POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2019 GMC Terrain
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 185 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2019 GMC Terrain, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1,004 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 33 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 34 |
| Jul 2021 | 7 | 41 |
| Sep 2021 | 2 | 43 |
| Oct 2021 | 1 | 44 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 45 |
| Dec 2021 | 5 | 50 |
| Jan 2022 | 2 | 52 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 53 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 54 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 55 |
| Jun 2022 | 2 | 57 |
| Jul 2022 | 4 | 61 |
| Aug 2022 | 3 | 64 |
| Sep 2022 | 3 | 67 |
| Oct 2022 | 2 | 69 |
| Nov 2022 | 3 | 72 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 73 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 74 |
| Apr 2023 | 5 | 79 |
| May 2023 | 3 | 82 |
| Jun 2023 | 2 | 84 |
| Jul 2023 | 4 | 88 |
| Aug 2023 | 1 | 89 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 90 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 91 |
| Nov 2023 | 2 | 93 |
| Dec 2023 | 2 | 95 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 96 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 97 |
| Apr 2024 | 3 | 100 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 101 |
| Jun 2024 | 3 | 104 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 105 |
| Aug 2024 | 3 | 108 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 109 |
| Oct 2024 | 3 | 112 |
| Nov 2024 | 4 | 116 |
| Dec 2024 | 6 | 122 |
| Jan 2025 | 2 | 124 |
| Feb 2025 | 2 | 126 |
| Mar 2025 | 3 | 129 |
| Apr 2025 | 3 | 132 |
| May 2025 | 3 | 135 |
| Jun 2025 | 4 | 139 |
| Jul 2025 | 3 | 142 |
| Aug 2025 | 4 | 146 |
| Sep 2025 | 4 | 150 |
| Oct 2025 | 6 | 156 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 157 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 159 |
| Jan 2026 | 2 | 161 |
| Feb 2026 | 2 | 163 |
| Mar 2026 | 5 | 168 |
| Apr 2026 | 3 | 171 |
| May 2026 | 3 | 174 |
| Jun 2026 | 1 | 175 |
| Jul 2026 | 2 | 177 |
| Aug 2026 | 4 | 181 |
| Sep 2026 | 4 | 185 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes7125.0%
- Engine6924.3%
- Powertrain (other)5118.0%
- Electrical3913.7%
- Driver assistance289.9%
- Exterior lighting51.8%
- Steering41.4%
- Fuel system41.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSEATS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
While driving on an interstate, vehicle became sluggish when accelerating. Took off on exit, engine was reduced to 50% power, attempted to drive to large parking lot, lost brakes, got the vehicle stopped in an intersection, would not shut off, go into neutral. Finally shut off, had to call tow truck, holding up traffic in a busy intersection. Was told it would be just $900 to fully diagnose problem, but it appeared the vacuum pump failed, threw broken metal into engine and now will have to be replaced at my cost. NO advanced warning of any type of problem, no warning lights, etc.
- NHTSA ID
- 11766640
- Incident
- Sep 21, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after pulling into a parking lot, the vehicle failed to shift into park. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the contact was informed that three fault codes were found. The dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be disassembled for a full diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was scheduled for the transmission to be disassembled for the diagnostic test. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11766497
- Incident
- Sep 22, 2026
- Mileage
- 60,000 mi
On 9/15/2026, my wife drove her car, a 2019 GMC Terrain, to a doctor's appointment. She reported no known issues with the way the car operated during her drive nor had she or I experienced issues prior to this event. After she finished her appointment, she attempted to start her car and was unable to get the car to start. She also noticed that the brake pedal was stiff and hard to depress. When I arrived, I tried to assist her, thinking that an electrical issue was the fault. However, I was still unable to start the car and I had to have it towed after I couldn't start her car. I had it towed to a mechanic who initially thought the car had a bad starter, however, after attempting to manually turn the engine, he found that the engine was completely seized. He also confirmed that the oil in the car appeared to be without fragments in it and that the oil level was adequate for normal operation. This car is only seven years old, has had routine maintenance, and is about 60 miles over 100,000. No prior issues were noticed before this happened. I'm currently waiting on an engine for the car so we can start using it again.
- NHTSA ID
- 11764910
- Incident
- Sep 15, 2026
While driving my 2019 GMC Terrain with three children as passengers, the vehicle developed a braking/engine problem. The brake pedal became very hard, and the vehicle subsequently became undrivable and would not start. I received no advance warning through the GMC app indicating that the vacuum pump was failing. The vehicle was towed to a GMC dealership. The dealership diagnosed a failed vacuum pump and advised that the engine requires replacement, with an estimate of approximately $11,238. I purchased this vehicle new. I am very concerned that a vacuum-pump failure can result in reduced brake assist/increased brake-pedal effort and major engine damage without adequate advance warning. Three children were in the vehicle when this occurred, and the sudden change in braking created a serious safety concern for everyone in the vehicle. The vehicle is currently at the GMC dealership. I have requested that relevant parts be preserved and am requesting GM Policy Assistance with the repair.
