Is the 2018 Gmc TERRAIN reliable?

The 2018 Gmc TERRAIN has 317 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Gmc TERRAIN?

Top problems: BRAKES (75 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (51 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (41 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Gmc TERRAIN?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Gmc TERRAIN?

The 2018 Gmc TERRAIN gets 27 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1778. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Gmc TERRAIN?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Gmc TERRAIN is approximately $1,652/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Gmc TERRAIN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Gmc TERRAIN has 317 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 287. The most common issue is brakes problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: the first time while driving at 60 mph, the vehicle instrument panel warning lights activated and gauges fluctuated followed by acceleration, braking and steering movement. then the information panel displayed stabilitrak unavailable, collision warning unavailable, lane change alert unavailable and . There are 5 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 2 fire reports filed.

2 fire reports 16 crash reports 14 injuries

317

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

75 complaints

24%

• THE FIRST TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ACTIVATED AND GAUGES FLUCTUATED FOLLOWED BY ACCELERATION, BRAKING AND STEERING MOVEMENT. THEN THE INFORMATION PANEL DISPLAYED STABILITRAK UNAVAILABLE, COLLISION WARNING UNAVAILABLE, LANE CHANGE ALERT UNAVAILABLE AND
• I PULLED INTO OUR CARPORT. IT FELT LIKE THE CAR JUST "SPED UP AND WENT FASTER AND FASTER." IT HIT THE FRONT OF THE CAR STRAIGHT ON. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED NOR DID THE FRONT END COLLISION STOP HAPPEN.
• TAKATA RECALL MY COMPLAINT DOES NOT STEM FROM THE DEALERSHIP FIXING THE ISSUE, AS I HAVE NOT BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN YET FOR THE FIX. MY ISSUES LIES IN THE FACT THAT I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AGES 3 AND 5 YEARS OLD. I AM NOW STUCK IN A LEASE FOR 3 YEARS KNOWING THE BRAKING SYSTEM IS UNSTABLE. THAT CAU

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“THE FIRST TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ACTIVATED AND GAUGES FLUCTUATED FOLLOWED BY ACCELERATION, BRAKING AND STEERING MOVEMENT. THEN THE INFORMATION PANEL DISPLAYED STABILITRAK UNAVAILABLE, COLLISION WARNING UNAVAILABLE, LANE CHANGE ALERT UNAVAILABLE AND ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Gmc TERRAIN

Based on 137 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 16K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 23 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 18 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 16 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 21K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE24/05/2018

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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Gmc TERRAIN

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local diesel price)

Per year

$2,282

Per month

$190

Per mile

19.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,934/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,621/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Gmc TERRAIN

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,652

Full coverage / month

$138

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

-1%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1652

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc TERRAIN Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2018 TERRAIN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 317 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: THE FIRST TIME WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS ACTIVATED AND GAUGES FLUCTUATED FOLLOWED BY ACCELERATION, BRAKING AND STEERING MOVEMENT. THEN THE INFORMATION PANEL DISPLAYED STABILITRAK UNAVAILABLE, COLLISION WARNING UNAVAILABLE, LANE CHANGE ALERT UNAVAILABLE AND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: PURCHASED A BRAND NEW GMC TERRAIN. 12 DAYS AND 460 MILES LATER THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR A P050F. THIS IS CODE FOR A LEAK IN THE BOOSTER. THEY DID NOT REPAIR ANYTHING, JUST CHECKED FOR LEAK AND RESET ENGINE LIGHT. AS I READ MORE, THE PROBLEM AFFECTS THE BRAKES
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: STOPPED AT A LIGHT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. THE VEHICLE JERKED, THEN SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO PARK. THE INFO SYSTEM GAVE ME THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES: TRANSMISSION, STABILITRAK AND PARKING ASSIST. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. I GOT A MESSAGE THAT SAID "THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE DRIVER'S ALERT WARNING SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)