YearToAvoid

2019 GMC Terrain Brakes Problems

Brakes account for 77 of 185 total complaints (42%) filed on the 2019 GMC Terrain, tied to 2 crashes and 3 injuries. A related recall (18V576000) covers brake system air/bleeding issues on this and other GM models. Median mileage at failure is 41,000. 3 of the 77 brakes complaints for this model year mention the “Service ESC / StabiliTrak” warning.

Brakes complaints
77
42% of 185
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
3
Median mileage
41,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pedal becomes stiff or hard to depress and fails to slow the vehicle promptly, in some cases leading to a rear-end or intersection collision.
  • Vehicle failed to decrease speed despite the brake pedal being fully depressed at highway speeds, forcing drivers to steer onto the shoulder.
  • Service ESC, ABS, traction control, and check engine lights illuminate together, sometimes with a flashing check engine light, while driving on rough roads or during acceleration.
  • A 'service brake assist' warning message appears intermittently, sometimes linked by owners to a low battery condition.
  • One owner reported the brake vacuum pump failing internally, reducing braking ability while approaching a school zone intersection.
  • Brake pedal must be pressed to the floor before the brake assist system activates to bring the vehicle to a stop, with no warning light present.

When 2019 GMC Terrain brake complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 4, 2019, latest Sep 24, 2026.

2019 GMC Terrain brakes complaints: complaints filed per month4Apr 2019Mar 2022Nov 2022Nov 2023Jun 2024Jan 2025Jul 2025Feb 2026
77 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Oct 2025 (4).

Brakes recalls for the 2019 GMC Terrain

  1. 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.

Brakes complaints by Terrain model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201027 (9%)
  2. 201129 (8%)
  3. 201217 (5%)
  4. 201313 (4%)
  5. 201415 (5%)
  6. 201517 (6%)
  7. 20168 (5%)
  8. 20173 (2%)
  9. 201887 (40%)
  10. 201977 (42%)
  11. 202072 (37%)
  12. 20218 (23%)
  13. 20221 (2%)
  14. 20230 (0%)
  15. 20243 (6%)
  16. 20253 (23%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2019 GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA lists 77 brake-related complaints for the 2019 GMC Terrain, which is 42% of the 185 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2019 GMC Terrain?
Yes. Recall 18V576000, reported in August 2018, covers the brake system on 2018-2019 GMC Terrain and related GM vehicles; the remedy is for dealers to bleed the vehicle's brake system free of charge.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2019 Terrain?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2019 GMC Terrain is 41,000 miles.
Have the brake problems caused any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data ties 2 crashes and 3 injuries to brake complaints on the 2019 GMC Terrain, with no fires reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.