YearToAvoid

2012 GMC Terrain Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2012 GMC Terrain has a complaint index of 93, the second-worst of 16 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. Engine problems dominate at 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 85,000, plus 4 recalls covering electrical, structural, and body-control issues.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
93/100
#2 of 16 Terrain years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
364
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
17
reported in complaints
Fires
5
Injuries
19
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 26 hwy
Injuries / deaths
19 / 0

Top 2012 GMC Terrain problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags fail to deploy in moderate-to-severe crashes, including rear-end and rollover incidents, sometimes with injuries.
  • Engine emits a muffled pop followed by white smoke and visible flames under the hood while driving.
  • Owners report the vehicle stalling at low speed with the check engine light on and no dealer diagnosis.
  • The check engine light comes on around 50,000 miles alongside shaking and unexpected shutoffs while idling, with parts replacements not resolving the issue.
  • Excessive oil consumption leads to premature timing chain failure, loss of compression, and engine damage, sometimes with a melted catalytic converter.
  • The sunroof vibrates violently at highway speed with windows open, and dealers state it cannot be repaired.
2012 GMC Terrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter212011 Q42013 Q42015 Q42017 Q42019 Q42021 Q42024 Q12026 Q1
364 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q2 (21).

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
2010Caution73290321.5
2011Avoid100386419.5
2012Avoid93364421.5
2013Avoid87364321.5
2014Good47296221.5

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 second-worst out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 93 and an Avoid verdict. Engine problems make up 49% of its complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the 2012 GMC Terrain?
Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 179 of 364 complaints (49%), with a median failure mileage of 85,000.
Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 Terrain, covering the electrical system, structure and body (power seat height adjuster), and a body control module update. None are do-not-drive recalls.
What year GMC Terrain should I avoid?
Among Terrain model years, 2011 has the worst complaint index at 100, followed closely by 2012 at 93 and 2013 at 87, all rated Avoid. Years 2021 through 2023 and 2025 rate Best.
How many complaints does the 2012 GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA has logged 364 complaints for the 2012 Terrain, including 17 crashes, 5 fires, and 19 injuries, with no reported deaths.

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.