Owner complaint record
2012 GMC Terrain Problems and Recalls: What Owners Report
This page shows the problems 2012 GMC Terrain owners reported to NHTSA, the federal agency that tracks car safety: 364 complaints sorted by system, the mileage they started at, and the recalls to check before you buy.
NHTSA owner complaintsChecked Oct 2, 2026364 complaintsFederal file of Aug 25, 2026
Model year2012
- 202512No page yet
- 202448No page yet
- 202337No page yet
- 202252No page yet
- 202134No page yet
- 2020191No page yet
- 2019181No page yet
- 2018216No page yet
- 2017133No page yet
- 2016152No page yet
- 2015297No page yet
- 2014296No page yet
- 2013364No page yet
- 2012364
- 2011386No page yet
- 2010290No page yet
-6% vs 2011
169 complaints, 46% of the total
half of the engine reports that give a mileage came before this
16 mention an injury, 5 a fire
The engine leads the 2012 GMC Terrain record at 46%, with wiper system next at 20%. Of the engine reports that give a mileage, half came before 85,000 miles. The costliest part on our cost list is the wiper linkage, $27 to $59 for the part alone.
It's a count of reports, not a failure rate. Use it to decide what to inspect before buying, not to grade the car.
Oil burning runs through the engine, powertrain and fuel complaints alike. The wiper complaints describe the arm coming loose from the motor, often in the rain.
2012 GMC Terrain overview
The 2012 Terrain came with a 2.4-liter four or a 3.0-liter six-cylinder, both with a six-speed automatic, in front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Owners filed 6% fewer complaints about the 2012 than the 2011 (386), and the engine leads both years. The 2013 drew 364, with engine named most.
- Power
- 264 hp at 6,950 rpm
- Torque
- 222 lb-ft at 5,100 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
- Power
- 182 hp at 6,700 rpm
- Torque
- 172 lb-ft
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Direct injection
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
Fuel economy from EPA fueleconomy.gov; power and torque from Kelley Blue Book's spec pages.
Is the 2012 GMC Terrain reliable?
Owners filed more complaints about the 2012 GMC Terrain than about any other Terrain year except 2011, and the engine draws the largest share. The four checks below are what the federal record can say; none of them is a reliability score.
- 2ndCompared with other Terrain years364 complaints, the 2nd most of 16 model years (2011 has 386).By model year
- 46%The system named mostEngine, in 169 complaints. Half of the engine reports that give a mileage came before 85,000 miles.Problems by system
- 4Recalls4 recall campaigns cover the 2012 GMC Terrain.Recalls
- 17Crashes, injuries, fires17 complaints mention a crash, 16 an injury and 5 a fire.
A complaint count is not a failure rate: the record doesn't say how many were sold, so a popular year draws more reports.
2012 GMC Terrain problems by system
Every complaint to NHTSA names the part of the car that gave the owner trouble, such as the engine or the steering. The cards below sort the 364 complaints about the 2012 GMC Terrain that way, largest first: open one to read what owners wrote, when it usually starts, and what to check.
Engine46%169 complaintsBurning oil, stalling, rattling at idle
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What owners describe
Getting a rattling/whining sound from my car, and when I come to stop it shakes an vibrates. Just purchased this vehicle about 6 months ago from a dealership, I very a little worried about this vehicle. Pleae advivse me on what to do. Can not afford to fix any major problems. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The rear main seal comprimised and caused the low oil pressure stip engine light to come on. My mechanic added oil and it poured out. He tried to get the part and he could only locate at dealersgip 200 miles awat. Apparebtly this has been occurring often with vehicles with this engine.
LAVATNLARead 4 more owner reports+4
This engine burns through oil at an accelerated rate. My car has 48,000 miles on it and the engine is almost dead. The car stalls or shuts off when stopped at a red light, stop sign etc.
Have a serious oil consumption problem have to have oil changed every 500 miles, it starts to shake when start up it turns off keep getting camshaft codes also got misfire code
"fuel sensor" issue. I took my car to gmc dealership to get the battery replaced after only 4 years and while they had it the fuel sensor went out and I could not tell how much gas I had in the car. They would not repair it because they claimed it went out on its on.
2012 gmc terrain makes a clicking noise when pressing acceleration pedal. I habe changed oil, plugs and belts but still can't find source of tapping. Also my tires are new, less then a year and constantly show low pressure. I have checked for nails but none found.
When it starts
Usually starts around 85,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 62,000 and 110,000.
