Are there open safety recalls?
2 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2020 GMC Terrain has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 185 owner complaints, and gets about 27 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2020 GMC Terrain
- Engine 4-cyl 1.5L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
5 injuries reported
5 of 185 reports (~3%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 20185recalls
- 20193recalls
- 2020 · this car2recalls
- 20212recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 3, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane-departure warning
- Standard
Tested as: 2020 GMC Terrain SUV FWD · 2 versions tested
Open safety recalls
2 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Power Train
29/10/2020
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Child Seat
11/05/2023
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."
How they fix it: 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 government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 3, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 2018214reports
- 2019177reports
- 2020 · this car185reports
- 202134reports
185 owner reports on file
7 crash mentions 2 fire mentions 5 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 185 total reports.
- SERVICE BRAKES 55 of 185
While driving north in interstate 79, the brakes became very hard to push making it difficult to stop the vehicle. We got off the interstate and proceeded back home. The brakes were as hard as a rock to push and it was difficult to stop t
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 24 of 185
Backup camera stopped working and displays a blue screen stating “service backup camera.” This was an issue when the vehicle was under 3 year manufacturer bumper to bumper warranty and was fixed by dealer at no cost. Now this same issue has
- POWER TRAIN 23 of 185
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal while driving uphill or making a left or right turn, the tires were skipping, and there was a clicking and whining sound
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21 of 185
The back passenger seat exploded and caught fire, burning the back of the seat in front and burning the ceilings. Inside the whole vehicle is black from smoke damage. Incident assessed by fire marshal who has ruled as electrical issue. No w
- ENGINE 15 of 185
After vehicle acting like it isnt getting power and trying to die, I pulled into a gas station and turned it off. When I went to restart it, the vehicle kept turning over and over automatically not wanting to start and the engine light cam
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9 of 185
Random problems accelerating. Like I can be pulling out of my parking spot in revese then switch it to drive an try to move and it won’t move at all or very slowly then out of nowhere it accelerates fast
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 3, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2020.
- 201832mpg
- 201932mpg
- 2020 · this car27mpg
- 202126mpg
$2,300
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 26 mpg
Highway driving 30 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 27 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $500 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 90 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 13 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 3, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 1.5L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 9-spd
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.5L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 1.5 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 9-spd
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 3, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the power train). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the service brakes
Owners report problems with the service brakes more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2020 GMC Terrain listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2020 GMC Terrain? +
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2020 GMC Terrain, including the power train. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2020 GMC Terrain get? +
The EPA rates the 2020 GMC Terrain at 27 mpg combined (26 city / 30 highway), about $2,300 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2020 GMC Terrain? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2020 GMC Terrain 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2020 GMC Terrain? +
Owners have filed 185 complaints with NHTSA for the 2020 GMC Terrain, including 7 involving a crash. The most-reported area is service brakes.
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