NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 187 owner complaints for the 2019 GMC Terrain. Most complaints involve engine (70) and service brakes (65). The EPA rates it 23–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Terrain model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 295 |
| 2011 | 397 |
| 2012 | 370 |
| 2013 | 370 |
| 2014 | 302 |
| 2015 | 317 |
| 2016 | 153 |
| 2017 | 135 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 187 |
| 2020 | 197 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 88 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 33 |
| 2027 | 1 |
“VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 103,576 Incident location: [XXX] Safety Complaint: While my wife was driving our 2019 GMC Terrain into a shopping center parking lot, the vehicle suddenly experienced a severe loss of braking assistance. The brake pedal became extremely stiff and difficult to depress, and she was barely able to slow the vehicle. This occurred unexpectedly while the engine continued running, creating a serious risk of a collision. Following the incident, I inspected the vehicle using an OBD-II diagnostic scanner, which identified diagnostic trouble code P0016 (crankshaft/camshaft position correlation). The vehicle also displayed an oil-pressure warning. We subsequently had the vehicle inspected by John's Automotive Care in [XXX] on XXX. During the inspection, the technician discovered a significant amount of metallic debris in the engine oil. The repair facility suspects a mechanical failure of the engine-driven brake vacuum pump, potentially resulting in damage to the engine and lubrication system. The repair facility recommended replacing the mechanical vacuum pump and engine oil-pressure switch and performing an oil change. However, the…”
“While driving on an interstate, vehicle became sluggish when accelerating. Took off on exit, engine was reduced to 50% power, attempted to drive to large parking lot, lost brakes, got the vehicle stopped in an intersection, would not shut off, go into neutral. Finally shut off, had to call tow truck, holding up traffic in a busy intersection. Was told it would be just $900 to fully diagnose problem, but it appeared the vacuum pump failed, threw broken metal into engine and now will have to be replaced at my cost. NO advanced warning of any type of problem, no warning lights, etc.”
“The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle failed to shift into park. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that three fault codes were found. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be disassembled for a full diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was scheduled for the transmission to be disassembled for the diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain AWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | $2,950 | 319 |
| Terrain FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 39 | 32 | $2,950 | 321 |
| Terrain FWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 30 | 28 | $2,300 | 317 |
| Terrain AWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 28 | 26 | $2,450 | 339 |
| Terrain FWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $3,300 | 369 |
| Terrain AWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 187 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (70), service brakes (65), power train (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2019 GMC Terrain at 23–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 GMC Terrain 5 out of 5 stars overall.