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2018 GMC Terrain

GasDiesel
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
6 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
46 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical5
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA219
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA32 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 GMC Terrain is sold in the U.S. as a gas and diesel compact SUV with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Terrain AWD, is EPA-rated at 32 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 219 complaints, most often about the service brakes. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Terrain FWDGasFWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo263028$2,250
Terrain AWDGasAWD1.5L 4-cyl turbo242826$2,400
Terrain FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222824$3,250
Terrain AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212623$3,350
Terrain AWDDieselAWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo283832$2,800
Terrain FWDDieselFWD1.6L 4-cyl turbo283932$2,800

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39267, 39091, 38686, 38691, 39315, 39313.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 GMC Terrain is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Power Train

N202313440
194,105 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskMissing 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.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the start-stop transmission accumulator and replace it if any bolts are missing, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2020. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick Customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313440.
NHTSA campaign 20V668000reported Oct 29, 2020General Motors LLC
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

18279
210,628 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskA reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18279.
NHTSA campaign 18V576000reported Aug 30, 2018General Motors LLC
!critical

Fuel System, Gasoline

18188 18268
895 vehicles
ProblemGeneral 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.RiskA damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
NHTSA campaign 18V358000reported May 31, 2018General Motors LLC
▲high

Air Bags

18179
88,503 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 GMC Terrain vehicles. The sensing diagnostic module (SDM) that senses a crash and deploys the necessary air bags may not power down correctly when the vehicle is shut off, causing it to be inoperative when the vehicle is restarted.RiskIf 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.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM with updated software, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18179.
NHTSA campaign 18V340000reported May 24, 2018General Motors LLC
▲high

Power Train

17329
2,905 vehicles
ProblemGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate driveshaft may fracture and separate while driving.RiskIf the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.FixGM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17329.
NHTSA campaign 17V516000reported Aug 22, 2017General Motors LLC

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
219complaints filed

14 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 12 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 2 · 2018: 24 · 2019: 28 · 2020: 11 · 2021: 17 · 2022: 27 · 2023: 28 · 2024: 36 · 2025: 25 · 2026: 21

Most-cited components

Service Brakes68
Engine53
Power Train41
Electrical System35
Unspecified34
Air Bags14

What owners describe

“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 four lane stop and go road. The was no warning just nothing peddle to the floor and now check engine light is on. I am reading this same problem repeatedly. I love this car but this is a serious hazard and needs…”Jun 3, 2022 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“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 to a stop my breaks did not work and I almost rear ended someone. It was sudden, there were no signs that my breaks were going to mess up. When I tried to look up recalls, there were none for my vehicle BUT …”May 31, 2022 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“Started car in parking lot. Warning came on saying “service safety restraint systemâ€� and airbag illumination was on. Just notified salesman as I have only had this vehicle about 10 days. Bought it used. Unfortunately.”May 9, 2022 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆16%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★☆19%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Terrain model years

A

2027 GMC Terrain

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 GMC Terrain

1 recalls · 27 complaints

A

2025 GMC Terrain

0 recalls · 13 complaints

A

2024 GMC Terrain

1 recalls · 49 complaints

B

2023 GMC Terrain

2 recalls · 38 complaints

D

2022 GMC Terrain

4 recalls · 85 complaints

B

2021 GMC Terrain

2 recalls · 34 complaints

C

2020 GMC Terrain

2 recalls · 195 complaints

D

2019 GMC Terrain

3 recalls · 182 complaints

A

2017 GMC Terrain

1 recalls · 133 complaints

B

2016 GMC Terrain

2 recalls · 152 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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