2020 GMC Terrain: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2020 GMC Terrain: 2 recalls, 197 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #20V668000 · 2020 · 194,105 vehicles
What's wrong: The start/stop accumulator endcap May have missing bolts.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Child seat Vehicle recall #23V339000 · 2023 · 668,187 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 5 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (65): the most common themes are warning light on (22), brake failure / soft pedal (16).
- Engine (58): the most common themes are warning light on (27), stalls / loses power (17).
- Other / unknown (34): the most common themes are warning light on (8), stalls / loses power (5).
- Transmission & drivetrain (28): the most common themes are warning light on (8), stalls / loses power (6), hard / delayed shifting (4).
The 2020 GMC Terrain has 197 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 17 Terrain model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 184). Complaints peaked in 2025 (63 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 47,734 miles. Neighboring years: 2019 (185 complaints, 3 recalls), 2021 (36 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 30 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 25 | 28 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2020 GMC Terrain.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2020 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2020 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2020 GMC Terrain problems?
Owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (65), engine (58), other / unknown (34).
What gas mileage does the 2020 GMC Terrain get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (1.5 L, Automatic 9-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2020 GMC Terrain repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.