2012 Gmc Terrain problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (109) · Visibility/Wiper (73) · Power Train (29)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Terrain model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
258 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-03-08 · campaign 22V137000 · 740,581 vehicles
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."
Risk: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:ignition 2016-07-05 · campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles
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 lever
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust 2014-07-23 · campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles
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.
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 crash.
Fix: 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.
Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems 2011-10-19 · campaign 11V511000 · 33,964 vehicles
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 LIG
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,842)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,842 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 rear and another car had to go into on coming traff…”
2026-03-09 · Engine“the engine blew. this was already the 2nd engine in the car. oil consumption. metal in the oil. no signs. needs new engine …”
2026-02-25 · 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.…”
2025-11-16 · Power Train“ 1. the engine suddenly lost power while driving during evening rush hour and the vehicle would no longer accelerate. 2. because the vehicle could not maintain speed, i was unable to keep up with traffic, creating a serious safety hazard that could have resulted in a major accident. 3. the vehicle has been inspected by an independent service ce…”
2025-10-15 · Unknown Or Other“liftgate automatically closing and failure to remain open causing a safety hazard for anyone standing at the liftgate. …”
2025-10-06 · Engine · 100,000 mi“the contact's uncle owns a 2012 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while driving 34-35 mph, the vehicle stalled. there was no warning light illuminated. the contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool down. the contact drove to the residence under 15 mph. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was …”
2025-09-15 · Wheels“gmc consumer relations subject: structural undercarriage safety defect – 2012 gmc terrain sle vehicle information: year/make/model: 2012 gmc terrain sle vin: [xxx] mileage at purchase: 148,305 date of purchase: [xxx] location: rochester, new york i am filing a complaint regarding a severe undercarriage safety defect in my 2012 gmc terrain sle. t…”
2025-05-21 · Air Bags · 148,116 mi“the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 1…”
2025-03-19 · Engine“i have excessive oil consumption. i noticed the issue after getting my 3000-mile oil change. the technician said i only had 1 quart of oil, which i thought was extremely low. every 2000 miles, my oil dipstick reports abnormally low oil levels. i am concerned that when i go on an extended road trip, i will have engine issues that will leave me and m…”
2025-02-03 · Engine“car burns oil bad . got an oil change and it only took 12 days to go dry with no oil …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.