10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,697 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

problem #11

Nov 022022

Terrain

  • miles

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

I still have more to add to my other complaint. The fire started with alternator apparently there were crossed wires took alternator back to Orielys where I got it warrented out fixed the expanded wiring and replaced a hose and other things damaged by the little fire. Then after that things kept getting worse. Then it was spark plugs that were rusted that I replaced eventually I complained back to the dealership I got the car from and they agreed to help repair it after a posting by me on fb that I wasent a happy customer basically and that I literally had a sitting duck. Turns out the timing chain needed to be replaced and other little things. I've replaced O2 sensors camshaft sensors gaskets in catalytic converter had it inspected thinking it was a clogged exhaust the excessive oil usage was insane I would be going through 5quarts twice a month! I'm just tryna have a DECENT WORKING VEHICLE for my kids and I. I literally can't keep a job because I DONT HAVE RELIABLE transportation....I've put sooooo much money into this vehicle and now I might have a blown gasket!!! And that's because I haven't even been driving the vehicle. I got the car on Jan 7th 2021 with 129,043 miles on it as of today it has a total of 164,627 miles on it meaning in between the two years that I've owned the vehicle I have only put a total of 35,584 miles on it.....for it to have this many problems for so little mileage is INSANE!!! my kids were in the car with me today when the car started smoking like crazy from under hood and exhaust I pulled over turned the car off and took my baby off car seat in all and got away from vehicle thinking it was on fire again. I popped the hood and notice it was coming from under manifold.....meaning its probly a blown gasket after I just replaced the camshaft sensor AGAIN......it's ridiculous all the stuff thats going wrong with this vehicle with so little mileage that's been put on it.

- Sunnyside, WA, USA

problem #10

May 132021

Terrain

  • miles
First off before I got the car it had gone through a tune up. About a couple months after I got the car little things started to happen it would rock back and forth while idling I thought it was kind of an indicator that it needed oil but the percentage was still at a decent range and telling me it didn't need oil plus I hadent driven it 3000-5000 miles. Then engine light came on had it inspected codes ran came back telling me something about Throttle body So I purchased a whole new throttle body in Prosser at dealership costing me some booko buks and swapped it out when I got back home I then took it for test drive along with my 4 kids in the vehicle with me and then a little ways about 20 mins driving engine power reduced light came on along with stabilitrak and eventually lost power I was stranded in the middle of summer in the middle of nowhere with my kids windows rolled down ppl drove by and asked if I needed help and eventually came back with jumper cables tried to jump me but the car wouldn't budge I then left the car there overnight and took battery out to have it inspected the next day IT WAS FRIED (over 4 yrs old) so I had to purchase a new one costing me roughly 150 buks then took it back to where my car was stranded put it in and alarm went off and I clicked the button on key ring stuck it in ignition sh*t the door behind me locking keys in car while vehicle was still running and had to bust a window out to get to em. Got into car drove off made it back to my apt left it running outside while I went inside to get some stuff before I THOUGHT the problem was solved it shut off again.....I then had to replace the alternator costing me another pretty penny....about a couple weeks later I was starting a new job at a assisted living facility and arrived 10 mins early sh*t car off a noticed smoke coming from under hood I was confused because where the smoke was coming from couldn't have been it overheating I popped the hood and my car was on fire!!!!

- Sunnyside, WA, USA

problem #9

Dec 032021

Terrain

  • miles
Once again, timing chain incident, this time while driving, wasn't expecting it, suddenly my Terrain steering when became stiff to turn, and happened to realize the car motor had shut off and rolling to the right, nearly hitting parked car. I tried to start vehicle, but made a whining sound, but did not start, yet check engine light was on. I had my OBD reader handy, and got p0011, p0017 codes, which tell me it was the timing chain again in this car. This very dangerous because we could of collided with a parked vehicle, if not for me struggling so hard to steer vehicle while steering wheel was stiff.

- Barberton, OH, USA

problem #8

Jan 212021

Terrain

  • 168,978 miles

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

Vehicle began to use excessive amount of oil and idel up and down and sometimes even shuts down. After about 3 months while driving on the interstate it began to shut down while in motion. I called for someone to check the vehicle out and he arrived called someone to check the vehicle and he actually told me it seems to be the motor gone bad but he asked would I drive it back home if he followed behind. It literally scared me and my 4 children to death when it shut down while in motion with that kind of speed so I don't trust putting my children in it now. I don't think its safe at all. The vehicle I once thought was perfect for my family is turning out to be a nightmare.