What to do
Check the oil level and ask how often it needs topping up.
Wiper system20%74 complaintsWipers that stop in the rain, arm loose from the motor
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What owners describe
My windshield wipers quite working in the middle of a downpour while on the interstate. I took it to the dealership and there charging me a $200 deductible to repair this issue that has affected millions of vehicles. My husband almost crashed into another car while trying to pull over on the shoulder. We were left sitting in a storm for over 2 hours waiting for the weather to clear up. This is a huge safety risk.
While driving straight in the rain, the windshield wipers quit working. Diagnosis revealed that the windshield wiper transmission had come apart and needed to be replaced. This was the second occurrence of this issue on the same vehicle. The first occurrence was in june 2016
KYMIOHOHRead 4 more owner reports+4
Driving in a rain storm and the bushing came off to release the transmission arm could not see to drive , had to drive 3 hours from home without wipers in the rain
Linkage arm broken from motor. Windshield wiper motor sounded, but would not move. The recall for 2013 should apply to 2012 as well.
While driving 70 mph on an interstate highway in the rain the wipers stopped working. The wiper motor works but it is no longer attached to the blades.
While driving straight on a highway in the rain, the windshield wipers stopped working. Investigation revealed that the wiper transmission had come apart and needed to be replaced. This first occurred in june 2016 when my vehicle had 71048 miles on it. The same issue occurred a second time in august 2018 with 111446 miles on my vehicle.
When it starts
Usually starts around 89,457 miles. Half of owners reported it between 66,250 and 110,884.
What to do
Run the wipers on every speed for a minute.
Powertrain10%37 complaintsCamshaft and misfire codes, slipping, transfer case
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What owners describe
Have a serious oil consumption problem have to have oil changed every 500 miles, it starts to shake when start up it turns off keep getting camshaft codes also got misfire code
Transfer case went at 67k just bought it used at 63k. I had no warranty only 60 day from used dealer I bought it from. Ruined my passenger side axel also when transfer case went $1137 was the bill. 500 for used case 16k 170 for axel 30 for fluid rest in labor. Should be a recall car sounded awful back up and in drive loss a bit of power when driving. Also.
MOWIOHFLRead 4 more owner reports+4
Vehicle's transmission slips and does not respond to an acceleration after a rapid deceleration of at least 40 mph. The vehicle will jerk in response to your attempt to accelerate and then will respond. This can lead to a dangerous situation if you are attempting to avoid a collision by accelerating to get out of the way.
Vehicle was started after sitting in a parking lot for 8 hours while I was at work. Season was winter. Vehicle noted to be running rough, barely driveable, check engine light on.
Code-p0014-camshaft positionb timing over-advanced or system.code-p0300 random/muitiple cylinder misfire.computerized engine analysis.recalls#50490-50491
I just spent 1,600 dollars to replace the timing chain. I know their were recalls on this, I was wondering why my vin and model were not included in these recalls?
When it starts
Usually starts around 87,114 miles. Half of owners reported it between 64,000 and 101,250.
What to do
Drive gently and then briskly, and feel for slipping.
Our guideTransmission Slipping: What It Is, and What Waiting CostsElectrical system8%30 complaintsEngine dying when slowing, warning lights
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What owners describe
On various occasions when slowing down or turning, the engine will die. Front end accident going 55+ mph on a country road, hit a very large dip, airbags did not deploy, seat belts did lock up.
Recent problems with my 2012 gmc terrain all-wheel-drive pvc valve caused rear main seal to consume oil and gasket blew out drivers seat will not move forward or backwards visor on drivers side will not stay up also electrical problems
WVMORead 2 more owner reports+2
The defroster will not switch air flow to vent. This causes the entire car to fog up constantly especially the windshield during rain or humid weather. This obstructs view and creates a life threatening hazard. This happens while driving constantly on highway I side street.
During a bad storm the windshield wipers went past the windshield and the motor froze up motor started humming then locked up.
When it starts
Usually starts around 77,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 50,650 and 97,000.
What to do
Watch the dash for warning lights on the test drive.
Our guideCar Shuts Off While Idling or Driving? Causes and What to DoFuel and power delivery8%28 complaintsOil burning, stalling
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What owners describe
My car oil consumption is excessive. I have repetitive codes: p0089, p0300, p0366, p228d, p0014 and the check engine light being on. Car is jerking back and forth when at a stop light. Tapping noise made also. Every 1000-1500 my car is always needing oil (at least 2 quarts) and I also have to put more than the usual amount of gas in it then when I first purchased.
