Verdict
2019 GMC Terrain: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2019 GMC Terrain — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for SUV.
Owners filed 177 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 64% of 2019 SUVs. Power Train leads the reports (28%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2019 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
177
Reports to NHTSA, 2019
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
27
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 64% of 2019 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2019 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (28% of 177 reports), followed by service brakes (24%).
+ 10 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 177 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11748117, ODI 11743318, ODI 11724954, ODI 11710765, ODI 11710073.
Recalls(3)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
SeatsJul 2019 · 19V184000Details +Close −
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. 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 N192209550.
Service Brakes · 18V576000Details +Close −
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
Power Train · 20V668000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2019 GMC Terrain SUV AWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
2019 GMC Terrain SUV FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 28 | 39 | 32 |
| Terrain AWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 28 | 38 | 32 |
| Terrain FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 26 | 30 | 28 |
| Terrain AWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 24 | 28 | 26 |
| Terrain FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 | 28 | 24 |
| Terrain AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 | 26 | 23 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2019 GMC Terrain: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2019 GMC Terrain?
Owners filed 177 NHTSA complaints about the 2019 GMC Terrain — more complaints than 64% of comparable 2019 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2019 GMC Terrain?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (28% of complaints) and service brakes (24%).
How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Terrain have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2019 GMC Terrain, covering components such as seats. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2019 GMC Terrain get?
The EPA rates the 2019 GMC Terrain between 23 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.