CarModelProblems.com

2018 GMC Terrain Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 11/01/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes — runs 5.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2073 model-years tracked on this site.
226Complaints
5Recalls
14Crashes
1Fires
12Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes (31% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Service Brakes complaints here are 5.0× the median for that category across the 2073 model-years tracked on this site.

4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes70 · 31%RecalledRecall 18V576000
Engine55 · 24.3%No official action—
Power Train41 · 18.1%RecalledRecall 20V668000 · Recall 17V516000
Electrical System33 · 14.6%No official action—
Air Bags13 · 5.8%RecalledRecall 18V340000
Fuel/propulsion System12 · 5.3%RecalledRecall 18V358000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE55 · 24.3%
POWER TRAIN41 · 18.1%
Unspecified / other35 · 15.5%
AIR BAGS13 · 5.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12 · 5.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12 · 5.3%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8 · 3.5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)7 · 3.1%

Percentages are the share of the 226 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

NHTSA campaign 18V340000 · 2018 · reported 05/24/2018

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper

NHTSA campaign 18V576000 · 2018 · reported 08/30/2018

A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 18V358000 · 2018 · reported 05/31/2018

A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 20V668000 · 2020 · reported 10/29/2020

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

NHTSA campaign 17V516000 · 2017 · reported 08/22/2017

If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“While getting off the interstate, the brakes failed with no prior warning, or issues. The brake pedal became extremely difficult to depress and stopping distance…”NHTSA complaint 11476977 — filed 08/01/2022 · SERVICE BRAKES
“6/3/22 I went to the grocery store which is on a four lane road. When I left the store I had no brakes. On a…”NHTSA complaint 11467275 — filed 06/03/2022 · SERVICE BRAKES
“I was driving out of town (2 hrs from home) with my 2 small children and my mother, when I tried to slow to come…”NHTSA complaint 11466812 — filed 05/31/2022 · SERVICE BRAKES

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

42017392018452019172020262021372022412023532024402025392026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Terrain?

Service brakes issues are the most-reported category, cited in 70 of 226 NHTSA complaints (31%), followed by engine (55), power train (41), unspecified/other issues (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2018 GMC Terrain have?

226 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 11/01/2026. Of those, 14 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 12 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2018 GMC Terrain have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V340000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2018 GMC Terrain's reported problems?

4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 11/01/2026.