What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Terrain?

Engine complaints lead the list, followed by wipers and the power train.

Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have recalls?

Yes. The recall section on this page lists them, and the by-year fact counts 4.

Is the 2012 GMC Terrain reliable?

Owners report engine trouble most often. See the problems section and compare it with other years in the by-year section.

What is the gas mileage of the 2012 GMC Terrain?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the figures.

2012 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints are there for the 2012 GMC Terrain?

NHTSA has 364 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 364 owner complaints on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 173 of them^[2].

364owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

19–26MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners report most, biggest first.

Engine. 173 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the engine cutting out while driving or sitting at a stop, warning lights coming on, rough running, and repeat shop visits that did not settle things.
Visibility/Wiper. 74 complaints^[6]. Owners describe wipers that quit in the rain, with the motor running but the blades staying put, or a part in the linkage giving way.
Power Train. 37 complaints^[7]. Owners describe hesitation and jerking when asking for power, loss of power on the road, and shifting that felt wrong.
Unknown Or Other. 37 complaints^[8]. These do not fit a single named part.
Electrical System. 32 complaints^[9]. Owners describe the vehicle shutting down with the display going dark, ignition keys that would not turn, and a radio that came on by itself.
Fuel/Propulsion System. 28 complaints^[10].
Air Bags. 25 complaints^[11]. This group has the most crash mentions, so read these reports with care.
Electronic Stability Control. 13 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Terrain is necessarily included.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights (22V137), March 2022. About 740,581 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Electrical System › Ignition (16V502), July 2016. About 8,367 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust (14V447), July 2014. About 414,333 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems (11V511), October 2011. About 33,964 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	22 / 31 / 26	$2,600
Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive^[19]	20 / 28 / 23	$2,900
Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive^[20]	16 / 23 / 19	$3,550
Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[21]	16 / 23 / 19	$3,550
Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	22 / 31 / 26	$2,600
Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[23]	20 / 28 / 23	$2,900

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	4	4	5	4	17.4%
SUV FWD^[24]	4	4	5	4	19.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 GMC Terrain with 3.0L 6-cylinder^[25]	264 hp

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Terrain model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2010	290	3
2011	386	4
2012	364	4
2013	364	3
2014	297	2
2015	298	3
2016	153	2
2017	135	1
2018	225	5
2019	186	3
2020	197	2
2021	36	2
2022	88	4
2023	41	2
2024	52	1
2025	13	0
2026	33	1
2027	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the Terrain show 364 complaints and 4 recalls for 2012^[3]. Among the 18 model years listed, 15 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 1 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2011 (386)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Terrain?

The 2012 GMC Terrain has a clear pattern in the owner reports, with the engine group far ahead of the rest^[2]. Wiper trouble is the second biggest group, and it is a safety matter in bad weather^[6]. These are unverified reports, and they are not adjusted for how many were sold^[1]. Check the recall list on this page and have a mechanic look closely at the engine before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 GMC Terrain?: Engine complaints lead the list^[2], followed by wipers^[6] and the power train^[7].
Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have recalls?: Yes. The recall section on this page lists them, and the by-year fact counts 4^[3].
How many complaints are there for the 2012 GMC Terrain?: NHTSA has 364 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2012 GMC Terrain reliable?: Owners report engine trouble most often^[2]. See the problems section and compare it with other years in the by-year section.
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 GMC Terrain?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the GMC Terrain

2011 386 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 this page
2013 364 complaints, 3 recalls
2014 297 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 298 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 153 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 135 complaints, 1 recall
2018 225 complaints, 5 recalls
2020 197 complaints, 2 recalls
2024 52 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the GMC Terrain

Other GMC models from 2012

2012 GMC Acadia 296 complaints, 5 recalls
2012 GMC Savana Cargo 4 complaints, 7 recalls

All GMC models

Similar cars from 2012: suvs

2012 Ford Escape 619 complaints, 1 recall
2012 Honda Pilot 171 complaints, 9 recalls
2012 Jeep Liberty 385 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 Jeep Patriot 354 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 Mazda CX-9 221 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 Nissan Murano 135 complaints, 1 recall

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 364 owner complaints on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain (17 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 19 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
173 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,114). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Terrain model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
74 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,457). NHTSA vehicle records
37 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,114). NHTSA vehicle records
37 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 63,622). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,250). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the air bags component group (17 crashes, 1 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,000). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,257). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V137, filed March 8, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V502, filed July 5, 2016: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V447, filed July 23, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
Recall 11V511, filed October 19, 2011: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
EPA Test Car List, 2012 GMC Terrain with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 264 hp. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2012 GMC Terrain: problems, recalls and fuel economy