This page covers 6 recalls, 209 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 GMC Terrain.
23–32 mpg combined
7.4–10.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 6 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brake system complaints dominate owner reports for the 2018 GMC Terrain, with dozens of owners describing a brake pedal that becomes unusually hard to depress and the vehicle taking longer than expected to stop. This is the most consistent pattern across the complaint set, with owners noting the issue can occur during normal driving conditions. Powertrain complaints are the second most-reported area, covering a range of behaviors including transmission refusing to shift into reverse, the instrument cluster displaying shift-related error messages, and the drivetrain control selector becoming unresponsive and defaulting to two-wheel drive. Engine complaints round out the top three reported systems, though the specific symptoms vary more across those reports. The brake pedal hardening concern, paired with reduced stopping performance, is the single most concentrated complaint pattern owners describe for this model year.
209
Total Complaints
14
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 GMC Terrain has 6 recalls, with the most serious risks including a driveshaft that can fracture and separate while driving, causing sudden loss of propulsion, and a fuel pump that can detach and damage the fuel line, creating a fire risk.
Two drivetrain concerns round out the propulsion issues: the right front intermediate driveshaft can break apart without warning, and a start-stop accumulator with missing bolts can leak transmission fluid and eventually cause the vehicle to lose drive power. On the fuel side, a detached high-pressure fuel pump can tear the fuel line and allow gasoline to escape near hot engine components. The airbag control module, which senses crashes and triggers airbag deployment, can fail to shut down properly when the vehicle is turned off and may not function when the engine is restarted, leaving the airbag system inoperative in a crash. There is also a brake concern: rear caliper pistons can develop internal voids that reduce braking force, extending stopping distances.
At a glance
What can fail
The endcap on the start-stop transmission accumulator may be missing bolts, which could affect transmission operation.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the accumulator endcap and replace it if bolts are missing, at no cost to you.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 4 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Rear brake caliper pistons may have inadequate coating, allowing gas pockets to form and reducing rear brake performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will bleed the brake system to remove gas pockets and restore brake performance at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The high pressure fuel pump can separate from its mounting flange, potentially damaging the high pressure fuel line.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump and fuel pipe at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The airbag control module may fail to power down when the vehicle is turned off, causing it to malfunction when restarted and preventing airbag deployment in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the airbag control module with updated software to fix the shutdown and restart process.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sensing diagnostic module that detects crashes and triggers airbags may fail to power down when you turn off the vehicle, leaving it unable to function when you restart.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the sensing diagnostic module with updated software at no charge to restore proper operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The right front intermediate driveshaft can fracture and separate during driving, potentially losing power to the wheels.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the right front intermediate driveshaft assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
