2020 Gmc Terrain problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (58) · Power Train (19) · Fuel/Propulsion System (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Terrain model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
41 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Child Seat:vehicle Latch Anchor 2023-05-11 · campaign 23V339000 · 668,187 vehicles
Defect: 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 2020-10-29 · campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Service bulletins (846)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-10-26 · GM Update N25-250552 · Over The Air
• improvements to onstar functionality.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-27 · PIT5992B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information discusses a condition that may arise from the drivers window switch sending an errant message causing the vehicle to enter manual fob learn mode.
Showing the 6 most recent of 846 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-27 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 90,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. the transmission then sputtered. the vehicle was uncontrollable, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. the vehicle accelerated and dr…”
2026-09-29 · Service 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 inte…”
2026-09-23 · Service 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 intersectio…”
2026-09-08 · Power Train“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. …”
2026-09-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel pump control module and or the in tank fuel pump failed and or isn’t 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 persis…”
2026-08-31 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 92,000 mi“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 i…”
2026-08-24 · Fuel/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 confi…”
2026-08-23 · Service 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 …”
2026-08-19 · Service 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 …”
2026-08-13 · Unknown Or Other“during heavy rain, the sunroof on my terrain leaked badly enough to allow a substantial amount of water into the vehicle. the rear floor area became completely saturated, and the sunroof controls stopped working. i brought the vehicle to hudson cadillac buick gmc in poughkeepsie, new york, to have the problem diagnosed and repaired. the resulting r…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.