2018 GMC Terrain Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 19%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,300miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 GMC Terrain, 19% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,300 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2018 Gmc Terrain sle has 41668 miles and has been serviced as needed. Anyhow, sometimes when I am driving, I can feel the power train stall out when driving intermittently. This concerns me as a single parent with a 10 year old child that goes everywhere with me. I just want my vehicle to be safe.”
NHTSA complaint #11404574, filed 2021-03, 40,899 miles“My vehicle is stalling and stuttering while trying to accelerate. It also does the same when decelerating. The truck will jerk and stutter. Also making noise like a vacuum cleaner while this is going on. I just purchased this vehicle in september 2018 and it has been going on since november 2018”
NHTSA complaint #11169853, filed 2019-01, 2,500 miles“The car keeps revving and doesn't shift into gear. You have to lift your foot off the gas pedal and give it a few seconds and them press it again. However when you press the gas again the car jumps into gear causing the steering wheel to jerk either left or right. It either revs too high or it feels like it downshifts. This last time, 9/8/20, I just reversed out of my driveway onto my residential street, going about 18 MPH when the car would not shift into 2nd gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #11354314, filed 2020-09, 18,500 miles“My auto started leaking some kind of oil.not sure what kind but I can see accumulation on driveway concrete pad. Had motor oil & filter changed in case it was a o-ring or not tight enough. It continues to leak.”
NHTSA complaint #11405404, filed 2021-03, 65,000 miles“First issue with the vehicle was a separation of the dash near and around the passenger side airbag. Unknown at this time if the airbag has been compromised. I won't know until the vehicle would be involved in an accident. The second issue involves the vehicle while in park. I am able to push the vehicle and it will actually move forward. There is also a very hard shift while the vehicle is in motion. This occurs usually between 2k and 3 k rpms. The vehicle will actually jerk as it is trying to shift.”
NHTSA complaint #11103448, filed 2018-06, 2,500 milesRelated recalls
- 20V668000Oct 29, 2020General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Chevrolet Cruze and Buick LaCrosse, 2018-2020 Chevrolet Equinox, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain…Covers: GMC Terrain 2018–2020, Chevrolet Equinox 2018–2020, Traverse 2018–2020 +9 more
- 17V516000Aug 22, 2017General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles and 2017-2018 GMC Acadia vehicles. The right front intermediate…Covers: GMC Terrain 2018, Acadia 2017–2018, Chevrolet Equinox 2018
Related service bulletins
- 11019516Apr 17, 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011989Nov 27, 2024This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
- 11011904Nov 18, 2024This service bulletin provides 9th gear operation information to respond to customers that may comment on transmission shift operation.
- 11011225Oct 29, 2024This service bulletin advises the tech that the rotational Clicking Noise Heard After Engine Shut Down may be normal characteristics of the vehicle.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010651Oct 10, 2024This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30…
- 11009756Sep 17, 2024This bulletin provides information on Policies Applicable to All U.S. Dealers for Engine and Transmission Assembly Replacement Under Warranty, Policy or Customer Enthusiasm and…
- 11009088Sep 16, 2024This service bulletin provides information on some vehicles that may rock or move slightly forward or rearward while in Park at start up after cold soak. This condition may be…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 15% |
| 2025 | 4 | 31% |
| 2024 | 23 | 43% |
| 2023 | 8 | 20% |
| 2022 | 8 | 13% |
| 2021 | 8 | 22% |
| 2020 | 28 | 14% |
| 2019 | 53 | 28% |
| 2018 | 42 | 19% |
| 2017 | 24 | 18% |
| 2016 | 11 | 7% |
| 2015 | 21 | 7% |
| 2014 | 33 | 11% |
| 2013 | 44 | 12% |
| 2012 | 37 | 10% |
| 2011 | 76 | 20% |
| 2010 | 51 | 18% |
Other parts of the 2018 GMC Terrain
83 complaintsEngine
55 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsAir bags
14 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsElectronic stability control
7 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSeat 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 29, 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