2018 Gmc Terrain Problems
Shopping for a used 2018 Gmc Terrain? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Based on 208 real NHTSA owner complaints, with Brake System the most reported area.
Before you buy
This 2018 Gmc Terrain has 208 NHTSA complaints β top issue: Brake System.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
Free preview Β· Full report from $12.95.
2018 Gmc Terrain Fuel Economy
β EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 6 2018 Gmc Terrain trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 6 trims analysed.
2018 Gmc Terrain Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Program4 variants tested β showing 2018 GMC Terrain SUV FWD Later ReleaseOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
18.5% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Side Crash
Rollover
18.5% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2018 Gmc Terrain has 208 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Brake System. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Gmc
- Model
- Terrain
- Model year
- 2018
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 208
- Crash-related complaints
- 14
- Safety recall campaigns
- 5
- Top reported component
- Brake System
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 28
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 26 / 30
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA overall safety rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA frontal crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA side crash rating
- 5/5 stars
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2018 Gmc Terrain problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Brake System
Engine Problems
Transmission / Drivetrain
Complaint patterns center on Brake System, Engine Problems, Transmission / Drivetrain. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2018 Gmc Terrain?
The 2018 Gmc Terrain shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2018 Gmc Terrain
Inspection Focus
- Inspect brake system thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect brake system thoroughly before purchase.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for engine and transmission repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2018 Gmc Terrain, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2018 GMC Terrain are concentrated in the brake system, engine, and transmission/drivetrain. A recurring theme appears to be brake-related issues, which account for the largest share of reports. Crash-related complaints are relatively few, but overall confidence is low due to limited data.
- Brake system complaints are the most numerous, with 72 reports.
- Engine problems are the second most common, with 50 complaints.
- Transmission/drivetrain issues total 41 complaints.
- Brake System
- Engine Problems
- Transmission / Drivetrain
Full breakdown
All 2018 Gmc Terrain complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Gmc Terrain. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake System | 72 | 2 | β | β | |
| Engine Problems | 50 | β | 1 | β | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 41 | 2 | β | β | |
| Electrical Faults | 35 | 1 | 1 | β | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 33 | 1 | β | β | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 14 | 7 | β | β | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 11 | 2 | β | β | |
| Hydraulic | 9 | β | β | β | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 1 | β | β | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 7 | 1 | β | β | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 7 | β | β | β | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | 2 | β | β | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 4 | β | β | β | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | β | β | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | 1 | β | β | |
| Fuel System | 3 | β | β | β | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | β | β | β | |
| Lane Departure | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Diesel | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | 1 | β | β | |
| Wheel Issues | 2 | β | β | β | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Air | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Gasoline | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | β | β | β | |
| Visibility | 1 | β | β | β |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Gmc Terrain. Type a keyword (e.g. βtransmissionβ, βstallingβ, βbrakesβ) to filter.
We just got off the bus thruway and my brakes pedal got hard to press and it was hard to stop car I had to push on brake dry hard to get the car to stop it was jarring and o had to get my some and o to a safe place. Garage said itβs brake assist and he researched thereβs is an aβ¦
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
The control knob that controls AWD, 2WD,Off-road, and 4 x4 AWD. Just stopped working. Stuck on 2WD mode. I did have it checked for any codes, even though, there is NO check engine light is on.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. While attempting to shift to reverse(R) out of a parking spot, the message βTransmission Unable to Shiftβ was displayed on the instrument panel, and the transmission was unable to shift into reverse(R). The contact called for tow truck assistaβ¦
Faulty Brake Vacuum Pump!!!! 2018 GMC Terrain @ 119254 miles--- NO warning! Brakes were hard to press, did not work and I rolled into ditch to prevent an accident. I see hundreds of people with same issue now that I Am having to research. This was very scary. I was told it was aβ¦
Vehicle will not shift out of park, despite replacing the valve body, putting in a new battery, and transmission fluid. It has been this way since mid January. The codes donβt make sense and there is no current recall, nor have we had this vehicle for very long. It has 48,000 milβ¦
Brakes were hard to engage or press when stopping due to Vacuum pump stop working. Had to replace the vacuum pump
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal grinding sound coming from the vehicle while transitioning to 4WD. The contact continued driving and the driving sound became more frequent while shifting into 4WD.β¦
Turbo boost went out in my vehicle and 3 others with the same engine, different makes/models. Vehicles were serviced at Grayling Car Care 4430 M-72, Grayling, MI 49738 (989) 348-3200. Significant power loss, sluggish acceleration, poor fuel economy, and often strange noises (whinβ¦
Vacuum pump failure resulting in crankshaft sensor to completely sheer off.
The infotainment system will just randomly start going haywire and when it happens, you cannot use the touchscreen. It will try to randomly delete app icons such as the camera, it will try to delete connected phones, it will try to delete radio favorites and it will move app iconβ¦
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal became extremely difficult to depress, with the message "Brake Assist" displayed. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway and the parking brake was activβ¦
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shuddered and failed to come to a stop while the brake pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independentβ¦
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the transmission was shifting gear erratically. The contact stated that the doors were locking and unlocking independently, and the instrument cluster was blank. There was an abnormal beeping sound coming from the vehicβ¦
My car said to me this not that there is something wrong with the Service Safety Restraint system! It was fine last night when I got home! I just bought this car a month ago and everything was fine and now my air bag light is on and will not go off!
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to Auto Zone to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with air bag failure. The contact was informed that the airβ¦
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the unintendedly decelerated and failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact was infoβ¦
April 2025, Vacuum Pump went out meaning lost breaks going 60 miles per hour down the road after engine light came on. Left me and two children stranded 2 hours from home with no way to get back except a tow. Now September 2025 Cam Shafts are out as well as Vacuum Pump. Stranded β¦
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the infotainment system screen and radio inadvertently switched stations from AM to FM. On other occasions, while driving and using the GPS system, the screen went bβ¦
It starts to βwarnβ you by the seat doing whatever it does and the dash lights up collision flashing and slams on the brakes when nothing is even around
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2018 Gmc Terrain.
Safety recalls
2018 Gmc Terrain recalls
5 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2018 Gmc Terrain. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2018 Gmc Terrain buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2018 Gmc Terrain reliable?βΎ
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 208 owner complaints, 14 crash-related complaints, and 5 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2018 Gmc Terrain shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Gmc Terrain?βΎ
#1: Brake System (72 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (50 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (41 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Gmc Terrain?βΎ
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2018 Gmc Terrain?βΎ
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2018 Gmc Terrain, NHTSA complaints include 14 crash-related reports and 1 fire reports out of 208 total complaints. 12 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2018 Gmc Terrain have any recalls?βΎ
Yes. 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2018 Gmc Terrain. A major recall area is AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE. 5 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2018 Gmc Terrain?βΎ
The 2018 Gmc Terrain shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Brake System during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Gmc Terrain reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2018 Gmc Terrain based on your ownership experience.
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.