10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,428 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 8 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #19

Feb 172017

Terrain

  • 77,000 miles

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

I have had this car for less than a year, bought from a dealer, and I have checked the background to which there have not been any type of accident or damage from what was provided to me. It randomly started shaking uncontrollably and shutting off while I was driving. Now mind you, as a pregnant woman driving on the highway, this is not safe. My engine light turned on. Though I could have gotten in an accident, by the grace of god people moved out the way and allowed me to get off and to the side.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #18

May 202016

Terrain

  • 106,122 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The contact also stated that while at a stop the engine stalled. The failure occurred on two different occasions. The vehicle was towed to the dealer both the times where it was diagnosed that the entire engine and the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that only the engine was replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,122.

- Canyon, CA, USA

problem #17

Feb 022017

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles
The vehicle has excessive oil consumption. I have to add 3 qts between every oil change to bring it back to the correct level. I know when it needs this because the valve train gets very loud as it is starved for lubrication. It also will have irregular RPM levels from time to time as well as hard starts. Vehicle has 40K miles on it. I have been having to do this for the last 10-12K miles until I heard of this bulletin.

- Senoia, GA, USA

problem #16

Oct 262016

Terrain

  • miles

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

Oil consumption issue: I realized about 3 months ago that my car engine would shake a bit on start up and during idle. I took it into the dealership for a diagnostic test and was told that there was very little oil in the car and that it was burnt. I was very surprised because I have never had an issue like this before. So we got an oil change and that was that. Engine still shook on idle and during startup. 5000 miles later I realize that it is time for an oil change and check the dip stick and find that nothing appears on it, indicating that it is short at least 1.25 quarts. I fill it up with 0.5 quarts and still nothing on the dip stick. I have looked online and seen that many others have had this issue of oil consumption with 2010-2013 Terrains and that there is a bulletin on it (below): GM.oemdtc.com/1893/excessive-oil-consumption-2010-2013-Buick-Chevrolet-GMC#comment-1224 I call the dealership and the GMC customer service line, check my VIN and they say there are no recalls on my car. What am I to do? this is an ongoing issue that many others have complained about in bulletins and on the website above. I feel that this issue has done its damage on the engine and is going to cost me thousands to repair.

- Midlothian, VA, USA

problem #15

Jan 162017

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 83,000 miles
On the 2.4L ecotec engine, the PCV orifice in the intake manifold becomes clogged which causes oil to be pulled into the engine combustion chamber and burned. This causes an excess build up of carbon inside the engine and on the spark plugs which in turn causes the vehicle to idle roughly and stall out while sitting idle, such as at a stop light. GM has issued a special coverage service bulletin (#: 14882) but only for specific VIN's. it has become known that there are many other vehicles that fall under the year groups stated by GM in their service bulletin, even if it's a VIN that they deem is safe from the problem, but they refuse to recall the vehicles even if they are affected by the known problem. This is a safety issue that causes the vehicle to die while trying to leave from a stationary position once the engine has warmed up, for example passing through an intersection after a red light.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #14

Dec 162016

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 11,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While driving approximately 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine and the vehicle started to decelerate. The contact coasted into a parking lot and noticed an oil odor around the vehicle. The contact noticed that the vehicle was leaking oil all over the parking lot. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the PCV valve was frozen and was not circulating caused by excessive pressure leaking out oil. The intake manifold and cam cover needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000. The consumer requested an update of the investigation concerning the vehicle's PCV valve.

- Woodstock, IL, USA

problem #13

Sep 232016

Terrain

  • 52,342 miles

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

Engine stalls when at low idle while reducing speed I.e., at stop light. Will immediately restart and stall when placed into drive or reverse. Hade camshaft position sensor intake replaced. Stalling resumed within two weeks and now check engine light is on.

- Valrico, FL, USA

problem #12

Jun 012016

Terrain

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While idling, the vehicle suddenly stalled and shut off. While driving at various speeds, the dashboard lights suddenly began to dim and the speed reduced to 15 mph. The "engine power reduced" message appeared. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions and the electronic control module was replaced and the throttle body was cleaned, but the failures continued. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 32,000.

