Diagsheet

2018 GMC Terrain · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

  • 25owner reports
  • 22,000median miles
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Aug 10, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

115 of the 219 complaints on this car are about the engine. 25 of those describe stalling. Only brake wear is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

7
7
17
4

What got replaced

Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.

Recalls and investigations

3 recalls on the engine cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

20V-668Oct 29, 2020
Power Train:Automatic Transmission

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.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Missing bolts on the start-stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission oil leak and may progress to a loss of propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Remedy: 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.
18V-358May 31, 2018
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

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.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
17V-516Aug 22, 2017
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft

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.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the front right intermediate drive shaft assembly separates while driving, the vehicle will lose propulsion, increasing the risk of a crash. If the assembly separates while parked on a grade, without the park brake engaged, the vehicle may move unintentionally, increasing the risk of a vehicle roll-away.
Remedy: 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.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 4,200 and 55,200 miles, from the 17 reports that gave a mileage.

318
719
421
222
323
424
125
126

What owners wrote

“Timing chain. It had no warning and failed due to poor design and gm in Europe fixed/addressed the issue by installing a plate behind the tensioner a part that isn’t available in the us.”

Filed May 5, 2025

“I was driving my vehicle, there was no indication that the vehicle was in need of servicing or that something was wrong with the vehicle, no check engine lights were on. The vehicle stopped in mid traffic, just completely shut down in active traffic. I had to serve my vehicle in to the curb/median to stop if from hitting traffic ahead of me.”

Filed May 5, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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