YearToAvoid

2012 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

87/100

#3 most-complained of 16 Terrain years

The 2012 GMC Terrain has 364 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 87, ranking 3rd worst of 16 model years. Engine problems make up 49% of complaints, with owners reporting stalling and failures near a median of 85,000 miles.

Complaints
364
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
17 / 5
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 26 hwy

Top 2012 GMC Terrain problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine179 (49%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers80 (22%)
  3. Electrical System40 (11%)
  4. Other37 (10%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain37 (10%)
  6. Fuel System29 (8%)
  7. Airbags25 (7%)
  8. Brakes17 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body16 (4%)
  10. Seat Belts9 (2%)

What owners report

  • Airbags failed to deploy in multiple crash scenarios, including one at approximately 35 mph and another after a vehicle went airborne off the road.
  • A driver's airbag reportedly burst open, smoked, and emitted debris without deploying after a rear-end collision.
  • Engine compartment produced a muffled pop followed by white smoke and flames while accelerating to pass another vehicle.
  • Check engine light illuminated at 50,000 miles along with the car cutting off in drive and shaking, with the issue reportedly unresolved after part replacements.
  • Excessive oil consumption reportedly led to timing chain failure, loss of power, a blown engine, and a melted catalytic converter.
  • Sunroof vibrated violently when rear windows were opened at highway speed, with the dealer stating the vehicle was designed that way.
2012 GMC Terrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter252011 Q42013 Q42015 Q42017 Q42019 Q42021 Q42024 Q12026 Q1
489 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q4 (25).

2012 GMC Terrain recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V137000Mar 8, 2022Electrical System740,581 vehicles

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles

    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.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 14V447000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body414,333 vehicles

    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.

    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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2012 GMC Terrain →

2012 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,025
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Terrain years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid80290221.5
2011Avoid100386419.5
2012Avoid87364421.5
2013Avoid93364321.5
2014Caution73296221.5

All GMC Terrain years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 GMC Terrain reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2012 Terrain ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 87 and 364 complaints logged.
What is the biggest problem with the 2012 GMC Terrain?
Engine problems are the top complaint area, accounting for 49% of all complaints (179 of 364), with a median failure mileage of 85,000 miles.
Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2012 Terrain, covering the electrical system, structure/body height adjuster bolts, and a body control module update; none are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2012 Terrain compare to other Terrain years?
The 2012 model has a complaint index of 87, worse than most other years except 2011 (100). Later years like 2021 (index 0) and 2022 (index 7) rank far better.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 GMC Terrain?
The 2012 Terrain gets 21.5 mpg combined (18.5 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025 according to EPA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.