2018 Gmc Terrain problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (62) · Power Train (29) · Engine (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Terrain model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
92 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2020-10-29 · campaign 20V668000 · 194,105 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper 2018-08-30 · campaign 18V576000 · 210,628 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2018-05-31 · campaign 18V358000 · 895 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 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 18188.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2018-05-24 · campaign 18V340000 · 88,503 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Terrain vehicles. The sensing diagnostic module (SDM) that senses a crash and deploys the necessary air bags may not power down correctly when the vehicle is shut off, causing it to be inoperative when the vehicle is restarted.
Risk: If the SDM becomes inoperative, it will not detect a crash or command the necessary air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18179.
Power Train:driveline:driveshaft 2017-08-22 · campaign 17V516000 · 2,905 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.
Risk: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
Service bulletins (1,344)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-27 · PIT5992B · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information discusses a condition that may arise from the drivers window switch sending an errant message causing the vehicle to enter manual fob learn mode.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,344 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 92,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while driving, the vehicle unexpectedly stopped. the contact exited the vehicle and there was an abnormally strong gasoline odor coming from the rear of the vehicle. the vehicle was towed and the tow truck operator stated that there was gasoline leaking underneath the front of the vehicle…”
2026-10-20 · Power Train“this car was my daily driver to work it's been serviced regularly and well maintained, in xxx i've had the car for 8 years and driving home from work on the [xxx] it started to rev very high and i wasn't able to speed up past 55 so i got in the slow lane and the car was not shifting gears and the transmission light came on, i took it to a garage wh…”
2026-10-14 · Service Brakes“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 5 hours from my residence. the brake pedal became…”
2026-09-30 · Unknown Or Other“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 to stop. i managed to get off the road and into a …”
2026-09-25 · Suspension“dear [manufacturer], i am writing to report a serious safety concern with my [year, make, model]. a bolt from the idler arm/undercarriage came off after becoming severely rusted. i had the vehicle inspected by a repair shop, but they could not determine why the bolt failed or why it had rusted to this extent. this is extremely concerning because …”
2026-09-24 · Fuel System, Gasoline“the contact owns a 2018 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage at the residence, there was fuel leaking from the vehicle from the fuel line. the contact stated that the fuel pump was replaced. there was a strong gasoline odor coming from the vehicle. the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign num…”
2026-09-14 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 116,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the brake pedal was firm and the "service brake assist" message was displayed on the instrument panel. the contact used excessive force to depress the brake pedal while stopping the vehicle. the vehicle was driven to the destination and parked. the dealer was notifie…”
2026-08-28 · Tether, Lower Anchor (On Car Seat Or Vehicle)“i purchased an evenflo shyft intuiti travel system with a revolve180 litemax nxt infant car seat. the car seat was manufactured on 03/27/2025, model ts100212542. i was notified by amazon that the car seat was recalled due to a calibration issue with the level indicator that caused the product not to meet applicable federal performance requirements.…”
2026-08-24 · Unknown Or Other“approximately 3 miles from my residence my car display flashed "reduced engine power" and slowed down. when i reached a stop sign and tried to stop, my brakes were stiff and i was unable to stop. i went through the stop sign. i continued to my residence at 10mph and backed into a parking space with a curb to help stop my vehicle. i turned the car o…”
2026-08-21 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 117,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while her son was driving 45 mph, the brake pedal was firm while depressed. there was no warning light illuminated. due to the failure, excessive force was needed on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. the following day, the veh…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.