2018 GMC Terrain problems, complaints & recalls

2018 GMC Terrain recalls (5)

• Recall 20V668000Oct 29, 2020194,105 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  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.

  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.

• Recall 18V576000Aug 30, 2018210,628 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

  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.

  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.

• Recall 18V358000May 31, 2018895 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

  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.

  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.

• Recall 18V340000May 24, 201888,503 vehicles
  AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

  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.

  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.

• Recall 17V516000Aug 22, 20172,905 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

  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.

  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.

Recent 2018 GMC Terrain complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 30, 2026NYBrakesEngineOther / Unknown

   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 parking lot and now told that I have $5000 worth of repairs, including the vacuum pump, camshaft timing and guides. After reading…

   NHTSA complaint #11767937 · source
2. Filed Sep 25, 2026MOSteeringSuspension

   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 a failure of this component while driving could potentially result in loss of control and a serious accident. I am asking the…

   NHTSA complaint #11767009 · source
3. Filed Sep 24, 2026NYFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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 Number: 18V358000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The dealer was contacted by phone and…

   NHTSA complaint #11766614 · source
4. Filed Sep 14, 2026116,000 miNJBrakes

   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 notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a vacuum pump recall. The vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11764014 · source
5. Filed Aug 28, 2026TXOther / Unknown

   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. I contacted Evenflo ParentLink regarding the recall and was informed that Evenflo would provide only a repair kit and would not…

   NHTSA complaint #11760395 · source
6. Filed Aug 24, 2026ALBrakesEngineOther / Unknown

   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 off and called a mechanic to come look at my car. I explained the events and let him know it would not start. He checked the codes…

   NHTSA complaint #11759068 · source
7. Filed Aug 21, 2026117,000 miWVBrakes

   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 vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with an inoperable vacuum pump that was shredded…

   NHTSA complaint #11758514 · source
8. Filed Aug 10, 2026MIBrakesEngine

   While driving my 2018 GMC Terrain, the vehicle suddenly displayed an “Engine Power Reduced” warning and the brakes became extremely hard to press. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of normal power-brake assist while it was in motion, creating a serious safety risk because significantly greater pedal force was required to stop the vehicle. I was able to pull over safely. After stopping, the vehicle would crank but would not start. The vehicle was towed to a GMC dealership…

   NHTSA complaint #11755920 · source

Compare the 2018 GMC Terrain with another vehicle →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology