This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 GMC Terrain electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain have filed 23 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Terrain | 25 |
| 2016 Terrain | 6 |
| 2017 Terrain | 6 |
| 2018 Terrain | 29 |
| 2019 Terrain (this page) | 23 |
| 2020 Terrain | 21 |
| 2021 Terrain | 5 |
| 2022 Terrain | 8 |
| 2023 Terrain | 5 |
1fire
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 23 electrical complaints filed for the 2019 GMC Terrain, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to identify them.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and resolution information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Lock and Unlock (Active Functions Work) but Will Not Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions Do Not Work).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of No Crank, No Start, Quick Start/Stall, No FOB Detected, Key FOBs Inoperative, B3924 00, B3925 00, B3926 00, B3927 00, B3928 00 Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2019 GMC Terrain electrical system shows a pattern of cascading failures that span battery, powertrain, safety, and infotainment. Multiple owners report battery depletion and engine stalling at traffic stops, with one owner unable to shift gears, turn the wheel, or open doors after a complete electrical collapse. Another describes the vehicle cutting off while driving, with dash lights failing to illuminate on restart—though dealers label it "a known issue" requiring reset.
Brake system and steering failures appear sporadically but seriously: owners cite brake lock-up during normal driving with no warning light, stiffened brake pedal resisting pressure, and steering wheels jerking forcefully during turns while service ESC and brake assist warnings flicker. One owner lost throttle response at 50 mph, with the gas pedal becoming unresponsive and the vehicle slowing instead of accelerating.
Infotainment failures are common: volume blares without input, systems turn on/off continuously, backup cameras show blue screen errors ($600+ repairs), CarPlay quits, and navigation screens switch to phone screens mid-guidance. Climate control throws "Climate OFF" errors with no dealer fix timeline. One owner's car displays false hatch-open warnings that persist after service.
Owners cite service bulletins (PIT 5663, PIC 6365A) and emissions recalls (N192271200) as possible root causes, but dealers either cannot diagnose intermittent issues or misdiagnose them entirely—one charged $7,000 for a turbo that didn't solve the actual problem. Dealerships repeatedly tell owners "it's not happening now" or label electrical collapses as "computer glitches," leaving safety-critical faults unresolved.
Same GMC Terrain electrical reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Battery Depletion & Stalling During Acceleration
Vehicle stalls when accelerating from stop (traffic light, stop sign). Battery reads severely depleted; owner unable to shift into neutral/park, turn steering wheel, or operate windows/door locks. After jump-start, battery shows completely depleted hours later despite remote start functioning.
When: Dec 18-19, 2023; multiple incidents within hours
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls during acceleration from stop; Battery severely depleted; Loss of all electrical functions (steering lock, window locks, door locks); Vehicle stuck in Drive gear; Battery reads fully depleted after jump-start and remote start test
Service ESC & Brake Assist Warning Lights with Steering Issues
Service ESC, Service Brake Assist, ABS, and airbag warning lights illuminate. In one case, steering wheel jerks forcefully to right during left turn, causing vehicle to thrust in opposite direction. Lights disappear after failure or restart. Dealer unable to diagnose when lights are off.
When: Intermittent; unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Service ESC light illuminated; Service Brake Assist warning; ABS light on; Airbag warning light; Steering wheel jerks forcefully to opposite direction during turn; Steering reduced message (related complaint); Warnings disappear after restart or on their own
SRS, ESC, ABS Module Malfunction After Battery Reset
After disconnecting and reconnecting battery posts to reset car stereo, SRS and Service ESC messages appear with ABS, airbags, and stability lights on. Issue persists after multiple restart attempts. Dealer contacted field GM engineer but issue not resolved as of report date (Dec 13, one week after issue reported).
When: Nov 25, 2020; unresolved as of Dec 13, 2020
Symptoms owners cite: SRS message displayed; Service ESC message; ABS light on; Airbag light on; Stability control light on; Lights remain on after vehicle restart
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer contacted field GM engineer for diagnosis; no resolution reported
Throttle/Accelerator Unresponsiveness at Highway Speed
While driving 50 mph on city street, gas pedal becomes unresponsive. Pressing pedal harder causes vehicle speed to decrease instead of increase. Driver forced to drift into driveway to stop. All other systems (brakes, radio, steering) functioning normally during incident.
