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Common Problems with the 2018 GMC Terrain

Engine Problems:

“The vacuum pump started leaking and the car was parked immediately. When The pump was pulled out to be replaced, the reason for the leak was identified. The vacuum pump had busted into small pieces which are now in the engine.”

“Catalytic converter went out at 101,650 miles and the dealer has no replacement part. This is the diesel engine, almost every other year was recalled and they extended the warranty to 100,000 miles. And they stopped making this engine. Seems like they should at the least have a replacement part for a car 5 1/2 years old. They also said the 2017 were recalled, this vehicle was built Jan 2018. The vehicle currently will only go 5 MPH so it cant be driven. There was no warning of the failure.”

“I have a 2018 GMC TERRAIN which I bought brand new from General Motors. In May 2022, the vehicle started jerking/hoping and trying to stall when the speed gets to 55 miles per hour or higher. I have taken it to the dealership on three different occasions for repair and I still have this issue. General Motors engineers were involved in every step of the repairs. They just do not know what is going on with the car or fix it and they are too stubborn. The dealership told me today that they cannot do anything else to the car. They also said they had a code from the engine last week and General Motors said they do not know what that code means. They are forcing me to accept/drive the car in this unsafe condition. I have contacted them multiple times and they do not care.”

Powertrain, Transmission Issues:

“Transmission failed. Unable to purchase a replacement as there are no available transmissions for this year terrain.”

“While driving in the rain at about 25-30 mph I noticed a loss of propulsion and before I could turn off the main road the vehicle came to a rolling stop and would not recognize any gears. causing us to block the roadway and had to have it towed home. Took to local car dealer they said it RDCCM abnormal errors like u0422-00 and brake control module errors. Further diagnostics were need to figure out the cause and it possible that the Transmission is having problems now! This should be recalled.”

“The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the brakes became inoperable. While the vehicle was in park(P), the gear shifter inadvertently shifted into an unintended gear. The brake assist warning light was flashing. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the vacuum pump and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired four times but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact to take the vehicle to a local dealer if the failure recurred. There was no additional assistance provided. The approximate failure mileage was 131,000.”

Electrical System Problems:

“Temperature sensor for the engine went out...which now affects my remote start not to work”

“Radio, hands free calling, and light on mirror shorting out. None of them work. It’s like it has a short in the wiring.”

“Multiple warning lights are appearing at once (Automatic brake assist, forward collision assist, parking brake released) When the car is put in reverse, the radio turns off for a brief moment and the steering assist warning shows on the dash. The steering wheel snatches back in the opposite direction causing a safety concern. The car also completely cuts off after the auto-stop takes effect at red lights causing me to have to pump the brakes at least twice to re-ignite and be able to accelerate.”

“When restarting after vehicle "auto stop" I am getting "service brake assist" and occasionally "service ESC" warnings. These warnings were associated with brake failure in GM SUV's and pickups and were subject to a recall. No such recall exists for the Terrain. I haven't yet experienced a brake failure but GM seems to want to wait until I do to fix the problem.”

Brake Problems:

“Driving on highway and all of a sudden I could not break - the car breaks failed to operate - had to slowdown by it self and pull to a McDonalds, I had the loss of effective braking with no warning whatsoever. We found out that the Break Booster Pump was destroyed without any warning from the electronics of the SUV.”

“Braking assist message is appearing and braking is extremely hard at low speed. You have to push down hard on brake to get car to stop.”

“I was coming to a stop with my vehicle and the brakes would not work. I carefully got my car home and to a shop. It was determined that the break booster pump broke which caused metal parts to go into the engine. Now my engine is blown! Bought my car brand new in 2018 and kept up with regular vehicle maintenance has 90k miles.”

Sources: www.nhtsa.gov, carcomplaints.com

California Lemon Law and How Valero Law Can Assist

The California Lemon Law provides vital protection for consumers who have purchased or leased vehicles afflicted by defects, including the 2018 GMC Terrain. If you're dealing with persistent issues that haven't been effectively resolved despite reasonable repair attempts, or if your vehicle has spent a substantial amount of time out of service due to repairs, you might have strong grounds for a Lemon Law case.

Valero Law, a respected Lemon Law attorney firm, specializes in supporting individuals navigating challenges like those encountered with the 2018 GMC Terrain. With a deep understanding of the intricacies within Lemon Law cases, we can adeptly guide you through the legal process. Whether it entails negotiating with the manufacturer for a buyback or replacement, or pursuing a legal claim to protect your rights, Valero Law is committed to advocating for your interests. If the ongoing problems with your GMC Terrain are affecting your driving experience, it's wise to consider seeking the expertise of Valero Law to explore your options and pursue resolution through the California Lemon Law.