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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 →

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.

14 crash reports1 fire reports7 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

34 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

MY CAR JUST COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN OUT OF NOWHERE. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHEN I WAS SLOWING FOR TRAFFIC AND WHEN I WAS IN A PARKING LOT. THE FIRST TIME I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULDN'T UNLOCK. THEN THE POWER CAME ON BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. IT HAS PUSH BUTTON GEAR SHIFTS AND WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTR…

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MY CAR JUST COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN OUT OF NOWHERE. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE WHEN I WAS SLOWING FOR TRAFFIC AND WHEN I WAS IN A PARKING LOT. THE FIRST TIME I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE CAR BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULDN'T UNLOCK. THEN THE POWER CAME ON BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN OVER. IT HAS PUSH BUTTON GEAR SHIFTS AND WOULD NOT GO INTO NEUTRAL. I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE TO ASSIST UNTIL THE CAR WAS TOWED BECAUSE I WAS ON A VERY BUSY AND DANGEROUS STREET. I HONESTLY WAS SCARED SOMEONE WAS GOING TO SLAM INTO ME. THE SECOND TIME I WAS LOOKING FOR A PARKING SPOT AND IT STOPPED. LUCKILY I ALWAYS KEEP THE DOORS UNLOCKED SINCE FIRST INCIDENT HAD TO BE TOWED BOTH TIMES. AS OF TODAY IT IS STILL AT THE DEALER TRYING TO BE FIXED FOR A SECOND TIME. THEY 'THOUGHT' THEY FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS HAD MY CAR SINCE OCTOBER 17. THEY CLAIM THEY KNOW WHAT IT IS. THEY REPLACE SOME ENGINE MODULE AND ARE NOW WAITING ON A PUSH BUTTON FOR THE GEAR SHIFT.

NHTSA ODI #11280462

11,896 miles · Jul 31, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WHEN VEERING OR STEERING INTO ANOTHER LANE, LEFT OR RIGHT, THE SAFETY ALERTS, I.E. THE TUG OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND VIBRATION OF SEAT, ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE, THIS FEATURE WORKED FINE. HOWEVER, IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, IT HAS QUIT WORKING OR WORKS SPORATICALLY BUT WHEN WORKING …

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WHEN VEERING OR STEERING INTO ANOTHER LANE, LEFT OR RIGHT, THE SAFETY ALERTS, I.E. THE TUG OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND VIBRATION OF SEAT, ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE, THIS FEATURE WORKED FINE. HOWEVER, IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS, IT HAS QUIT WORKING OR WORKS SPORATICALLY BUT WHEN WORKING SPORATICALLY, DOES NOT WORK AS IT SHOULD. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT IS UNABLE TO FIX IT STATING THAT IN "UPDATING" THE PROGRAMMING IN MY CAR, THIS FEATURE WAS WEAKENED (DILIBERATELY BECAUSE GMC INTENDED TO WEAKEN THE FEATURE STATING THE REASON WAS BECAUSE SOME DRIVERS WERE USING THIS FEATURE AS AN AUTO-DRIVE). I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE, ONE OF THE REASONS BEING THAT IT OFFERED THIS FEATURE AND NOW THE FEATURE DOESN'T WORK THE WAY IT DID WHEN I BOUGHT IT.

NHTSA ODI #11240973

300 miles · Jul 18, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING, THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM GOES BLACK, NO AUDIO - THEN REBOOTS AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO. I HAVE DETECTED A BURNING SMELL AS WELL, BUT CANNOT DETERMINE IF IT IS COMING FROM MY VEHICLE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES AND THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE OR FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VERY FRUSTRATING!!! T…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM GOES BLACK, NO AUDIO - THEN REBOOTS AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO. I HAVE DETECTED A BURNING SMELL AS WELL, BUT CANNOT DETERMINE IF IT IS COMING FROM MY VEHICLE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES AND THE DEALER IS TELLING ME THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE OR FIND ANYTHING WRONG. VERY FRUSTRATING!!! THIS HAS HAPPENED SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING HOME, WHILE DRIVING ON CITY ROADS, AFTER DRIVING A WHILE, ON THE HIGHWAY, STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THERE IS SO SPECIFIC TIME OR FREQUENCY THAT THIS OCCURS. THIS FIRST HAPPENED WITHIN 300 MILES OF WHEN I FIRST LEASED, UP TO A WEEK AGO SUNDAY, JULY 7. TOTAL OF 5 TIMES IN THE PAST 10 MONTHS!

