Owners have reported 7 crashes, 3 fires and 12 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 GMC Terrain. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints46
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain frequently report issues with the power train, specifically highlighting problems with the transmission and vacuum pump. Common symptoms include the vehicle slipping out of gear, jerking during acceleration, and unexpected shifts into neutral. Many complaints mention vacuum pump failures leading to brake issues, often resulting in hard brakes or loss of braking capability. These problems typically occur around 45,000 to 100,000 miles. Safety concerns are evident, as some owners describe near-miss accidents due to sudden loss of engine power or braking ability, particularly at highway speeds. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues and the potential for costly repairs.
Owner complaints40
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain commonly report issues with the brake vacuum pump leading to brake failure. Typical symptoms include a hard brake pedal, inability to stop the vehicle, and lack of warning lights prior to failure. These issues often occur around 60,000 to 86,000 miles, with some reports indicating engine damage due to debris from the failed pump. Safety implications are significant, with one crash reported resulting in three injuries, and numerous accounts of near-misses due to brake failure. Potential buyers should be aware of these patterns and consider the implications for vehicle safety and associated repair costs.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 3 injury reports
Owner complaints22
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain frequently report issues with the vehicle's electrical system, particularly involving the backup camera, infotainment system, and engine power. Complaints often describe backup cameras displaying a blue screen or service message, infotainment systems with erratic volume control, and intermittent loss of engine power accompanied by warning lights. These problems are reported across various mileage ranges, with some occurring shortly after purchase and others after significant use. Safety concerns are noted, including instances of the vehicle stalling while driving, which could lead to dangerous situations, and one report of a fire linked to the air conditioning system causing injuries. Buyers should be aware of these patterns when considering a used 2019 GMC Terrain.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints16
ENGINE
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain frequently report engine issues, with a notable pattern involving vacuum pump failures leading to catastrophic engine damage and the need for full engine replacements. Complaints often describe symptoms such as the vehicle entering limp mode, abnormal engine sounds, and stalling, with some incidents occurring at highway speeds. Multiple reports involve safety implications, including two incidents of engine fires and sudden loss of power, which pose significant risks while driving. These issues appear across various mileage ranges, from as low as 14,000 miles to over 100,000 miles. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring engine problems and the potential safety hazards they may present.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain frequently report issues related to the vacuum pump, which can lead to a loss of braking power, engine power, and steering control. Symptoms described include sudden dashboard warnings like “engine speed reduced” and “service brakes,” followed by stiff brakes and eventual vehicle shutdown. Such failures have been reported at various mileages and can result in significant engine damage, with some owners requiring engine replacement. Additionally, several complaints mention panoramic sunroof glass shattering unexpectedly while driving. These issues, particularly the vacuum pump failure, have safety implications, including one reported crash and injury, highlighting potential risks for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints7
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain frequently report issues with the back-up camera system, specifically noting that the display screen shows a blue or blank image instead of the rear view when the vehicle is in reverse. Complaints often mention that the "Service Rear Vision System" message appears, with some owners linking the problem to Technical Service Bulletin 19-NA-076. The failure typically occurs at mileages ranging from approximately 7,681 to 88,000 miles. One report includes a crash where the inoperable camera contributed to a collision with a telephone pole, highlighting a potential safety risk. This information may be relevant for used car buyers considering this model, particularly in assessing the reliability of the back-up camera system.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints4
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain frequently report issues with the steering system. Complaints often describe the steering wheel locking up intermittently, particularly when the ESC system activates or when turning at low speeds. Another common symptom is a sharp jerk in the steering wheel during acceleration from a stop, attributed to voltage loss in the steering gear. Some owners also mention a hard brake pedal and limited steering assist, leading to near loss of vehicle control. These issues occur at various mileages and can lead to potentially unsafe driving conditions.
Owner complaints4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain report issues with vehicle speed control, particularly involving the shifter system and adaptive cruise control. Complaints frequently mention the ease of accidentally shifting into neutral due to the electronic button design, which can be triggered by objects or passengers, leading to a sudden loss of power. This issue is noted alongside the absence of an audible alert to inform drivers of the unintended shift, potentially causing confusion and safety risks during driving. Additionally, one owner describes the vehicle aggressively applying brakes without reason while adaptive cruise control is activated. These incidents occur at various mileages, with one specific report detailing occurrences as early as August 2019. Safety implications include potential loss of control and increased risk of accidents, which prospective buyers should consider.
Owner complaints3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain report issues related to the electronic stability control system, with repeated instances of warning lights for ESC, ABS, traction control, and engine malfunction appearing, often while driving on highways. Some describe the problem as intermittent, with warning indicators disappearing after restarting the vehicle, but recurring multiple times, leading to breakdowns and towing. One complaint highlights a more serious incident where a malfunction in the braking system during stop-and-go traffic resulted in a crash due to loss of braking control. These issues appear to occur across a range of driving conditions and may result in extended diagnostic periods at dealerships. Safety implications are significant, particularly in cases involving loss of vehicle control and crashes.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain report issues with air bag deployment during crashes. In one instance, the air bags deployed, but metal fragments from the air bag caused severe facial injuries to the driver. In another case, the air bags failed to deploy when the vehicle was hit on the driver side, resulting in an injury. Both incidents occurred around 20,000 miles, and both involved crashes with injuries, highlighting significant safety concerns for potential buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