- NHTSA ID
- 11762176
- Incident
- Aug 24, 2026
This is the second time I have noticed storm heavy rain that my car is taken on water. We had an extremely heavy rain in June and no windows was left open. I did not know water had gotten into my car for an entire month when I heard a solution sale when I came to a break, what I did realize is that there was condensation buildup is inside of my car, but it was not sure why. After searching, I was able to locate and discover thatI had at least 3 inches of water standing water in my spare tire, section of my trunk. There was also an extreme amount of water on my floors in the back row once I took out my mats, I found there to be mold back there.Still unsure of how t the water got into the car I used my shop vac to suck out the water. We just had an extreme amount of heavy rain again. We are now in August. We just had extremely heavy amounts of rain and once again there’s water in the well trunk of my car where the spare tire is. I actually made sure to sit outside in my car during this heavy rain storm to see where the water was coming from. It appears that the water is coming from the sunroof, which then leaks to the back on the right hand side where the outlet socket is. I watched it dripped down into the back of the trunk into the spare tire well. I do not understand why this issue has not triggered a a recall yet as I’m noticing this is not just with my car. This is apparently the sixth or seventh car that has experienced this issue and GMC has yet to do a recall on it. This is very alarming and concerning God forbid I’m driving to work or I have one of my children in the car during a heavy rain storm and it hits the electrical wires or electrical panel with something else bad happens.
- NHTSA ID
- 11758661
- Incident
- Aug 20, 2026
On Saturday, August 15th we were driving on the freeway when with no warning the check engine light came on and the vehicle began to run poorly, and then the vehicle lost electrical power and it became difficult to steer and the brake pedal became stiff, making it difficult to stop and pull over. The vehicle would not start on command but kept running very poorly, it also became impossible to shut the vehicle off until it seized. It was later towed to a local repair shop, and today, Friday August 21st the shop confirmed that the vacuum pump on the brake assist failed and it would need a total engine replacement.
- NHTSA ID
- 11758591
- Incident
- Aug 15, 2026
The car’s brakes hardened on the highway, posing a life-threatening danger, right before the engine died. Following a tow to the dealership’s service center, an initial inspection revealed a broken vacuum pump and broken camshaft. The dealership stated that there was evidence that camshaft debris may be scattered throughout the engine. No further inspection has been done at this time due to the probability of major engine damage and/or potential repairs.
- NHTSA ID
- 11757612
- Incident
- May 20, 2026
While driving my 2019 GMC Terrain on local roads, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete failure of the braking system. The brake pedal became extremely hard to press, and the dashboard displayed a critical error message stating 'Engine Power is Reduced.' during this frightening safety incident i felt lucky to bring the car to a stop without an accident. The vehicle had to be flatbed towed to a repair facility. This sudden loss of power braking is a known, documented defect matching the engine-driven brake vacuum pump failures currently subject to federal class-action litigation (Thieme v. General Motors). I am requesting a formal safety investigation into why the GMC Terrain was excluded from previous GM vacuum pump recalls despite posing an identical, life-threatening risk to occupants."
- NHTSA ID
- 11755772
- Incident
- Aug 8, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
This preliminary information discusses a condition that may arise from the drivers window switch sending an errant message causing the vehicle to enter manual fob learn mode.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 33 | 1 | 0 | 48.6 |
| 2025 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 47.0 |
| 2024 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 46.9 |
| 2023 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 55.7 |
| 2022 | 60 | 2 | 0 | 55.1 |
| 2021 | 35 | 2 | 0 | 59.5 |
| 2020 | 196 | 2 | 0 | 57.4 |
| 2019Viewing | 185 | 3 | 0 | 56.9 |
| 2018 | 220 | 5 | 0 | 58.2 |
| 2017 | 133 | 1 | 0 | 51.9 |
| 2016 | 152 | 2 | 2 | 59.5 |
| 2015 | 297 | 3 | 2 | 55.1 |
| 2014 | 296 | 2 | 2 | 50.4 |
| 2013 | 364 | 3 | 0 | 49.8 |
| 2012 | 364 | 4 | 3 | 59.6 |
| 2011 | 386 | 4 | 3 | 57.3 |
| 2010 | 290 | 3 | 3 | 56.3 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.