NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 197 owner complaints for the 2020 GMC Terrain. Most complaints involve service brakes (65) and engine (58). The EPA rates it 23–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
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."
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.
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 |
“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 intensive work.”
“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 intersection before I was able to safely get the vehicle off the roadway. Fortunately, there was no vehicle directly in front of me and I was able to make it through the intersection before any other cars, so no collision occurred. The vehicle was subsequently inspected and diagnosed by a GMC dealership. A diagnostic scan performed after the incident showed code P0556 for the brake booster pressure sensor circuit range/performance. The GMC dealership later diagnosed problems involving the vacuum pump, exhaust camshaft, and timing components and recommended replacement of the vacuum pump, exhaust camshaft, timing components, and related parts.” The sudden loss of braking assistance created a serious safety hazard and could have resulted in a collision, serious injury, or death. The vehicle is currently available for inspection.”
“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.”
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 FWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 30 | 27 | $2,400 | 325 |
| Terrain AWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 28 | 26 | $2,450 | 339 |
| Terrain FWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $3,300 | 350 |
| 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 |
2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 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 197 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (65), engine (58), power train (28). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2020 GMC Terrain at 23–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 GMC Terrain 5 out of 5 stars overall.