YearToAvoid

2020 GMC Terrain Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 72 brake complaints for the 2020 GMC Terrain, 37% of all complaints filed for the year. Owners report sudden loss of braking assist, often tied to a failed vacuum pump, with 5 crashes and 2 injuries reported. Median mileage at failure is 71,000; no related recall is listed in NHTSA data.

Brakes complaints
72
37% of 196
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
71,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe a 'service brake assist' warning appearing suddenly, followed by the brake pedal becoming hard to press or unresponsive.
  • Several drivers report a total loss of braking while in motion, with some coasting to a stop or crashing into objects like a median, fence, or tree.
  • Multiple complaints point to a failed vacuum pump as the root cause, with one owner noting the failure damaged the camshaft.
  • Some owners report the problem returning shortly after dealer repairs replaced brake system parts.
  • A few complaints mention the check engine light illuminating alongside the brake assist warning and reduced engine power.

When 2020 GMC Terrain brake complaints were filed

First complaint Jul 28, 2020, latest Sep 23, 2026.

2020 GMC Terrain brakes complaints: complaints filed per month5Jul 2020Mar 2022Sep 2023Jul 2024Jan 2025Jul 2025Dec 2025Jun 2026
72 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2020 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2025 (5).

Brakes recalls for the 2020 GMC Terrain

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

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 2020 GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA lists 72 brake complaints for the 2020 Terrain, which is 37% of the 196 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for 2020 GMC Terrain brake problems?
NHTSA data shows no related recall listed for the brake complaints on the 2020 GMC Terrain.
At what mileage do 2020 GMC Terrain brake problems usually occur?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 71,000 miles.
Have brake problems caused crashes in the 2020 GMC Terrain?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 5 crashes and 2 injuries linked to brake complaints for the 2020 Terrain.
Are brake complaints worse in 2020 than other Terrain years?
The 2020 Terrain's 37% brake complaint share is lower than the 2018 (40%) and 2019 (42%) model years but far higher than most years before 2018.

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.