10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,334 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 GMC Terrain electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #29

Apr 012018

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The display screen of GPS/Radio is blackout combined intermittent control button illuminating light went off( include emergency, A/C control), backup camera stopped working, turning signal lost click sound. Safety concern: 1. Emergency and A/C control buttons lost illuminating light(Causing night driving difficult.). 2. AC vent the temperature control lost visual status cause distraction of normal driving. 3. Lost Backup camera function which is supposed to be an assisted safety feature. 4. Lost turning signal click sound which leads to missing alert of turning signal malfunction. 5. Complete audio loss create unsafe for long trip driving. 6. GM doesn't provide genuine replacement part. This problem started from 2018 till now. I've contacted GM with no meaningful resolution. I visited the dealer and the only thing they could do is replace non guaranteed refurbished head unit with hefty price. I did some research online and found there are a lot of same problems happened to this vehicle and similar models of GM. After driving this vehicle for several years without incurring any accident, I realized that the losses of the some vital control functions and safety alert are actually very serious concerns and should be addressed and resolved by GM.

- Grand Blanc, MI, USA

problem #28

Jun 012022

Terrain

  • miles
When I stop at the light my car shake and rocks, then the car goes into limp mode. Where the stabilitrack comes on and the engine goes into reduced mode. And I can't go over 30mps. When this happened on the freeway is the most dangerous and scary feeling ever. I've got So many new parts and put over 3,000 into the car and it still has this issue. I've been do several different mechanics and nobody can figure out what's wrong. Gm needs to look into this, it's so many forums going on for this issue.

- Redford, MI, USA

problem #27

Jun 172022

Terrain

  • miles
The check emissions light for the engine light came up on the dashboard. Without prior warning or other signs the vehicle lost engine power in the middle of the road. The entire electrical power and engine stopped working and the brakes jammed. This causes the vehicle to become unstoppable in the middle of the road causing a safety hazard to the vehicle, driver, passengers and fellow vehicles on the road. The only way to stop the vehicle is somehow use the gears to shift to parking position, turn the engine again on and try to remove the vehicle from the middle of the road.

- Paducah, KY, USA

problem #26

Jun 092021

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Over the past couple years I have become worried to even drive this vehicle. Well Taken care of and maintenance completed regularly. This vehicle has been in the shop 7 times in the past couple years but no one can tell me exactly what is going on. Only 1 place has told me that I need extensive electrical work but couldn't tell me what exactly the problem was. Issue #1: When coming to a stop, and/or idle, the engine seems to give up and vehicle shuts off. Issue #2: When started Engine sounds like a.high pitch raddle. Issue #3: Occasionally, while driving on the interstate going around 60 - 65 mph the electrical inside the vehicle will flash and everything shuts off and the emergency brake is applied automatically. This has become dangerous - if I wasn't wearing a seatbelt I could have been thrown through the windshield. Issue #4: Replace Fuel Cap Sensor comes on even though it's been replaced. Issue #5: Engine Power Reduced notification comes on even though it had a new battery and alternator. Issue #6: Occasionally Speakers sound blown and you can hear a buzzing as you accelerate. Issue #7: Stabili Track, ABS, and TPMS Sensors all come on at once and go away at once atleast 4 times a week. Issue #7: Rear Cam doesn't always work, sometime either black or static looking. Issue #8: Sometimes key sticks in ignitiin and will not turn on unless being jumped by another vehicle. Issue #9: Often upon starting the whole dash goes black and will stay that way for several hours then comes back on. I've checked all fuses and multiple mechanics can't figure it out. As time goes by without repair I'm scared to even drive this vehicle. Why can't someone figure this out!!

- Bradford, AR, USA

problem #25

Sep 232020

Terrain

  • miles
My vehicle has excessive oil consumption including the need for frequent oil refilling, combined with audible rattle and knocking sound.

- Nashville, TN, USA

problem #24

Jan 032021

Terrain

  • 120,000 miles
During a bad storm the windshield wipers went past the windshield and the motor froze up motor started humming then locked up.

