2020 GMC Terrain Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2020 GMC Terrain ranks 4th worst of 16 model years with a complaint index of 80 and an Avoid verdict. Brakes account for 37% of complaints, with failures reported at a median of 71,000 miles, plus two recalls including a transmission accumulator issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #4 of 16 Terrain years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 196
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 23.5 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2020 GMC Terrain problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes72 (37%)
- Engine67 (34%)
- Other35 (18%)
- Fuel System31 (16%)
- Electrical System28 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain28 (14%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (7%)
- Structure & Body6 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes reportedly fail suddenly during low-speed maneuvers like reversing out of a parking spot, leading to collisions.
- Owners describe brake failure on the highway with a service brake assist warning appearing right before the pedal stopped responding.
- The automatic emergency braking system reportedly failed to engage before a collision with another vehicle.
- Some owners say the brake pump failed outright, causing the vehicle to strike a median or fixed object.
- The infotainment screen and gauge cluster have gone black for about 20 seconds before recovering on their own.
- One owner reported the check engine light flashing along with a loss of power soon after leaving the dealership.
2020 GMC Terrain recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V339000May 11, 2023Other668,187 vehicles
Child seat:vehicle latch anchor
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."
Risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. 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 N232403240.
- 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.
2020 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,900
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2020 compared with other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 GMC Terrain reliable?
- Among 16 model years of the Terrain, 2020 ranks 4th worst with a complaint index of 80 and carries an Avoid verdict. Brakes are the top complaint area, making up 37% of reported issues.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 GMC Terrain?
- NHTSA complaints show brakes (37% of complaints), engine (34%), fuel system (16%), electrical system (14%), and transmission/powertrain (14%) as the leading problem areas. Brake failures were reported at a median mileage of 71,000.
- Does the 2020 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2020 Terrain: one for a rear-seat LATCH anchorage coating issue and one for a start-stop transmission accumulator that could have loose bolts.
- How does the 2020 Terrain compare to other model years?
- The 2020 Terrain has a complaint index of 80, worse than most other years; only 2011 (100), 2012 (93), and 2013 (87) rank worse. Years like 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2025 carry a Best verdict with much lower complaint indexes.
- How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 GMC Terrain?
- EPA rates the 2020 Terrain at 25 mpg combined (23.5 city/28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900.