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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 · Dec 17, 2023
Unknown Or Other

I was driving my car December 10, 2023 when I was at a red light my truck completely shut down I could not reverse I could not put in drive I could not put in Park I could not switch gears. I didn’t know what happened. I had to call a tow truck to get me home once I got home I got my car towed to a shop. Before my car was towe…

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I was driving my car December 10, 2023 when I was at a red light my truck completely shut down I could not reverse I could not put in drive I could not put in Park I could not switch gears. I didn’t know what happened. I had to call a tow truck to get me home once I got home I got my car towed to a shop. Before my car was towed I contacted OnStar. OnStar did a diagnosis on my car and it came back ECM which stands for electric control module. When my car was at the shop i got a tune up & the mechanic was able to start my car. Driving again on the date of December 15, 2023 it did it again and it said ECM. I was paranoid because I was on the expressway I had too get my car towed to the Dealership. This is the second time that my car has did this. I keep all maintenance up on my car. I’m not understanding what’s going on. I feel like it should be a recall on this issue. It was very dangerous both times that my car stopped. Now yet again I’m waiting to see what the problem is. This is definitely a safety recall issue. I have a 2018 Denali terrain with only 71,000 miles i keep up with oil changes and maintenance on my vehicle. Who do i contact about this concerning scary situation, Will it take for a person to die before this is is rectified. Someone please contact me or respond to this situation. So we can request for a recall on this serious matter

NHTSA ODI #11560514

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2023
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

Driving home from our local town 4/15/2023, the brake pedal became to hard to push down. Check engine light came on as I got to my driveway, and that is 1 mile from the main road. My kids were scared to tears as was my girlfriend. Run a scan and dtc p0557. Come to find the vacuum pump on the top drivers side of motor is the part…

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Driving home from our local town 4/15/2023, the brake pedal became to hard to push down. Check engine light came on as I got to my driveway, and that is 1 mile from the main road. My kids were scared to tears as was my girlfriend. Run a scan and dtc p0557. Come to find the vacuum pump on the top drivers side of motor is the part that is bad it broke inside the valve cover. Looking up the issue and find out it is a known problem and no recall. I have kept the parts and all receipts for the repairs, I have to do myself cause the repairs are way to much for me to pay out of pocket. This is a serious issue for this car and year and GMC needs to address the issue. Why has nothing been done yet??? I am making payments on this car with no warranty for the car so I'm stuck fixing the car. But GMC knows that this is a problem and does nothing?!? I remember when American cars were good cars what happened to that time ?? And what happened to company's being responsible for the product they put out to customers? Guess that time is gone, I won't buy another American car again, unless it's a old Detroit built car.

NHTSA ODI #11519724

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2022
Unknown Or Other

I was driving at night with my daughter on a two lane highway with no traffic. There was a sound like a gun shot or explosion in the cabin of the car. My panoramic moonroof literally exploded. The glass shattered but did not fall into the cabin. Had the glass fallen into the cabin it could have cut or blinded us or caused an…

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I was driving at night with my daughter on a two lane highway with no traffic. There was a sound like a gun shot or explosion in the cabin of the car. My panoramic moonroof literally exploded. The glass shattered but did not fall into the cabin. Had the glass fallen into the cabin it could have cut or blinded us or caused an accident as we were traveling at a high rate of speed. No indicators went off as the moonroof has no such indicator. We pulled over to inspect the damage and immediately saw the glass damage. I have contacted insurance for repair. Upon research it seems that this is quite common for vehicles but not enough for any type of recall or service bulletin.

NHTSA ODI #11498841

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2021
Unknown Or Other

Auto-Stop feature does not have a button to disable the feature.2019 model has the disable feature and GM needs to provide a means to disable it, even if on a temporary basis.

NHTSA ODI #11443338

65,000 miles · Mar 29, 2021
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #11405404

55,200 miles · Jan 6, 2021
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

THE SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. WHEN IT DOES, ALMOST ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIGHT UP AND THE CAR PUTS ITSELF IN NEUTRAL AND SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. TWICE WITH MY [XXX] IN THE CAR. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORM…

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THE SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON. WHEN IT DOES, ALMOST ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIGHT UP AND THE CAR PUTS ITSELF IN NEUTRAL AND SHUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. TWICE WITH MY [XXX] IN THE CAR. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). THE CAR WAS PURCHASED 12/23/2020 AND IT FIRST SHUT OFF WITH THE SERVICE STABILITRAK WARNING 12/31/2020. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SENSOR TODAY AND IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THEIR LOT, IT SHUT OFF TWICE. I DID A SEARCH ON THE VIN AND FOUND THAT THIS VEHICLE HAD ISSUES AT 11K MILES AND 27K MILES. NOW AGAIN AT 55K MILES. THE CAR JUST SHUTS ITSELF OFF WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS ROUNDING A CORNER IN HIGH TRAFFIC AND IN MID TURN, THE CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY SEVERAL CARS. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. IT HAPPENED ONCE WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 15 MONTH OLD IN THE CAR AND TODAY IT HAPPENED TWICE WITH HER IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11386875

41,000 miles · Nov 24, 2020
Unknown Or Other

DRIVING 50MPH ON AN OVERPASS, SUNROOF EXPLODED.

NHTSA ODI #11376117

18,500 miles · Sep 10, 2020
Power TrainUnknown Or OtherCrash

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.

NHTSA ODI #11354314

15,615 miles · Aug 20, 2020
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

RADIO PLAYS RANDOM RADIO STATIONS AND WILL NOT ALLOW RADIO TO BE TURNED OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF ( NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE, DOORS ARE OPENED AND THE FOB IS OVER 500 FT AWAY). RADIO SCREEN FLASHES TO A BLANK SCREEN. DOES NOT READ CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CELLPHONE CONNECTED TO VEHICLE. WILL NOT ALLOW PHONE CALLS TO BE MA…

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RADIO PLAYS RANDOM RADIO STATIONS AND WILL NOT ALLOW RADIO TO BE TURNED OFF WHEN VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF ( NO POWER TO THE VEHICLE, DOORS ARE OPENED AND THE FOB IS OVER 500 FT AWAY). RADIO SCREEN FLASHES TO A BLANK SCREEN. DOES NOT READ CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CELLPHONE CONNECTED TO VEHICLE. WILL NOT ALLOW PHONE CALLS TO BE MADE AND WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY MUSIC THROUGH RADIO AND CAR SPEAKERS WHILE PHONE IS ENGAGED IN A TELEPHONE CALL ( ONCE CALL IS ABLE TO BE PLACED). ANDROID AUTO FEATURE STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND RANDOMLY PUT SELF INTO AN OVERDRIVE. VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE DESPITE GAS PETAL BEING ALMOST TO THE FLOOR AND THEN WILL JUMP RAPIDLY AND ACCELERATE QUICKLY. VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE RUBBER IS BURNING UNDER THE HOOD AT VARIOUS TIMES.

NHTSA ODI #11350487

9,000 miles · Dec 5, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

THE NEW AUTO STOP THAT SHUTS OFF THE MOTOR WHEN YOU'RE AT A RED LIGHT DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. SOMETIMES IT SHUTS OFF, BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT DOESN'T BEEN TO THE DEALER TWO TIMES AND THE RADIO WILL NOT COME ON AT TIMES EVEN THOUGH GM HAS PERFORMED UPDATES ON THESE PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST

NHTSA ODI #11287110

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.