2012 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls & Reliability
500 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2012 GMC Terrain, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 97/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 87,289 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2012 GMC Terrain sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2021–2022.
Avoid
Where 2012 sits among all Terrain years
What owners report
“This suv has an oil consumption and it caused it to blow the timing chain and mess my motor up.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Terrain
“I was driving in the rain on the highway and my windshield wipers just stopped working. The motor still runs but the wipers will not move”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Terrain
“When i come complete stop or waiting for the light to change. The truck shakes or act it wants cut only with eco button is push on. This does not happen while driving only when i come your complete stop. If the is cut off do not have problem runs fine. Dealer was in form he said nothing they can…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Terrain
“The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Terrain
“Excessive engine oil consumption. Timing chain failure. Pistons, rings, exhaust manifold, muffler, door regulator, wiper motor, transmission failure. Vehicle cannot be driven”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Terrain
“My terrain is stalling really bad some days and sometimes no problems at all. It does it more when going into reverse, i have to keep giving gas to get backed up. It has also died on me when i slow to a stop like at a light. This is really frustrating!!”— owner report to NHTSA, 2012 Terrain
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 331 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 81,534 miles. Half of those reports fall between 57,000 and 106,122 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 22V165000.
Technical service bulletins
1,839 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2012 Terrain TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2012 GMC Terrain reliable?
The 2012 GMC Terrain drew 500 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 97/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 2012 GMC Terrain problems?
The top reported problems for the 2012 GMC Terrain are engine (174 complaints), visibility & wipers (82), and other (50).
At what mileage do 2012 GMC Terrain problems show up?
Owners most often report 2012 GMC Terrain problems around 81,534 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 57,000 and 106,122 miles.
Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2012 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.