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 and dangerous due to the delay in getting the car moving. I have only had the car for a month. I understand that later…
2020 GMC Terrain electrical problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: This 2020 GMC Terrain has widespread electrical issues: infotainment and dash clusters black out without warning while driving, brakes suddenly lock up, and the transmission has unexpectedly shifted to Park on the highway. Dealers struggle to identify root causes and fixes don't stick; one catastrophic engine seizure at 99K miles left an owner facing a $7,500 rebuild after GM denied warranty. Unless you have a thorough pre-purchase electrical inspection and solid warranty coverage, steer clear.
Owners report the electrical system on this 2020 GMC Terrain experiences severe, intermittent failures affecting critical vehicle functions. The most common complaint is the infotainment screen and instrument cluster going black while driving, disabling the speedometer, fuel gauge, turn signals, and other displays. These blackouts last 20 seconds to several minutes, then mysteriously resume. Some owners also report the radio shutting off, Bluetooth cutting in and out, and USB ports disconnecting repeatedly despite dealer updates and port replacement.
Brake-related electrical issues appear in multiple reports: Service Brake Assist warning lights that reappear after dealer repair, sudden brake lock-up with stiffening, and in one case, the transmission shifting to Park unexpectedly on the highway with simultaneous brake and steering lock. One owner experienced total vehicle shutdown while driving on the interstate, losing all dash displays and unable to restart; the dealer replaced the electrical control module and key FOBs at $2,200 cost but found no root cause.
The backup camera fails with a blue screen showing "service rear vision system," and replacement does not fix it. One owner reports a charger air cooler defect causing limp mode in cold weather. Unusual electrical resets have occurred—fuel gauge showing zero, instrument cluster resetting to midnight, door locks not functioning, complete loss of interior lighting. Several owners emphasize these failures happen randomly with no warning lights, making the vehicle unsafe to operate.
Same GMC Terrain electrical reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Infotainment and instrument cluster blackouts
The infotainment screen and instrument cluster go completely black, disabling speedometer, fuel gauge, turn signals, and other dash displays. Blackouts occur unpredictably while driving and last 20 seconds to several minutes before the systems resume operation.
When: Intermittent; some occur after ~2 hours of driving
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment screen goes black; Instrument cluster goes black; Speedometer display lost; Fuel gauge display lost; Turn signal displays lost; Systems resume operation after 20 seconds to several minutes; No warning lights prior to blackout
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports software bulletin #20-NA-171 applied; issue not resolved. One dealer replaced electrical control module and key FOBs for $2,200 with no confirmed root cause identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service bulletin #20-NA-171 applied by dealership; did not resolve the issue. One complaint elevated to GM engineers at headquarters; electrical control module replaced.
Brake Assist warning light and brake lock-up
Service Brake Assist warning light illuminates on the dash. Brakes stiffen suddenly and unexpectedly, and in one case, brakes locked completely while driving at a red light, causing engine shutdown and inability to restart.
When: Intermittent; one owner reports occurrence 6 times over 3 years
Symptoms owners cite: Service Brake Assist warning light illuminates; Brake pedal stiffens without warning; Complete brake lock-up preventing acceleration; Brakes locked while at red light; Engine shut off during brake lock-up incident; Unable to restart vehicle after brake lock-up
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports $800 repair cost; brake assist light continued to come on after repair. Dealer service attempted multiple times but issue recurs.
Transmission shifting to Park unexpectedly with brake and steering lock
While driving on the highway at normal speed, the transmission shifts to Park without driver input, and the brake pedal and steering wheel lock simultaneously. Vehicle cannot be shifted or accelerated. Power is restored after vehicle is turned off and restarted.
When: Occurred multiple times over one week
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts to Park unexpectedly; Brake pedal locks; Steering wheel locks; Vehicle will not accelerate; Vehicle will not shift gears after restart; Brake and steering remain locked after restart until vehicle is powered down and restarted
Radio and audio system failures
Radio shuts off completely or changes volume unpredictably. After ~2 hours of driving, the radio screen goes black, music stops, and navigation stops; the system resets like nothing happened. Bluetooth cuts in and out repeatedly. USB ports disconnect repeatedly.
When: Occurs after approximately 2 hours of driving; radio volume changes happen sporadically
Symptoms owners cite: Radio screen goes black; Music stops; Navigation stops; System resets after 20 seconds to several minutes; Radio volume jumps to maximum without user input; Volume cannot be adjusted until radio is turned off and on again; Bluetooth connects and disconnects repeatedly; Bluetooth shows call still active even after phone disconnected; USB ports connect and disconnect repeatedly
Repairs/costs cited: USB port replaced; software bulletin #20-NA-171 applied. Issues persisted after repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership applied software bulletin #20-NA-171; repair unsuccessful.
Backup camera failure
Backup camera display shows blue screen with 'service rear vision system' message. Camera was replaced, fuses and wires were inspected, but blue screen persists.
