repaired · 2025 Q1
Child seat: vehicle latch anchor
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.
2020 GMC TerrainProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 198 owner complaints about the 2020 GMC Terrain, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 23V-339 the manufacturer reports only 79% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 27, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2020 GMC Terrain has problems
198 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
65Service brakes6 crash/fire/injury
58Engine1 crash/fire/injury
28Power train
27Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
25Fuel/propulsion system
11Vehicle speed control
8Service brakes, hydraulic
8Forward collision avoidance
6Back over prevention
3716 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 65 | 6 |
| Engine | 58 | 1 |
| Power train | 28 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 27 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 25 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 1 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 8 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | 2 |
| Back over prevention | 6 | 0 |
| 16 other systems | 37 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2020 GMC Terrain recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2023 Q2
Power train: automatic transmission
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…
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.
Best & worst years
2020 vs. every other Terrain year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Terrain median. How we score
'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2020 GMC Terrain safety ratings
2020 GMC Terrain SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
- Rollover: 4 stars (16.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
In owners' words
What Terrain owners report
Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
While driving at the speed limit the vacuum pump failed on my 2020 GMC Terrain. This failure led to me enter an intersection with heavy cross traffic, nearly striking g several vehicles. This is the 3rd time I have had to replace this pump in 2 years. The pump explodes sending chards of metal into…
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 and attempted to brake, the vehicle would not stop normally. I was unable to stop…
The brake suddenly became impossible to depress more than 3/4 of an inch. Almost unable to stop nearly hitting another vehicle. The dashboard then lit up with a "service brake system" warning. Luckily was only a few minutes from home brought it home and began the search for the issue. The brake…
Own a 2020 Terrain?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.