- Crocker, MO, USA

problem #23

Aug 092019

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Stationary sensor lights come on steering monitoring warning also reduced engine power then doesn't come on after turning off and it doesn't turn off like it should it is like the engine begins choking.

- Gary, IN, USA

problem #22

Oct 022020

Terrain

  • 123,445 miles
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.

- Elkview, WV, USA

problem #21

Dec 212019

Terrain

  • miles
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

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #20

Nov 122019

Terrain

  • 80,000 miles
Vehicle shuts off when slowing to a stop and have to restart in order to accelerate. That was looked at and 'fixed' and now the vehicle shakes when slowing down and headlights dim as if it is trying not to shut off. Engine is very rough and rattles while starting to accelerate and accelerating. When brakes are pushed the car starts to turn off while in motion. When stopped, car shakes and there is a very hard knocking coming from the engine.

- Elverson, PA, USA

problem #19

Feb 112019

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Emission control has went out twice within 3 months of being fixed. Cam shaft both sides had to be replaced. 4 times with 6 months the fuel light has came on stating the cap needs repaired, even though it was replaced. Alternator, battery has been replaced October 2019, while in another sate. Engine light has been on since I purchased it in Feb. 2019. Electrical shortage because of previous right side damage. Throttle has went out, while driving 65 on highways. Stability control stopped working. Crankshaft was replaced. Exhaust leak. Body control short, jerking while driving, timing warning

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #18

May 112019

Terrain

  • 145,000 miles
Takata recall my car has been throwing a engine power reduced and service stabil trak light. I have had it in the shop five times now, after replacing a coolant sensor which is a code it through, it has thrown three pedal sensors, after replacing it the first time the mechanic place told me the pedal was bad, sent it back replaced it again and the light came back on. This has been going on since the beginning of may and still not resolved. I have read several other people post about this on their Terrains.

- Burden, KS, USA

problem #17

Apr 162018

Terrain

  • 72,000 miles
In May 2018 my rear camera and backup lights stopped working. When I went to the dealer, the dealer tol me that the rear camera was bad and it was tied to the back up lights. They would not fix it for free. I was charged $175 dollars to disconnect the camera. The camera should be linked to the backup lights when it malfunctions. I almost hit a person because the backup lights would not turn on this is a serious defect. Sunrise Chevy should not have charged me for this problem.

- Addison, IL, USA

problem #16

Feb 152018

Terrain

  • 87,000 miles
While driving the vehicle, I experienced strong knocking vibrations and sounds seemingly coming through the floorboard. As I continued driving for about 5 miles trying to get home, the knocking became more pronounced and my steering was affected. I also began noticing an extremely strong odor necessitating lowering windows to breathe. I notified my dealership and took the vehicle in for diagnosis the very next morning without driving it after arriving to my garage. I was told the AWD had completely deteriorated. My concern was that I never received any dashboard notification of the problem, not did my onstar diagnosis indicate a problem. I have been quite disturbed that the vehicle became disabled before I was aware of any problem. I have taken my vehicle in for regular maintenance at my GMC dealership and would like an explanation regarding the failure to identify this problem through the regular maintenance checks. I am single senior woman who has no backup vehicle and am quite concerned about my safety on the highway and this issue has caused me to have serious safety concerns. I drove the car to the dealership to check on the problem on Friday, February 16, 2018. I called the GMC complaint center to check on possible recalls or any remaining warranties that might apply and I was told the center was assigning a sr. Advisor to contact the local GMC dealership that still has my car and the advisor was told the dealership needed more time to diagnose and assess the cause of the problem.I have had to rent a vehicle since it may be another 2-3 days before I even get a response regarding the nature and cost of the repairs. I was originally told the entire AWD system had to be replaced at a cost of $1500--$2000. I questioned the reason for the extreme malfunction without any warning notices appearing...main reason for my complaint and concern.

