GMC Terrain Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 266 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the GMC Terrain across 16 model years. The 2018 model year has the most (70). The words owners use most often: “vacuum pump” (37% of reports).
- 266service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 18mention a crash
- 11mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 40%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Vacuum pump: mentioned in 98 of 266 complaints (37%)
- Brake assist: mentioned in 43 of 266 complaints (16%)
- Pedal became: mentioned in 18 of 266 complaints (7%)
- Hard press: mentioned in 16 of 266 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 56 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 266 complaints, 18 mention a crash, 11 an injury.
GMC Terrain service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Terrain | 4 | 12% | — |
| 2025 Terrain | 2 | 15% | — |
| 2024 Terrain | 2 | 4% | — |
| 2022 Terrain | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Terrain | 8 | 22% | 78,843 |
| 2020 Terrain | 65 | 33% | 34,415 |
| 2019 Terrain | 65 | 35% | 40,000 |
| 2018 Terrain | 70 | 31% | 34,000 |
| 2017 Terrain | 2 | 1% | 50,000 |
| 2016 Terrain | 5 | 3% | 32,000 |
| 2015 Terrain | 8 | 3% | 43,200 |
| 2014 Terrain | 9 | 3% | 41,450 |
| 2013 Terrain | 7 | 2% | 44,198 |
| 2012 Terrain | 5 | 1% | 59,000 |
| 2011 Terrain | 5 | 1% | 77,264 |
| 2010 Terrain | 8 | 3% | 123,462 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2018, 2019
Problem: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On XXX while driving my 2018 GMC Terrain SLE 1.5L turbo on the highway at approximately 70 MPH near [XXX]. I experienced a sudden loss of power brake assist without any prior dashboard warning lights or messages. I was traveling with children to [XXX] for a youth wrestling tournament, approximately…
VIN: [XXX] Mileage: Approximately 103,576 Incident location: [XXX] Safety Complaint: While my wife was driving our 2019 GMC Terrain into a shopping center parking lot, the vehicle suddenly experienced a severe loss of braking assistance. The brake pedal became extremely stiff and difficult to…
Without any type of warning, I was driving down the road when my car started making a knocking/ticking type noise then my engine light came on. I attempted to hit my brakes and stop, and I had no control. There was no brakes without pushing it all the way to the floor it was very hard to get my car…
While driving at the speed limit the vacuum pump failed on my 2020 GMC Terrain. This failure led to me enter an intersection with heavy cross traffic, nearly striking g several vehicles. This is the 3rd time I have had to replace this pump in 2 years. The pump explodes sending chards of metal into…
While driving on an interstate, vehicle became sluggish when accelerating. Took off on exit, engine was reduced to 50% power, attempted to drive to large parking lot, lost brakes, got the vehicle stopped in an intersection, would not shut off, go into neutral. Finally shut off, had to call tow…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Terrains have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 266 owner complaints about service brakes for the GMC Terrain. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Terrain service brakes?
Yes: 1 safety recall list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the GMC Terrain?
The most frequent phrase is “vacuum pump”, in 98 of 266 complaints, followed by “brake assist” (43).
Other GMC Terrain problems
- Engine problems (1,211)
- Power Train problems (473)
- Visibility/wiper problems (428)
- Electrical System problems (349)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (227)
- Air Bags problems (167)
- Exterior Lighting problems (100)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (100)
See all GMC Terrain problems.