recall issued.are they waiting til …

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While on highway service brake system warning light came on,brake became hard to apply almost causing an accident. Vehicle had to be towed to a repair shop(dealer).after paying over $1600 the problem was not resolved and found there are numerous complaints about issues with the terrain and no recall issued.are they waiting til someone dies before a recall?

NHTSA ODI #11539270

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2023
EngineService Brakes

I was driving down The expressway. The traffic in front of me came to a stop. When I went to apply the brakes I had no breaks. The pedal was as hard as A rock So when I realized I couldn't stop I swerved over into the breakdown lane. And continue to pass cars at a high rate of speed until I got the car to stop. There were no che…

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I was driving down The expressway. The traffic in front of me came to a stop. When I went to apply the brakes I had no breaks. The pedal was as hard as A rock So when I realized I couldn't stop I swerved over into the breakdown lane. And continue to pass cars at a high rate of speed until I got the car to stop. There were no check engine lights on Then I had the car towed to the Dealership Where they tell me is a break vacuum pump. That has damaged The Cam shaft. Pistons and rods in the engine. Totaling $7200. In damage. No one seems to care and I still owe 20000 on the car. Car has 71000 miles on it.

NHTSA ODI #11521311

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2023
Service Brakes

The brake system is only working at about 5%. There are known defects with other GMC models of this year and this vehicle should be reviewed .

NHTSA ODI #11507397

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2023
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesSteering

Service brake assists light flashes on dashboard . Steering wheel locks up and jerk’s loose suddenly when making a right turn, in these moments when the steering wheel jerks loose ;hands are off taken off the steering wheel otherwise injury can occur. Battery life 2 -yrs old is not performing optimally. Can not hold a sufficie…

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Service brake assists light flashes on dashboard . Steering wheel locks up and jerk’s loose suddenly when making a right turn, in these moments when the steering wheel jerks loose ;hands are off taken off the steering wheel otherwise injury can occur. Battery life 2 -yrs old is not performing optimally. Can not hold a sufficient charge and ESC light flashes. Vdnt valve leaks discovered.

NHTSA ODI #11506056

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2022
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

My service brake assist light came on and then within seconds my vehicle then said engine power has been lowered and my vehicle pretty much shut down no steering no brakes couldn't do anything. Took it into the repair shop and my vacuum pump has shattered and now damaged my camshaft. I am aware there's been many other vehicles r…

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My service brake assist light came on and then within seconds my vehicle then said engine power has been lowered and my vehicle pretty much shut down no steering no brakes couldn't do anything. Took it into the repair shop and my vacuum pump has shattered and now damaged my camshaft. I am aware there's been many other vehicles recalled with GM's vacuum pumps and I'm not sure why my year and model has not been included when it's doing the same thing and not to mention I have seen countless other cases of people saying same things happen to them with their GMC terrains.

NHTSA ODI #11499615

Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2022
EngineLane DepartureService Brakes

UNKNOWN...ACTS AS IF ITS A SMART CAR THAT'S NOT REALLY A SMART CAR

NHTSA ODI #11458704

Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2022
Air BagsPower TrainService Brakes

Brakes hard to press. Almost cause an accident on interstate. Was able to contain vehicle. Took to autozone to assessed and it said Powertrain System. Brake Booster Senor Circuit.

NHTSA ODI #11452898

40,000 miles · Nov 4, 2021
Service Brakes

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost brake functionality while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the vacuum pump replaced. The vehicle was…

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The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost brake functionality while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the vacuum pump replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI #11439344

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.