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!!
RITNRead 2 more owner reports+2
Car is burning excessive amount of oil. Now the engine has seized up
My vehicle has excessive oil consumption including the need for frequent oil refilling, combined with audible rattle and knocking sound.
When it starts
Not enough mileage reports.
What to do
Let it idle warm and listen for a tap or rattle.
What repairs cost on the 2012 GMC Terrain
Part prices for the problems 2012 Terrain owners report most. They are shelf and mail-order prices for the part alone, so a shop bill adds labor and its own markup.
Five brands, from Ultra-Power up to Agility, with GM Genuine between them. A wiper motor and linkage assembly costs $50 to $79.
Check wiper linkagesPrices on this page are our own research, not the store’s, and store prices change daily.
Prices read on RockAuto on Oct 2, 2026, for the parts listed as fitting this car; regular stock only, closeouts left out.
When problems show up on the odometer
Electrical system complaints start earliest, typically around 77,000 miles. Wiper system complaints start latest, around 89,500 miles.
Dot: typical mileage. Bar: the middle half of reports. From the mileage owners wrote on the form.
GMC Terrain complaints by model year
2012 is shown in dark. The engine is named most in 9 other Terrain years.
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2012 is shown in dark. The engine is named most in 9 other Terrain years.
When owners filed
Complaints about the 2012 GMC Terrain have kept arriving since 2011, with peaks in 2018 and 2019. A peak often follows a recall or a news story, not a new fault.
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2012 GMC Terrain recalls
4 recall campaigns cover the 2012 GMC Terrain. A recall list is by model year; whether one car had the work done is in its VIN record.
2012 GMC Terrain crash tests and investigations
NHTSA crash tests rate the 2012 GMC Terrain four stars overall, the same for all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. Its defect office has opened three investigations that cover this model year.
Ratings run from 1 to 5 stars: 5 is the safest result, 1 the least safe.
Frontal stars compare cars of about the same weight; side stars compare every vehicle. Rollover stars show how top-heavy the car is: NHTSA puts the 2012 GMC Terrain’s chance of rolling over in a single-car crash at 17% to 19%.
Safety equipment NHTSA recommends
Optional means some trims have it and some don’t. Check the car you are looking at.
Federal investigations
Before you buy a used 2012 GMC Terrain
These checks follow what 2012 Terrain owners reported most: an engine that burns oil, and wipers that stop working. Ask for the service history by VIN, which shows oil changes, engine work and recall repairs.
- 1Check the oil level and color
Oil burning is the most repeated engine complaint.
- 2Ask how often it needs oil
A car that needs topping up between changes matches what owners report.
- 3Run the wipers on every speed
Wipers that stop in the rain are the second biggest complaint.
- 4Watch for a check engine light
Camshaft and misfire codes come up in the powertrain complaints.
- 5Run the VIN for open recalls
Only the VIN says if this car got the recall repairs.
Oil and service for the 2012 GMC Terrain
This is what GMC's manual says the 2012 Terrain needs: which oil to use and how much, the fluids for the transmission and the cooling system, and when each job is due. The vehicle tracks oil wear itself and shows an oil change message, but GMC says to change the oil at least once a year.
- Engine oil
- 5W-30
- Oil capacity, with filter
- 6.0 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- DEXRON-VI
- Coolant
- DEX-COOL, mixed 50/50 with water
- Engine oil
- 5W-30
- Oil capacity, with filter
- 5.0 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- DEXRON-VI
- Coolant
- DEX-COOL, mixed 50/50 with water
Service schedule
From the GMC 2012 Terrain Owner Manual, read Oct 2, 2026. Normal schedule.
Common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Terrain?
Owners name the engine most (169 complaints), then wiper system (74) and powertrain (37).
Is 2012 a good year for the GMC Terrain?
The complaint record can't grade a car, but it shows what to check: the engine complaints that lead this year, the mileage they start at, and whether the recall repairs were done.
Was there a recall on the 2012 GMC Terrain?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 GMC Terrain: electrical system, seats, tires, exterior lighting. A dealer can tell from the VIN whether one car got the repairs.
At what mileage do 2012 GMC Terrain problems start?
Electrical system complaints start earliest, around 77,000 miles. Wiper system complaints come later, around 89,500 miles.
Which Terrain years have the most and fewest complaints?
The 2011 and 2012 model years have the most in the file, and the 2025 and 2021 the fewest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 7 sources
Owner quotes are changed from all capitals to normal case only. Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.