NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 226 owner complaints for the 2018 GMC Terrain. Most complaints involve service brakes (70) and engine (55). The EPA rates it 23–32 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4–5 stars overall.
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.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Equinox, Impala, Cruze, Volt and Bolt EV vehicles, GMC Terrain vehicles, Buick Lacrosse and Regal vehicles, Cadillac XTS and XTS Professional vehicles and 2018 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. The rear brake caliper pistons may have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Terrain model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 295 |
| 2011 | 397 |
| 2012 | 370 |
| 2013 | 370 |
| 2014 | 302 |
| 2015 | 317 |
| 2016 | 153 |
| 2017 | 135 |
| 2018 | 226 |
| 2019 | 187 |
| 2020 | 197 |
| 2021 | 36 |
| 2022 | 88 |
| 2023 | 41 |
| 2024 | 55 |
| 2025 | 13 |
| 2026 | 33 |
| 2027 | 1 |
“On XXX while driving my 2018 GMC Terrain SLE 1.5L turbo on the highway at approximately 70 MPH near [XXX]. I experienced a sudden loss of power brake assist without any prior dashboard warning lights or messages. I was traveling with children to [XXX] for a youth wrestling tournament, approximately 5 hours from my residence. The brake pedal became extremely hard to press, requiring excessive force to slow the vehicle while traveling at highway speeds. I was transporting children at the time, creating a serious safety concern. Because I was away from home and needed to get the children to their scheduled wrestling weigh-ins, I arranged alternative transportation through Enterprise. I was unable to have my vehicle inspected by a GMC dealership until XXX, after returning home. At approximately 93,614 miles, Ed Martin Buick GMC diagnosed an internally failed, engine-driven brake vacuum pump. The service advisor confirmed in writing that the pump had come apart internally and explained that a seized pump can strip the exhaust camshaft gear. The dealership documented missing metal material from the vacuum pump and camshaft gear, raising concerns about metal debris…”
“Without any type of warning, I was driving down the road when my car started making a knocking/ticking type noise then my engine light came on. I attempted to hit my brakes and stop, and I had no control. There was no brakes without pushing it all the way to the floor it was very hard to get my car to stop. I managed to get off the road and into a parking lot and now told that I have $5000 worth of repairs, including the vacuum pump, camshaft timing and guides. After reading information I see there is complaints filed regarding this failed vacuum pump and I would just like to report this.”
“This car was my daily driver to work it's been serviced regularly and well maintained, in XXX I've had the car for 8 years and driving home from work on the [XXX] it started to Rev very high and I wasn't able to speed up past 55 so I got in the slow lane and the car was not shifting gears and the transmission light came on, I took it to a garage who said the error code was P0700 and I would need a whole new transmission which would cost 8k the trade in value for the 2018 GMC terrain is about that price, having a transmission fail after just 8 years is unacceptable, I've read there is a recall for the transmission in these cars in other states but not in [XXX] where I live”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain AWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | $2,950 | 319 |
| Terrain FWD Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 39 | 32 | $2,950 | 319 |
| Terrain FWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 30 | 28 | $2,300 | 316 |
| Terrain AWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 28 | 26 | $2,450 | 339 |
| Terrain FWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | $3,300 | 369 |
| Terrain AWD Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | $3,450 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 226 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes (70), engine (55), power train (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2018 GMC Terrain at 23–32 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2018 GMC Terrain 4–5 out of 5 stars overall.