2018 GMC Terrain Problems

Typical for Model

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Terrain.

20172019
Complaints
312
Crashes
22
Fires
2
Injuries
17
Fatalities
Recalls
5

Worst 2018 GMC Terrain Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#162 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:36,149 mi
Crash-related:2
#249 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:49,558 mi
Fires:1
#340 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:46,449 mi
Crash-related:2
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 GMC Terrain.

Brakes
62
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
36,149
Engine Problems
49
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
49,558
Transmission / Drivetrain
40
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
46,449
Electrical Faults
33
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
29,208
Airbags
13
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
32,791
Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
10,592
Hydraulic Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
90,696
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
21,263
Electronic Stability Control
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
5,560
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
9,983
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Diesel Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Adas:Blindspot:Sensors
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Warning
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 GMC Terrain. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 GMC Terrain

5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~497,036 vehicles.

20V668000Automatic Transmission
~194,105 affected

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.

18V576000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
~210,628 affected

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.

18V358000Fuel Pump
~895 affected

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.

18V340000Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
~88,503 affected

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.

17V516000Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~2,905 affected

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.

Other GMC Terrain Years

2018 GMC Terrain — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2018 GMC Terrain reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2018 GMC Terrain has 312 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash-related, and 5 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 62 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 GMC Terrain?
Top reported problems: Brakes (62 complaints, avg 36,149 mi); Engine Problems (49 complaints, avg 49,558 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (40 complaints, avg 46,449 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 GMC Terrain?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 38,096 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 GMC Terrain include 22 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 17 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2018 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 497,036 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2018 GMC Terrain?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Terrain reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2018 GMC Terrain

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