2020 GMC Terrain problems
The 2020 GMC Terrain has 184 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2020 GMC Terrain has 184 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 54 complaints, typically surfacing around 101,486 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Terrain | 133 | 1 |
| 2018 Terrain | 214 | 1 |
| 2019 Terrain | 177 | 0 |
| 2020 Terrain (this page) | 184 | 0 |
| 2021 Terrain | 34 | 0 |
| 2022 Terrain | 76 | 0 |
| 2023 Terrain | 35 | 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: 54 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–162,000 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: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2020 GMC Terrain SUV AWD. 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 2020 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
- brakes — 54 owner reports · tends to show around 101,486 mi · ~$450 to fix
- powertrain — 23 owner reports · tends to show around 65,000 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- electrical — 21 owner reports · tends to show around 49,933 mi · ~$850 to fix
- engine — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 55,184 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 101,486 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 2020 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 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
This 2020 GMC Terrain has a "feature" called autostop. This is not a switch to turn this off. It would not be so bad if the engine would run for 5 minutes at a stoplight before stopping the engine but it immediately shuts down the engine after a stop. This is getting annoying…
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…
No warning, the brake pedal went stiff as a board. No brakes could not stop doing 35 on a residential road. Had to coast to a stop in neutral.
The brake system failed. No warning. When the brakes failed, driver ran the car into a tree to stop instead of hitting pedestrians or other vehicles
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2020 GMC Terrain reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.6 out of 10 based on 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 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 2020 GMC Terrain?
The 2020 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: 54 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 40,000–162,000 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 2020 GMC Terrain?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 54 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 101,486 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 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 2020 GMC Terrain a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 184 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 101,486 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 2020 GMC Terrain?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 54 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 101,486 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 101,486 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 2020 GMC Terrain?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 184 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, 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.