This page covers 4 recalls, 173 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 GMC Terrain.
23–32 mpg combined
7.4–10.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2019 GMC Terrain cluster most heavily around the powertrain, engine, and brakes. On the brake side, owners frequently describe the pedal going hard and stiff, often accompanied by a brake assist warning light, a pattern many tie to vacuum pump failure, and several owners report it recurring multiple times on the same vehicle, with cold weather appearing to bring it on more reliably. Engine complaints include sudden loss of power, reduced-power messages, and the vehicle entering limp mode, with a smaller number of owners describing more severe failures, loud banging noises followed by smoke and a complete loss of power while driving at highway speeds, sometimes with no warning lights beforehand. A few owners also report the rear windshield shattering spontaneously without any apparent impact.
173
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 GMC Terrain has 4 recalls, the most serious involving a start-stop accumulator that may be missing retaining bolts, which can cause transmission fluid to leak and potentially cut engine power while driving.
The brake system also has a concern: rear brake caliper pistons may develop internal gas pockets that reduce how effectively the rear brakes grip, meaning stopping distances can increase and crash risk rises. On the seating side, the rear-right seat head restraint bracket may not be properly welded, which means the head restraint can shift out of position in a crash and fail to protect that occupant's head and neck. Because this defect was filed across two separate campaigns, prior repair attempts may not have fully resolved it for all affected vehicles, so owners who had earlier work done should confirm their specific vehicle is covered by checking their VIN.
At a glance
What can fail
The endcap on the start-stop transmission accumulator may be missing bolts, which could affect transmission operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the accumulator endcap and replace it if bolts are missing, at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear-right seat's head-restraint bracket may not be properly welded, which could allow the head-restraint to shift during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame to secure the head-restraint bracket properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear-right seat's head-restraint bracket may have weak welds that could fail.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear brake caliper pistons may have inadequate coating, allowing gas pockets to form and reducing rear brake performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will bleed the brake system to remove gas pockets and restore brake performance at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