- Adairiszille, GA, USA

problem #11

Apr 122016

Terrain

  • 49,500 miles
At low idle or when backing up and accelerating vehicle the engine stalls. This typically occurs after driving car for 10-15 minutes. Engine light appears. It will continue to stall unless holding down brake & accelerator at same time. Stops stalling when speed increases, but stalls on low speeds & backing up continually. Code indicates camshaft adjuster sensor. First sensor replaced. Problem occurred again immediately after leaving garage. Second sensor replaced. Problem occurred once again! mechanic thinks it could be ground wiring issue is burning up the camshaft sensors. The car is not safe to drive.

- Beebe, AR, USA

problem #10

Mar 082016

Terrain

  • 59,850 miles
I was traveling on the toll way and went to pass a vehicle going below the speed limit. Upon acceleration (approx 53 mph), I heard a muffled pop in the engine compartment and white smoke trailed the vehicle. No warning lights went off prior and I do not recall seeing any after the "pop". I stopped the vehicle and turned off the engine, opened the hood to find flames under the engine in vicinity of the oil pan. I was unable to put out the flames and the fire consumed the vehicle. I vehicle was well maintained and have no idea what the origin of the fire was.

- Warrenville, IL, USA

problem #9

Jan 252015

Terrain

  • miles

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

I have had issues with this vehicle ever since its purchase 01/2015. I took the vehicle in for service and was told the service contract would not cover my issue and that the issue was caused by lack of maintenance, which is not the case as I maintain the oil in this vehicle and even had to purchase a new battery for the vehicle recently.this car's engine repeatedly stops, especially when approaching a red light or stop sign or at the moment of acceleration. I have had to avoid many accidents due to people driving up on me because I should have been accelerating at the time but my car turned off. The battery would die on this car on a weekly basis which caused me to purchase a battery and there is still no progress in the vehicle. The motor knocks badly upon startup, especially in the mornings. The engine is very weak after an independent diagnostic check. And just last week, as I was driving on the highway at normal speeds, the muffler shield broke, fell, and began scraping against the highway. There are electrical issues as well as the lighting in the car gets dim when we are in the dark but bright when the sun is out. Also, the seatbelt for the passenger's side constantly rings sending a notification that the seatbelt needs to be latched, even when no one else or nothing else is in that seat. I fear that one day I may need that air bag and it might not work because the seatbelt appears to be faulty. Also, another issue, which is not necessarily a safety issue, but an extreme nuisance and also maybe an electrical issue is the car radio and volume will freeze at any given moment and the car has to be stopped and idle for a period of time before the radio is active and able to turn channels again. The safety issues for this car are real and I am in fear that I will get hit from behind due to the faulty engine.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #8

Feb 192016

Terrain

  • 40,000 miles
Excessive oil burn with no warning of low oil until about one quart left in engine. Only check engine light came on. Yes the manual says check oil at every fill up but after owning many cars over 38 years without this problem it would seem the manual was written to protect GM. I would not have purchased the vehicle if I knew I had to put in a quart of oil every 1500 miles. Google this. Im not the only one.

- Orland Park, IL, USA

problem #7

Aug 282015

Terrain

  • 135,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was brought to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the details could not be provided. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to jerk and hesitate and a loud abnormal knocking noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was in working condition. The contact stated that the engine failed shortly after, making the vehicle inoperable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 135,000.

- Walls, MS, USA

problem #6

Feb 152016

Terrain

  • 43,285 miles
Within two days' time, my 2012 GMC Terrain stalled four different times, all at low speeds. The first time was backing out of the driveway; the other three happened the following day starting up from city street intersections. My concern is being rear-ended in those situations, or beginning to make a left hand turn in front of oncoming traffic thinking you have enough time and then having the car stall. Another concern is having the stalling issue occur at higher speeds, although that never happened to me. I took the car into the dealership on that second day, and they replaced the intake camshaft position actuator solenoid valve. The problem has not repeated itself since. Thank you.