NHTSA ODI #11233143

Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2019
Unknown Or Other

I WAS NOTIFIED OF MY DEALER OF RECALL N192217490. WHICH IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND IT'S NOT ON YOUR LIST WONDERING WHY YOUR LIST IS LACKING YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE AUTHORITY ON RECALLS BUT YET ON STAR NOTIFIED MY DEALER OF THIS RECALL AND IT'S A TRANSMISSION ISSUE OR CLUTCH ISSUE WHICH IS SERIOUS WHY IS IT NOT ON YOUR LIST HOW CAN…

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I WAS NOTIFIED OF MY DEALER OF RECALL N192217490. WHICH IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND IT'S NOT ON YOUR LIST WONDERING WHY YOUR LIST IS LACKING YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE THE AUTHORITY ON RECALLS BUT YET ON STAR NOTIFIED MY DEALER OF THIS RECALL AND IT'S A TRANSMISSION ISSUE OR CLUTCH ISSUE WHICH IS SERIOUS WHY IS IT NOT ON YOUR LIST HOW CAN I TRUST YOUR COMPANY TO HAVE A THOROUGH LISTING OF ALL RECALLS WHEN THIS WIND IS NOT EVEN ON CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR YOUR EXPLANATION

NHTSA ODI #11229994

680 miles · Apr 8, 2019
Unknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11194570

4,327 miles · Apr 2, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE CAR AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM LOCKED UP AS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. COULD NOT GET CAR TO MOVE.

NHTSA ODI #11193383

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2019
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other

I HAVE AROUND 6 TO 7 MONTH WITH THE VEHICLE AND SINCE DAY ONE IT MADE A WEARD NOISE IN THE ENGINE TRANSMISSION AREA AND THE VEHICLE DOESNT RESPOND AND PERFORM WELL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AT FIRST THEY STATED IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN THEY STARTED GIVING ME MANYDIFERENT EXCUSES AND THAT IT WAS NORMA…

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I HAVE AROUND 6 TO 7 MONTH WITH THE VEHICLE AND SINCE DAY ONE IT MADE A WEARD NOISE IN THE ENGINE TRANSMISSION AREA AND THE VEHICLE DOESNT RESPOND AND PERFORM WELL I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND AT FIRST THEY STATED IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN THEY STARTED GIVING ME MANYDIFERENT EXCUSES AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL BUT STILL THE SUV WOULDNT RESPOND I CALLED GM AND THEY OPENED A TICKET BUT AFTER THAT THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT IN OTHER WORDS THEY TOLD ME I HAD TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. YESTURDAY FEB 26,2019 THE SUV STARTED HAVING WORST PROBLEMS AS TO WHERE IT WOULD NOT RUN MOR THEN 33 MILES A HOUR IT STARTED SHAKING RPMS GOING WILD THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 5500 MILES ON IT. I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO OUT OF THIS TIME I HAVE WITH IT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MORE TIMED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAN WITH ME

NHTSA ODI #11182744

5,100 miles · Feb 22, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR AFTER COMING OUT OF REVERSE THE CAR REVS UP BETWEEN 35 AND 45 RPMS. THIS IS WHEN IT IS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH. WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS THE CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY FORWARD AND RPMS DROP TO 25RMS. WHEN I GIVE IT SOME GAS THE RPMS GO UP AGAIN TO THE 35-45 RPM. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THIS TO STOP IS TO PULL OV…