- Laurel, MS, USA

problem #7

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 #6

Jul 112016

Terrain

  • 41,000 miles
Several times in 3 years, the dealership can not duplicate the problem loss of power starts running slow, wont go over 20 mph, check stability light comes on, check engine light starts blinking, acts like misfire or no fuel in vehicle, starts anywhere at any time, very unsafe and scary. At least taken to a certified dealership 7 or 8 times and every time they do something differant, yet the problem persists! the vehicle can be stationary at red light and big or while driving going 45 or 65 and drop to 20 mph and not want to go, I push the gas paddle to floor and it does nothing. This has been intermediate and a problem since month 3 of buying my vehicle. This is not safe and the dealership has basically givin up on me and my vehicle.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #5

Apr 292016

Terrain

  • miles

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

Sudden unintended acceleration when vehicle shifted from park to drive, resulted in extreme high speed acceleration and no control of vehicle. This resulted in a high impact crash into garage side wall. Also air bag did not deploy. Assume throttle wide open causing sudden acceleration. Insurance report, and police report pending

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

problem #4

Mar 312015

Terrain

  • 45,000 miles
Summary: I had to decide to brake or shoot through a yellow light, going about 35 mph, I braked! all of a sudden I heard a clunk and then alarm ding from the dash as well as message "service stabiltrak" then "reduced engine power". I was unable to go any faster than 25mph. I drove in this mode for about 2 miles taking the back streets to my destination. At destination shut vehicle off to see if this would reset something, it did! it was super scary. So now terrified to brake hard.

- Costa Mesa, CA, USA

problem #3

Sep 182015

Terrain

  • 73,115 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. Upon starting and driving the vehicle, the speedometer failed to function. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,115. The VIN was not available.

- San Antonio , TX, USA

problem #2

Nov 112013

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 44,039 miles
On 8/2/12 I purchased my GMC Terrain brand new in ashland city, tn. I moved to West palm beach in October 2012. The current miles on the vehicle are 44,039. I got an oil change, filter and multi-point inspection on 10/24/13 by the local GMC dealer. On 10/23/13 I took my vehicle in to have a recall repaired at schumacher Buick/GMC. The recall # is 12312. A month later the vehicle would lunge sharply forward while driving and a heavy shaking vibration (both while driving and at a stop) below my feet in the vehicle (floor board). I took the vehicle to schumacher Buick/GMC 3031 okeechobee blvd, on 11/11/13 and it remained until 11/15/14 and the problem was not identified. I returned the vehicle for the same problem on 12/21/13 (same dealer) and it was picked up on 12/31/13. The first service advisor was rob deal he told me that the vehicle shifts its drivability to the driver and nothing was wrong. I took my vehicle back a second time for the same problem this time (it was getting worst) my rep was "[xxx]". he said it was the "eco" button in the car, if pushed makes the car run rough." On March 7, 2014, I contacted GMC corporate office and spoke to sherry and requested a full analysis of my car. This time I went to another GMC dealer locally (lake park schumacher) and my service tech was [xxx]. per [xxx] it is a transmission issue -left on my voicemail and saved" specifically he said it was the "control pressure valve causing it to lunge forward and it was improper." He said it was "uncommon to see this issue." The reason I took the vehicle in is that I almost rear ended two people while driving due to the vehicles lunges and have my body jolted into the glass the force was so strong with the lunge. I fear for my safety and that of my 12 year old daughter in this car. I was contacted on 3/13/14 that the vehicle was ready for pick-up and it had been fixed. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #1

Apr 252013

Terrain 6-cyl

  • 5,035 miles
I started out driving on highway road at approximately 5:45pm traffic was moderate, my speed was about 30-35 mph. All of a sudden I heard a clunk and then alarm ding from the dash as well as message "service stabiltrak" then "reduced engine power". I was unable to go any faster than 25mph. I drove in this mode for about 2 miles in traffic, when reaching open highway (no traffic) the vehicle would not shift by itself. I had to accelerate then let off the gas, tap pedal then the vehicle would shift. I was able to do this multiple times until reaching about 45mph. I pulled off into a neighborhood, shut vehicle off to see if this would reset something, it did not. The vehicle was in this state when I arrived at the dealership service department at approximately 6:05pm. Dealership logged following on service request: 5043 found code P228C ran diag could not duplicate problem fuel psi at spec raises to spec test drove on highway did not duplicate condition found no bull on condition test drive numerous time, could not duplicate concern. Miles out 5067.

- Columbus, OH, USA

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