When you're sitting at idle in gear and go to accelerate the transmission will slip out of gear into neutral then into gear after the rpms climb. This happens alot. According to the dealership this is normal based on information from a bulletin from GMC.
2018 GMC Terrain
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Terrain do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Terrain years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
91 reports with mileage · 129 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 53 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 41 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
41 reports11/24/2021 buy 2018 GMC Terrain, before leaving the dealership I told the seller that the engine light was on he said it was because they removed the alarm which I didn’t want to buy and the light was going to be off later and told me to take the car to service on Monday 11/29 so my husband took the car they repair a detail on …
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11/24/2021 buy 2018 GMC Terrain, before leaving the dealership I told the seller that the engine light was on he said it was because they removed the alarm which I didn’t want to buy and the light was going to be off later and told me to take the car to service on Monday 11/29 so my husband took the car they repair a detail on the handle door and he said the engine light it’s off so we tough what he said about the alarma, we trust the seller but on 12/26/2021 I left California to Texas, I was about 4 and a half hours away the car began to lose speed and a very strange noise was heard, I stepped on the accelerator and did not raise speed, I had to step aside the freeway and the car turn on but It did not go forward or backward and NO warning light was on dashboard, nothin ! The car broke down in Arizona in the middle of nowhere, it’s was freezing and almost got hit by a semi truck, it was a very frustrated experience.
The turbine shaft in the transmission broke without warning. The part could have failed in an intersection leaving the vehicle in the middle of the road and potentially causing an accident as the vehicle was unable to move under its own power. Luckily it failed going down the interstate and my wife was able to safely coast to …
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The turbine shaft in the transmission broke without warning. The part could have failed in an intersection leaving the vehicle in the middle of the road and potentially causing an accident as the vehicle was unable to move under its own power. Luckily it failed going down the interstate and my wife was able to safely coast to the shoulder. Yes, the vehicle was disassembled by the dealer and the broken part discovered. There was no warning that this would happen. The ironic part was that the vehicle was in to the dealer the day before for a emissions recall, a check engine light (emissions related) and a routine maintenance front end alignment and left my wife stranded the next day.
MY AUTO STARTED LEAKING SOME KIND OF OIL.NOT SURE WHAT KIND BUT I CAN SEE ACCUMULATION ON DRIVEWAY CONCRETE PAD. HAD MOTOR OIL & FILTER CHANGED IN CASE IT WAS A O-RING OR NOT TIGHT ENOUGH. IT CONTINUES TO LEAK.
MY 2018 GMC TERRAIN SLE HAS 41668 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED AS NEEDED. ANYHOW, SOMETIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING, I CAN FEEL THE POWER TRAIN STALL OUT WHEN DRIVING INTERMITTENTLY. THIS CONCERNS ME AS A SINGLE PARENT WITH A 10 YEAR OLD CHILD THAT GOES EVERYWHERE WITH ME. I JUST WANT MY VEHICLE TO BE SAFE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HILLSDALE BUICK GMC (99 W CARLETON RD, M-99, HILLSDALE, MI 49242) ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO HAVE MULTIPLE REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO HILLSDALE BUICK GMC (99 W CARLETON RD, M-99, HILLSDALE, MI 49242) ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO HAVE MULTIPLE REPAIRS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ECM, SEVERAL FUEL INJECTORS, AND MULTIPLE COMPUTER UPDATES PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER EACH VISIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
THE CAR KEEPS REVVING AND DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. YOU HAVE TO LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND GIVE IT A FEW SECONDS AND THEM PRESS IT AGAIN. HOWEVER WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS AGAIN THE CAR JUMPS INTO GEAR CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JERK EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. IT EITHER REVS TOO HIGH OR IT FEELS LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTS. THIS LAST…
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THE CAR KEEPS REVVING AND DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR. YOU HAVE TO LIFT YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND GIVE IT A FEW SECONDS AND THEM PRESS IT AGAIN. HOWEVER WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS AGAIN THE CAR JUMPS INTO GEAR CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO JERK EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. IT EITHER REVS TOO HIGH OR IT FEELS LIKE IT DOWNSHIFTS. THIS LAST TIME, 9/8/20, I JUST REVERSED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO MY RESIDENTIAL STREET, GOING ABOUT 18 MPH WHEN THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. WHEN IT JERKED INTO GEAR IT JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT CAUSED ME TO HIT A PARKED CAR JUST 4 DOORS DOWN FROM MY HOUSE, CAUSING $6000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY TERRAIN LIKELY TOTALING THE 2010 COROLLA I HIT. I HAVE HAD A CLEAN DRIVING RECORD FOR 30 YEARS UNTIL NOW. GMC WILL NOT OWN FAULT AND NOW MY INSURANCE WILL GO UP AS WELL FOR SOMETHING THAT REALLY WAS NOT MY FAULT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC TERRAIN. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TASCA BUICK (510 E NASA BLVD, MELBOURNE, FL 32901, (321) 247-7124) WHERE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC TERRAIN. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TASCA BUICK (510 E NASA BLVD, MELBOURNE, FL 32901, (321) 247-7124) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE PART WAS ON BACKORDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPOT. VEHICLE REVERSED FINE, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT BEGAN TO JERK AND DID NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. MADE IT TO THE NEXT AISLE TO PARK IT AND GET OUT OF WAY. ONCE PARKED, SHUT OFF VEHICLE. STARTED IT. REVERSED IT AND IT WOULD ONLY REV UP, DID NOT REVERSE. PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT JERKED FORWARD, HARD AND KEPT …
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WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPOT. VEHICLE REVERSED FINE, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT BEGAN TO JERK AND DID NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY. MADE IT TO THE NEXT AISLE TO PARK IT AND GET OUT OF WAY. ONCE PARKED, SHUT OFF VEHICLE. STARTED IT. REVERSED IT AND IT WOULD ONLY REV UP, DID NOT REVERSE. PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT JERKED FORWARD, HARD AND KEPT JERKING AS I PULLED FORWARD. PARKED IT AGAIN AND TURNED IT OFF. CALLED DEALERSHIP, WHO CALLED A TOW SERVICE TO TOW IT TO THEM. ATTEMPTED TO SHOW TOW GUY THE ISSUE AT HIS REQUEST, UPON HIS ARRIVAL, PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT REVVED UP BRIEFLY THEN JERKED INTO REVERSE. HAD TO MOVE VEHICLE TO CLEAR AREA TO GET IT ON THE TOW TRUCK SO I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND IT BEGAN TO JERK CONSTANTLY AND BARELY ACCELERATING AS I DROVE AND FELT AND SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF (BUT DIDN'T) BEFORE I MADE IT TO WHERE I COULD PARK AGAIN. LUCKILY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON THE ROAD. I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE EXACTLY A MONTH. VERY SCARY.
TRANSMISSION FAILS TO DOWN SHIFT AFTER ACCELERATING IN TRAFFIC. RPM LEGAL 2200 RPM AT 40 MPH FOR OVER A MILE BEFORE DROPPING TO CORRECT 1200 RPM FOR THAT SPEED.
Official recalls
520V668000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Oct 29, 2020
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Aug 30, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
May 31, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
18V340000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
May 24, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
17V516000 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
Aug 22, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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