2018 GMC Terrain: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 GMC Terrain: 5 recalls, 223 owner complaints and up to 32 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #17V516000 · 2017 · 2,905 vehicles
What's wrong: The right front intermediate driveshaft May fracture and separate while driving.
Why it matters: If 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…
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the right front intermediate drive shaft assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 25, 2017.
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V340000 · 2018 · 88,503 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If 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.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the sdm with updated software, free of charge. The recall began June 29, 2018.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #18V358000 · 2018 · 895 vehicles
What's wrong: The high pressure fuel pump May detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Why it matters: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #18V576000 · 2018 · 210,628 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear brake caliper pistons May have an insufficient coating causing gas pockets to form, potentially reducing rear brake performance.
Why it matters: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will bleed the vehicle's brake system, free of charge. The recall began October 11, 2018.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #20V668000 · 2020 · 194,105 vehicles
What's wrong: The start/stop accumulator endcap May have missing bolts.
Why it matters: Missing 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (69): the most common themes are warning light on (18), brake failure / soft pedal (7).
- Engine (54): the most common themes are warning light on (16), stalls / loses power (12).
- Transmission & drivetrain (41): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (18), warning light on (14), stalls / loses power (11).
- Electrical (35): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (8), door / lock issues (8).
The 2018 GMC Terrain has 223 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 17 Terrain model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 184). Complaints peaked in 2024 (36 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 18,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (135 complaints, 1 recalls), 2019 (185 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 39 | 32 | Diesel |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 28 | 38 | 32 | Diesel |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 30 | 28 | Regular |
| 1.5 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 28 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 9-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 26 | 23 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 GMC Terrain.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2018 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 GMC Terrain problems?
Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (69), engine (54), transmission & drivetrain (41).
What gas mileage does the 2018 GMC Terrain get?
EPA ratings run up to 32 mpg combined (1.6 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 GMC Terrain repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.