The 2018 GMC Terrain is associated with 218 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Service Brakes, accounting for 41 reports (19% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.6l 4-cyl, 1.5l 4-cyl, and 2l 4-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 23 to 32 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 218 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Service Brakes (41 / 19%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 14 crash / 1 fire / 7 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 23–32 MPG (6 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Terrain FWD Diesel | 1.6L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 28 MPG | 39 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $2,500 / yr |
| Terrain AWD Diesel | 1.6L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 6-spd | 28 MPG | 38 MPG | 32 MPG | — | $2,500 / yr |
| Terrain FWD | 1.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 26 MPG | 30 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Terrain AWD | 1.5L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 24 MPG | 28 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| Terrain FWD | 2L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 22 MPG | 28 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $3,150 / yr |
| Terrain AWD | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic 9-spd | 21 MPG | 26 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD Later Release | | | | | 18.5% |
| SUV FWD Early Release | | | | | 18.8% |
| SUV AWD Later Release | | | | | 16.400000000000002% |
| SUV AWD Early Release | | | | | 16.5% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2018 GMC Terrain models.
View complete 2018 GMC Terrain crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2018 GMC Terrain problems & component breakdown (67 categories) →
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM 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.
Affected Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM 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.
Affected Component: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: GM 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.
View all 2018 GMC Terrain recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →