2019 GMC Terrain problems
The 2019 GMC Terrain has 177 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2019 GMC Terrain has 177 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 49 complaints, typically surfacing around 31,551 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Terrain | 150 | 0 |
| 2017 Terrain | 133 | 1 |
| 2018 Terrain | 214 | 1 |
| 2019 Terrain (this page) | 177 | 0 |
| 2020 Terrain | 184 | 0 |
| 2021 Terrain | 34 | 0 |
| 2022 Terrain | 76 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Brakes: 42 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 42,000–84,400 mi
- Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2019 GMC Terrain SUV FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2019 GMC Terrain? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 49 owner reports · tends to show around 31,551 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- brakes — 42 owner reports · tends to show around 69,300 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 23,950 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 80,150 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 69,300 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2019 GMC Terrain
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
It began with showing "Service Brake Assist" for about 2 weeks + then on Dec 18th 2023 around 10:30 as my fiancé was stopped at a stoplight and all of sudden when the light turned green she attempted to continue forward as traffic started to move only to stall stalled out…
Failure of the cam driven vacuum pump causing brake failure. Leading to a hard brake pedal which increases risk of a crash. Debris from the broken vacuum pump can fall down into the engine causing a catastrophic failure of the engine needing a replacement. This happens with…
Bought the terrain in nov 22nd 2020 at covina Chevrolet, california. On nov 25th wanted to restore the car stereo because the settings would not delete data saved and it wouldn't connect to my iphone via USB. So I decided to disconnect the posts from the battery terminals for 30…
My ESC randomly comes on. Service parking brake message comes on intermittently. Messages pop a up saying steering wheel assist limited, drive with care. Again, all of these are intermittent but when they happen my steering wheel locks up. Even mid turn. Being intermittent it…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2019 GMC Terrain reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 177 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 GMC Terrain is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2019 GMC Terrain?
The 2019 GMC Terrain is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 42 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 42,000–84,400 mi; Reliability score 7.6/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2019 GMC Terrain?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 49 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 31,551 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2019 GMC Terrain a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 177 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 31,551 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2019 GMC Terrain?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 49 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 31,551 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 31,551 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Terrain has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2019 GMC Terrain?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 177 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.