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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.

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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 · Aug 23, 2024
Service Brakes

Brake pump keeps going changed in the last 2 week and over in the last 2 yrs 3xs and burning oil.brakes get hard while driving which is dangerous.

NHTSA ODI #11610469

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2024
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

Hello. As I come to a complete stop the car will go into auto-stop. After releasing the brake pedal the car will jerk forward . As I press the gas pedal the car Jerks and shakes . The rpm jumps way up and the mph say low.. there's been times I try to accelerate and the car with jerk and put itself into park.. in the middle of tr…

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Hello. As I come to a complete stop the car will go into auto-stop. After releasing the brake pedal the car will jerk forward . As I press the gas pedal the car Jerks and shakes . The rpm jumps way up and the mph say low.. there's been times I try to accelerate and the car with jerk and put itself into park.. in the middle of traffic.. heart pounding to say the lease. I also notice theres alot of black liquid dripping for the front right side under the front bumper. There were no problems with the car or lamp indicating there were before this. I went to where I brought the car and they told me my warranty expired and that I will need to pay $265 just to diagnose the issue. I didnt have that money. I do have a car code reader and I did my best to find a solution. Codes P0700, P171D, And P187D all appear on my device. I then looked up recalls and my VIN wasn't confirmed.. but I am certain it is the same issue . You do have a open recall for this very particular issue for my particular model . I love my car and GMC. Please remedy this situation and have me driving safely and free minded again and soon ! Please reach back with any feedback as soon as possible. Thanks !

NHTSA ODI #11607419

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceVisibility/wiper

The headliner fabric detached somehow from the panoramic track causing the fabric to hang down obstructing the rear and back window view causing a safety hazard. The automatic forward collision alert will come on for no reason since this has happened. The problem has not been reported to insurance or the manufacturer yet but GM …

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The headliner fabric detached somehow from the panoramic track causing the fabric to hang down obstructing the rear and back window view causing a safety hazard. The automatic forward collision alert will come on for no reason since this has happened. The problem has not been reported to insurance or the manufacturer yet but GM is my next call. This is a safety hazard due to the obstruction of visibility to safely make turns or change lanes. This happened August 5th while driving with the windows up. It just dropped down still attached to the front of the track and the rear.

NHTSA ODI #11606707

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2024
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brakes inadvertently activated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that …

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the brakes inadvertently activated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable and was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the vacuum pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact had the vehicle repaired several times; however, the failure persisted. The contact was also informed that the rotors needed to be replaced after the vehicle had been repaired several more times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI #11605419

342,000 miles · Jul 30, 2024
Engine

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, a message indicating that the engine was not at full capacity was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not not…

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The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, a message indicating that the engine was not at full capacity was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 342,000.

NHTSA ODI #11605416

Mileage unknown · Jul 25, 2024
EngineService Brakes

The vacuum pump gears for the brake assist was shattered and metal parts were sent into the engine. I lost power brakes and was lucky to be able to stop the suv. The car was towed to a GMC dealer where it was diagnosed with a damaged exhaust cam, a shattered vacuum pump and metal pieces in the motor. Cost to fix $3200. This is a…

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The vacuum pump gears for the brake assist was shattered and metal parts were sent into the engine. I lost power brakes and was lucky to be able to stop the suv. The car was towed to a GMC dealer where it was diagnosed with a damaged exhaust cam, a shattered vacuum pump and metal pieces in the motor. Cost to fix $3200. This is a 2018 GMC Terrain with 112000 miles on it. I had a powertrane plus warrenty that was still valid but they refused to pay for anything. They claimed the vacuum pump caused the problem and it was not the engines fault. There were no warning check engine lights before this happened.

NHTSA ODI #11604413

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceCrash

I was in a car accident

NHTSA ODI #11603299

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

The car very suddenly went into a reduced engine power mode, with check engine light and was immediately parked. Figuring I could turn the car off and turn it back on, however it sputtered turning off and shook violently before I was able to turn it off. It would then not turn back over, so I left it off and had a tow truck driv…

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The car very suddenly went into a reduced engine power mode, with check engine light and was immediately parked. Figuring I could turn the car off and turn it back on, however it sputtered turning off and shook violently before I was able to turn it off. It would then not turn back over, so I left it off and had a tow truck drive it to a GMC mechanic. The GMC mechanic was unable to diagnose an issue after days. I then had it towed to another local mechanic who stated the parts were "junk" and the engine needed to be replaced. Engine codes were related to the camshaft sensor and brake booster. It is my understanding the vacuum pump broke off into pieces, went into and destroyed my engine.

NHTSA ODI #11594454

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2024
Service Brakes

Vacuum pump is in the shop now being replaced for the 7th time in almost 6 years. The previous one was replaced in September 2023. You get no warning signs, then all of a sudden you can barely press down on the brake pedal. This started within the 1st year of purchase.

NHTSA ODI #11593933

Mileage unknown · May 16, 2024
Service Brakes

I was driving down the highway between 65 and 70 MPH. The semi-truck in front of me almost missed his turn and stopped quickly to make a 90 degree turn off the highway. I went to slow my vehicle appropriately, and my brakes did not respond. I had no warning that my brakes were compromised. I quickly used the downshift button…

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I was driving down the highway between 65 and 70 MPH. The semi-truck in front of me almost missed his turn and stopped quickly to make a 90 degree turn off the highway. I went to slow my vehicle appropriately, and my brakes did not respond. I had no warning that my brakes were compromised. I quickly used the downshift button to use my engine to slow me down and I crashed my vehicle off the road into the sagebrush (luckily no trees and there wasn't a dramatic drop off). At that time, after my vehicle came to a stop, I received a warning on my dash that stated "service brake assist". I looked up the issue on my phone to see what may have happened, and read that GMC had a recall for this very issue. I contacted the dealership and they indicated that they were aware that the 2018 GMC Terrain has this issue, but it was not included in the recall. I am traumatized by this incident. I am a very experienced driver, but I had bought this vehicle for my daughter, had she been driving, this would have been a catastrophic accident. I have nightmares about if this had failed when approaching a crosswalk or in a school zone. If GMC is aware of the problem, and they had a full recall on this on other models with this same problem, why aren't they fixing the Terrain, why are they waiting for a fatality. It is unacceptable, dangerous, and I don't even want to know what the cost is going to be to repair the vehicle. I am thankful it wasn't much worse.

NHTSA ODI #11589103

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.