10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
178 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2020 GMC Terrain miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2020 GMC Terrain Owner Comments

problem #17

Feb 092024

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving my vehicle, check engine light came on. Then, my car proceeded to flash about 4 warnings on the dash, Fuel Level Low (had half tank of gas), Engine Power Reduced, Service ESC, and Service Transmission. My vehicle shut itself off while driving 55 down a main highway and put itself into park. Forcing me to pull over and be stranded on the side of the road. In the way of other cars, with no way to get out of the way. I then had to shut car off, wait, and start it back it up. However, after the first time this happened, I cannot drive my vehicle more than 15 to 20 minutes without it doing this to me over and over again. To make matters worse, I am 37 weeks pregnant, and the last thing I need is to be without a car. I also had just gotten my vehicle inspected and an oil change the week before, with no issues to show. The only thing I did to my car before it did this, was remote start my vehicle, which I do every single morning and have for the little over a year I've owned this car. Also, my car has less than 60,000 miles on it!! The mechanic who is currently working on fixing this issue for me, has concluded it to be a throttle body, or the actuator of the car.

- Jay, VT, USA

problem #16

Apr 092023

Terrain

  • miles
On 4/10/2023, I took my vehicle to a local GMC dealership because it was stalling and didn't have any power. Upon accelerating the vehicle it would stall and take off at a high speed. The dealership has had my vehicle periodically from April 2023 and it presently sets at the dealership because they ain't getting a code, But after the dealership drove the truck for over 200 miles, they were finally able to duplicate the stalling yet are not able to diagnose the problem!! This vehicle is very dangerous to be on the road and I have almost gotten hit twice and I'm not driving the vehicle anymore at this time. I have previously reached out to you all and I would be most thankful if you could get in touch with me. Thank you

- Ozark, Al, AL, USA

problem #15

Jun 042023

Terrain

  • miles
I was driving approximately 75mph on the interstate. 3 hrs into my trip I started feeling hot so I turned the a/c up. In my peripheral vision I saw orange and thought a car was beside me on fire. Immediately I realized it was my vehicle. I immediately slowed and came to a stop. I put it in park and opened the door. By the time I started to exit there were flames higher than the rear windows. A car that was behind me stopped. They said about a mile back there was a spark under the car by the rear tire. Then it went up in flames.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #14

Jul 162023

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2020 terrain is now at 33k+ miles, I have had repeated instances with my car not accelerating properly. I would be at a full stop try to start to accelerate and not move push down a little further on accelerator and start crawling forward. I would move approximately quarter mile before the vehicle would jerk and accelerate very quickly to a speed well over where it should go to. I.e. I know because I-??m starting in traffic I-??m not trying to take off at thirty but when the jerk happens I can be jolted to 40-45 mph. The other issue is people behind you don-??t realize what-??s going on and I have been hit almost twice thankfully they were able to avoid me by going around. No warning lights have come on. This last insistence not only could I not accelerate, but cruise did not want to turn on, the emergency brake didn-??t want to work, and the air conditioner was loosing power. I plan on having an independent service center inspect the vehicle, my husband was able to repeat the issue so I-??m sure they will also. The first incident was in May and I have had 5 but thankfully I don-??t drive that much.

- Woodstock, VA, USA

problem #13

May 292023

Terrain

  • miles
Screen system prompts to accept terms of service while moving. This is unsafe and the system should know it is in motion. Unsafe programming, require manufacture to only prompt when system is at reset. Require OTA reprogramming.

- Rochester, MI, USA

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problem #12

Dec 292022

Terrain

  • miles
My service brake assist light came on and then within seconds my vehicle then said engine power has been lowered and my vehicle pretty much shut down no steering no brakes couldn't do anything. Took it into the repair shop and my vacuum pump has shattered and now damaged my camshaft. I am aware there's been many other vehicles recalled with GM's vacuum pumps and I'm not sure why my year and model has not been included when it's doing the same thing and not to mention I have seen countless other cases of people saying same things happen to them with their GMC terrains.

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #11

Jun 052022

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

VEHICLE HAS 56801 MILES AND AIR CONDITIONING COMPLETELY WENT OUT. i HAVE ALSO REPLACED WINDSHIELD WIPERS TWICE IN 6 MONTHS. THIS IS MORE THAN ANY OTHER VEHICLE i HAVE EVER OWNED (i HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE 1 YEAR NOW)

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #10

Dec 202021

Terrain

  • miles
The engine "Auto Stop" feature can have enough of a delay to allow the accelerator to be pressed as the engine starts causing it to lurch forward rather than accelerate smoothly. It also can cause a delay when pulling out into heavy traffic. There is currently no way to temporarily or permanently defeat the system on this GM model according to GM service department. Though I am sure it is operating as designed for certain owner driving styles and traffic conditions this can be a serious hazard. Car makers should be required to either disable the feature permanently by owner request or have a method for the owner to bypass the system. With less than 250 miles I have experienced 2 incidents of almost hitting the car in front of me from a stop and 1 of almost being hit pulling into heavy traffic from a stop. I see many other similar complaints and hope this can be addressed before someone is hurt or worse due to it.

