2020 GMC Terrain
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 71 of 195 complaints (36%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 182 in 2019 to 195 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–3,350 | 2,250–3,350 | 2,300–3,350 | 2,300–2,400 | 2,300–2,400 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–32 | 23–32 | 23–27 | 26–27 | 26–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–28 / 26–39 | 21–28 / 26–39 | 21–26 / 26–30 | 25 / 28–30 | 25 / 28–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 316–386 | 317–386 | 325–386 | 329–342 | 330–342 | |
| Complaints filed | 219 | 182 | 195 | 34 | 85 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 14 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 GMC Terrain have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 GMC Terrain?
Brakes: 71 of 195 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates it 23–27 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 GMC Terrain?
EPA estimates $2,300–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 26 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 325 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 1.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 25 mpg | 28 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 339 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 350 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 60 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 27 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 71 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 24 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 35 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR · Campaign 23V339000 · May 11, 2023
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
Consequence: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. 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 N232403240.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 20V668000 · Oct 29, 2020
Defect: 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: 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.