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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

What owners actually said

220 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2026
Fuel/propulsion System

Turbo boost went out in my vehicle and 3 others with the same engine, different makes/models. Vehicles were serviced at Grayling Car Care 4430 M-72, Grayling, MI 49738 (989) 348-3200. Significant power loss, sluggish acceleration, poor fuel economy, and often strange noises (whining, grinding), accompanied by blue smoke from bur…

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Turbo boost went out in my vehicle and 3 others with the same engine, different makes/models. Vehicles were serviced at Grayling Car Care 4430 M-72, Grayling, MI 49738 (989) 348-3200. Significant power loss, sluggish acceleration, poor fuel economy, and often strange noises (whining, grinding), accompanied by blue smoke from burning oil and a lit check engine light, with the severe risk of catastrophic engine damage from broken parts entering the engine if driven, requiring prompt replacement. It's generally unsafe to drive with a bad turbo, as metal fragments can destroy the engine.

NHTSA ODI #11714113

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2026
Engine

Vacuum pump failure resulting in crankshaft sensor to completely sheer off.

NHTSA ODI #11708515

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2025
Electrical System

The infotainment system will just randomly start going haywire and when it happens, you cannot use the touchscreen. It will try to randomly delete app icons such as the camera, it will try to delete connected phones, it will try to delete radio favorites and it will move app icons all around. These are just a few examples of thi…

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The infotainment system will just randomly start going haywire and when it happens, you cannot use the touchscreen. It will try to randomly delete app icons such as the camera, it will try to delete connected phones, it will try to delete radio favorites and it will move app icons all around. These are just a few examples of things that happen.

NHTSA ODI #11704389

132,386 miles · Dec 8, 2025
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal became extremely difficult to depress, with the message "Brake Assist" displayed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway and the parking brake was activated, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact…

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal became extremely difficult to depress, with the message "Brake Assist" displayed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway and the parking brake was activated, and the vehicle was turned off. The contact stated that the transmission failed to shift into gear, and the vehicle was dragged onto a flatbed truck and towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 132,386.

NHTSA ODI #11703650

183,000 miles · Nov 21, 2025
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and failed to come to a stop while the brake pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a locked br…

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and failed to come to a stop while the brake pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a locked brake vacuum pump. The contact was informed that parts of the brake vacuum pump had entered inside the camshaft and valve cover. Several unknown local dealers were contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because there was no recall associated with the VIN. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 183,000.

NHTSA ODI #11700844

130,000 miles · Nov 7, 2025
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting gear erratically. The contact stated that the doors were locking and unlocking independently, and the instrument cluster was blank. There was an abnormal beeping sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while at…

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting gear erratically. The contact stated that the doors were locking and unlocking independently, and the instrument cluster was blank. There was an abnormal beeping sound coming from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that while at a traffic light, the Auto START/STOP feature delayed to respond. OnStar was alerted, but the contact declined to perform the service. The contact was in contact with the independent mechanic who sold the vehicle, but no assistance was provided. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11698239

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2025
Air Bags

My car said to me this not that there is something wrong with the Service Safety Restraint system! It was fine last night when I got home! I just bought this car a month ago and everything was fine and now my air bag light is on and will not go off!

NHTSA ODI #11696252

95,100 miles · Oct 17, 2025
Air BagsService Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with air bag failure. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not re…

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with air bag failure. The contact was informed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the contact was informed that there were no open recalls on the VIN. In addition, the contact was informed that once a recall repair was completed, it would not be performed a second time free of charge. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,100.

NHTSA ODI #11694159

53,000 miles · Oct 8, 2025
Power Train

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the unintendedly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. …

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the unintendedly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced with a used transmission, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who diagnosed and determined that the replacement transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 53,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI #11692086

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2025
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

April 2025, Vacuum Pump went out meaning lost breaks going 60 miles per hour down the road after engine light came on. Left me and two children stranded 2 hours from home with no way to get back except a tow. Now September 2025 Cam Shafts are out as well as Vacuum Pump. Stranded boyfriend and I two hours away again. Now metal in…

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April 2025, Vacuum Pump went out meaning lost breaks going 60 miles per hour down the road after engine light came on. Left me and two children stranded 2 hours from home with no way to get back except a tow. Now September 2025 Cam Shafts are out as well as Vacuum Pump. Stranded boyfriend and I two hours away again. Now metal in oil and warranty is not willing to cover it due to the vacuum pump going out. Made a post on Facebook and got lots of feedback on how their newer terrains have done the same things. Work in insurance and have people car pertaining to their terrains wondering if we cover engine replacements. There is major issues with these vehicle. Mine only has 107,000 miles on it and I have 12,000 left to pay. The motor is shot and dealership wants to “flush” the metal out of the engine. Very frustrated, I put 12,000 out of my college fund to have a reliable vehicle for my two kids and now this is all I have. A car that doesn’t run. I called warranty and the man I talked to even said that they get a lot of calls for these cars needing to be fixed. I am at a loss on what to do now. The below information about the incident is for the most recent one happening in September. I know that this sounds like a warranty and dealership issue but I guaranty if you send something out to terrain owners they will report major issues that they have had. Leaving them stuck in loans and no where to go.

NHTSA ODI #11691195

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.