How common are transmission problems on the 2018 GMC Terrain?

NHTSA lists 41 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2018 Terrain, which is 19% of the 220 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a transmission recall for the 2018 GMC Terrain?

Yes. Recall 20V668000 covers a start-stop transmission accumulator that may have bolts that back out, and recall 17V516000 covers a right front intermediate driveshaft that may fracture and separate while driving.

At what mileage do transmission problems usually appear?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 10,300 miles at the time of failure for transmission & powertrain complaints on the 2018 Terrain.

Did the transmission issues cause any crashes?

NHTSA records 2 crashes and 2 injuries linked to complaints in this problem area for the 2018 Terrain, with no fires reported.

2018 GMC Terrain Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 41 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2018 GMC Terrain, 19% of its 220 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 10,300 miles. Two related recalls cover a transmission accumulator issue and a driveshaft fracture risk.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints: 41; 19% of 220
Crashes reported: 2
Fires reported: 0
Injuries reported: 2
Median mileage: 10,300 mi
Related recalls: 2

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

Owners report the transmission hesitates or fails to shift into gear, revving high before jumping into gear and jerking the steering wheel.
Multiple owners describe a warning cluster of transmission, StabiliTrak, and parking assist messages, sometimes with a "vehicle unsafe to drive" alert and loss of gear selection.
Some drivers report the vehicle jerks or stalls suddenly while driving at speeds like 35 mph, dropping quickly to a near stop.
Owners describe a "transmission hot" engine warning appearing during normal driving, including backward jerking at highway speed.
Some report rough or hard shifting felt and heard at low residential speeds, along with the vehicle being able to roll forward while in park.
A few complaints describe stalling or stuttering during acceleration and deceleration accompanied by unusual noise.

When 2018 GMC Terrain transmission complaints were filed

First complaint May 4, 2018, latest Mar 3, 2026.

41 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2018 to Mar 2026; peak Apr 2019 (4).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 GMC Terrain

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.
NHTSA 17V516000Aug 22, 2017Transmission & Powertrain2,905 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
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.
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.
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.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Terrain model year

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

201051 (18%)
201176 (20%)
201237 (10%)
201344 (12%)
201433 (11%)
201521 (7%)
201611 (7%)
201723 (17%)
201841 (19%)
201951 (28%)
202028 (14%)
20218 (23%)
20228 (13%)
20237 (18%)
202421 (43%)
20254 (31%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2018 GMC Terrain?: NHTSA lists 41 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2018 Terrain, which is 19% of the 220 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2018 GMC Terrain?: Yes. Recall 20V668000 covers a start-stop transmission accumulator that may have bolts that back out, and recall 17V516000 covers a right front intermediate driveshaft that may fracture and separate while driving.
At what mileage do transmission problems usually appear?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 10,300 miles at the time of failure for transmission & powertrain complaints on the 2018 Terrain.
Did the transmission issues cause any crashes?: NHTSA records 2 crashes and 2 injuries linked to complaints in this problem area for the 2018 Terrain, with no fires reported.