Is the 2019 GMC Terrain a bad year?
187 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 53, 4.8× a quiet Terrain year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 4k–58k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2019 Terrain owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 17,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 53 (28%) | 4k–58k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 72 (39%) | 40k–99k miles · ahead | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 70 (37%) | 5k–79k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 39 (21%) | 2k–38k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Speed control | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Stability control | 6 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 17,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 187 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 12 say the car was towed.
31 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2019 GMC Terrain: 3
The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing bolts. 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.
The rear-right seat may have insufficient welds on the head-restraint bracket. 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.
The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance. A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from GMC: 379
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2019 GMC Terrain. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming…
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Correct a customer concern of Vehicle Will Not Lock and Unlock (Loss of Active Functions) Crank or Start (Loss of Passive Functions) with DTC P0513 Set
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Neighbouring years
2018 Terrain: 226 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2020 Terrain: 198 complaints, keep it.
Every GMC Terrain year
2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Terrain years side by side
Other GMC models: GMC Acadia · GMC Canyon · GMC Denali · GMC Envoy · GMC Envoy XL · GMC Envoy Xuv · GMC Jimmy · GMC Safari · GMC Savana · GMC Sierra · GMC Sierra 1500 · GMC Sierra 2500 · GMC Sierra 3500 · GMC Sierra Denali · GMC Sonoma · GMC Yukon · GMC Yukon Denali · GMC Yukon Denali XL · GMC Yukon XL · GMC Yukon XL 1500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2019 GMC Terrain a bad year?
187 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 53, 4.8× a quiet Terrain year. At 17,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 4k–58k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2019 GMC Terrain?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (53), brakes (72), engine (70), electrical system (39), speed control (9). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 4k–58k miles.
How many recalls does the 2019 GMC Terrain have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 20V-668), Seats (NHTSA 19V-184), Brakes (NHTSA 18V-576). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.