Are there open safety recalls?
5 open
Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2018 GMC Terrain has 5 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 216 owner complaints, and gets about 32 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2018 GMC Terrain
- Engine 4-cyl 1.6L
- Drive All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Diesel
- Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
12 injuries reported
12 of 216 reports (~6%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
5 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 20162recalls
- 20171recall
- 2018 · this car5recalls
- 20193recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 26, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 5 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side
- 5 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane-departure warning
- Optional
Tested as: 2018 GMC Terrain SUV FWD Later Release · 4 versions tested
Open safety recalls
5 openA recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
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Air Bags
24/05/2018
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Service Brakes, Hydraulic
30/08/2018
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Fuel System, Gasoline
31/05/2018
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Power Train
29/10/2020
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.
How they fix it: 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.
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Power Train
22/08/2017
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.
How they fix it: 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.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 26, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 2016152reports
- 2017133reports
- 2018 · this car216reports
- 2019181reports
216 owner reports on file
14 crash mentions 1 fire mentions 12 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 216 total reports.
- SERVICE BRAKES 67 of 216
While driving my 2018 GMC Terrain, the vehicle suddenly displayed an “Engine Power Reduced” warning and the brakes became extremely hard to press. The vehicle experienced a sudden loss of normal power-brake assist while it was in motion, cr
- POWER TRAIN 39 of 216
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. While attempting to shift to reverse(R) out of a parking spot, the message “Transmission Unable to Shift” was displayed on the instrument panel, and the transmission was unable to shift into reverse(R).
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 29 of 216
The infotainment system will just randomly start going haywire and when it happens, you cannot use the touchscreen. It will try to randomly delete app icons such as the camera, it will try to delete connected phones, it will try to delete r
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 24 of 216
The control knob that controls AWD, 2WD,Off-road, and 4 x4 AWD. Just stopped working. Stuck on 2WD mode. I did have it checked for any codes, even though, there is NO check engine light is on.
- ENGINE 17 of 216
Brakes were hard to engage or press when stopping due to Vacuum pump stop working. Had to replace the vacuum pump
- AIR BAGS 12 of 216
My car was t-boned on the driver side and no airbags deployed. The outer door and window exploded with the force. We were also hit from behind
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 26, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2018.
- 201623mpg
- 201723mpg
- 2018 · this car32mpg
- 201932mpg
$2,500
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 28 mpg
Highway driving 38 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 32 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $1,500 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 104 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 30 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 26, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 1.6L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 6-spd
Fuel
Diesel
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 1.6L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 1.6 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Diesel
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 26, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 5 open NHTSA recalls (including the air bags). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the service brakes
Owners report problems with the service brakes more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2018 GMC Terrain listings
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2018 GMC Terrain? +
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2018 GMC Terrain, including the air bags. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2018 GMC Terrain get? +
The EPA rates the 2018 GMC Terrain at 32 mpg combined (28 city / 38 highway), about $2,500 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2018 GMC Terrain? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 GMC Terrain 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2018 GMC Terrain? +
Owners have filed 216 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 GMC Terrain, including 14 involving a crash. The most-reported area is service brakes.
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