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2019 GMC Terrain

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2019 GMC Terrain do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

50 reports with mileage · 132 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 67 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

What owners actually said

182 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2022
EngineService Brakes

Our son and two daughters were driving on the highway at approximately 70mph when a message came up to say the engine was in "Reduced Engine Power". Although nothing seemed to change. The instruction for such and error message is to "get vehicle to a dealership within the next day." So they slowed to 60mph and continued on th…

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Our son and two daughters were driving on the highway at approximately 70mph when a message came up to say the engine was in "Reduced Engine Power". Although nothing seemed to change. The instruction for such and error message is to "get vehicle to a dealership within the next day." So they slowed to 60mph and continued on their way. About 8-10 minutes later another message popped up that said "Service Brake Assist", at which point they immediately tested the brakes and they worked. But 2-5 minutes later they tested the brakes again and the brakes had completely failed! Zero brakes on the highway! No matter how hard the driver pushed the brake pedal there was 0.0% response. So luckily they were able to coast down to about 10 mph with hazard lights on. But at that point they lost everything. No power steering, no engine, and zero brakes. Thank the lord that they were able to have enough room to slow down and get over to a shoulder prior to the loss of power steering and that they had enough room to coast to a stop. Please help, as we were extraordinarily lucky that day that 3 of our children were able to walk away from such a catastrophic vehicle failure. I just do not want that to happen to anyone else.

NHTSA ODI #11480066

Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2022
Power Train

Transmission slips from cold start No. Have not taken to Dealer No. No. Warning lights or messages

NHTSA ODI #11474320

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2022
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidancePower Train

The car failed to shift into gear. Message displayed, "transmission unable to shift" ,"2 gears selected " or "service transmission". Issued started in June 2022 while in drive thru line, when shifting from park to move the car would not shift. Had to turn car off for about 10 minutes and car was able to shift and drive normal. C…

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The car failed to shift into gear. Message displayed, "transmission unable to shift" ,"2 gears selected " or "service transmission". Issued started in June 2022 while in drive thru line, when shifting from park to move the car would not shift. Had to turn car off for about 10 minutes and car was able to shift and drive normal. Check engine light came on about a week later and had checked for code p07b5. A couple of days later, light went back off. About 3 days later getting ready to leave home and car would not shift into gear again but turn car off and back on a couple of times and car shifted and drove normal. On July 13 2022 was driving in traffic and message displayed, unable to shift and service transmission. When I changed lanes and released the gas petal, the car went into park, stopped, and set the parking brakes, but did not turn off, jerking me forward and throwing things around in the car. Cars behind me had to slam on brakes to keep from hitting me because there was no initial brake light. I put on the flashers and turned the car off. Parking brake was stuck so I pressed it about 5 times before it finally released. I restarted the car 3 times and it finally shifted and drove as normal. I called gm to inquiry about a recall and was told there were none. I called for a diagnostic test and schedule is in about 2 weeks. The car has not been inspected by anyone listed above?⁸

NHTSA ODI #11474103

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2022
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

The contact's wife owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that upon making a left turn, the steering wheel would forcefully jerk to right, thrusting the vehicle into the opposite direction. The contact stated that the service ESC and service brake assist warning lights were illuminated. The warning lights would disappear so…

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The contact's wife owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that upon making a left turn, the steering wheel would forcefully jerk to right, thrusting the vehicle into the opposite direction. The contact stated that the service ESC and service brake assist warning lights were illuminated. The warning lights would disappear soon after the failure as well as upon restart. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on multiple occasions where he was repeatedly informed that unless the service light was illuminated upon arrival to the dealer, they would be unable to service the vehicle. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11473648

84,400 miles · Jul 12, 2022
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while approaching an intersection, he depressed the brake pedal to the floor however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake assist activated and stopped the vehicle. The contact was abl…

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The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while approaching an intersection, he depressed the brake pedal to the floor however, the vehicle failed to stop immediately. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the brake assist activated and stopped the vehicle. The contact was able to continue driving to his residence at a slower speed. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the vacuum pump to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,400.

NHTSA ODI #11473569

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2022
Electrical System

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I GOT IN MY 2019 GMC TERRAIN AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND MY BACK-UP CAMERA WAS NOT WORKING. IT WAS A BLUE SCREEN THAT SAID "SERVICE REAR VISION SYSTEM". A COUPLE DAYS LATER IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. MY CAR SAT FOR A WK AND I GOT IN IT ON MAY 28 TO HELP MY DAUGHTER MOVE AND IT WASN'T WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS A …

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A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I GOT IN MY 2019 GMC TERRAIN AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND MY BACK-UP CAMERA WAS NOT WORKING. IT WAS A BLUE SCREEN THAT SAID "SERVICE REAR VISION SYSTEM". A COUPLE DAYS LATER IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. MY CAR SAT FOR A WK AND I GOT IN IT ON MAY 28 TO HELP MY DAUGHTER MOVE AND IT WASN'T WORKING AGAIN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY TO ME, BUT TO ANYONE (LIKE MY GRANDKIDS) OR ANYTHING BEHIND MY CAR AS I'M BACKING UP, ESPECIALLY IF I CANNOT SEE THEM.

NHTSA ODI #11467061

Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2022
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

Brakes quit working after service light came on. Vehicle will not stop

NHTSA ODI #11466888

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Rear camera turned to blue screen at 37,000 miles. Module died.

NHTSA ODI #11461559

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2022
Service Brakes

I have been notified that my brake vacuum pump EXPLODED in to my engine, leaving me with limited braking ability. I was driving through a school zone when the brakes went out, I noticed as I was not able to stop at an intersection. This could have led to multiple injuries, including children being in harms way. I had no warning …

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I have been notified that my brake vacuum pump EXPLODED in to my engine, leaving me with limited braking ability. I was driving through a school zone when the brakes went out, I noticed as I was not able to stop at an intersection. This could have led to multiple injuries, including children being in harms way. I had no warning this was coming and now look towards a hefty repair bill. GMC has recalled vacuum pumps in other models but for some reason the terrain is not included. I wonder if there just haven't been enough deaths caused by faulty brake systems for them to cover this model too.

NHTSA ODI #11457162

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2022
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidancePower Train

The autoshutoff of the vehicle should be optional this vehicle goes on and off so many times and after it starts is acting up on braking and transmission deeler says no dtc all good but still doin it

NHTSA ODI #11453140

Official recalls

3

20V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Oct 29, 2020

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain, 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, 2019-2020 Buick Encore, Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Chevrolet Blazer and GMC Acadia, and 2020 Cadillac XT6 vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.

19V184000 · Seats

Mar 7, 2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192209550.

18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

Aug 30, 2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.