Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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
What owners actually said
195 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
My 2020 terrain is now at 33k+ miles, I have had repeated instances with my car not accelerating properly. I would be at a full stop try to start to accelerate and not move push down a little further on accelerator and start crawling forward. I would move approximately quarter mile before the vehicle would jerk and accelerate ve…
Read full complaint
My 2020 terrain is now at 33k+ miles, I have had repeated instances with my car not accelerating properly. I would be at a full stop try to start to accelerate and not move push down a little further on accelerator and start crawling forward. I would move approximately quarter mile before the vehicle would jerk and accelerate very quickly to a speed well over where it should go to. I.e. I know because I’m starting in traffic I’m not trying to take off at thirty but when the jerk happens I can be jolted to 40-45 mph. The other issue is people behind you don’t realize what’s going on and I have been hit almost twice thankfully they were able to avoid me by going around. No warning lights have come on. This last insistence not only could I not accelerate, but cruise did not want to turn on, the emergency brake didn’t want to work, and the air conditioner was loosing power. I plan on having an independent service center inspect the vehicle, my husband was able to repeat the issue so I’m sure they will also. The first incident was in May and I have had 5 but thankfully I don’t drive that much.
NHTSA ODI #11532728
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2023
Unknown Or Other
Screen system prompts to accept terms of service while moving. This is unsafe and the system should know it is in motion. Unsafe programming, require manufacture to only prompt when system is at reset. Require OTA reprogramming.
NHTSA ODI #11524354
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…
Read full complaint
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
42,000 miles · May 25, 2023
Fuel System, Gasoline
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while attempting to restart the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #11523793
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion System
The engine cutoff while driving through a major intersection in 3/2022 with no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module. Subsequently, the engine cutoff while driving in 5/2023. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module. Each of these occurrences p…
Read full complaint
The engine cutoff while driving through a major intersection in 3/2022 with no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module. Subsequently, the engine cutoff while driving in 5/2023. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module. Each of these occurrences placed my life, my passengers life and the lives of others on the road in danger as an accident could have resulted if I was not able to coast out of harms way. GMC has an existing recall on the fuel pump module for 2021 - 2022 Chevrolet Equinox and 2022 GMC Terrain vehicles. Why did this happen a second time after replacing the fuel pump module? Are they using a module included in the recall? I was charged $ 591 dollars for the repair in 3/2022 and no charge in 5/2023 as they stated it must have been a faulty module. I have no confidence in my safety and the module they used in 5/2023 is not faulty.
NHTSA ODI #11523286
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…
Read full complaint
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 · Apr 24, 2023
Power Train
The car has been in the shop for the turbo being over boosted four times and is getting hot, so they put thermo tape on the part, and now what if the car catches on fire? This is an electrical issue that needs to be solved.
NHTSA ODI #11518712
42,510 miles · Mar 22, 2023
Fuel System, Gasoline
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The message "Battery Low - Start Vehicle" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel sensor module and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaire…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The message "Battery Low - Start Vehicle" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel sensor module and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V013000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,510.
NHTSA ODI #11513188
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2023
Electrical System
Radio goes from normal volume to as loud as possible while just driving.scares ya to death! Can't turn volume down with out 1st shutting off radio and turning it back on.dealship stayed there isn't a problem they could find.Blu tooth cuts in and out and locks the radio up untill you shut vehicle off and restart.shows you still o…
Read full complaint
Radio goes from normal volume to as loud as possible while just driving.scares ya to death! Can't turn volume down with out 1st shutting off radio and turning it back on.dealship stayed there isn't a problem they could find.Blu tooth cuts in and out and locks the radio up untill you shut vehicle off and restart.shows you still on a call even though you have disconnected phone from radio.volume issue has happened several times
NHTSA ODI #11511251
48,552 miles · Mar 3, 2023
Engine
The contact's friend's son owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The brakes failed to immediately stop the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle made grinding sounds while driving. The vehicle was taken to the de…
Read full complaint
The contact's friend's son owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The brakes failed to immediately stop the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle made grinding sounds while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the vacuum pump, exhaust camshaft, and valve cover gasket were replaced; however, the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 48,552. The contact stated that additionally, the check engine light came on without cause. The contact is unsure why that is because a diagnostic test had just been performed.
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.
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.
2020 GMC Terrain Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year