GMC Terrain 2020 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the GMC Terrain 2020 and 197 complaints filed by owners. It has 75% more complaints than the average GMC Terrain from 2016–2025 (112 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a GMC Terrain 2020? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the GMC Terrain 2020
Child seat anchors
NHTSA campaign 23V339000 · 2023-05-11
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Powertrain and transmission
NHTSA campaign 20V668000 · 2020-10-29
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
197 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
7 with a crash · 2 with a fire · 5 injuries
Most reported problems on the GMC Terrain 2020
- Brakes: 65 (33% of complaints)
- Engine: 58 (29% of complaints)
- Powertrain and transmission: 27 (14% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 27 (14% of complaints)
- Fuel and propulsion: 25 (13% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a GMC Terrain 2020
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- Brake hard somewhere safe: the car shouldn't pull to one side and the pedal shouldn't sink; check rotors and pads.
- Start it cold, listen for noises, look for oil or coolant leaks and exhaust smoke.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 GMC Terrain SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 2020 GMC Terrain SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
GMC Terrain recalls by year
- 2016 : 2 recalls · 152 complaints
- 2017 : 1 recall · 135 complaints
- 2018 : 5 recalls · 224 complaints
- 2019 : 3 recalls · 186 complaints
- 2020 : 2 recalls · 197 complaints
- 2021 : 2 recalls · 36 complaints
- 2022 : 2 recalls · 88 complaints
- 2023 : 2 recalls · 40 complaints
- 2024 : 1 recall · 52 complaints
- 2025 : 0 recalls · 13 complaints
Guides for this check
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the GMC Terrain 2020 have?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the GMC Terrain 2020. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the GMC Terrain 2020?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: brakes (65 of 197 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 18, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).