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GMC wants you to believe that they’ve set the standard in the premium small SUV segment, but the complaints regarding their 2018 GMC Terrain are abounding. From regular electrical failures to engine problems, consumers have taken to the internet to file claims. There are also numerous complaints regarding the electronic stability control as well as recalls for the braking system.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2018 GMC Terrain
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | |
| Power Train | |
| Engine | |
| Electrical System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Air Bags | |
| Electronic Stability Control | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | |
| Steering |
Problems with the Electrical System
When you own a newer vehicle, you expect that everything will work the way it’s designed. That’s not what many drivers are finding. Whether it’s the electronics within the cabin or the electrical system that runs the major components, many parts have been reported as being defective.
One owner wrote on Edmunds, “Have had to have the vehicle jump-started twice. OnStar monthly diagnostic report keeps stating ‘LOW BATTERY’ ‘HAVE VEHICLE SERVICED SOON’Been back to the Dealer 5 times. The fourth visit, GM’s Business Resource Center, had a GM Field Engineer attempt to repair the vehicle but he found that the electrical system was ‘within specs.’ He apparently disconnected the battery shutting down all electronic modules to get his ‘within specs’ readings. That was evident when I picked up the vehicle and found that all the pre-set radio stations had disappeared. The dealership has told me several times that GM is aware of the problem and has been working on a solution. They have had other complaints. They have also blamed the cause on ‘too much electronics.’ General Motors also sent me a letter after their ‘Engineer’ attempted the repair which stated. Our attempts to contact you to schedule a final repair opportunity have been unsuccessful. Your Final Repair Attempt case is being closed.”
Another electrical complaint by some owners was related to the back-up camera. GM specifically referred to this situation in their Service Bulletin #18-NA-095. To repair the mirrored image that many people were seeing, the company had to replace the camera and rear license plate lamp wiring.
Hopefully, there weren’t too many accidents before this was repaired. After all, it must have been confusing for drivers to see things backward while backing up; almost like one of those mirror mazes.
Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Terrain Electrical Problems
THE NAVIGATION/MEDIA CENTER WILL EITHER GO COMPLETELY BLACK OR COMPLETELY WHITE SCREEN EVEN WHEN BACKING UP YOU LOSE THE CAMERA AND CAN’T SHUT OFF THE RADIO. IF THE SCREEN GOES WHITE DURING EVENING DRIVING THE REFLECTION OF THE WINDSHIELD IS SO SEVERE I CAN’T DRIVE AND THE SYSTEM WILL NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE POWER BUTTON IS DEPRESSED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE RADIO ONCE. IT IS DOING IT AGAIN LESS THAN A MONTH LATER. GMC SAID THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE BUT DO NOT KNOW WHY OR HAVE A FIX. IN THE MEAN TIME I AM TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE SINCE THEY DO NOT SEE THIS AS A SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE ATTACHED A PHOTO FROM YESTERDAY I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BACKING UP WHEN THE WHOLE SCREEN WENT BLACK. I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY ONTO A CITY STREET. WHEN WE GOT TO OUR DESTINATION AND SHUT THE CAR OFF THE RADIO STAYED ON EVEN ONCE WE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SHUT AND LOCKED THE DOORS. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL OF A FIRE HAZARD AS WELL.
REAR DOOR ELECTRIC LOCKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. ALSO COULD NOT ENTRR CAR AFTER CAR WASH AS ALL OTHER DOORS WERE INOPERABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE’S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE VENTS LOCATED NEAR THE INSTRUMENT PANEL EMITTED A STRONG BURNING ODOR WHEN THE HEATING SYSTEM OR AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A STRONG VIBRATION THAT CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO VIBRATE. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THE REAR HATCH DOOR WAS CLOSED, THE REAR HATCH DOOR LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER’S SIDE HUB CLIPS SEPARATED. ON STAR PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH DIAGNOSTIC CASE NUMBER: 109309958. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAINBOW NORTHSHORE BUICK GMC (2925 NORTH HIGHWAY 190, COVINGTON, LA 70433, (888) 494-1484) FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER ONLY CLEARED THE ON START CONNECTIVITY CODES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT HAVE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Problems with the Engine
There were a few engine options available with the 2018 GMC Terrain, but none of them seemed to impress drivers much. Of all the engine options, the diesel seemed to receive numerous complaints.
