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

Owners filed 225 complaints in total. Brakes lead with 83, followed by the engine with 56 and the power train with 42.

Does the 2018 GMC Terrain have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows 5 recalls for 2018. The Recalls section on this page lists each one by code.

What gas mileage does the 2018 GMC Terrain get?

See the Fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data for this model year.

Is the 2018 GMC Terrain reliable?

Owners filed 225 complaints, with brakes the biggest group. These are unverified reports, so read the problems section and the recalls together.

Is 2018 a good year for the GMC Terrain?

The year-by-year comparison on this page shows how 2018 stacks up against other model years, so check that section.

2018 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 225 owner complaints on file for the 2018 GMC Terrain^[1]. Brakes come up most often, with 83 complaints^[2].

225owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[3]

23–32MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4–5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car. Here are the groups, biggest first.

Brakes. 83 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe rotors that looked pitted or grooved early on, a brake booster warning code, and one car that seemed to pick up speed while parking.
Engine. 56 complaints^[6]. Owners describe a check engine light soon after buying new, stalling and stuttering when accelerating, and a stop-start feature that shut the engine off at awkward moments.
Power Train. 42 complaints^[7]. Owners describe the car jerking, slipping into park on its own at a stoplight, and transmission warnings on the display.
Electrical System. 35 complaints^[8]. Owners describe dash warnings that lit up together, driver alert features that stopped working, and a burning smell from the vents.
Unknown Or Other. 35 complaints^[9]. These reports do not point to one named part.
Air Bags. 14 complaints^[10]. This is a small group, but 7 of these reports mention a crash^[10].
Fuel/Propulsion System. 12 complaints^[11].
Speed Control. 8 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Terrain is necessarily included.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission (20V668), October 2020. About 194,105 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper (18V576), August 2018. About 210,628 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (18V358), May 2018. About 895 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module (18V340), May 2018. About 88,503 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft (17V516), August 2017. About 2,905 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking, parts separating. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Terrain FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	22 / 28 / 24	$3,400
Terrain AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive^[19]	21 / 26 / 23	$3,550
Terrain AWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[20]	24 / 28 / 26	$2,600
Terrain FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	26 / 30 / 28	$2,400
Terrain FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	28 / 39 / 32	$3,000
Terrain AWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Diesel, All-Wheel Drive^[22]	28 / 38 / 32	$3,000

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[23]	4	5	4	4	16.5%
SUV AWD^[5]	5	5	5	4	16.4%
SUV FWD^[24]	4	5	4	4	18.8%
SUV FWD^[25]	5	5	5	4	18.5%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2018 GMC Terrain with 1.5L 4-cylinder^[26]	170 hp

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Terrain model year. The 2018 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2010	290	3
2011	386	4
2012	364	4
2013	364	3
2014	297	2
2015	298	3
2016	153	2
2017	135	1
2018	225	5
2019	186	3
2020	197	2
2021	36	2
2022	88	4
2023	41	2
2024	52	1
2025	13	0
2026	33	1
2027	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the Terrain show 225 complaints and 5 recalls for 2018^[3]. Among the 18 model years listed, 11 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 6 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2011 (386)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2018 Terrain?

The 2018 GMC Terrain has 225 complaints on file^[1]. Brakes, engine and power train reports make up the biggest groups^[2]^[6]^[7]. Of all the reports, 14 mention a crash and 1 mentions a fire^[1], and the page also shows 5 recalls for this year^[3]. These are owner reports that have not been verified, so treat them as a guide to what to check. If you are shopping for one, look at the recall section below and ask a mechanic to check the brakes and the transmission.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 GMC Terrain?: Owners filed 225 complaints in total^[1]. Brakes lead with 83^[2], followed by the engine with 56^[6] and the power train with 42^[7].
Does the 2018 GMC Terrain have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows 5 recalls for 2018^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists each one by code.
What gas mileage does the 2018 GMC Terrain get?: See the Fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data for this model year.
Is the 2018 GMC Terrain reliable?: Owners filed 225 complaints^[1], with brakes the biggest group^[2]. These are unverified reports, so read the problems section and the recalls together.
Is 2018 a good year for the GMC Terrain?: The year-by-year comparison on this page shows how 2018 stacks up against other model years, so check that section.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the GMC Terrain

2011 386 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 364 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 364 complaints, 3 recalls
2014 297 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 298 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 153 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 135 complaints, 1 recall
2018 this page
2020 197 complaints, 2 recalls
2024 52 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the GMC Terrain

Other GMC models from 2018

2018 GMC Acadia 396 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 GMC Yukon 129 complaints, 5 recalls

All GMC models

Similar cars from 2018: small suvs

2018 Honda CR-V 2,160 complaints, 5 recalls
2018 Hyundai Tucson 399 complaints, 1 recall
2018 Jeep Compass 946 complaints, 6 recalls
2018 Land Rover Range Rover 133 complaints, 8 recalls
2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class 87 complaints, 12 recalls
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander 93 complaints, 6 recalls

All small suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 225 owner complaints on file for the 2018 GMC Terrain (14 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 12 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
83 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Terrain model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Diesel, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 39 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,000. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
56 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,500). NHTSA vehicle records
42 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,300). NHTSA vehicle records
35 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 22,000). NHTSA vehicle records
35 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 6,050). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,575). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,615). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V668, filed October 29, 2020: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V576, filed August 30, 2018: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V358, filed May 31, 2018: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V340, filed May 24, 2018: Air Bags › Air Bag / Restraint Control Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V516, filed August 22, 2017: Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 28 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 9-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 30 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic 6-spd, Diesel, All-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 38 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,000. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2018 GMC Terrain with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 170 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2018 GMC Terrain: problems, recalls and fuel economy