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U.S. public vehicle records

2020 Gmc TERRAIN problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

195 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

47,735 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 40 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 63 of 195 complaints (32.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior7538.5%
Transmission and shifting199.7%
Electrical and battery issues189.2%
Engine operation178.7%
Fuel system concerns178.7%
Steering behavior73.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Service Brakes
63
Engine
57
Unknown Or Other
34
Electrical System
26
Power Train
26
Fuel/Propulsion System
25
Vehicle Speed Control
11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
7
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes63
Engine57
Unknown Or Other34
Electrical System26
Power Train26
Fuel/Propulsion System25
Vehicle Speed Control11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic7

Service Brakes: 63; Engine: 57; Unknown Or Other: 34; Electrical System: 26; Power Train: 26; Fuel/Propulsion System: 25; Vehicle Speed Control: 11; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
13
25,000 to 49,999
8
50,000 to 74,999
8
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
3
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00013
25,000 to 49,9998
50,000 to 74,9998
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9995
150,000 and above3

Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 8; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 155 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2019
1
2020
10
2021
14
2022
13
2023
29
2024
25
2025
63
2026
40
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20191
202010
202114
202213
202329
202425
202563
202640

2019: 1; 2020: 10; 2021: 14; 2022: 13; 2023: 29; 2024: 25; 2025: 63; 2026: 40

Pattern summary

Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 75 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 19 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11341949 · 2020-07-28 (July 28, 2020)

EVERY WEEK IT'S SOMETHING DIFFERENT. IN MOTION... NO CRUZE CONTROL. NO AUDIO. DON'T DRIVE OVER 50MPH BRAKE PROBLEM. PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES RANDOMLY AND WITHOUT USER ENGAGEMENT. NO AWD. NO STABILITY TRACTION. THIS HAPPENS SO FREQUENTLY THE DASH INDICATORS HAVE BEEN REDUCED TO 'IDIOT LIGHTS'. AT WHAT POINT DO I BECOME CONCERNED? THINGS APPEAR TO RESOLVE WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON, SOMETIMES....I COMPARE IT TO OTHER GLITCHY TECHNOLOGY. HOWEVER I POTENTIALLY COULD BE AT AN 80MPH CRAZING SPEED WHEN I DECIDE TO IGNORE THE IDIOT LIGHTS..…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11341949 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11359950 · 2020-09-19 (September 19, 2020)

WHEN REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ACCIDENT. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO DEPRESS BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO BRAKING. HIT A PARKED CAR. AFTER SHUTTING CAR OFF AND ATTEMPTING TO MOVE VEHICLE BRAKES DID ENGAGE AND RESPOND CORRECTLY. REAR DAMAGE TO TERRAIN OCCURRED REQUIRING TOWING.

Owner-reported narrative. 457 miles reported. Look up ODI 11359950 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11419078 · 2021-05-31 (May 31, 2021)

After starting my vehicle on May 28, 2021, the infotainment screen was pink and green with lines. The radio was playing loudly, and I had not previously set it to that volume. Additionally, the volume control button did not work. I headed to the nearest GM dealer, and I did not attempt to turn off the screen. A service representative said I needed an appointment, and I could not be seen until one day during the next week. I needed the turn-by-turn navigation, and I did not know if the issue would worsen or cause other issues, so I asked for …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419078 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11460096 · 2022-04-08 (April 8, 2022)

Dash had gone black intermittently, did not know what speed I was going. OnStar called oor phone multiple to notify us that our airbags we're offline for ten days no warning light on dash until one to two days later . Took to service was informed that gear shift control, engine control module, passenger presence module and airbag sensor needed replaced. All within a month of purchase of said USED vehicle. Vixed under warranty. Then another monther later, got warning on dash saying "conditions not current for shifting", park break light came on,…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11460096 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11445742 · 2021-12-31 (December 31, 2021)

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 gmc cars have a disable switch. This car should be recalled and either disable the auto stop permanently or be able to disable the "feature" on demand. …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11445742 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11506056 · 2023-02-07 (February 7, 2023)

Service brake assists light flashes on dashboard . Steering wheel locks up and jerk’s loose suddenly when making a right turn, in these moments when the steering wheel jerks loose ;hands are off taken off the steering wheel otherwise injury can occur. Battery life 2 -yrs old is not performing optimally. Can not hold a sufficient charge and ESC light flashes. Vdnt valve leaks discovered.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11506056 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11500119 · 2023-01-04 (January 4, 2023)

I just purchased this vehicle about 2 weeks ago, and was driving through the fog/cold weather and my check engine light came on. Went to O'Reillys and had them check the code. Came up as P0299 (My car was telling me that the engine power was decreased) I had a loss of power I could feel while driving as well. The code said turbo under boost. After I got back into town and the weather was warmer and no fog was present, the turbo started working again. I brought my vehicle into the dealer where I bought it from and they took it to their mechanic …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11500119 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11538258 · 2023-08-13 (August 13, 2023)

My vehicle begin stalling when accelerating (mostly after stopping) June 2023. My vehicle has almost cause me to have two accidents because it intermittently stalls when I try to cross an intersection. This is my fourth time taking my vehicle to the GMC dealership, and they tell me they can't find anything wrong if there is not a code. I have reached out to Corp, and I'm waiting to see if they can help get to the bottom of my problem. My car has been sitting at the dealership since June 30th 2023....I call the dealership periodically, and the…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11538258 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11375306 · 2020-11-18 (November 18, 2020)

VEHICLE WAS ON 1/8 OF A TANK,I TRIED TO FILL, IT WOULD ONLY TAKE ON 5 GALLONS OF FUEL, GAS GAUGE READ FULL. REPORTED TO DEALER, THERE IS A 'BULLETIN' ON THE VEHICLE, FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. AFTER SUCCESSFULLY FILLING TANK 3 TIMES, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE, BROUGHT VEHICLE HOME, DEALER WAS ABLE TO FILL TANK WITH APPROX 13 GALLONS, I RAN IT TO 1/8 OF A TANK TRIED TO FILL AND IT CONTINUES TO ONLY FILL WITH 2-6 GALLONS, AND RECORD ON THE GAUGE A FULL TANK. VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS ON BOA…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11375306 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11513188 · 2023-03-22 (March 22, 2023)

The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the vehicle failed to restart. The message "Battery Low - Start Vehicle" was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel sensor module and fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V013000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…

Owner-reported narrative. 42,510 miles reported. Look up ODI 11513188 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11316405 · 2020-03-05 (March 5, 2020)

THE COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THE INSIDE FRONT OF THE CAR IS TOO SMALL AND I CANT REACH THE GAS PEDAL EXCEPT WITH MY TOE. MY FOOT KEEPS SLIPPING OFF AS I AM DRIVING. I HAVE TO HAVE THE SEAT WAY UP OR I CANT REACH. I AM 5 FOOT TALL WOMAN. THIS IS A RIDICULOUS THING THAT I HAVE TO PUT UP. I DROVE IT FOR 10 MINUTES AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT. I ASKED FOR A PEDAL THAT IS LONGER AND CLOSER TO THE FLOOR AFTER I HAD BOUGHT IT AND SERVICE PEOPLE TOLD ME THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO TO FIX IT. THEY ASKED IF I HAD A BUTTON TO ADJUST IT AND I DON'T. ITS ON TH…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11316405 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11399393 · 2021-03-05 (March 5, 2021)

WHEN EVER I GO TO TURN MY STEERING WHEEL AND I GO TP PUCH IN THE GAS PEDDLE THERE IS A VIBRATION DURING MOTION.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399393 at NHTSA ↗