CSR

GMC · NHTSA safety record

2018 GMC Terrain

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

216

Complaints

14

Crashes

1

Fires

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 GMC Terrain have filed 216 safety complaints with NHTSA between December 2017 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the brakes, named in 67 of them (31%). The typical failure was reported at 18,000 miles, the median across the 89 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (5)

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

20V668000 · October 29, 2020

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 194,105 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

18V576000 · August 30, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 210,628 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

18V358000 · May 31, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 895 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

18V340000 · May 24, 2018

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 88,503 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

17V516000 · August 22, 2017

The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 2,905 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 216.

SERVICE BRAKES 67 31%
ENGINE 52 24%
POWER TRAIN 41 19%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 35 16%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 33 15%
AIR BAGS 14 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 12 6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 11 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 8 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8 4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 7 3%
STEERING 6 3%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2024 at 36.

2017 2024 2026
2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · crash · towed · 37,650 miles

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 VEHICLE. ALL THE DAMAGE WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CAR. MY CAR WAS MOVED OVER INTO THE NEXT LANE BUT NO AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THIS HAPPENED ON A HWY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65. THE TRUCK RUNNING THE RED LIGHT WAS GOING AT LEAST THAT FAST AND NEVER HIT THEIR BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA complaint 11330655. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG WENT OFF IT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH MY DAUGHTER'S COAT AND SHIRT CAUSING 2ND-3RD DEGREE BURNS.

NHTSA complaint 11301393. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 injured · crash · towed

My husband and son were involved in an almost fatal accident on 07/08/23 in our 2018 Terrain. My husband described that the vehicle spontaneously veered to the right uncontrollably, he was unable to steer to correct the vehicle, unable to brake, they went airborne, hit several poles and a transformer, rolled and flipped several times. All the airbags deployed.After the accident, I found a recall notice from back in 2017, I believe, regarding the drive train. My husband was extricated from the vehicle. My son wasble to cut the seatbelt and crawl out the window. From what my husband explained (he was the driver), this sounds like what they experienced during the collision. I never received a

NHTSA complaint 11531130, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

2 injured · crash · towed

My car was t-boned on the driver side and no airbags deployed. The outer door and window exploded with the force. We were also hit from behind

NHTSA complaint 11724819. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
While driving my 2018 GMC Terrain, the vehicle suddenly displayed an “Engine Power Reduced” warning and the brakes became extremely hard to press. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of normal power-brake assist while it was in motion, creating a serious safety risk because significantly greater pedal force was required to stop the vehicle. I was able to pull over safely. After stopping, the vehicle would crank but would not start. The vehicle was towed to a GMC dealership for inspection. The dealership documented that the vehicle had a suspected failed/broken vacuum pump, a damaged exhaust camshaft, and a damaged exhaust camshaft actuator. The dealership subsequently documented that the

NHTSA complaint 11755920, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

towed · 95,300 miles

The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal was abnormally firm. The brake pedal was depressed to the floor, and the vehicle came to a stop. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,300.

NHTSA complaint 11754433. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Vehicle would slowly roll even when break is applied. It was confirmed by the service center that the break booster vacuum pump was only reading 8 when it should be at 27. It was not making enough pressure. The vehicle would not stop when break was applied.

NHTSA complaint 11752244. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle has had regular maintenance, oil change, and inspection including the brakes. My boyfriend is visiting me in [XXX] from the [XXX]. OnXXX while driving the vehicle the engine started. Making a ticking noise especially during idle and when accelerating in idle. About 15 minutes after the ticking stopped and all of a sudden there's a complete loss of breaks they locked up and the driver was unable to efficiently stop while going down a hill Road. Driver had to use the emergency brake to make the other brakes release and then the brakes from there would not work even though you could stomp on them stand on top of them there was no breaking power anymore. Vehicle was brought into a

NHTSA complaint 11751119, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Vacuum pump that supplies vacuum to brake booster failed without any warnings beforehand leaving us without the ability to stop. Luckily was able to avoid an accident.

NHTSA complaint 11742410. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
While traveling on the highway in traffic, brakes became very stiff when depressed after attempting to slow down to exit. Was able to put full bodyweight into the brake pedal to slow enough to exit and navigate to the gas station right off the exit. Had to roll stop signs and unsafely navigate traffic because brakes were not working. Service Brake System warning light came on after the incident.

NHTSA complaint 11739875. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the GMC Terrain

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 24 1
2024 48 1
2023 37 2
2022 52 2
2021 34 2
2020 189 2
2019 178 3
2017 133 1
2016 152 2
2015 297 3
2014 296 2
2013 363 3 1
2012 364 4
2011 386 4
2010 290 3

Other 2018 GMC models

Every GMC on this site — 144 vehicles, 425 recall campaigns and 3 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst