10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,326 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 4 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #102

Sep 182020

Terrain

  • 100,000 miles

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

Engine failure due to oil consumption no check oil light came on. Happens with no warning.

- Center Point, IA, USA

problem #101

May 122016

Terrain

  • 33,900 miles
I was driving my sons to school at around 7:45 am, my vehicle cut-off in rush hour traffic. I had to quickly put on my hazards and flag the vehiclesin my lane and driving behind me to move ahead of me. I called GMC who told me to go the nearest dealership but my insurance said they would send me a tow truck to get me there. The car was towed to rockville center GMC which diagnosed the vehicle. They charged the battery and claimed a cable was loose but that didn't make any sense. Three years after the same thing happens again but this time the dashboard warning stated the engine needed checking. This time I took it back the neaborhood's autozone which ran diagnostic tests and suggested I return to my dealership with those diagnosis codes/issues. The dealership took notes from autozone's printout, completed a scan test and stated that a camshaft actuators needed replacing to prevent stalling while driving. Whe nasked why this wasn't done when I took there for that very same issue 3 years ago he said that wasn't the issue but now I have to pay for the repairs because I'm 1 wk short of the warranty expiring.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #100

May 062019

Terrain

  • 99,035 miles
My daughter was driving a 2012 GMC Terrain when the timing chain broke and caused the car to lose power and lock up immediately. She was driving straight on a two-lane state highway. It was determined the damage ruined the motor and required a complete motor replacement. The mileage on the vehicle was 99,035 at the time of the incident. I wasn't aware until today that I could file a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. When I called the closest dealer (30 miles away), they were not very helpful.

- Liberty, KY, USA

problem #99

Jan 012019

Terrain

  • 120,000 miles

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

Vehicle was obviously burning excessive oil. Took it to a GM dealership and was told it was a non issue. Now the vehicle is past the GM max mileage for their recall (they won't take responsibility)!and has developed a white white frothy residue on oil cap, dip stick. (piston rings and/or gasket failure). Will never buy a GM product again!

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #98

May 152019

Terrain

  • 100,000 miles
Burns oil, which GM will cover to fix but will not cover the issues that happens when oil is burnt and what it caused. Had to replace exhaust manifold, O2 sensor, catalytic converter and cam shaft senors; these I had to pay for out of pocket. Not sure exactly when it happened but was middle of 2019. Went to GMC about how to get resolved on an issue that they caused that I had to pay for, which first resulted in a 1 yr engine warranty which they pulled with out my knowledge, then after a complaint to the BBB the best they could offer was a $1000 coupon for a new car. GM should cover those other issues since its an issue they know and fixed.

- West Fargo, ND, USA

problem #97

Feb 142020

Terrain

  • 95,000 miles
My PCV valve clogged and caused the rear main seal to blow out. This is a common known problem with this vehicle and GM has recalled certain vins with the same issue and the same engine. Now my car is at the dealership having $1200 worth of work done that could have been prevented with a $12 part. I just had my vehicle at a GM certified shop 7 months ago for warranty work and was not notified of this possible problem.

- Rogersville, MO, USA

problem #96

Dec 152019

Terrain

  • 83,000 miles

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

Complete motor failure, engine oil loose, complete loose of control. While driving down the highway, this vehicle had a sudden oil loose, no warning lights came on causing my spouse to loose all control of the vehicle nearly incurring a head on collision on a local highway at speed of 60mph. We had to have to vehicle towed to a local shop and is no longer drivable and the motor is ruined. The vehicle only has 83,000 miles and all evidence of motor failure appears to be on the manufactures behalf, as the motor over pressurized and lost all oil and didn't have a safety warning, this could have killed my spouse or others. I have attached photos for review

- Saint Peter, MN, USA

problem #95

Dec 102019

Terrain

  • 110,000 miles
While driving on highway the message came on losing oil pressure, shut engine off. By the time I was able to pull off the highway to the side the engine ceased up. Oil gasket blew off.

- Clinton, IA, USA

problem #94

Dec 302019

Terrain

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While driving approximately 80 mph, the vehicle suddenly sputtered, the check engine indicator illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to barkly Cadillac (3575 sky land blvd, tuscaloosa, al) where it was diagnosed that the engine valve spring fractured and destroyed the engine. The engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 118,000.

- Pawleys Island, SC, USA

problem #93

Mar 102019

Terrain

  • 120,000 miles
The truck burns oil incredibly fast. Due to this ongoing issue, it caused the timing chain to break and we had to spend nearly $800 for engine repairs. Even after having it in the shop numerous times for the same issue, the truck still eats through oil incredibly fast and it seems to only be getting worse. I received a letter in the mail saying that there was a recall regarding this but that they would send me info through the mail on how to go about fixing this issue, but I never received anything else about the recall.