When: 7 months after purchase (exact date not stated)
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal does not engage engine; Vehicle loses speed despite pressing pedal harder; Speed decreases when accelerating; Speedometer confirms decreasing speed
Check Engine Light & Engine Reduced Power (Possible Misdiagnosis)
Check engine light and engine reduced power message flicker on/off for months, randomly reducing engine power on highway. Dealer diagnosed underboost code and replaced turbo ($7,000+ repair). Problem persists next morning. Owner suspects unrelated emissions recall (N192271200 Charge Air Cooler Disconnect) is actual root cause but VIN not attached to recall. Vehicle returned to dealer 3 times in 2 weeks with no resolution.
When: Months of intermittent issues; repair attempted but issue ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light on/off intermittently; Engine reduced power message on/off; Random power reduction on highway; Nearly causing accidents
Codes mentioned: Underboost code (dealer diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Turbo replaced ($7,000+); issue persists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Emissions recall N192271200 suspected but VIN not linked to recall
Headlight Flickering with Brake Assist & Steering Warnings
Headlights flicker when auto stop feature releases and vehicle moves again. Flickering occurs when service parking brake warning appears, followed by steering reduced message. Flickering intermittent but repeating pattern. Owner notes headlight flickering presents accident hazard.
When: Months of intermittent issues
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights flicker when auto stop releases; Service parking brake warning simultaneously; Steering reduced warning follows; Flickering is intermittent but repeating; Flicker pattern present danger for seizure-prone drivers
Infotainment System Malfunctions
Multiple infotainment system failures reported: volume adjusts itself and blares loudly without input, system turns on/off continuously (nearly causing collisions), CarPlay no longer functions, no sound output via USB, SD card error displayed. Some units show navigation screen switching to phone screen during voice directions.
When: Various timing; several months of issues
Symptoms owners cite: Volume adjusts itself on audio system; Audio blares loudly without operator input; Infotainment system turns on/off continuously; CarPlay connection fails; No sound via USB cord (Bluetooth works); SD card error message; Navigation screen switches to phone screen during voice directions
Backup Camera System Failures
Backup camera displays blue screen with 'Service Rear Vision System' or 'Service Rear Camera System' message. Failures intermittent: one owner's camera stopped working, then resumed days later, then failed again after vehicle sat for one week. Another owner's camera failed without warning or accident. Repair costs cited as over $600. Owners note safety concern for unseen passengers or objects behind vehicle.
When: Intermittent; reported at various mileages including ~24,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Blue screen displayed in reverse; Service Rear Vision System message; Service Rear Camera System message; Intermittent failures and resumption; No warning before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost cited as over $600
Climate Control System Errors
Climate OFF error message appears when attempting to activate AC or heat. Dealers and GMC unable to provide fix timeline. Service bulletins PIT 5663 and PIC 6365A reference known GMC problems. Related issue: safety alert sounds not functioning; GM pushed update to address alert sounds only, leaving climate error unresolved.
When: Within days of lease inception (Nov 2019 model)
Symptoms owners cite: Climate OFF error message on activation; AC/heat non-responsive; Safety alert sounds not functioning
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletins PIT 5663, PIC 6365A; GM update pushed for alert sounds only; no timeline given for climate error fix
False Hatch Open Warning & Navigation Screen Glitches
Dashboard warning indicates rear hatch is open when it is not. Warning does not shut off after service. Issue recurs intermittently twice. Separately, navigation screen switches to phone screen when voice directions given, reverting to navigation when voice guidance stops.
When: Intermittent; two occurrences reported
Symptoms owners cite: Hatch open warning on dash when hatch is closed; Warning will not turn off; Navigation screen switching to phone screen during voice directions; Navigation screen reverting after voice directions complete
Repairs/costs cited: Service performed but issue recurred
Brake System Failures (Locking & Vacuum Pump)
Two distinct brake failures reported: one where brakes locked up during four-way intersection crossing with no warning light or message; another where brake pedal became stiff as rock and brakes locked up, nearly causing collision. Third complaint cites brake failure due to vacuum pump failure on hill descent.
