2018 Gmc TERRAIN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
219 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
18,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 90 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 68 of 219 complaints (31.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 90 | 41.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 30 | 13.7% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 6.8% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 5.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 68 |
| Engine | 53 |
| Power Train | 40 |
| Unknown Or Other | 34 |
| Electrical System | 33 |
| Air Bags | 13 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 11 |
Service Brakes: 68; Engine: 53; Power Train: 40; Unknown Or Other: 34; Electrical System: 33; Air Bags: 13; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 49 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 49; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (49). 129 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 24 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 27 |
| 2023 | 28 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 21 |
2017: 2; 2018: 24; 2019: 28; 2020: 11; 2021: 17; 2022: 27; 2023: 28; 2024: 36; 2025: 25; 2026: 21
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 90 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 30 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11054233 · 2017-12-12 (December 12, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S ALERT WARNING SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING AS INTENDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *BF LANE CHANGE ALERT NOT WORKING. UPDATED 9/18/18*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11054233 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11057250 · 2017-12-28 (December 28, 2017)
THE FIRST TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ACTIVATED AND GAUGES FLUCTUATED FOLLOWED BY ACCELERATION, BRAKING AND STEERING MOVEMENT. THEN THE INFORMATION PANEL DISPLAYED STABILITRAK UNAVAILABLE, COLLISION WARNING UNAVAILABLE, LANE CHANGE ALERT UNAVAILABLE AND TRANSMISSION SERVICE. THE CAR THEN STARTED SHIFTING ERRATICALLY. THE 2ND TIME SAME SITUATION WHILE DRIVING 30-40 MPH.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11057250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11062141 · 2018-01-11 (January 11, 2018)
THIS CAR, A 2018 GMC TERRAIN IS EQUIPPED WITH AUTO START / STOP, A STANDARD FEATURE THAT TURNS OFF THE ENGINE WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED, SUCH AS AT A STOP LIGHT. THE ENGINE TURNS OFF WHILE BRIEFLY STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY ISSUE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO A TRAFFIC LANE WITH THE ENGINE OFF, I HAVE EXPERIENCED AN UNSAFE LAG BEFORE THE ENGINE RESTARTS. GM HAS STATED, THE ENGINE CAN BE TURNED BACK ON BY REMOVING YOUR FOOT BRIEFLY FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. SERIOUSLY ??? WHILE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, I WILL NOT FOLLOW THIS …
Owner-reported narrative. 248 miles reported. Look up ODI 11062141 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066136 · 2018-01-31 (January 31, 2018)
I PULLED INTO OUR CARPORT. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR JUST "SPED UP AND WENT FASTER AND FASTER." IT HIT THE FRONT OF THE CAR STRAIGHT ON. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NOR DID THE FRONT END COLLISION STOP HAPPEN.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,290 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066136 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066977 · 2018-02-05 (February 5, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE MOONROOF GLASS HAD SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DIXIE BUICK GMC (AT 14565 S TAMIAMI TRAIL, FORT MYERS, FL 33912 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000. *TT THE CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS FIXED BY STATE FARM…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11072977 · 2018-02-14 (February 14, 2018)
DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE OVER WATER,A LOUD EXPLOSION HAPPENED.AT FIRST I DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WAS,UNTIL I HEARD WIND BLOWING FROM THE MOON ROOF AREA.THE GLASS ON THE ROOF EXPLODED AND SENT GLASS DOWN WARD.LUCKILY I HAD THE MOON ROOF SHADE CLOSED OR THE GLASS WOULD HAVE CAME DOWN ON ME.I NEARLY LOST CONTROL. THE WEATHER WAS DRY WITH A OVERCAST SKY. THE TRAFFIC WAS VERY LIGHT.IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ANY FOREIGN MATTER TO HIT THE GLASS.I AMMEDIATELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE GMC,WHERE I PURCHASED IT.( DIXIE BUICK GMC).MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 2040 MILES ON…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,040 miles reported. Look up ODI 11072977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11088465 · 2018-04-16 (April 16, 2018)
PURCHASED A BRAND NEW GMC TERRAIN. 12 DAYS AND 460 MILES LATER THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR A P050F. THIS IS CODE FOR A LEAK IN THE BOOSTER. THEY DID NOT REPAIR ANYTHING, JUST CHECKED FOR LEAK AND RESET ENGINE LIGHT. AS I READ MORE, THE PROBLEM AFFECTS THE BRAKES ABILITY TO FUNCTION PROPERLY INCREASING DANGER TO DRIVER. THERE IS ALSO DEFECTIVE STOP/IDLE ON THE ENGINE THAT NO LONGER WORKS. I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN TOWN WHEN IT POPPED ON. GM AND YOUNG'S HAVE REFUSED TO REFUND THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 460 miles reported. Look up ODI 11088465 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11091743 · 2018-05-04 (May 4, 2018)
STOPPED AT A LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE JERKED, THEN SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE INFO SYSTEM GAVE ME THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: TRANSMISSION, STABILITRAK AND PARKING ASSIST. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. I GOT A MESSAGE THAT SAID "THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.:" AT THIS TIME NON OF THE GEAR OPTIONS WERE AVAILABLE. A ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICER HAD TO POSITION HERSELF BEHIND ME BECSUSE CARS WERE GOING AROUND ME ON BOTH SIDES (MY FOUR WAY BLINKERS WERE ON).THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,028 miles reported. Look up ODI 11091743 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V516000 · Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Reported: 2017-08-22 (August 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V340000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Reported: 2018-05-24 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2018-05-31 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V576000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
Reported: 2018-08-30 (August 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V668000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2020-10-29 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