- Forest Hill, TX, USA

problem #9

Apr 082022

Terrain

  • miles
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, and a p in a yellow circle with a wrench under it came on. Serive did fix vehicle, but could not verify message on dash about conditions not favorable... Also recalibrated breaker. Complained numerous times to dealer about these issues and was told "live with it".

- Niles , OH, USA

problem #8

Nov 052021

Terrain

  • miles
While driving instrumental panel and infotainment panel completely blacked out for no reason at all. This is the second time in two days this has happened.

- Bristow , VA, USA

problem #7

Nov 042021

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Instrument panel and infotainment system panel completely blacked out while driving vehicle

- Bristow , VA, USA

problem #6

Oct 082021

Terrain

  • miles
I had an incident this morning when I put my car in park position it remained in reverse. I took it out of park and put in drive then I put forward but the vehicle still remained in reverse. I turned the vehicle off and it still remained in reverse. Ali controls on infotainment panel was inoperable. ( example: I couldn-??t turned off or turned radio).

- Bristow, VA, USA

problem #5

May 282021

Terrain

  • miles
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 a rental vehicle. My vehicle had accumulated less than 10,000 miles, and I have an extended warranty. I was told the vehicle has to be diagnosed before a rental is approved, and their loaner vehicles were out for two and a half weeks. Every dealership I called stated I could not get an appointment that day. I asked GM to call dealers, and nothing worked. GM said if I rented a vehicle, they would not reimburse me because my vehicle would need to be diagnosed beforehand, with a minimum of a one-day, overnight stay. Normally, the back-up camera takes too long to transition to the radio screen, and it has temporarily appeared black. At less than 300 miles, the vehicle stopped going into drive. That occurred three times, placing me into a dangerous situation the third time, before the selling dealer decided to replace the transmission. At less than 8,000 miles, the driver door switch had to be replaced. I purchased the vehicle with seven accumulated miles. I am still getting familiar with this state, so I need navigation, but it would have caused major safety issues had I attempted to visit family members out-of-state, like I had planned, without turn-by-turn navigation. I had to forgo visiting my family. If more pressing issues had arisen, I would have been completely stranded, over a long weekend, and possibly on a roadside, like before. If I had a family emergency to attend to, the situation would have been horrible.

- Blythewood, SC, USA

problem #4

Jan 122021

Terrain

  • 3,000 miles
When ever I go to turn my steering wheel and I go tp puch in the gas peddle there is a vibration during motion.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #3

Nov 072020

Terrain

  • 27 miles
Purchased new 2020 GMC Terrain w/7miles. Left dealership on my way home, and within 20 miles, received a message on dash-> service - ESC - dismiss. Check engine light flashed several times, and the SUV slowed down at least 10 miles from 65miles per hour. After engine light stopped blinking, I continues home around 30 miles more with no more problems. Called my sales person the next day, and he did not know what ESC was. (electronic stability control) he called me back and indicted the vehicle may need a software update. I told my wife, why would a dealership not check on vehicle software updates before releasing vehicles to the new owners, prior to leaving the dealership. This is called, "being proactive." We were on the highway leaving the dealership after purchasing this new SUV.

- Long Pond, PA, USA

problem #2

Aug 012020

Terrain

  • miles
The ac system produces a toxic chemical smell causing the driver and/or passenger to open the windows in order to remove the toxic odor. The smell is intermittent and can be moderate to extremely potent.the vehicle is usually in motion when this occurs and can happen while driving locally and on the highway. The last time this happened was Aug. 1, 2020. I have had the vehicle seen at a local GMC dealer 3 time since June, 2020. The vehicle was not driven between March and early June due to the pandemic.

- Umion, NJ, USA

problem #1

Dec 312019

Terrain

  • miles
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 the expensive one. This should be on all vehicles for safety. I wanted to give it back but they never helped me. I have 1100 miles on it.it new still. The other thing this creates is I am up so close to the steering wheel that its almost on my chest in order to reach pedal without having to strain and later having pain in my leg from doing that. I am so disappointed with chuck nash GMC in san marcos, Texas. Is there anything to be done by the GMC company. I also told the salesman I wanted a canyon pickup like I had before. I traded that one in due to the fact that the 2017 canyon was always in the shop. Only had it for 2 yrs and 1 month. They were no help! thank you, [xxx] please help me information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Kyle, TX, USA

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