When: Mid-September (first incident); timing unknown for others
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes locked up during normal driving; No warning light or message before failure; Brake pedal became stiff/rigid; Vehicle unable to stop normally; Brake vacuum pump failure (reported in one case)
Push Button Start Failure & Multiple Jump Starts
Vehicle fails to start with push button ignition despite brake pedal depressed. Dash lights illuminate but low battery error message appears. Occurred twice within days of purchase (Nov 21 and Nov 22, 2018). Owner uncertain whether electrical wiring issue or battery problem.
When: Nov 21-22, 2018 (days after Nov 17, 2018 purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: Push button start does not crank engine; Dash lights illuminated; Low battery error message displayed; Brake pedal depressed but no start
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle jumped twice
Vehicle Stalling During Drive with Dash Light Failures
Vehicle cuts off/stalls while driving. When restarted, dash lights do not illuminate. Dealer states this is a known issue requiring vehicle reset/computer glitch. Owner notes cutting off during drive is dangerous.
When: Unknown timing; one report at 20k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off/stalls during driving; Dash lights do not illuminate after restart; Vehicle must be reset
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer states known issue; recommends reset
TCS/Stabilitrak Lights with Check Engine Flashing
While accelerating to pass vehicle, TCS and StabiliTrak lights illuminate and check engine light begins flashing. Brief service TCS system message appears then disappears. Check engine light stops flashing but TCS and StabiliTrak lights remain on. All lights turn off after vehicle restart. Incident has not replicated but owner reports daily 120-mile commute and expresses worry.
When: Sept 30, 2020
Symptoms owners cite: TCS light illuminated; StabiliTrak light illuminated; Check engine light flashing; Service TCS system message; Lights turn off after restart; No replication reported
AC Burning Odor (Chemical Smell)
Abnormal chemical burning odor emanates from AC vents when system activated, causing headaches to driver and passenger. Issue present when vehicle first purchased. Dealer visited but did not diagnose failure. Vehicle not repaired. Dealer refused to replace vehicle.
When: Early ownership; approximately 24,000 miles at report
Symptoms owners cite: Chemical burning odor from AC vents; Headaches from odor exposure; Odor present on AC activation
Parking Brake Actuator Malfunctions with Sensor Cascade Failures
Service parking brake warning illuminates intermittently. Actuators malfunction, causing multiple sensors to fail on and off. Steering reduced message follows. Check engine light cycles on/off. Owner notes electrical confusion as shutting off other power supplies sometimes increases or decreases frequency of failures. Owner reports documented evidence of failing actuators.
When: Intermittent; pattern recurring but unpredictable
Symptoms owners cite: Service parking brake warning; Steering reduced message; Vehicle hesitates to move until warning cleared; Check engine light on/off at random; Multiple sensor failures cascade; Actuator malfunctions documented
OnStar Light Flickering
OnStar indicator light flickers between green and red continuously until power to liftgate manually disabled (knob switched to disable position).
When: Months of intermittent issues
Symptoms owners cite: OnStar light flickering green to red; Continuous flickering until liftgate power disabled
Repairs/costs cited: Manual disabling of liftgate power stops flickering
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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 before any movement could be achieve the battery was reading severely depleted and the vehicle would not function at all…
Blue screen with the message "Service Rear Vision System"
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 minutes. Connect back the posts to battery and check if that delete everything and it did but it still wouldn't connect…
Backup camera stopped working, giving me a blue screen
While driving the car cut off on us. Started the car and the dash lights were on. Also Navigation stopped working. Took the car to bellamy Strickland and they said no issues was found. Got the car back 12/02_2021 Car seems to be ok at the moment. Melissa at bellamy stated it could have been a computer glitch. Car only has 20k miles on it.
Had electrical trouble with your 2019 GMC Terrain?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2019 GMC Terrain?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 23 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 23,950 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/GMC/Terrain.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.