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SteeringPart report

2018 GMC Terrain Steering Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
3%of 226 total for the year
Median mileage
11,950miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2018 GMC Terrain, 3% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,950 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While driving on a snow- covered road with any amount of snow, the snow gets packed inside of the wheels and throws the wheel balance off causing the steering wheel to shimmy badly at highway speeds. I have to remove the snow pack evvery day, and I believe that this is an aerodynamic design flaw with the wheels where the snow doesn't get blown out of the wheel while the car is in motion.”

NHTSA complaint #11192431, filed 2019-03, 12,000 miles

“When I am driving the power steering doesnt work well and the steering is hard to turn and keep vehicle in its lane it also does not come back to the strait position or center if its turning left you have to bring it straight and it is hard to turn so it goes back and forth roughly I feel it lookslike I am drunk driving or something is wrong with the operator but its in the steering maybe the speed sensing part or something but the service center at the dealership says it drives the way it is supposed to it is when I am driving with the gas on so it seems to be speed sensing”

NHTSA complaint #11162648, filed 2018-12, 6,000 miles

“The vehicle was in motion making a right hand turn and in the turn the operator lost control of the vehicle causing her to strike a curb then head for oncoming traffic. When it was all said and done it looked like the ball joint had failed causing the loss of control. A bystander said he heard a loud pop and looked up and witnessed the vehicle slide into the curb and then see the front left tire lock up and the vehicle come to a stop.”

NHTSA complaint #11209117, filed 2019-05, 11,950 miles

“Dear [Manufacturer], I am writing to report a serious safety concern with my [year, make, model]. A bolt from the idler arm/undercarriage came off after becoming severely rusted. I had the vehicle inspected by a repair shop, but they could not determine why the bolt failed or why it had rusted to this extent. This is extremely concerning because a failure of this component while driving could potentially result in loss of control and a serious accident. I am asking the manufacturer to investigate this issue and determine whether this is a known defect or corrosion-related problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11767009, filed 2026-09

“My husband and son were involved in an almost fatal accident on 07/08/23 in our 2018 Terrain. My husband described that the vehicle spontaneously veered to the right uncontrollably, he was unable to steer to correct the vehicle, unable to brake, they went airborne, hit several poles and a transformer, rolled and flipped several times. All the airbags deployed.After the accident, I found a recall notice from back in 2017, I believe, regarding the drive train. My husband was extricated from the vehicle. My son wasble to cut the seatbelt and crawl out the window. …”

NHTSA complaint #11531130, filed 2023-07

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202639%
2025323%
202424%
202312%
202113%
202032%
201942%
201873%
201721%
201664%
201521%
201452%
2013154%
201272%
2011154%
2010124%

Other parts of the 2018 GMC Terrain

Brakes
83 complaints
Engine
55 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
42 complaints
Other or unknown
36 complaints
Electrical system
35 complaints
Fuel system
17 complaints
Air bags
14 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
8 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Electronic stability control
7 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 GMC Terrain

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology