2020 GMC Terrain reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2020 GMC Terrain holds 196 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 13 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Terrain years here — over the median of the other years, which is 10. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Vehicle latch anchor and Automatic transmission.

2012 GMC Terrain — Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain

Complaints

196

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Service brakes (64 of 196), then Engine (58) and Powertrain (28). Those filings include 7 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 3 that report an injury.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Terrain has 185 complaints, 17 per year, and the 2021 has 35 complaints, 4 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 GMC Terrain. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (2)

Recall child seat, vehicle latch anchor 2023-05-11 · NHTSA campaign 23V339000

Summary 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."

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.

Recall powertrain, automatic transmission 2020-10-29 · NHTSA campaign 20V668000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (196 total)

Service brakes

Engine

Powertrain

Electrical system

Fuel and propulsion system

Speed control

Forward collision avoidance

Hydraulic brakes

Back-over prevention

Fuel system, gasoline

Structure

Air bags

Engine and engine cooling

Steering

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Lane departure

Suspension

Visibility

Visibility and wipers

Wheels

Carry handle, shell, and base

Exterior lighting

Seat belts

Seats

Traction control

Show 17 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"While driving my 2020 GMC Terrain, I experienced a sudden loss of normal braking assistance. I had been traveling on the highway and exited onto a main road. As I approached a red traffic light at approximately 50 mph…"
Powertrain, Service brakes, Engine · filed 2026-09-23
"Having the start stop issue on my terrain and recently over the last few months, it has been using oil everything that sounds exactly like the recall but mine is not included. My start stop is not working and I have to…"
Powertrain, Engine · filed 2026-09-08
"Fuel pump control module and or the in tank fuel pump failed and or isn’t making proper connection for car to run correctly. Safety was put at risk as car came to abrupt halt while driving. Driver was outside of vehicle…"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-09-02
"The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The brake pedal was depressed to the floor, and the vehicle slowed down and…"
Hydraulic brakes · filed 2026-08-31
"COMPONENT OR SYSTEM FAILED - GMC Dealership replacing fuel pump. SAFETY OR SAFETY OF OTHERS AT RISK - stalled in remote area with no internet/cell service. In order to get to safety we travelled 13 miles of narrow 2…"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-24

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2020 GMC Terrain SUV AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2020 GMC Terrain SUV FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Terrain all-wheel drive	1.5L, 4-cyl	Automatic 9-speed	All-wheel drive	25	28	26 MPG	$2500
Terrain all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic 9-speed	All-wheel drive	21	26	23 MPG	$3450
Terrain front-wheel drive	1.5L, 4-cyl	Automatic 9-speed	Front-wheel drive	26	30	27 MPG	$2400
Terrain front-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic 9-speed	Front-wheel drive	22	28	24 MPG	$3300

Specs and fitment

2nd generation, 2018–present

Body styles SUV

Oil dexos1 5W-30 or 0W-20 (engine per manual) , 5 qt capacity

Tire size 235/50R19, 225/65R17 (trim dependent)

Towing capacity 3,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 23V869000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly. A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Remedy: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232429911. When NHTSA lists multiple GM nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.

Compare

Previous year 2019 GMC Terrain Next year 2021 GMC Terrain See every GMC Terrain model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 GMC Terrain reliable?

What are common problems with a 2020 GMC Terrain?

Is the 2020 GMC Terrain more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2020 GMC Terrain been recalled?

The 2020 GMC Terrain has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 GMC Terrain?

Owners have filed 196 complaints about the 2020 GMC Terrain with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 GMC Terrain get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 GMC Terrain is 25 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a GMC Terrain use?

US Terrain manuals specify dexos-approved oil for your four-cylinder engine.

What does NHTSA recall 22V-137 cover on the GMC Terrain?

NHTSA safety recall 22V137000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles.

What generation is the 2013 GMC Terrain?

1st generation (2012-2017).