YearToAvoid

2018 GMC Terrain Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2018 GMC Terrain has a complaint index of 53, ranking 8th worst of 16 model years, and earns a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 220 complaints, 5 recalls, and brakes as the top problem area with 87 complaints.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
53/100
#8 of 16 Terrain years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
220
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
14
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
12
Top issue
Brakes
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
27
25 city / 29 hwy
Injuries / deaths
12 / 0

Top 2018 GMC Terrain problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes87 (40%)
  2. Engine58 (26%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain41 (19%)
  4. Electrical System35 (16%)
  5. Other35 (16%)
  6. Fuel System15 (7%)
  7. Airbags14 (6%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body7 (3%)
  10. Steering6 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report brakes failing to respond at low speed, causing rear-end collisions at stop lights.
  • Some describe the transmission revving high and refusing to shift into gear, requiring the driver to lift off and reapply the throttle before it jerks into gear.
  • Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in front and side-impact crashes, including one case where a deployed side curtain airbag burned a passenger.
  • Electrical system complaints mention a burning odor from the vents along with steering wheel vibration under the instrument panel.
  • One owner reported losing control during a turn after what appeared to be a ball joint failure in the steering system.
  • Infotainment issues include a screen going black, backup chimes and seat vibration not activating, and delayed response from steering wheel audio controls.
2018 GMC Terrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter122017 Q42019 Q22020 Q32021 Q42023 Q12024 Q22025 Q3
220 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2018 Q4 (12).

2018 GMC Terrain recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V668000Oct 29, 2020Transmission & Powertrain194,105 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission

    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.

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 18V576000Aug 30, 2018Brakes210,628 vehicles

    Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel System895 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2018 GMC Terrain →

2018 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
27 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2018 compared with other Terrain years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Good40152223
2017Good33133123
2018Caution53220527
2019Caution67185327
2020Avoid80196225

All GMC Terrain years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 GMC Terrain reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2018 Terrain a complaint index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst out of 16 model years for this model. Brakes are the top reported problem area, with 87 complaints and 2 crashes.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA complaints break down as 40% brakes, 26% engine, 19% transmission and powertrain, and 16% electrical system. Brake-related median mileage at failure is 50,569.
Does the 2018 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2018 Terrain, covering the transmission start-stop accumulator, brakes, fuel system, airbag sensing module, and a front driveshaft fracture risk. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2018 Terrain compare to other model years?
The 2018 Terrain's complaint index of 53 is worse than 2014 (47), 2016 (40), and 2017 (33), which are all rated Good, but better than 2011-2013 and 2020, which are rated Avoid.
What mileage do 2018 GMC Terrain problems typically show up at?
Overall median mileage at failure across complaints is 18,500, though brake-related failures show a higher median of 50,569 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.