2019 GMC Terrain Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2019 GMC Terrain report a mix of early transmission and drivability complaints and, at higher mileage, brake problems where the pedal goes stiff or to the floor. Transmission complaints frequently surface very early in ownership, while brake-assist (vacuum pump) complaints cluster from roughly 40,000 miles and up. Electrical issues, especially the rear-view camera showing a blue screen, also appear repeatedly in the sample.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slips, jerks, or shifts into neutral

   • 38 complaints (20%)
   • median 17,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Complaints describe the transmission slipping between gears, hesitating then engaging with a jerk, revving without acceleration, or dropping into neutral on its own while driving. Some owners report messages such as service transmission or transmission unable to shift, and a few say the vehicle would not shift into gear or into park at all; repair outcomes range from a computer reprogram to transmission replacement. Many reported under 20,000 miles, with others spread from about 30,000 to 180,000 miles.

   Recall 20V668000

   What to check: Test drive from a cold start through several gear changes and check for delayed or harsh engagement; ask for transmission service records. The listed recall concerns the start/stop accumulator endcap, which is a separate part.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I shift it from reverse to drive on a very slight incline, the engine will rev and not accelerate after I initially start moving forward. It actually almost comes to a stop before finally accelerating. It has now started doing it while driving and stalled in the highway on 2/13. I carried it last year for the same issue, but they told me they couldn't duplicate it. Today, they told me the same thing. They can't explain why it stalled in the middle of the road. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11396389, filed 2021-02, 27,000 miles

   “On or about may 22nd, I leased a new Gmc Terrain from lambert Gmc in cuyahoga falls, ohio. On july 2 with less than 1900 miles on the vehicle, the transmission gave out enacting full emergency braking system in the middle of a 4 lane road creating a dangerous situation. The vehicle would not drive or engage in any gear. Vehicle was towed to ron marhofer in north canton ohio. Finally after a week delay on 7/8 I received a call that the value case was damaged from manufacturing. As of this complaint, no resolve to the repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11240528, filed 2019-07, 1,900 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal stiff or goes to the floor (loss of brake

   • 64 complaints (34%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2018–2026

   Owners describe the brake pedal becoming hard to push or sinking toward the floor while driving, with the vehicle failing to slow as expected and the brake assist or ABS warning light sometimes coming on. Several complaints state the cause was traced to a failed brake vacuum pump, and in some cases metal debris was found when the pump was removed. Dealers and independent shops replaced the vacuum pump in several reports; some owners say there were no warning signs before the failure. Mostly reported between about 40,000 and 120,000 miles, often at highway speed.

   Recall 18V576000

   What to check: Ask whether the brake vacuum pump has been replaced and have a shop check brake assist and vacuum at the booster. Note that the listed recall concerns the rear caliper pistons, not the vacuum pump.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My family and I were returning home from vacation in another state, and while we were driving on the interstate, an alarm popped up on the DTC stating ruduced engine power. I tried to start slowing down so I could take the next off ramp and could not push the brake pedal in. I had absolutely no brakes trying to slow down from interstate speed. I was able to pull into a gas station parking lot while avoiding other vehicles. I was very lucky not to get in an accident. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11715704, filed 2026-02

   “The brake vacuum pump failed. I am extremely fortunate this happened at a rest stop after being on interstate 80 for numerous miles. Had this happened at highway speeds it would have been catastrophic for myself and most likely others. I do not have the part. The problem was confirmed and the psrt was replaced by Mavis Discount Tire in Mountain Top, PA There were no warning lights, signs, or symptoms prior to the malfunction. It is my understanding that GM has recalled the part on other models, but did not include the Terrain in the recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11623202, filed 2024-11
3. 3
   Engine

   Reduced engine power / loss of power while driving

   • 25 complaints (13%)
   • median 43,500 mi at 2.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Owners describe sudden messages about reduced engine power, with the vehicle dropping speed or going into limp mode on the highway, sometimes along with a check engine light and a rough or shuddering engine. Complaints mention dealers finding underboost or misfire codes and replacing the turbocharger or performing software updates, with some owners reporting the problem returned after repair. Reported across a wide range, from a few thousand miles to over 100,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether any check engine codes have been stored or cleared and whether turbo or software work was done; a scan tool check for pending codes before purchase is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 vehicle out of there. The vehicle was able to start up shortly, then I had to deal with getting going again in this precarious spot.”

   NHTSA complaint #11202890, filed 2019-04, 2,500 miles

   “When aggressively accelerating to merge or pass another driver, the 2.0t engine paired with an awd platform will loose power and 3 sensor lights will flash and illuminate traction control, awd and check engine indicating a cylinder misfire. Event occurred first at 2000 miles and vehicles serviced at dealership and second event occurred at 4500 miles and returned to original dealership where purchased.”

   NHTSA complaint #11310806, filed 2020-02, 4,500 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Rear-view camera shows blue screen

   • 12 complaints (6%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2022–2026

   Complaints describe the rear camera display turning blue or going blank when reversing, often with a service rear vision system message; a few owners note the camera failed to show an object behind the vehicle. Several complaints reference a service bulletin on the issue, and owners report the repair was not covered once warranty ended. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 88,000 miles.

   What to check: Put the vehicle in reverse and confirm a clear image displays, and ask whether the rear camera or its wiring has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I’m reverse screen shows blue and message says “service rear camera system” I purchased this car NEW in 2019 and warranty just expired. I have read so many forums with this being a common problem with gmc. Why this isn’t covered and over $600 coming out of my pocket to fix it is ridiculous. This is a safety issue and gmc flaw and should be corrected/covered by them.”

   NHTSA complaint #11488823, filed 2022-10

   “My 2019 GMC Terrain has a faulty back up camera system. It shows a blue screen that says Service rear view camera system, This has been a faulty system for years until it finally stopped working completely. I have researched the issue and have discovered this is a known problem. There was a Service Bulletin 19-NA-076 dated April of 2019. Why has there not been a recall for this safety issue?”

   NHTSA complaint #11738911, filed 2026-05
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Button shifter shifts into neutral unintentionally

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the push-button gear selector being easy to press by accident, for example by a bag or an object on the console, putting the vehicle into neutral while moving without a clear alert. Complaints note the loss of power and the lack of a chime or physical feedback compared with a conventional lever. Reported early in ownership, mostly under 5,000 miles.

   What to check: Sit in the car and check how easily the gear buttons can be pressed by loose items on the console, and whether a neutral alert sounds.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On july 4th, 2019 at 11:15 am, this vehicle (lane assist and adaptive cruise control operating) applied its brakes somewhat aggressively without reason. This was on a highway. I have blackvue cameras that recorded the event. 12:15:09 74 MPH 12:15:10 73 MPH 12:15:11 67 MPH 12:15:12 60 MPH 12:15:13 56 MPH I tapped the brakes to shut down the adaptive cruise control. 12:15:14 56 MPH 12:15:15 55 MPH”

   NHTSA complaint #11229712, filed 2019-07, 1,400 miles

   “The shifter is dangerous. It allows you to inadvertently shift into neutral while driving. In a car with a normal shifter, the shifter needs to be pushed with significant force to move it into neutral and the resulting thunk will let you know it happened. In this car, since it is an electronic button that can be easily pressed, especially because it is in a location where it might get hit by an object like a purse. The driver may wind up without power and then not have an easy way to reingage drive. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11149558, filed 2018-11, 3,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection that covers brake assist, transmission behavior on a cold test drive, and stored engine codes is worth the cost on this model year. Ask for service records showing whether brake vacuum pump, turbo or transmission work has already been done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.