One driver took to Edmunds to voice concern. Here is what was written. “This diesel engine is crap. Beware. You might be traveling on the Interstate at 70mph when all of a sudden, with no reason or warning; this GMC will throttle you down to 45mph. So, get ready to use your hazards as you rush to the slow lane and hope your GMC Terrain TurboDiesel makes it to the next exit.”
The diesel engine had plenty of faults. In fact, the company issued recall #17337 for vehicles with this engine. GM released a faulty ECM that might not properly diagnose issues with the exhaust particulate matter sensor. To repair it, technicians needed to program the ECM and TCM for proper readings.
It’s scary to drive in a vehicle when the engine doesn’t run properly. There’s nothing more frightening that chugging along on the highway only to have your speeds dramatically decreased. Life literally flashes before your eyes as you worry about getting rear-ended by a tractor-trailer. If this is the standard that GM was hoping to set, we would hate to see what happens in a non-premium lineup.
Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Terrain Engine Problems
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 ABILITY TO FUNCTION PROPERLY INCREASING DANGER TO DRIVER. THERE IS ALSO DEFECTIVE STOP/IDLE ON THE ENGINE THAT NO LONGER WORKS. I WAS JUST DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN TOWN WHEN IT POPPED ON. GM AND YOUNG’S HAVE REFUSED TO REFUND THIS DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.
THE AUTO STOP FEATURE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN FOOT IS TAKEN OFF BRAKE IT IS SLOW TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, AND BEING IN SOUTH LOUISIANA EVEN WITH AC ON HI IT STILL SHUTS DOWN AT TIMES..
Problems with the Electronic Stability Control
When you want to improve stability and traction, you look for a vehicle that offers electronic stability control. This system is specifically designed to make driving seamless, but drivers of the 2018 GMC Terrain don’t think this system is all it’s cracked up to be.
One reviewer on Edmunds stated, “I purchased a brand new 2018 Terrain in May of 2018. Had it for 5 days (approximately 200 miles) before it was towed from my house back to dealership. The car was bucking and braking on its own, would not accelerate and seemed to be slipping gears and not shifting. Got car back after dealership found nothing wrong. This occurs 3 more times, each time worse than the other. Almost caused me an accident on the highway when I went to accelerate to change lanes and the car wouldn’t accelerate at all. After the 4th time it happened I refused to take the car back from the dealership and had to either sue GM for a refund or accept a buy back and get something else. Owned car for 2 months. Only drove it approximately half the time of owning because the rest of the time it was in for service.”
In addition to trouble with this system, GM released Service Bulletin #PIT5481C which points to further issues with the Lane Keep Assist and Lane Departure Warning. It outlines situations when these systems will not work properly, such as when there are vehicles ahead, sudden lighting changes, on banked roads and when the lane markings are poor. So, pretty much anytime you drive
Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Terrain Electr0nic Stability Control Problems
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.:” AT THIS TIME NON OF THE GEAR OPTIONS WERE AVAILABLE. A ROSEVILLE, MICHIGAN POLICE OFFICER HAD TO POSITION HERSELF BEHIND ME BECSUSE CARS WERE GOING AROUND ME ON BOTH SIDES (MY FOUR WAY BLINKERS WERE ON).THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, THUS MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE DRAGGED ONTO THE TRUCK. AT THE DEALER THEY WERE UNABLE TO CHANGE GEARS AND ONCE AGAIN MY VEHICLE WAS DRAGGED OFF THE TOW TRUCK
DRIVING ON A DOWNSLOPE HEADING NORTH ON 65 GOING INTO TENNESSEE FROM ALABAMA I EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER SYSTEM LIGHTS WENT OFF ALONG WITH GAUGES GOING OFF AND ON. AT WHICH TIME STABIATRAK AND TRANSMISSION LIGHTS CAME ON SAYING TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY.WE DID SO CALLED GM ONSTAR WHERE THEY TOLD US WE WOULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS IN POWER BUT COULD TRAVEL ONWARD. WE CHOSE TO GET TOWED, HOWEVER DUE TO THE HOLIDAY WE HAD DIFFICULTIES GETTING A TOW AND WERE FORCED TO DRIVE HOME 90 MILES AWAY. THE PROBLEM DID NOT PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN ON THE DRIVE HOME. WE TOOK IT TO A GMC DEALER IN VESTAVIA HILLS THEY PULLED OFF THE CODES BUT HAD NO REASON FOR THE ISSUE NOR WERE THEY ABLE TO GET SERVICE BULLETINS FROM GM ON THE ISSUE. I DOCUMENTED THE FINDINGS WENT HOME AND A LATER ON 11/23/18 THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AT ABOUT 130 MILES FROM THE FIRST INCIDENT. THIS TIME IT HAPPENED GOING UP A HILL AND GIVING THE CAR GAS DID NOTHING TO GET ME UP THE VERY SMALL GRADE. I HAD TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND GET A RUNNING START AT THE HILL IN ORDER TO MAKE IT HOME. I CALLED GM AGAIN AND REQUESTED A TOW TO A SECOND DEALER IN TRUSSVILLE, AL THEY WERE UNABLE TO EVEN SEE IT UNTIL MONDAY 11/26/18. I AM VERY FEARFUL THAT IF WE HAVE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN THAT I MAY NOT BE AS LUCKY.
