2019 GMC Terrain Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2019 GMC Terrain has 185 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking 6th worst among 16 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Brakes and engine issues dominate, with 3 recalls covering transmission accumulators, seat welds, and brake bleeding.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #6 of 16 Terrain years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 185
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 25 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2019 GMC Terrain problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes77 (42%)
- Engine76 (41%)
- Transmission & Powertrain51 (28%)
- Electrical System41 (22%)
- Other21 (11%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (3%)
- Fuel System4 (2%)
- Steering4 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake pedal reportedly failed to slow the vehicle or felt stiff, leading to collisions in stop-and-go traffic and at highway speed.
- Some owners describe the backup camera failing to detect nearby objects, resulting in low-speed collisions while reversing.
- Engine oil warning lights and sudden engine shutdown were reported while driving at highway speed, in one case followed by an under-hood fire.
- Owners reported a chemical burning odor from the vents when the air conditioning was running, causing headaches.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy or deployed with metal fragments during crashes, causing injury.
- One owner reported the electronic shifter could be bumped into neutral unintentionally while driving.
2019 GMC Terrain recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
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.
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.
- NHTSA 19V184000Mar 7, 2019Structure & Body120 vehicles
Seats
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.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. 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 N192209550.
- NHTSA 18V576000Aug 30, 2018Brakes210,628 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
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.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
2019 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 25 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2019 compared with other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 GMC Terrain reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 185 complaints and a complaint index of 67 for the 2019 Terrain, giving it a Caution verdict. It ranks 6th worst out of 16 model years, with brakes as the top reported problem area.
- What problems does the 2019 GMC Terrain have?
- Owners most often reported brake problems (77 complaints, 42% share) and engine issues (76 complaints, 41% share), followed by transmission and powertrain complaints (51 complaints) and electrical system issues (41 complaints).
- Does the 2019 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Terrain: a transmission start-stop accumulator recall, a rear seat head-restraint weld recall, and a brake system bleeding recall. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- Is the 2019 Terrain better or worse than other Terrain years?
- The 2019 model's complaint index of 67 is worse than 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, but better than 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2020, which carry Avoid verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 GMC Terrain?
- The 2019 Terrain gets an EPA-rated 27 mpg combined (25 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.