KnownCarProblems2018 GMC Terrain Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 224 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Terrain, most often about the brakes (37% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is 7th of 17 Terrain model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2018 GMC Terrain problems
Brakes
83 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: power assist, antilock.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 40-45 MPH, the vehicle started coasting and stopped unintendedly. The contact stated that the vehicle drove for a while and then coasted and stopped. The message that the âengine power reducedâ was displayed. The contact stated that the brake…
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not decelerate as intended while depressing the brake pedal. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was previously repaired at a local independent mechanic and the vacuum pump was replaced; however…
Engine
56 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles.
While the vehicle is in drive it loses propulsion without notice. The vehicle stays in drive. The vehicles RPM increase as your foot is on the accelerator but the vehicle doesn't continue to move. The only way to regain propulsion is to completely shut the vehicle off and then start up again.
Was leaving a parking spot. Vehicle reversed fine, put it in drive and it began to jerk and did not accelerate properly. Made it to the next aisle to park it and get out of way. Once parked, shut off vehicle. Started it. Reversed it and it would only rev up, did not reverse. Put it in drive and it jerked forward, hard…
Transmission
41 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 10,500 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly.
Transmission fails to down shift after accelerating in traffic. Rpm legal 2200 RPM at 40 MPH for over a mile before dropping to correct 1200 RPM for that speed.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. On several occasions, while attempting to accelerate from a stop sign, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would restart after several minutes and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to tasca buick (510 e nasa blvd, melbourne, fl 32901, ([phone])…
Electrical
35 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: adas, horn.
The navigation/media center will either go completely black or completely white screen even when backing up you lose the camera and can't shut off the radio. If the screen goes white during evening driving the reflection of the windshield is so severe I can't drive and the system will not shut off when the power…
Screen went black and warning chimes and seat vibration did not go off when backing up. Had to file a claim with insurance to fix my dented bumper. I also experience issues with the audio buttons on the steering wheel. I am not able to change the song in I am on apple play and there is always a delay when changing…
Other or unspecified
35 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles.
Their is a start/stop feature in this model where the car automatically shuts off when the vehicle starts. I'm told it's for fuel efficiency. One day I stopped at a stop sign which happened to be on a small hill. The car stopped and began rolling backwards. It scared me and I thought I would hit the car behind me. I…
When I drive my car after coming out of reverse the car revs up between 35 and 45 rpms. This is when it is going about 25 MPH. When I remove my foot from the gas the car jerks violently forward and rpms drop to 25rms. When I give it some gas the rpms go up again to the 35-45 RPM. The only way to get this to stop is to…
Fuel system
16 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 26,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated to 20 MPH. Additionally, the message "service emissions" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the diesel…
Screen went black and warning chimes and seat vibration did not go off when backing up. Had to file a claim with insurance to fix my dented bumper. I also experience issues with the audio buttons on the steering wheel. I am not able to change the song in I am on apple play and there is always a delay when changing…
Air bags
14 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 20,500 miles. Parts named most often: srs malfunction warning lamp/light.
This is a complaint against recall n182155400. My husband a cpd police sergeant was driving home from work on june 17, 2018 nb on 111th street (public street) when he was hit going 30 MPH by an unlicensed driver hitting him on the front driver side: bumper/tire/door. To his dismay the air bags did not deploy. Luckily…
I was sitting at a red light in the left hand turn lane. A truck ran their red light hitting another truck sending both of them crashing into my vehicle. The first truck struck the front bumper at the headlight & skid all the way down the side of the vehicle then the other truck was slammed into the side of my…
Driver assistance
9 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, warning, adaptive cruise control.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2018 GMC Terrain recalls
Transmission: automatic transmission
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: caliper
Risk: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: driveshaft
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2018 GMC Terrain
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Terrain?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (83 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); engine (56 complaints, typically around 21,500 miles); transmission (41 complaints, typically around 10,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2018 GMC Terrain have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 29, 2020 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2018 a bad year for the GMC Terrain?
- It is 7th of 17 Terrain model years by number of complaints, with 224 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.