- Sherman, MS, USA

problem #92

Nov 122019

Terrain

  • 80,000 miles

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

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 #91

Nov 102019

Terrain

  • 114,500 miles
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!!

- Mcalester, OK, USA

problem #90

Jul 312019

Terrain

  • 95,000 miles
I received an oil change at the dealership, within less than a thousand miles I checked my oil and it was completly dry, no oil on the dipstick at all. I added 2 quarts of oil during that weekend and then went to dealership the next day. When I went to dealership they told me my oil was about.5 quart overfilled after having an oil change 1000 miles prior, adding 2 quarts of oil additionally and only returning to have them check it a day later. So leaving the dealership I was told to drive 1000 miles then return to have them check it. After 1000 miles unreturned again and they told me my oil was too low. They then told me to drive another 1000 miles and return once again for another check at which time they again filled my oil to the recommended amount. I'm only St about 500 miles into the 2nd check after driving 1000 miles and I checked my oil at home this weekend and it's already low. Very frustrated because if I wasnt checking it, and I was doing what inwas supposed to by getting oil changes then it seems like in less than 500 I'd be low and likely blow my engine if I continue driving not worrying about checking cause I should have plenty of oil given I had recently had an oil change and was well within the limits before needing to return for my next service. During the first waiting period to drive 1000 miles my car started knocking in the engine, was just dieing when I would take my foot off break to accelerate and overall was running very rough. Recently was told some of the codes that were coming up when I had it hooked up for the check engine light being on, that the codes could be related to the oil consumption and problems it was causing for rest of car.

- Troutdale, OR, USA

problem #89

Oct 072019

Terrain

  • 112,000 miles
Using a lot of oil between oil changes. Added oil as needed but now appears to be using more. 3,000 miles 2 quarts down. About 112,000 miles owned since new

- Sunman, IN, USA

problem #88

Jun 132019

Terrain

  • 65,000 miles
Oil consumption is out of control! when I bought the SUV used at 63K I could hear within 65K I need oil just from the sound of the engine. I bought a 5 qt at wal-mart because there was less than a quart on the stick. I got and oil change prior on 8-13-19 mechanic showed I was low already at 66K and wasn't due for another till 72,780 I'm at 72K and engine needs oil! hope the class action lawsuit abides to my complaint.

- Rumford, RI, USA

problem #87

Jan 012018

Terrain

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While the vehicle was at a stop light, it stalled. The vehicle was restarted and functioned normally. The contact also mentioned that the oil consumption was high. Every 1,800 miles, oil needed to be added to the vehicle and an abnormal noise was detected. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the timing chain was failing and a motor flush was performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,000.

- Devine, TX, USA

problem #86

Sep 292019

Terrain

  • 139,950 miles
I was driving my 2012 GMC Terrain and as soon as I slowed down or stopped my car would shut off and I would have to try to restart it. Fortunately, I made it home without having to stop. As I was turning in my driveway it shut off again. Onstar suggests it may be a timing issue. Help! I took it to the dealership to get a new battery and when I got my car back the fuel sensor was not working. It was working before they got it and GMC collierville refused to fix it.I can't afford all these major repairs and will not by another if GMC does not resolve the consumer's issues.

- Cordova, TN, USA

problem #85

Sep 122015

Terrain

  • 56,000 miles
My car jerks and stalls when idling and my foot is on the brake. I have to put the car in neutral or shut it off and restart altogether when at a stop light or when I will be doing any stopping. If not, the car jerks and stalls. This happened in downtown nashville, tn! very dangerous! reduced power notification light came on as well. I have had it in the shop multiple times and they all say it is from excess oil consumption. Have already had the timing chain replaced due to said oil issue. Driving this car with my kids is extremely dangerous. Why is there not a recall on this? this has been an ongoing issue with my car since late 2015.

- Piper City, IL, USA

problem #84

Jul 092018

Terrain

  • miles
2.4 ecotec engines excessive oil consumption affects thousands of GMC/Chevy consumers vehicles 2011-2013. Although in final stages of class action, GMC continues to deny the serious nature of the problem. Oil indicator does not illuminate, engines blown, failed catalytic converters, rear main seals, timing chains and more. Not only a huge financial impact for owners but also a serious safety issue. GMC suggests a piston ring failure but only offers resolution to very few owners. Please consider a recall on these vehicles. You will find more information here: Https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/consumer-products/auto-news/857897-GM-class-action-says-Chevrolet-equinox-SUVS-burn-oil-alarming-rate/ and here: Https://www.facebook.com/groups/174877126561662/ and so much more online. Please consider a recall. The class action is not for the benefit of the consumers.

- Ham Lake, MN, USA

problem #83

Apr 122019

Terrain

  • miles
The vehicle has excessive oil consumption. I have to keep adding motor oil a couple weeks after doing oil change.

- Inver Grove Heights, MN, USA

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