repaired · 2024 Q2
Exterior lighting: headlights
Risk. The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 GMC TerrainProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 364 owner complaints about the 2012 GMC Terrain, most often about the engine. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 22V-137 the manufacturer reports only 32% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 2, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 GMC Terrain has problems
364 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
169Engine5 crash/fire/injury
74Visibility/wiper
37Power train2 crash/fire/injury
32Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
28Fuel/propulsion system
25Air bags
13Electronic stability control (ESC)
12Structure
11Vehicle speed control
6213 other systems7 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 169 | 5 |
| Visibility/wiper | 74 | 0 |
| Power train | 37 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 32 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 0 |
| Air bags | 25 | 17 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 13 | 0 |
| Structure | 12 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 2 |
| 13 other systems | 62 | 7 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2012 GMC Terrain recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2018 Q1
Electrical system: ignition
Risk. If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2016 Q1
Front assembly: power adjust
Risk. If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
no report yet
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Risk. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.
Mileage at failure
When do engine problems start?
85kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 115 engine complaints. 68% were reported before 100,000 miles.
7under 30k miles78under 100k miles37100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Engine
11 owners mentioned a cost$1,800median
Middle half: $825 – $3,300
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Terrain year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Terrain median. How we score
'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 GMC Terrain safety ratings
2012 GMC Terrain SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★Overall rating
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.4% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Optional
- Lane departure warning: Optional
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 GMC Terrain, and the recalls they led to.
- Front Wiper Transmission InoperativeLed to recall 22V-165
- Momentary Increased Steering EffortNo recall
- Windshield Wiper Transmission FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Terrain owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
My car has started stalling and dying when i slow down, take off or when idling. No power when accelerated, and the smell of exhaust comes into my car. I was making a turn from a red light and my car spit, sputtered, and died right in the middle of the busy intersection. I was almost hit from the…
The engine blew. This was already the 2nd engine in the car. Oil consumption. Metal in the oil. No signs. Needs new engine
The oil is depleting every month from the vehicle. Every 2-3 weeks I have to put oil in the vehicle because the oil is being absorbed. Is there a recall on this problem.
Own a 2012 Terrain?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.