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2012 GMC Terrain problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2012 GMC Terrain has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 4safety recalls
- 370owner complaints
- 17crash reports
- 5fire reports
- 19injuries reported
The most complained-about GMC Terrain year on file: 370 complaints, against an average of 153 for the other 14 model years.
Every GMC Terrain model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2012 GMC Terrain?
The components named most often in the 370 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2012 GMC Terrain owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 370 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why is my 2012 GMC Terrain burning or losing oil?76 owners · 20.5%
- Why do the windshield wipers stop working on my 2012 GMC Terrain?65 owners · 17.6%
- Why does my 2012 GMC Terrain stall, lose power or shut off while driving?60 owners · 16.2%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2012 GMC Terrain?37 owners · 10%
- What causes a knocking, ticking or rattling noise in the 2012 GMC Terrain engine?35 owners · 9.5%
- Has the 2012 GMC Terrain had engine failures?17 owners · 4.6%
- Why does my 2012 GMC Terrain idle rough, misfire or hesitate?13 owners · 3.5%
- Why won't my 2012 GMC Terrain start?12 owners · 3.2%
Has the 2012 GMC Terrain been recalled?
4 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Exterior Lighting: Headlights 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 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."
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 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 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.
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.
What do 2012 GMC Terrain owners report?
12 of the 370 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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 traffic to avoid T boning me. I took it to 2 different places to get a diagnosis reading and both places said it was a catalyst problem, and I was told that there was a recall about that because of engine oil clogging it up. My car has been using more oil…
The engine blew. This was already the 2nd engine in the car. Oil consumption. Metal in the oil. No signs. Needs new engine
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 center for diagnosis. 4. During the incident, the “Engine Power Reduced” warning indicator illuminated just before the loss of power occurred. 5. As the vehicle slowed and came to a complete stop at an intersection, it remained unresponsive. When the…
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. The rear undercarriage of this vehicle shows heavy structural corrosion on suspension brackets and mounts. The condition produces clanging noises during normal driving, and an independent licensed mechanic has refused to work on the vehicle because the…
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 148,116.
I think the manifold on GMC Terrain need to be on a recall because mine already cracked.
I was driving while it was raining. The wipers stopped working. The driverside wiper jumped partially off the windshield. I had my mechanic inspect it. The fuses, relay, and wiper motor are operational. The bushing on the wiper transmission failed. I found the following recall. Special Coverage Adjustment N192266181 Wiper Transmission Arm Linkage Failure – USA Only Release Date: July 2022. However, my VIN does not have this as an applicable recall.
Windshield wipers quit working. I can hear something, but blades don't move. I see the 2014-15 have a recall.
The display screen of GPS/Radio is blackout combined intermittent control button illuminating light went off( include emergency, A/C control), backup camera stopped working, turning signal lost click sound. Safety concern: 1. Emergency and A/C control buttons lost illuminating light(Causing night driving difficult.). 2. AC vent the temperature control lost visual status cause distraction of normal driving. 3. Lost Backup camera function which is supposed to be an assisted safety feature. 4. Lost turning signal click sound which leads to missing alert of turning signal malfunction. 5. Complete…
When I stop at the light my car shake and rocks, then the car goes into limp mode. Where the stabilitrack comes on and the engine goes into reduced mode. And I can't go over 30mps. When this happened on the freeway is the most dangerous and scary feeling ever. I've got So many new parts and put over 3,000 into the car and it still has this issue. I've been do several different mechanics and nobody can figure out what's wrong. Gm needs to look into this, it's so many forums going on for this issue.
DASH CRACKS EVERYWHERE, ALL ATTACHMENT POINTS ARE CRACKING. NO APPARENT REASON OTHER THAN USING A UN U.V PROTECTED PLASTIC.
EMISSION CONTROL HAS WENT OUT TWICE WITHIN 3 MONTHS OF BEING FIXED. CAM SHAFT BOTH SIDES HAD TO BE REPLACED. 4 TIMES WITH 6 MONTHS THE FUEL LIGHT HAS CAME ON STATING THE CAP NEEDS REPAIRED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS REPLACED. ALTERNATOR, BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED OCTOBER 2019, WHILE IN ANOTHER SATE. ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN FEB. 2019. ELECTRICAL SHORTAGE BECAUSE OF PREVIOUS RIGHT SIDE DAMAGE. THROTTLE HAS WENT OUT, WHILE DRIVING 65 ON HIGHWAYS. STABILITY CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. CRANKSHAFT WAS REPLACED. EXHAUST LEAK. BODY CONTROL SHORT, JERKING WHILE DRIVING, TIMING WARNING
2012 GMC Terrain: questions owners ask
Is the 2012 GMC Terrain reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 370 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 GMC Terrain; the most common categories were engine (170, 45.9%), visibility/wiper (74, 20%), power train (37, 10%). There are 4 safety recalls. 17 complaints mention a crash, 5 mention a fire, 19 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Terrain?
Across 370 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (45.9% of complaints), visibility/wiper (20% of complaints), power train (10% of complaints), electrical system (8.9% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (7.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 GMC Terrain; the most recent (campaign 22V137000, 2022-03-08) concerns Exterior Lighting: Headlights. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is my 2012 GMC Terrain burning or losing oil?
76 of the 370 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain (20.5%) describe excessive oil consumption or oil leaks. One owner wrote: "The engine blew. This was already the 2nd engine in the car. Oil consumption. Metal in the oil. No signs. Needs new engine" (NHTSA complaint 11722888, March 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why do the windshield wipers stop working on my 2012 GMC Terrain?
65 of the 370 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain (17.6%) describe windshield wipers stopping or failing. One owner wrote: "I was driving while it was raining. The wipers stopped working. The driverside wiper jumped partially off the windshield. I had my mechanic inspect it. The fuses, relay, and wiper motor are operational. The bushing on the wiper transmission failed." (NHTSA complaint 11545190, September 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2012 GMC Terrain stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
60 of the 370 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain (16.2%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "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…" (NHTSA complaint 11699710, November 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2012 GMC Terrain?
37 of the 370 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain (10%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Evap emission control leak detected As the check engine light comes on, when hooking a computer up to the car for a scan it pulls a code stating there is an evap leak." (NHTSA complaint 11612482, September 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
What causes a knocking, ticking or rattling noise in the 2012 GMC Terrain engine?
35 of the 370 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain (9.5%) describe a knocking, ticking or rattling engine noise. One owner wrote: "It appears the timing chain is bad. The vehicle only has 84000 miles and currently the engine turns off and you just coast to a stop in the middle of driving." (NHTSA complaint 11608613, August 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Has the 2012 GMC Terrain had engine failures?
17 of the 370 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain (4.6%) describe complete engine failure or a replaced engine. One owner wrote: "The engine blew. This was already the 2nd engine in the car. Oil consumption. Metal in the oil. No signs. Needs new engine" (NHTSA complaint 11722888, March 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2012 GMC Terrain idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
13 of the 370 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain (3.5%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "Code-p0014-camshaft positionb timing over-advanced or system.code-p0300 random/muitiple cylinder misfire.computerized engine analysis.recalls#50490-50491" (NHTSA complaint 11375295, November 2020). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why won't my 2012 GMC Terrain start?
12 of the 370 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain (3.2%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "Once again, timing chain incident, this time while driving, wasn't expecting it, suddenly my Terrain steering when became stiff to turn, and happened to realize the car motor had shut off and rolling to the right, nearly hitting parked car." (NHTSA complaint 11442702, December 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Terrain
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2012 only.