2018 GMC Terrain brake problems
83 of the 223 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Terrain name the brakes (NHTSA’s “Service Brakes” heading — the hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the brakes
Source: NHTSA complaint database2 of the 83 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 1 injury. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 3 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 11 · 2023: 12 · 2024: 21 · 2025: 11 · 2026: 13
Half of the 28 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the brake problem between 30,000 and 95,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
223 complaints in all about the 2018 GMC Terrain, 13 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Service Brakes” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: GMC Terrain brake problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the brakes. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
My 2018 Gmc Terrain brakes did not work when coming to a stop at stop lights which caused me to rear end the car in front of me. There was no warning on my SUV nor did I receive a recall on this matter. This happened twice to me in this same vehicle where the brakes did not respond at a low speed causing an accident.
The vacuum pump failed for the second time in less than twelve months. Both times there was no brakes at all when they failed. Both repairs were performed by Gmc dealers. Failures happened while the Terrain was being driven
My 2018 Gmc Terrain has major issues that almost caused me to hit a wall on the expressway due to a brake assist issue that other owners have a issue with and Gmc has done nothing to help the buyers , where can we the buyers get help with issues Gmc is well aware of??
I purchased a brand new 2018 Gmc Terrain (VIN no. ) two years ago. The vehicle has approximately 50,000 miles on it. On august 6, 2020, my husband and I were traveling with our 2-year-old son to attend an out-of-state funeral. Traveling around 75 MPH on the highway, the brakes failed US.
My 2018 Terrain has 51138 miles. While driving on the interstate my brake system locked and I was unable to stop. I had to coast to a safe speed and pull my park brake to come to a stop. Because my bumper to bumper warranty is out the dealership is charging me. The vacuum pump is out.
What is on file about the brakes
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall filed under this heading
- 18V576000 HighAug 30, 2018 · 210,628 vehicles
- 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.
Trouble codes named on this system
Codes a bulletin or an owner’s complaint about the 2018 GMC Terrain names on this model year; a code with a record of its own links it.
Other systems with a record on the 2018 GMC Terrain
Source: the same files- engine problems 55 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre brake problems common on the 2018 GMC Terrain?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 83 owner complaints naming the brakes on this model year (37% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the brakes on the 2018 GMC Terrain?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 18V576000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do brake problems show up on the 2018 GMC Terrain?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 60,000 miles; half of them between 30,000 and 95,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Service Brakes" heading cover?
The hydraulic brakes, ABS and brake assist. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.