YearToAvoid

2018 GMC Terrain Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 87 brakes complaints for the 2018 GMC Terrain, 40% of its 220 total complaints for the year — the highest share of any Terrain model year. A related recall (campaign 18V576000) covers brake system bleeding, and owners tie brake failures to 2 crashes and 1 injury.

Brakes complaints
87
40% of 220
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
50,569 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report brakes failing to respond at low speed when approaching a stop, in one case causing a rear-end collision.
  • Drivers describe the instrument panel showing stabilitrak, collision warning, and transmission alerts together with sudden braking and steering movement at highway speed.
  • Some owners report the vehicle unexpectedly shifting from drive to park or jerking and stalling while decelerating, sometimes after a dealer repair attempt.
  • Owners describe loss of power and gauges cutting out on a downgrade, accompanied by stabilitrak and transmission warnings telling them to pull over.
  • Some owners say they are reluctant to drive the vehicle with children in it due to concerns about brake system stability tied to a Takata-related recall.

When 2018 GMC Terrain brake complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 28, 2017, latest Sep 14, 2026.

2018 GMC Terrain brakes complaints: complaints filed per quarter72017 Q42019 Q12021 Q12022 Q22023 Q22024 Q22025 Q22026 Q2
87 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2017 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2026 Q3 (7).

Brakes recalls for the 2018 GMC Terrain

  1. 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.

Brakes complaints by Terrain model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201027 (9%)
  2. 201129 (8%)
  3. 201217 (5%)
  4. 201313 (4%)
  5. 201415 (5%)
  6. 201517 (6%)
  7. 20168 (5%)
  8. 20173 (2%)
  9. 201887 (40%)
  10. 201977 (42%)
  11. 202072 (37%)
  12. 20218 (23%)
  13. 20221 (2%)
  14. 20230 (0%)
  15. 20243 (6%)
  16. 20253 (23%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2018 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA lists 87 brakes complaints for the 2018 Terrain, which is 40% of its 220 total complaints for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2018 GMC Terrain?
Yes. Campaign 18V576000 covers the brake system; GM dealers bleed the vehicle's brake system free of charge under this recall.
Have brake problems caused crashes in the 2018 Terrain?
NHTSA data tied to this brake complaint group shows 2 crashes and 1 injury, with no fires reported.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2018 Terrain?
The median mileage at failure for brakes complaints on the 2018 Terrain is 50,569 miles.
Is the 2018 Terrain worse for brake complaints than other model years?
Yes. Its 40% share of complaints tied to brakes is higher than every other Terrain model year listed, including 42% for 2019 and 37% for 2020.

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.