2019 Gmc TERRAIN
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2019 Gmc TERRAIN has 287 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 287. The most common issue is brakes problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: driving down load. brake pedal got stiff as a rock. brakes started to lock up. almost caused a collision, as the car would not stop. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.
287
Total Complaints
3
Recalls Issued
5/5
Safety Stars
1.0x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
BRAKES
66 complaints- • Driving down load. Brake pedal got stiff as a rock. Brakes started to lock up. Almost caused a collision, as the car would not stop
- • I received a "service brake assist" message which came on then off. Took the car to a local mechanic who looked it over and said to see dealer as they saw nothing obvious. internet search revealed that many people with terrain said this warning came on when battery was low. Made a service appt for N
- • GMC Corporate Office General Motors Company300 Renaissance Center Detroit, MI 48265 To Whom it May Concern, Been a customer with GMC for a good while despite the issues and troubles we were still loyal to the company. October 31,2021 Sunday, I had sudden lost of my brakes/stalled on my 2019 Ter
“Driving down load. Brake pedal got stiff as a rock. Brakes started to lock up. Almost caused a collision, as the car would not stop”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2019 Gmc TERRAIN
Based on 61 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 19K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.
TRANSMISSION
ENGINE
SPEED CONTROL
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS
ELECTRICAL
BRAKES
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Recalls (3)
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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2019 Gmc TERRAIN
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2019 Gmc TERRAIN
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Gmc TERRAIN Service Intervals
Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2019 TERRAIN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 287 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐BRAKES: Driving down load. Brake pedal got stiff as a rock. Brakes started to lock up. Almost caused a collision, as the car would not stop
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: NEED THE OPTION TO DISABLE THE AUTO START FEATURE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐TRANSMISSION: I HAVE A 2019 GMC TERRIAN WITH 2500 MILES. I WAS DRIVING IT AND THE CAR FLASHED LOW FUEL, CHECK TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING AND SHUT DOWN WHILE I WAS AS A HIGHWAY SPEED. I WAS FORTUNATELY OK, HOWEVER IT STRANDED ME AT A SPOT WITH MERGING TRAFFIC, NO SHOULDER AND NO POWER TO GET THE VEHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ELECTRICAL: WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE WITH PUSH BUTTON IGNITION AND BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE DASH LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND ERROR MESSAGES SUCH AS LOW BATTERY CAME UP ON DASH DISPLAY. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 11/17/18. TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS OCCURRED WHERE THE CAR HAD TO BE JUMP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Gmc TERRAIN — Year Comparison
How does 2019 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 287
- Recalls
- 3
- Fire reports
- 3
- Crash reports
- 4
- Injury reports
- 6
- Segment avg
- 287
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2019 Gmc TERRAIN