- Russellville, AR, USA

problem #15

Nov 062017

Terrain

  • 28,755 miles
The low beam H11 bulb is causing the (male/female plug in) for this component to overheat causing the plastic to become charred, partially melted and brittle in which the low beam light stops working due to this problem. The wiring is becoming soft at the plug in connection from this heat and allowing the protective wire insulation to be melted permitting the bare wire to be visible which could produce a fire hazard at this location. This has occurred on the right side twice and on the left side once. In all three cases, the bulbs with the female plug in and the male electrical connection has been replace. This vehicle has only 28755 miles on it. Just noticed the low beam light on right side not working again today. Replaced this side within the last 9 months.

- Rock, WV, USA

problem #14

Oct 072017

Terrain

  • 51,000 miles
Vehicle check engine light came on at 50,000 miles, would not pass inspection. Computer did not show what problem was. Car would cut off in drive in idle. Car would shake. Mechanics put in new parts and battery for more than $1200. Still was not fixed. Mechanic went to a dealership to inquire if they had seen this problem. At the dealership it was discovered that many of the parts that would cause the problem were on recall. GM had not posted these recalls or notified me, the owner. After inspecting the car they said there was too much wrong to repair and the entire engine would need to be replaced. They said I would need to drive 2000 miles to check oil consumption. They never made us aware there may be problem with the oil consumption. I am 68 yrs old and walk with a walker. I am in the hospital often. The mechanics said they would drive the car as much as they thought necessary to determine oil consumption. While driving the vehicle in charlotte nc the car started smoking and caught fire. The driver forced his way out but had that been me, I probably would have died due to my handicap. I have now been without a vehicle for over a month. I have contacted GM but they are slow for any resolution. I asked for a loaner vehicle but was told they couldn't do that now.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #13

Oct 162017

Terrain

  • 100,614 miles
Took my 2012 Terrain in for the excessive oil burn in May 2017. Several times before the car would not start. I was told by dealer it was due to the oil being low due to burn within 1000 miles of change. About a month after getting it back it started randomly not starting. I first thought it was that I left the dome lights on. Then it would happen when I used my back gate, then randomly after opening any door but the drivers when the car was not on. Everything was working but the car wouldn't start. It was all random. Check engine light came on and it read gas cap, so I changed that as I was told that could cause the car not to start. It didn't help and it resumed not starting within days. So I have been starting car to open any other doors and reduced to no dome lights at night. Last night, it wouldn't' start after simply backing my car into a different spot in my driveway. I had it jumped and then the cent console was completely blacked out. I could change the stations and change the heat but no lights. Got back home after driving it to charge battery and the radio wouldn't shut off even after removing key and locking. I tried both fobs, and it wouldn't shut down. I shut the radio off, and then it seemed to have worked because the security light came on and I didn't see any lights inside. This morning the car was dead. More than usual, I couldn't even unlock it except with key. I tried to start, no click and then it locked my keys into the ignition. We jumped it and I drove it straight to the dealer. I have to drive for my job and right now I am scared something it going to stop working like the lights or engine and I will be hurt or killed or hurt someone else. Very scary.

- Romeo, MI, USA

problem #12

Jun 232017

Terrain

  • 63,575 miles
My 2012 GMC Terrain has been stalling for a few days now the stabilltrack sensor was replaced this year the engine light comes on and off. And my radio sometimes cuts off on it's own but now my key keeps getting stuck in the ignition switch and the car keeps stalling but when I get a jump it starts with no problem but once it stalled when I was driving thank god I was a few blocks from home. Then when I try to start again it won't start. It's only 5yrs. Old I've read many complaints about this modle. I think I bought a lemon 😕

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #11

Jun 062015

Terrain

  • 99,000 miles
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.

- Orange Cove, CA, USA

problem #10

Mar 102017

Terrain

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While driving 55 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated. Also, the vehicle would occasionally fail to start with the remote starter. The vehicle was taken to an auto part store and different failure codes appeared. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Ahoskie, NC, USA

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