Problems with the Brakes
Stopping a vehicle is a vital action that often is taken for granted. After all, most cars and trucks stop when the operator presses on the brakes. When something is wrong with the braking system, it causes drivers to worry.
Just read what this owner had to say on the NHTSA website. “Bought brand new. At 14,000 miles all 4 rotors are pitted with grooves. Dealer took them apart and found nothing that could cause it. Said they were ‘weathered.’ Took it to 2 other places and said it was a manufacturing defect. Dealer won’t replace because bumper to bumper won’t cover it. It’s a defect didn’t notice until another dealer did the oil change.”
Among this person’s concern, GM also issued recall #18279 because the rear-brake caliper pistons might contain some trapped hydrogen gas. If this is in the brake system, performance is reduced and a crash is more likely. To repair it, technicians need to bleed the brake system and remove all of the gas.
From glitchy electrical systems to brakes that don’t operate properly, there’s a lot to fear when driving a 2018 GMC Terrain. If this is what premium models are made of, it might be better to go with a budget-friendly option instead. At least you will save some money when the systems malfunction.
Here are some actual complaints logged with the NHTSA about the 2018 GMC Terrain Brake Problems
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 CAUSES ALARMING CONCERN TO ME AND MY WIFE. I DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT AND NOW I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SO FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE LEASE WHICH IS ALMOST 3 YEARS AS I JUST LEASED THE VEHICLE IN JULY. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS CAN’T HAPPEN AGAIN AND I THEREFORE ASK TO BE ABLE TO LEASE ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THE PRICE I AM CURRENTLY PAYING PER MONTH. THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS FIRST AND FOREMOST. UNLESS I RECEIVE A GUARANTEE FROM THE MANUFACTURER THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN WITH MY VEHICLE I AM LEFT WITH MORE CONCERNS THAT ONE WHO LEASES A NEW VEHICLE SHOULD BE LEFT WITH.
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.
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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I have a 2018 GMC Terrain and the brake assist light came on and my brake is extremely hard to press down! I was dropping my daughter off to her grandma’s house and when I was riding down the road, the brakes act as if they weren’t working, so I pulled in a empty parking spot and put the truck in park! Then the check engine light came on too! I also have problems with the back up camera blacking out or whiting out.
My wife went to dentist appointment and as she was parking instead of stopping, the car took off with the brake applied and ran into the brick building. My wife was greatly bruised because airbags did not deploy and her chest was slammed into steering wheel. We haven’t got the car back yet because the dealer is complaining that parts are difficult to obtain (estimate is over $11000 in damages). We are both Leary of driving this car again. This is a 2018 Terrain. Very scary car to drive.
Please, please I need some serious advice, help. Sounds like our 2018 GMC TERRAIN complaints are of no concern to GM and these s** vehicles are being sold and not being pulled and consumers compensated regardless, poor GM looses money. Well they are gonna loose with all these lawsuits. I’m just another very upset angry consumer and don’t know what or who or where to go to have my complaints taken serious. For me all kinds of weird things are happening. I bought the 2018 terrain in Ontario, Canada at approx. 10,000 km (used). Dealer told me the vehicle used to be owned by his buddy for the past 4 yrs and his buddy didn’t drive it much and acted like he couldn’t understand why and it was because he just didn’t drive much…I call BS. Good job at fooling me. I’m pretty sure after all the research I’ve done and what I’ve read for complaints online I’m also the proud owner of a used low km lemon. In a few months my original warranty is over. I purchased a $3400 warranty for 60,000 km or 3 yrs whichever comes 1s. Well sounds like it was a waste of money also, cause not only are my issues not registering for it to be read by computer chip (phantom problems, happen when they wanna, one min fine next the devil). I couldn’t be more disappointed in my purchase and beyond upset. I don’t feel safe, nor do I want it or be bound to 7 yrs of high payments for a vehicle I will likely not even drive. I have EPB issues- coming on automatically, gearing issues. Automatically start not working sometimes. Vehicle has come to a complete stop in my driveway when starting out in 1st gear at low speeds. The list goes on….the freaking car makes one feel as though they don’t know how to drive or they are loosing their minds. Trust me you will be loosing your mind driving this vehicle. Are they any avenues available to me to get out of owning and being bound to payments etc. Is there a law suit in Canada, I see there is or was in the states I believe. If anyone can help me please, I need advice.
