2012 Gmc TERRAIN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
364 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
81,534 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 259 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 169 of 364 complaints (46.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 49 | 13.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 31 | 8.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 20 | 5.5% |
| Braking behavior | 15 | 4.1% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 3.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 169 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 74 |
| Power Train | 37 |
| Unknown Or Other | 37 |
| Electrical System | 30 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 28 |
| Air Bags | 25 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 13 |
Engine: 169; Visibility/Wiper: 74; Power Train: 37; Unknown Or Other: 37; Electrical System: 30; Fuel/Propulsion System: 28; Air Bags: 25; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 26 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 58 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 69 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 70 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 26; 50,000 to 74,999: 58; 75,000 to 99,999: 69; 100,000 to 149,999: 70; 150,000 and above: 10
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (70). 105 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 14 |
| 2016 | 22 |
| 2017 | 47 |
| 2018 | 56 |
| 2019 | 67 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 33 |
| 2022 | 26 |
| 2023 | 16 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 8 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2011: 1; 2012: 9; 2013: 8; 2014: 6; 2015: 14; 2016: 22; 2017: 47; 2018: 56; 2019: 67; 2020: 33; 2021: 33; 2022: 26; 2023: 16; 2024: 15; 2025: 8; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 49 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 31 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 20 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10438162 · 2011-12-02 (December 2, 2011)
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10438162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10448734 · 2012-02-21 (February 21, 2012)
2012 GMC TERRAIN. CONSUMER STATES THE PASSENGER SEATS AIR BAG SYSTEM AND CONSTRUCTION MAKE THE VEHICLE UNCOMFORTABLE AND INITIALLY UNSAFE FOR HIS WIFE *TGW A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER'S WIFE USED A SEAT CUSHION TO CONFORM TO THE SEAT AND THE THEY SOON DISCOVERED THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT ENGAGE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10448734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10458530 · 2012-05-15 (May 15, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE CONTACT OPENED THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS AND NOTICED THE SUNROOF BEGAN TO VIBRATE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY; THEREFORE, THERE ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VIBRATION. WHEN THE CONTACT OPENED THE FRONT AND REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS THE VIBRATION DID NOT OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILE…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10466384 · 2012-07-18 (July 18, 2012)
?ON APRIL 16TH OUR SON WAS DRIVING ON FAIRVIEW RD. AND TRAVELING THROUGH A GREEN LIGHT WHEN A CAR THAT RAN A RED LIGHT HIT HIM. ?HIS CAR ? A GMC 2012 TERRAIN WAS HIT MULTIPLE TIMES ? DRIVER'S FRONT END, FRONT END AND SPUN AROUND FROM THE FORCE AND HIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ?[XXX] WAS IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED BY ON STAR, THEY CALLED POLICE, HIS CAR WAS TOTALED ?ON 4/21 I EMAILED GMC AND ASKED WHAT DEPARTMENT I WOULD CONTACT TO FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING CALL FROM GMC [phone removed] …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10466384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10466485 · 2012-07-18 (July 18, 2012)
PURCHASED 2012 GMC TERRAIN IN JUNE 2012. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE I NOTICED THE STEERING IS VERY STIFF AND MAKES GRINDING SOUND WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL. HAD TO DEALER SINCE AND THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO THE TIRES PRESSURE. THEY SAID THEY PUT IN CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE AND SAID IT SHOULD CORRECT PROBLEM. IT DIDN'T SO I TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND THEY TEST DROVE IT AND SAID THEY NOTICED ALSO HOW STIFF THE STEERING IS. WAS TOLD THAT OTHER MODELS SAME YEAR AND MODE STEERING WERE STIFF. DID NOTHING AT THAT TIME AND TOLD TO KEEP DRIVING AND SEE IF…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10466485 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10477166 · 2012-09-26 (September 26, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE FELL ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WENT AIRBORNE APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET, LANDING ON ALL FOUR TIRES. THE VEHICLE THEN TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED BACK AS A RESULT. A POLICE OFFICER WITNESSED THE INCIDENT AND FILED A REPORT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10477166 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10479383 · 2012-10-09 (October 9, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AT NIGHT TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHO DECIDED TO LIFT THE HEADLIGHT HIGHER. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4. UPDATED 11/14/12*LJ
Owner-reported narrative. 4 miles reported. Look up ODI 10479383 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10482094 · 2012-10-24 (October 24, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A PIECE OF A TIRE IN THE ROAD. THE TIRE STRUCK THE FUEL LINE AND CAUSED THE FUEL LINE TO BECOME DETACHED. AS A RESULT, GASOLINE FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL OVER THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE FUEL LINE WAS REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING TO PROTECT THE FUEL LINE FROM SUBSEQUENT CONTACT WITH ROAD DEBRIS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482094 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
11V511000 · Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Reported: 2011-10-19 (October 19, 2011)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗14V447000 · Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
Reported: 2014-07-23 (July 23, 2014)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗16V502000 · Electrical System:Ignition | Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Reported: 2016-07-05 (July 5, 2016)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V137000 · Exterior Lighting:Headlights
Reported: 2022-03-08 (March 8, 2022)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