Problems · NHTSA complaints

2019 GMC Terrain problems

Owners filed 187 complaints about the 2019 GMC Terrain with NHTSA between Aug 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (70).

Complaints
187
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
7
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine70
  2. Service brakes65
  3. Power train53
  4. Electrical system39
  5. Vehicle speed control9
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic7
  7. Back over prevention7
  8. Forward collision avoidance6
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)6
  10. Exterior lighting5
  11. Fuel/propulsion system4
  12. Steering4
  13. Suspension3
  14. Structure2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20185
201920
20207
202118
202223
202322
202427
202537
202628

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

70 reports2 fires
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Power train, Service brakes, EngineODI 11770963

Service brakes

65 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11766640

Power train

53 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 23, 2026Power trainODI 11766497

Electrical system

39 reports1 fire
“On Saturday, August 15th we were driving on the freeway when with no warning the check engine light came on and the vehicle began to run poorly, and then the vehicle lost electrical power and it became difficult to steer and the brake pedal became stiff, making it difficult to stop and pull over. The vehicle would not start on command but kept running very poorly, it also became impossible to shut the vehicle off until it seized. It was later towed to a local repair shop, and today, Friday August 21st the shop confirmed that the vacuum pump on the brake assist failed and it would need a total engine replacement.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 21, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, EngineODI 11758591

Vehicle speed control

9 reports
“Friday July 25, 2025 I was driving my 2019 GMC Terrain SLE and when exiting the interstate the brake pedal got hard and I could not stop. After almost rear ending another vehicle, I got the vehicle into the ditch and safely off the road. After several attempts to correct the problem, I was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed home and seen by a mechanic. The vacuum pump went out while I was driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 28, 2025Steering, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11676573

Service brakes, hydraulic

7 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while stopped and attempting to turn to exit a highway ramp, he observed a loud banging noise emanating from the engine compartment. An "engine reduced power" message appeared. The vehicle then went into limp mode, and when the brake pedal was depressed, it was stiff as a rock. The vehicle coasted while he continued attempting to depress the brake pedal, and it eventually slowed down. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and turned off. When the vehicle was turned back on and he attempted to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle did not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to his mother's residence approximately 100 miles away in limp mode and parked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that his brother, during an inspection of the vehicle, removed the vacuum pump and noticed that it was broken with numerous pieces that had gone into the engine. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, EngineODI 11737591
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.