VehicleVerdict

2012 GMC Terrain problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 500 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Terrain year — the 2012 model ranks #2 of 17 Terrain years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 34 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 174 reports (35% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

500

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

30

Crash-involved

12

Fires reported

34

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2012 compare to other Terrain years?

See all Terrain years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 GMC Terrain problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine17435%
Visibility & Wipers8216%
Electrical System459%
Other377%
Transmission377%
Fuel System296%
Airbags255%
Body & Structure122%
Speed Control112%
Lighting102%
Seat Belts92%
Steering71%
Tires & Wheels61%
Brakes51%
Suspension41%
Seats41%
Driver Assistance31%

Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V137000LightingMarch 8, 2022 · 740,581 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.

16V502000Electrical SystemJuly 5, 2016 · 8,367 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

14V447000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 414,333 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.

Consequence

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 crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.

11V511000Tires & WheelsOctober 19, 2011 · 33,964 units

Defect

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 18, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM" (TPMS). THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE PRESSURE IN A TIRE IS 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL THE TIRE PRESSURE IS MORE THAN 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE.

Consequence

UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. THE RESULTING CRASH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN ALSO RESULT IN PREMATURE OR IRREGULAR WEAR, POOR HANDLING, AND POOR FUEL ECONOMY.

Remedy

GM DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE TOLL WAY AND WENT TO PASS A VEHICLE GOING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT. UPON ACCELERATION (APPROX 53 MPH), I HEARD A MUFFLED POP IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WHITE SMOKE TRAILED THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF PRIOR AND I DO NOT RECALL SEEING ANY AFTER THE "POP". I STOPPED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 8, 2016 · fire

I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 ON 3/29/2020 WHEN IT STARTED RAINING I TURN ON MY WIPERS AND IT STARTED OKAY AT FIRST ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY STOP WORKING I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT I PULLED OVER TO THE SERVICE ROAD AND WAITED UNTIL THE RAIN STOPPED I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. WHAT DO I DO NOW I DON'T HAVE THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · March 29, 2020

ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS WHEN SLOWING DOWN OR TURNING, THE ENGINE WILL DIE. FRONT END ACCIDENT GOING 55+ MPH ON A COUNTRY ROAD, HIT A VERY LARGE DIP, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, SEAT BELTS DID LOCK UP.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 6, 2015 · crash

My 4 cyl. AWD GMC Terrain has had excessive oil use which caused premature failure of the timing chain, loss of power/compression, blown engine, damage to exhaust manifold, cellinoids, and melted the catalytic converter. Its was a road safety, poor emissions due to failed catalytic converter.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 24, 2023 · fire

SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN VEHICLE SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE, RESULTED IN EXTREME HIGH SPEED ACCELERATION AND NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH IMPACT CRASH INTO GARAGE SIDE WALL. ALSO AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. ASSUME THROTTLE WIDE OPEN CAUSING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. INSURANCE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 29, 2016 · crash

2012 GMC Terrain — common questions

Is the 2012 GMC Terrain reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 500 complaints put the 2012 model at #2 of 17 Terrain years. It is one of the Terrain years to avoid.

What are the most common 2012 Terrain problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (174 complaints), visibility & wipers (82 complaints), electrical system (45 complaints).

Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2012 GMC Terrain under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Terrain years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Terrain years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010. The cleanest record among Terrain years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2012 GMC Terrain?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2012 GMC Terrain earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.