I have a 2018 GMC Terrain SLE and it keeps having issues. Lights coming on saying service ets, traction light on says no awd/no 2 wd, check engine light. Took it in to have it looked at/serviced 3 times. Weird cause the 1st time it lasted 10 days before it came back on then the 2nd time only 4 hours. 3rd time just check engine light was on for a few days then went on and lasted maybe a week and all lights back on n jerking like it was. It will go off and act fine then keeps doing it. Shop said I might need a new engine. I’ve only had it for a year and a half.
there has been an electrical problem with the car after about a year. Something starts screeching and you can’t turn it off. I thought it was a radio problem at first but don’t know what it is. Brought it into the dealership and they could not find anything.
Left the car out in the rain last week and the driver’s side floor was soaked. Now we can’t drive the car in the rain
Bought 2018 Terrain in 2020 in Canada..within 3rd month kept getting indicators saying various functions for infotainment unit not available and low battery. Took it to GMC dealer and they replaced the motherboard board for the computer I was told. I had new battery installed but the car still needs to.be boosted if it sits for more than 3days. There is a battery drain somewhere but GM says they don’t know where. I even talked to a guy I met who happen to have the same year and model. Turns out he was a mechanic at GM and he said it’s a common problem but GMC can’t or won’t fix the problem. Also bought the car with approx 47000k on it but it showed 34000k when I got it back.from the dealer after the Computer replacement …never saw that before on a digital odometer.
i live in Canada Ontario and I own A GMC Terrain 2018
Three times in last 2 years the vacuum pump gave up and was left with no breaks on highway. GMC is not taking responsibility and I dont fill anymore safe to drive the car.
I searched on web and in states there were people complaining for same issue.
GMC replaced the pump at my cost and is forcing me to pick up the cart from
GM dealership shop. why I need to do?
I have a GMC Terrain 2018 SLE, it can’t use remote start function, if remote start was ON, showing Hood Open , Engine Check light and then Beeping theft alarm loudly.
Only I can made to Hood Latch Socket OFF. Don’t what should I do. I imported this from FA ( dealer name- John Buzzaro’s ) USA to MYANMAR ( between INDIA and CHINA). Chevrolet Dealer Showroom located in my country. Contacted them ( January 2021) but they didn’t find my VIN in teir list. Please suggest me to service and maintainance on my SLE. Hoping to feel free fortune on my TERRAIN.
I purchased a 2018 GMC Terrain 12/23/2020 and on 12/31/2020 all the lights on the dash came on with the Service StabiliTrak warning, the car shifted itself into neutral and shut off. This has happened 4 times since and today is 1/6/2021. The dealership said it was due to a wheel sensor, so they replaced it. I left the dealership with my 15 month old in tow and the car shut off twice. I turned right back around and my car is in the ship again. Found out by looking up the vin that this happened at 11k miles and 27k miles. It happened to me the first time at 55k miles.
GMC has received so many complaints and has yet to fix these issues. I have no choice but to drive the car with my 15 month old. I pray everytime I get in it.
Just purchased a used 2018 GMC terrain and almost ran into a wall on the expressway due to a major brake sensor fault , why are dealerships selling these vehicles?? Why are buyers being put in danger knowing GMC IS AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF THE VEHICLES THEY BUILT! how can consumers get the help we need to stay safe?
I purchased a 2018 GMC terrain denali on Febuary 13th 2020. I wasn’t able to drive it home because the dealership (House of Imports) Told me once we made the deal that the car battery was having issues. So they lended me another vehicle to go home. They said they were gonna fix the battery issue on Feb 14th 2020 and then deliver it to my home. it is Feb 23rd. I got my diagnostic report from on star and it is stating that the vehicle may require immediate service that it is low battery.