2020 GMC Terrain

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2020 GMC Terrain exhibits reliability concerns, primarily with the power train and child seat anchorage systems. The average failure mileage of 73,874 indicates that issues tend to arise as vehicles accumulate mileage, necessitating attention from current owners.

Key Factor:Power train vulnerabilities

📋Why This Matters

The defects associated with the power train could potentially lead to severe performance issues, affecting both drivability and safety. Additionally, the child seat LATCH anchorage problem raises significant safety concerns for families relying on proper installation for their children's car seats, as failure to meet federal standards may compromise safety in accidents.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis

In evaluating year-over-year safety trends for the GMC Terrain, the presence of two recalls and a high number of complaints reflects a concerning reliability profile. This model is underperforming relative to expectations within its segment, suggesting areas for critical improvement.

Safety & Reliability Score

79/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-5
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2020 GMC Terrain

Model Year2020
MakeGMC
ModelTerrain
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan20
NEWProduction
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jul23
ISSUEFirst Report
Nov23
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

38 complaints (38% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 100 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
18(18%)
🟡Medium
25(25%)
🟢Low
57(57%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

With a peak failure range extending beyond 100k miles and an average failure mileage of 73,874, owners should be vigilant about potential issues as their vehicles approach or exceed these thresholds. This trend indicates that problems may manifest significantly as vehicles age and accumulate mileage.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 40 of 100 complaints (40% coverage)
0-20k
5 reports (13%)
20k-40k
3 reports (8%)
40k-60k
8 reports (20%)
60k-80k
8 reports (20%)
80k-100k
5 reports (13%)
100k+
11 reports (28%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

POWER TRAINCHILD SEAT

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Power Train

Issue: Potential malfunction due to missing bolts in the automatic transmission system.

Schedule an inspection at an authorized service center to assess the transmission system's integrity.

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Inquire about recall completion status and any related repairs before finalizing a purchase.

2

Child Seat Anchorage

Issue: Excessive powder coating may prevent proper installation of child seats.

Check if your vehicle has been addressed under recall guidelines regarding child seat anchors.

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Verify that the vehicle complies with child restraint anchorage requirements during your purchasing process.

💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your GMC dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (2)

Campaign: 20V668000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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.

Consequence

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 crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC

Campaign: 23V339000

CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

100 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 Terrain.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning38%
Check Engine Light17%
Stall12%
Acceleration Issues11%
Display11%
Leak8%
Accident8%
Crash/Accident6%
Fire5%
Battery5%
Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
POWER TRAIN

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. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that a friend test-drove the vehicle and informed that the vehicle had experienced transmission failure. Neither the independent mechanic nor the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V668000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 104,000.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE

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 traffic. I took it to my GMC dealer earlier this year for them to diagnose, and they discovered that the charge air cooler tube had collected moisture. Once that was fixed, the vehicle was fine for about a month when the same thing happened. I took it to another GMC dealer and found that the turbocharger wastegate actuator had to be replaced. Once replaced, I had no problems until it began to get cold where I live. Now the vehicle is doing the same thing. Now what happens is the engine light will come on and give the engine underboost message but goes away after a week of driving. I have taken it to 2 dealers for diagnosis, only for the engine light to disappear before they can figure out what the problem is now. This continues to be an issue, as I frequently drive on the highway over 55mph for work, errands, etc., and presents a potential hazard if I have to pick up speed and can't on a major highway.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

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 when it is having performance issues. That could lead to someone colliding into me if it suddenly stops when someone is behind me. I believe this part should be recalled and fixed for free.

Brakes⚠️ High
SERVICE BRAKES

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 them yesterday to tell them that it went again and they refused to fix it telling me that they got the part from the dealership and that I would have to take it there so the dealership would have to figure out what’s wrong with it as to why the car is “chewing up” the part. I have young kids and this part has gone five times.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 independent service center suspected an issue with the module but was unable to make an official diagnosis. The vehicle was towed to the local GMC dealer who confirmed the FPCM failure and needed to be replaced at a cost of $850. There were no warning indicators prior to the incident and the vehicle's display only showed "battery saver mode" after stalling on the street.

Brakes⚠️ High
SERVICE BRAKES

While driving my brakes failed. I was unable to stop my car, my brake pedal became very stiff and I could not stop my car. There were no warning signs or lights on indicating there were any issues with my car prior to this happening. I had to have my car towed to the dealer. The current estimate is for a vacuum pump failure resulting in camshaft damage. Both need to be replaced. I see other GMC cars were recalled for what appears to be a similar issue. I am lucky no one was injured as this could have very easily resulted in a fatal event. I have never heard of such a thing happening before and am beyond belief that this has occurred. This is the third repair I've had done this year. I have also replaced a booter pipe and valve gasket due to leaking oil. The amount of repairs required in such a short a time seems excessive.

Brakes🔵 Low
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving up the driveway at approximately 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to function as intended. The contact used force to depress the brake pedal. When the vehicle came to a stop, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the front brakes. The contact stated that the message "Power Assist Brakes" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 198,000.

Brakes🔶 Medium
SERVICE BRAKES

While driving on a main road at around 45mph the vacuum pump that supplies brake fluid to the brakes failed. The car was unable to be stopped and had it not been late in the night I could have crashed into other vehicles on the road or hit someone walking. There was not indication prior to the malfunction and was very sudden. This issue has been observed by the dealer as well as multiple other individuals with the same problem for this make and model of car as well as others by the same manufacturer for similar years of manufacturing. This part has also been shown to break into the engine causing complete engine failure due to lack of a shear pin on the vacuum pump.

Safety Systems🔵 Low
BACK OVER PREVENTION

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that upon shifting to reverse(R), the rear-view camera image was blue, and the parking sensor beeping sound was inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear-view camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The rear backup camera in my 2020 GMC Terrain failed. I first noticed and noted that the image was 'cloudy' on 5/3/2023, and it became very bad by 1/22/2024. On 7/1/2024, the image stopped working completely, replaced with a blue screen on the dashboard screen. I ordered a new camera and replaced it myself on 8/1/2024. Because the dealership did not mention any safety effects or recalls, and instead quoted me a very expensive repair estimate, and the vehicle was out of its 3 year warranty, I assumed it was my responsibility to repair this feature. However, I have seen recent news articles where other vehicles have been recalled by NHTSA for similar problems with backup cameras.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the common issues reported with the 2020 GMC Terrain?

'Common issues include problems related to the power train and child seat anchorage systems. Owners have reported transmission malfunctions possibly linked to missing bolts and difficulties in properly securing child seats due to excessive powder coating on LATCH anchors. Addressing these concerns early can enhance both vehicle performance and safety.'

'How reliable is the 2020 GMC Terrain based on complaint statistics?'

'The reliability profile of the 2020 GMC Terrain is concerning given its high number of complaints—100 reported across various components. Current owners should remain alert for early signs of these documented issues—especially as they approach higher mileages—while prospective buyers should ensure all recalls have been resolved.'

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • Safety Check: Cross-reference your VIN with official GMC records to ensure no 2 recalls remain open.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in GMC's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Obtain proof of recall completion for all 2 campaigns before purchase.
  • Account for potential service downtime when calculating your initial ownership budget.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.