2020 GMC Terrain engine problems
61 of the 197 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 GMC Terrain name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). Filed under the same heading: 216 manufacturer bulletins. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the engine
Source: NHTSA complaint database0 of the 61 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 2 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 1 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 4 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 15
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
197 complaints in all about the 2020 GMC Terrain, 15 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Engine” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Terrain engine problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
2020 GMC Terrain Engine stopped working. Put in new engine. After one week new engine blown. We were 2000 miles away on vacation. I need a free rental I was with no car for a month and after only one week again for 3 weeks. Compensation request: Lost wages Hospital visit Extra hotel nights Gas Food car and insurance payment
2020 GMC Terrain SLE Elevation Package 83,000 miles and needs complete engine rebuild @ cost of $10,700 per Dealership Service. Was told “I drove the vehicle with low oil” which Inturn is the cause of needing engine rebuilt.
This GMC I just purchased in October 22 2022 and have been complaining since December 9,2022 the vehicle emergency braking will activate when I'm driving down the interstate or local roads I could be doing 70 and brakes will just lock up throwing me and my son forward , this has happened 4x , Gas Pedal when taking off at red light or…
The engine cutoff while driving through a major intersection in 3/2022 with no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module. Subsequently, the engine cutoff while driving in 5/2023. Dealership replaced the fuel pump module.
The contact's friend's son owns a 2020 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her friend was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The brakes failed to immediately stop the vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle made grinding sounds while driving.
What is on file about the engine
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications216 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading
The 0 newest are listed; every one is on the model year’s page. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Trouble codes named on this system
P0299 P0300 P12A6 P1101 P2227 P0172 P0101 P0506
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2020 GMC Terrain names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre engine problems common on the 2020 GMC Terrain?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 61 owner complaints naming the engine on this model year (31% of everything owners filed about it), and 216 manufacturer bulletins are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the engine on the 2020 GMC Terrain?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading for this model year (there are 2 filed under other headings). A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the 2020 GMC Terrain?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.