When: Occurred during normal daily driving with no prior indication
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera display shows blue screen; 'Service rear vision system' message displayed; Camera shows fisheye lens distortion instead of normal view; Camera view remains on for a few seconds after car put in drive
Repairs/costs cited: Camera replaced; fuses and wires inspected. Blue screen message persists after parts replacement.
Engine seizure with metal debris in oil and scored cylinder walls
At 99K miles with no prior warning lights or symptoms, vehicle would not start after routine maintenance. Upon engine teardown, crankshaft was immobilized in one direction, metal traces were found in the oil pan, and cylinder walls were scored. Starter also shorted. Root cause could not be determined by dealership, and GM denied warranty coverage.
When: At approximately 99,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No start condition; No prior check engine light or warning; Loud shaking motion during start attempt; Windshield wipers activated randomly; Crankshaft immobilized in one direction; AC compressor locked with excessive play on magnet and clutch
Repairs/costs cited: Engine teardown cost $1,800. Engine rebuild authorized for $7,500 due to seizure, metal debris, and cylinder wall scoring. New engine, turbo, AC, and starter would have cost $15,000. Root cause undetermined.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM denied warranty coverage and goodwill assistance despite dealership inability to identify cause of failure.
Electrical system resets and power loss
Vehicle experiences unexplained electrical resets and power loss. Fuel gauge displayed zero miles when tank was half full; after reset, gauge corrected. Instrument cluster reset to midnight. Interior lights went out. Vehicle would not start, lock, or power on for an extended period, then suddenly powered on as if reset.
When: November 21, 2025, at 3:15 AM after leaving work
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel gauge shows zero miles with half tank of gas; Fuel gauge slowly increases to correct level after reset; Instrument cluster resets to midnight; Brake pedal locks on startup; Unable to start vehicle after brake lock; All engine lights illuminate; No power to locks; Interior lights go out; Complete power loss and inability to restart; Vehicle powers back on as if reset
Charger air cooler defect with limp mode in cold weather
In cold weather conditions, moisture accumulated and deactivated the charger, causing the vehicle to enter limp mode and lose drive power at approximately 140,000 miles.
When: At approximately 140,000 miles during cold weather driving
Symptoms owners cite: Moisture accumulation on charger air cooler; Vehicle enters limp mode; Loss of drive power; Loss of power at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership recommended charger air cooler replacement and air deflector installation. Owner researched Canadian fix: bra apparatus and thermal wrap for engine.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service update issued but VIN was not included in coverage. VIN confirmed not covered by manufacturer. Dealership wanted to apply air deflector; owner not repaired under warranty.
Auto-stop feature with no disable switch
Autostop feature immediately shuts down engine after the vehicle comes to a complete stop, with no driver-accessible disable switch available. Causes delay in vehicle restart and potential safety concern.
When: Immediately upon vehicle stop
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts down immediately after stop; Delay in engine restart at stop lights; No disable switch available in vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Owner notes later GMC models include disable switch for this feature.
Forward collision warning light illumination
Forward collision warning light comes on every time the vehicle is started, indicating a persistent electrical or sensor issue with the forward collision system.
When: Consistent occurrence on every startup
Symptoms owners cite: Forward collision warning light illuminates at every startup
Check engine light - engine electrical system fault
Check engine light illuminated with diagnostic code indicating engine electrical system malfunction.
When: Occurred after other electrical issues
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates; Diagnostic message indicates 'engine electrical system' fault
Codes mentioned: Engine electrical system
Air conditioning failure
AC system failed within 2 years of vehicle ownership and remains non-functional.
When: Within 2 years of ownership; vehicle purchased in 2022
Symptoms owners cite: AC system inoperative
Shifter control, engine control module, and sensor failures
Multiple electrical control modules and sensors failed shortly after purchase of a used 2020 GMC Terrain, requiring replacement of gear shift control, engine control module, passenger presence module, and airbag sensor within one month of purchase.
When: Within one month of purchase of used vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Gear shift control failure; Engine control module failure; Passenger presence module failure; Airbag sensor failure; OnStar notifications that airbags offline for 10 days; No warning light for airbag offline status for 8 days; 'Conditions not current for shifting' warning on dash; Park brake light illumination; Yellow wrench icon on dash with 'P' symbol
Codes mentioned: Conditions not current for shifting
Repairs/costs cited: Gear shift control replaced; engine control module replaced; passenger presence module replaced; airbag sensor replaced. All fixed under warranty. Brake recalibrated. Dealership could not verify 'conditions not favorable' message on dash.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: All repairs completed under warranty. Dealership service advised owner to 'live with it' regarding unverifiable warning messages.
Unexpected random noises and vibrations
Owner reports noise and vibration within the gas pedal occurring randomly while driving.
When: Intermittent during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Noise in gas pedal; Vibration in gas pedal
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 lot and was unable to restart the vehicle. It was towed to the dealership closest to our home and was repaired for $2200.…
Vehicle has not recently been inspected, backup camera has recently gone out leaving only a blue screen with "service rear vision system" to my knowledge nothing has happened to the unit that would cause this. Regular day to day driving, there was nothing that would have given me any notice that this would be happening.
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 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 2020 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 20 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 49,933 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/2020/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.