YearToAvoid

2020 GMC Terrain Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 67 engine complaints for the 2020 GMC Terrain, 34% of its 196 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 49,276 miles. No related recall covers this engine issue. Two injuries have been reported, but no crashes or fires.

Engine complaints
67
34% of 196
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
49,276 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Sudden loss of power or acceleration while driving, sometimes with the check engine and traction control lights coming on at highway speed.
  • Turbo failure reported with the car unable to accelerate above low speeds after stopping, taking over a mile to build speed in a 65mph zone.
  • Engine oil loss tied to an alleged engine defect, in one case requiring full engine replacement under warranty.
  • Check engine and stability control warning messages appearing shortly after purchase, accompanied by the vehicle slowing on its own.
  • Adaptive cruise control disengaging unexpectedly with seat vibration and a warning noise, described as a recurring occurrence.
  • Transmission apparently failing to reach its highest gear despite the vehicle being equipped with a 9-speed transmission.

When 2020 GMC Terrain engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 2, 2019, latest Sep 23, 2026.

2020 GMC Terrain engine complaints: complaints filed per month5Nov 2019Nov 2021Sep 2022Aug 2023Jul 2024May 2025Nov 2025May 2026
67 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2019 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2025 (5).

Engine recalls for the 2020 GMC Terrain

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Terrain model year

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

  1. 2010126 (43%)
  2. 2011207 (54%)
  3. 2012179 (49%)
  4. 2013206 (57%)
  5. 2014130 (44%)
  6. 201583 (28%)
  7. 201648 (32%)
  8. 201779 (59%)
  9. 201858 (26%)
  10. 201976 (41%)
  11. 202067 (34%)
  12. 202111 (31%)
  13. 202213 (22%)
  14. 202316 (41%)
  15. 202413 (27%)
  16. 20253 (23%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems in the 2020 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA has logged 67 engine complaints for the 2020 Terrain, which is 34% of all 196 complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 GMC Terrain engine?
No. The JSON data shows no related recalls listed for this engine problem area.
At what mileage do 2020 Terrain engine problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure across reported engine complaints is 49,276 miles.
Have engine problems caused crashes or injuries in the 2020 Terrain?
NHTSA records show 0 crashes and 0 fires tied to this engine complaint area, but 2 injuries have been reported.
How does 2020 compare to other Terrain model years for engine complaints?
The 34% share for 2020 is lower than years like 2013 (57%) and 2017 (59%), but higher than 2018 (26%) and 2021 (31%).

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.