2018 GMC Terrain
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 86 of 219 complaints (39%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (9) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 133 in 2017 to 219 in 2018.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,450 | 2,500–3,450 | 2,250–3,350 | 2,250–3,350 | 2,300–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–26 | 18–25 | 23–32 | 23–32 | 23–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–21 / 23–31 | 21–28 / 26–39 | 21–28 / 26–39 | 21–26 / 26–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 347–482 | 355–489 | 316–386 | 317–386 | 325–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 152 | 133 | 219 | 182 | 195 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 11 | 14 | 7 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 9 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2018 GMC Terrain have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 GMC Terrain?
Brakes: 86 of 219 NHTSA complaints (39%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates it 23–32 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 GMC Terrain?
EPA estimates $2,250–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 369 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 1.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 24 mpg | 28 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 339 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 26 mpg | 30 mpg | 28 mpg | $2,250 (low) | 316 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 28 mpg (high) | 39 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | $2,800 | 319 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 1.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 28 mpg (high) | 38 mpg | 32 mpg (high) | $2,800 | 319 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 54 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 41 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 15 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 35 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 86 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 15 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 35 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 20V668000 · Oct 29, 2020
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER · Campaign 18V576000 · Sep 5, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A reduction of braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 18V358000 · Jun 4, 2018
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
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.
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 18V340000 · May 29, 2018
Defect: General 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: GM 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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · Campaign 17V516000 · Aug 23, 2017
Defect: General 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.
Consequence: 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 roll-away.
Remedy: GM 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.