- Avon, OH, USA

problem #5

Feb 202015

Terrain

  • 68,000 miles
I purchased my 2012 GMC Terrain from clay cooley in irving, tx on 01/05/2015 with an extended service contract. I have had issues with this vehicle ever since. I took the vehicle in for service and was told the service contract would not cover my issue and that the issue was caused by lack of maintenance, which is not the case as I maintain the oil in this vehicle and even had to purchase a new battery for the vehicle recently. I am attaching a picture of the condition of the battery shortly after the vehicle was sold to me to where I contacted my sales agent and he advised me to check my service contract. This car's engine repeatedly stops, especially when approaching a red light or stop sign or at the moment of acceleration. I have had to avoid many accidents due to people driving up on me because I should have been accelerating at the time but my car turned off. The battery would die on this car on a weekly basis which caused me to purchase a battery and there is still no progress in the vehicle. There are electrical issues as well as the lighting in the car gets dim when we are in the dark but bright when the sun is out. Also, the seatbelt for the passenger's side constantly rings sending a notification that the seatbelt needs to be latched, even when no one else or nothing else is in that seat. I fear that one day I may need that air bag and it might not work because the seatbelt appears to be faulty. Also, another issue, which is not necessarily a safety issue, but an extreme nuisance and also maybe an electrical issue is the car radio and volume will freeze at any given moment and the car has to be stopped and idle for a period of time before the radio is active and able to turn channels again. The safety issues for this car is real and I am in fear that I will get hit from behind due to the faulty engine.

- Coppell, TX, USA

problem #4

Aug 282014

Terrain

  • 50,300 miles
Car die (stall) at idol after warmed up drive it 10 miles stop at stop sign it die restart die again may do that 3-4 times before it will take gas and run does this intermeditly run fine for half a day stop run in store come out restart and it die (no chugging just die) auto parts store said it was a crankshaft sensor when they checked what had the check engine light on (note check engine light not come on each time it stalls)

- Muskogee, OK, USA

problem #3

May 162015

Terrain

  • 120,000 miles
Car started making rattling noise on startup. Got worse. Took to a few car places and thought it was the oil. But the oil was fine. Then the engine light came on and a second later the car shut off while I was diving down the road with my two babies!! very dangerous! ran into a friend who has the same make and model car as mine and said she had the exact same problems. Has 80K miles and has already changed the timing belt five times. Car just shuts off. Extremely dangerous! I will report this to everyone I know and warn them.

- Sargent, TX, USA

problem #2

Feb 072013

Terrain 6-cyl

  • 17,956 miles
The vehicle has been in the shop for 10 to 12 times due to failure with the engine misfiring as well as traction control lights and stability trac as well as transmission not shifting right and loss of power while driving on major highways and brought into the dealership where they tell me they can find or make the problem reappear. But have shown the dealership service department video and have had 3 general motor techs that they hired from hp and been told the vehicle is safe and that there will be no more problems but have been in the vehicle while the problems have happened and have it on video to the point where I almost lost my life yesterday night. The vehicle is a death trap and many customers including myself on GMC Terrain forum as well as online have had the same problem and have been told the same thing that it is nothing to worry about but it is. Please help have been told by GM to keep my mouth shut they would offer me 5,000 dollars for my troubles and that my kids are worth that much from a legal advisor at General Motors legal. Have ask to be taking out of the vehicle for something safe and still I'm being told no......please help

- Easton , PA, USA

problem #1

Apr 162012

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 6,000 miles
"on April 16th our son was driving on fairview rd. And traveling through a green light when a car that ran a red light hit him. ?his car ? a GMC 2012 Terrain was hit multiple times ? driver's front end, front end and spun around from the force and hit on the passenger side. No airbags deployed ?[xxx] was immediately contacted by on star, they called police, his car was totaled ?on 4/21 I emailed GMC and asked what department I would contact to file a complaint about the front and side airbags not deploying call from GMC 866-790-5700 ext. 22745 said on voice mail ? the airbag did not deploy as it should have" he made a case number [xxx] GMC has since declared this was a low threshold event - no need for airbag deployment - yet the car was totaled and our son has whiplash and contusions information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- San Clemente, CA, USA

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