2020 GMC TERRAIN Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2020 Gmc Terrain. This model year has 169 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Brake System.
Model-Year Complaints
169 owner reports
Recall Campaigns
2 NHTSA campaigns
Top Failure Area
Brake System
Worst 2020 Gmc Terrain Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Brake System
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
AI Interpretation — 2020 Gmc Terrain
Low ConfidenceThe 2020 GMC Terrain has 169 NHTSA complaints, with the most frequent issues reported in the brake system and engine. There are 2 recalls and 7 crash-related complaints. The data suggests potential concerns with braking and engine performance, but the low confidence level means these patterns should be interpreted cautiously.
- Brake system complaints are the most numerous, with 58 reports.
- Engine problems account for 51 complaints, the second-highest category.
- Uncategorized issues (29 complaints) and electrical faults (25 complaints) are also notable.
- Brake system issues are the most commonly reported problem.
- Engine problems are a frequent complaint area.
- Transmission or drivetrain issues appear in 25 complaints.
- Inspect the brake system thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and brake repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical systems.
Considering a 2020 Gmc Terrain?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $12.95 (vs. Carfax $39.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2020 Gmc Terrain. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake System | 58 | 5 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 51 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 29 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 20 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 11 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 8 | 2 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Carry Handle | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Shell | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Base | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2020 Gmc Terrain. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Filled up with gas and went to leave gas station and was still rolling to come to a stop and car shut off and would not crank back up o couldn't put in neutral to even move out of the way. After about 10 mins I was able to crank it back up. No lights came or was on and battery wa…
After vehicle acting like it isnt getting power and trying to die, I pulled into a gas station and turned it off. When I went to restart it, the vehicle kept turning over and over automatically not wanting to start and the engine light came on. I let it sit for about 5 minutes …
Random problems accelerating. Like I can be pulling out of my parking spot in revese then switch it to drive an try to move and it won’t move at all or very slowly then out of nowhere it accelerates fast
The article below appears online, 4/13/2026. I have the exact same problem with my 2020 GMC Terrain Denali and I would like other GM vehicles added to their Chevy recall. They use the same parts within GM's product lines. As background info, I went to the dealer, Matick Buick …
1- at 71,000 miles in 2022 brake vacuum pump “exploded” broke into many small pieces in the middle of driving. Causing brakes to lock. Brake pedal was brick hard. Hard to maneuver the car out of traffic without causing a collision. Luckily car was not being driven at high speed. …
Catastrophic engine failure; no warning lights,etc. took place on or about end of January 2026. Car completely died and would not start. Car towed to dealer (GMC Blaise Alexander, Hazleton, PA) Vehicle inspected by dealer master mechanic and others. Engine completely disassembl…
The airbag system on my 2020 GMC Terrain has an intermittent malfunction. The airbag warning light turns on and off and the diagnostic code B0014 has been identified by a dealership. When the warning light is on, the airbag system may not deploy properly in a crash, creating a sa…
I was driving 55 miles an hour on an Expressway. And suddenly my truck just shut off.The brake became very hard unable to break very scary situation for me and my children. Engine power was reduced and would not start, many errors came up. The vacuum pump failed, which also cause…
While driving I received a "service brake assist system" alert and a check engine light. After this happened the brakes were extremely hard to press. I had to put my entire weight on the breaks to stop the car. The brake "assist" feature really is making the brakes functional. We…
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving in cold weather at various speeds; moisture accumulated and deactivated the charger, causing the vehicle to go into LIMP Mode and lose drive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the ve…
I own a 2020 GMC Terrain with approximately 110,000 miles. While driving in winter, the vehicle suddenly lost cabin heat and defrosting capability. The temperature gauge began fluctuating and the cooling fans continued running after the vehicle was shut off. A mechanic diagnosed…
I noticed a sticker in driver door stating recall however no evidence. The vehicle will not pull hills, back up on a hill and will not accelerate over 25 miles per minute. Dangerous to drive on roads. Took vehicle to a GMC dealer for diagnostic test, received the report for what …
While driving down the interstate a notice popped up on my dash about the brake assist. When I attempted to slow down the vehicle to safely pull over the brake pedal was very hard to push. I was able to slow the vehicle to a complete stop but needing to use both feed and press …
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. While the contact’s wife was driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal to pull into the parking lot of Walmart, the braking distance was extended while bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. The driver used exces…
Towards the tail end of a nearly 2.5 hour drive, the Automatic Theft Deterrent System was activated on the interstate. I lost every display on the dash panel including my speedometer, battery, coolant, gas, turn signals, and windshield wipers. I went into the nearest parking lot…
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill or making a left or right turn, the tires were skipping, and there was a clicking and whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. Th…
This message concerns a persistent engine light that activates and generates engine code P0299, indicating an engine underboost issue. There have been several occasions where I am driving over 55mph on the highway and my 2020 Terrain SLT fails to pick up speed over 60mph in traff…
The intercooler has been a document problem on GMC Terrains for awhile now. I had my intercooler replaced and now less than 10 months it is having the same problem. The vehicle will go into reduced power mode which would be a safety hazard because it will also stall sometimes whe…
Since August 2024, my brake booster has gone a total of five times each time with the notification on the dash service brake assist. And it just went again as of two days ago. I’ve brought it to Firestone where they have replaced it each time with a warranty on the part. I called…
Re: 2020 GMC Terrain. Our fuel pump control module (FPCM) unexpectedly failed after driving a short distance. Vehicle stalled without warning on the street and was unable to be started again. This could have resulted in a crash and/or injury to other people in the area. An in…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2020 Gmc Terrain.
Recalls for 2020 Gmc Terrain
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2020 Gmc Terrain. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2020 Gmc Terrain — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2020 Gmc Terrain reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2020 Gmc Terrain has 169 NHTSA owner complaints, 7 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Brake System (58 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Gmc Terrain?▾
#1: Brake System (58 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (51 complaints). #3: Uncategorized Issues (29 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2020 Gmc Terrain?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2020 Gmc Terrain?▾
The 2020 Gmc Terrain has 7 crash-related complaints and 1 fire reports out of 169 total NHTSA complaints. 5 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2020 Gmc Terrain have any recalls?▾
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2020 Gmc Terrain. The largest issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2020 Gmc Terrain?▾
The 2020 Gmc Terrain has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Brake System issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Gmc Terrain reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
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Check Your Specific 2020 Gmc Terrain
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $12.95 (vs. Carfax $39.99).