2019 GMC Terrain: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
3 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. A lot of owner complaints, 38% about brakes.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2019 GMC Terrain
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2019 GMC Terrain recalls
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2019 GMC Terrain. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Transmission & drivetrainFire risk
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.
Details 20V668000
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.
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. 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.
- Seats
In the event of a crash, the insufficient welds may result in an increased risk of injury for an occupant seated in the rear-right position.
Details 19V184000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear-right seatback frame, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. 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 N192209550.
- Brakes
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Details 18V576000
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.
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.
2019 GMC Terrain safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Warranty extension: Certain vehicles, may have several wires going to the body control module (BCM) damaged due to the installation/removal of the aftermarket LoJack alarm system from the vehicle.
- Engine: The charge air cooler outlet may become disconnected from the throttle body.
- Lights: Equipment package (RPO WJP) may have been built with chrome exterior components instead of the intended black components.
- Fuel system: Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the high-pressure fuel pump may crack and potentially leak fuel.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2019 GMC Terrain safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
183 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
What a 2019 GMC Terrain is worth
Rough trade-in values — roughly what a dealer would pay — by mileage, from published trade-in guides. Private sales and dealer prices run higher. For the exact car, add its VIN.
| Mileage | Trade-in (rough) |
|---|---|
| 40,000 mi | $11,700 |
| 80,000 mi | $11,375 |
| 120,000 mi | $8,975 |
From new to now
What each GMC Terrain model year trades in for today at typical mileage.
Typical mileage = 12,000 miles a year; values between two published mileages are estimated in a straight line.
Other GMC Terrain years
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Printable inspection checklist · Out-the-door price calculator