Collision Avoidance complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 24% | 11,000 miles |
| 2025 | 2 | 15% | — |
| 2024 | 5 | 10% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2022 | 2 | 3% | 22,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 11% | — |
| 2020 | 14 | 7% | 71,000 miles |
| 2019 | 13 | 7% | 55,000 miles |
| 2018 | 10 | 4% | 0 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 3 | 1% | — |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% | 80,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% | 99,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% | 96,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% | 156,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after a software update was performed, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Departure Lane Limited due to the Trailer" was displayed. The failure affected the blind spot warning system. The warning light failed to display while approaching a vehicle on the blindside and erroneously operated while there were no vehicles on the side of the vehicle. Additionally, the "Rear Cross Traffic Warning" light was affected by the failure. The vehicle experienced hard braking while there was no other vehicle nearby. The dealer was contacted and diagnosed the vehicle with sensor failure caused by an impact to the sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 11,350.
Subject: Urgent: Unresolved Ongoing Vehicle Issues - Request for Contact To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my strong frustration regarding ongoing and unresolved issues with my vehicle. Ever since I purchased it, I have been plagued by constant alerts regarding various vehicle failures. My vehicle has already been reset and updated twice to address these issues. I just picked it up after it was supposedly fixed at the dealership this past Thursday. However, today, Sunday, [redacted], the exact same warning alerts have started popping up once again. This situation is unacceptable, and I need someone to reach out to us immediately to discuss a permanent resolution. Please contact us at either of the following numbers: Primary Phone: [redacted] Secondary Phone: [redacted] I expect a prompt reply to arrange the next steps.
This is a continuation for NHTSA campaign number 11711615. While an additional NHTSA complaint has been filed for the power train, this focuses specifically on design failures in the braking system. Our vehicle experienced a highway failure of the fuel pump, but due to the nature of a powertrain failure the car could not be put into neutral, only remain in park. The car was stranded in the middle of the road. As a AWD vehicle it similarly could not be towed as both wheels were fully locked. Tow informed us that there should be a manual release under the shifting column, however, this design safety feature had been removed in the 2024 iteration. The car was stuck on the road behind a blind turn on a somewhat busy road with vehicles typically traveling between 25-50 mph. …
My wife and I took our new vehicle on a 7k mile road trip this summer. Two times while on the freeway around 70 MPH, the sensors went wild. The cars auto break came on and red lights and collision warnings went off in the seat and the HUD. The vehicle slowed down to about 35 immediately! Then everything turned off and we sped back went down the road like nothing happened. Luckily there was no behind us or in front of us for a good distance. The thing is during both of the there was a car in the lane next to us at our 1 or 2 o'clock position. Perhaps the sensors. Mistakingly thought we were about to hit that car. Can these seniors be adjusted?
My son was making a left onto a freeway on ramp after traffic cleared and the steering wheel completely locked up resulting in him going over the curb and rolling completely over in a steep ditch. This occurred at a low speed (no more than 25mph), confirmed by the Life369 app. My son's description was that it felt like the wheels were against a wall and the wheel wouldn't turn even though he was using both hands in an attempt to turn. My son said there was no warning lights or any other indication that he noticed, other than the complete locking up of the steering. The resulting rollover into the ditch has totaled the vehicle so it was not inspected by any collision shop. I attempted to check the steering in the tow yard but the vehicle had no power.
adaptive cruise disengaging alert on dash- no cars or weather conditions to induce this. loss of power and bucking on highway( near accident caused) catostostrophic sudden loss of power engine/transmission failure while mechanic driving resulting in car towed back to dealer. loss of power multiple times causing near accidents. sudden jolting at stop light causing car to propel forward requiered both feet on brake pedal to stop. 4 episodes of near collision 1st altert started 04/4/2024 adaptive cruise light on dash 14,700 miles on vehicle 5 episodes continued and now car is still at dealership for emissions failure, loss of power x 4 weeks. ALL PHOTOS OF DASH LIGHTS, REPAIR INVOICES AND VIDEO OF DASH AVAILABLE BUT I AM NOT ABLE TO UPLOAD ALL.
I was backing out of a parking spot when I came in contact with a vehicle going east bound in the parking lot the contact was on the rear right side of my vehicle before I could do anything my vehicle sped up and proceeded to go forward jump a curb I had my foot on the brakes when I realized I wasn't stopping and heading for a garage I turned right trying to avoid the garage but still hit the corner of garage causing damage then vehicle stopped and shut down.The Vehicle is still being repaired the mechanic said there was damage to a box and cable going to transmission but couldn't say if it was the fault reported to police end insurance but haven't gotten any response reported it to General Motors but haven't gotten a response
Driving my vehicle with no warnings, messages, or symptoms on adaptive cruise control Sunday [redacted] on [redacted] in Michigan. I changed lanes into the right lane when the vehicle abruptly, without notification, and with force, caused braking that unexpectedly and dangerously slowed the vehicle then released braking before doing the same a moment later. Vehicle was pulled off the road onto the shoulder without an accident, thankfully nobody was behind because they would not have been able to stop in time before hitting my vehicle and I assume the brake lights weren't activated since I did not press the brake pedal either time the vehicle was abruptly slowed causing audible noise of traction loss due to skidding. Vehicle engine would function but parking brake remained active leaving vehicle unable to change gears and transmission warning showed on instrument panel. …
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Terrain years have collision avoidance problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2020 (14), 2019 (13), 2018 (10), 2026 (8) and 2023 (5) model years. Collision Avoidance complaints make up 7% of all complaints for the 2020.
Is there a recall for GMC Terrain collision avoidance problems?
No. NHTSA lists no driver assistance recall for any GMC Terrain model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do GMC Terrain collision avoidance problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles; 29% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic emergency braking (33 mentions), followed by the warnings (20).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.