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WHEN I DRIVE MY CAR AFTER COMING OUT OF REVERSE THE CAR REVS UP BETWEEN 35 AND 45 RPMS. THIS IS WHEN IT IS GOING ABOUT 25 MPH. WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE GAS THE CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY FORWARD AND RPMS DROP TO 25RMS. WHEN I GIVE IT SOME GAS THE RPMS GO UP AGAIN TO THE 35-45 RPM. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THIS TO STOP IS TO PULL OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURN OFF THE CAR AND OPEN THE DOOR. I LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 10 MIN AND THEN TURN IT BACK ON AND DRIVE. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG THAT WHEN THEY PLUG IT IN EVERYTHING COMES BACK FINE. I HAVE HAD OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CAR AND IT HAS HAPPENED WITH WITNESSES SO I AM NOT IMAGINING IT. THIS IS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND STARTED HAPPENING A FEW DAYS AFTER I GOT IT. THE DATE I AM GIVING OF WHEN IT HAPPENED IS THE LATEST ONE - IT STARTED 8/18.

NHTSA ODI #11181968

21 miles · Feb 11, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A NOISE EVERY SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE. IT STARTED AS A VAGUE SOUND AND HAS SINCE GOTTEN WORSE. THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE REAR EXHAUST. AT CERTAIN SPEEDS OF TRAVEL THE NOISE GETS WORSE. I HAVE DONE A VISIBILITY CHECK OF THE REAR EXHAUST PIPE AND NOTICED THE ASSEMBLED EXHAUST WHERE IT WAS WELDE…

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MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A NOISE EVERY SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE. IT STARTED AS A VAGUE SOUND AND HAS SINCE GOTTEN WORSE. THE NOISE IS COMING FROM THE REAR EXHAUST. AT CERTAIN SPEEDS OF TRAVEL THE NOISE GETS WORSE. I HAVE DONE A VISIBILITY CHECK OF THE REAR EXHAUST PIPE AND NOTICED THE ASSEMBLED EXHAUST WHERE IT WAS WELDED IS LOOSE AND SHAKING. I'M NOT FOR SURE IF THIS IS WHERE THE NOISE IS COMING FROM BUT IT COULD USE SOME INVESTIGATION. I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE WITH NO MILEAGE ABOUT 5 MONTHS AGO FROM HENNESSY GMC IN MORROW GEORGIA.

NHTSA ODI #11176213

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2018
Unknown Or Other

1. LANE DEPARTURE WARNING ONLY WORKS WITH HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL.GM REFUSES TO FIX IT AS THEY SAID THEY DESIGNED THE VEHICLE THIS WAY. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND DRIVES WITH HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, WE BOUGHT THIS FEATURE FOR OUR YOUNG DRIVERS TO HAVE THEM REMINDED IF THEY DRIFT OUT OF THEIR LANE. 2. WARNING WINDOW …

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1. LANE DEPARTURE WARNING ONLY WORKS WITH HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL.GM REFUSES TO FIX IT AS THEY SAID THEY DESIGNED THE VEHICLE THIS WAY. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND DRIVES WITH HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL, WE BOUGHT THIS FEATURE FOR OUR YOUNG DRIVERS TO HAVE THEM REMINDED IF THEY DRIFT OUT OF THEIR LANE. 2. WARNING WINDOW ABOUT DISTRACTED DRIVING DISPLAYS ON THE RADIO SCREEN WHILE DRIVING, SO YOU HAVE TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD TO PUSH OK TO GET RID OF IT. GM REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT EITHER. 3. SEATBELTS ARE NON ADJUSTABLE HEIGHTWISE AND LENGTHWISE. THEY ARE OK FOR TALL PEOPLE, FOR ME BEING 5'4 THEY ARE UNCOMFORTABLE AND RUB MY NECK.SO I HAVE TO DRIVE WITHOUT THEM. GM IN 2018 DESIGNED ALL THEIR GMC AND BUICK VEHICLES THIS WAY, TO SAVE MONEY, I AM SURE. THESE TYPE OF UNADJUSTSBLE SEATBELTS WERE USED BACK IM THE 80'S.

NHTSA ODI #11144540

Official recalls

5

20V668000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.