10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,348 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2012 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #35

Mar 252024

Terrain

  • miles

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

My vehicle is 2012 GMC Terrain. Oil changes on my vehicle we kept up and i had no major issues with this vehicle. I had an oil change done about a month before i went to start my car and all the lights came on and my car would rumble and wouldn't stay started and was longer drivable. After towing it a service shop they stated the following: The timing chains are damaged, skipped teeth, metal debris found in oil and screen of intake and exhaust camshaft solenoids due to many oil leaks coming form engine and serious internal issues w/engine we recommend replacing the engine. Est cost, 11,061. I had no reason to think my car was in any trouble, as it was driving fine with no problems. I received no such recall letter or phone call and no mention from the dealership i bought the car from back in 2018 that this was an issue or that it was "taken care of" if I had i wouldn't have paid over $20,000. into my car. Reading several complaints online about this exact issue is all new to me. Knowing i could have been driving a vehicle and it could have started a fire in my engine is crazy to think. Because I may have been driving a car with a serious recall on it. I am at a loss right now, financially i am screwed.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #34

Dec 242023

Terrain

  • miles
My 4 cyl. AWD GMC Terrain has had excessive oil use which caused premature failure of the timing chain, loss of power/compression, blown engine, damage to exhaust manifold, cellinoids, and melted the catalytic converter. Its was a road safety, poor emissions due to failed catalytic converter. Headlights are too bright for oncoming traffic at night. Another road & safety hazard. Auto warranty is refusing to cover parts listed above caused by the timing chain and excessive oil consumption problems.

- Butler, PA, USA

problem #33

Jul 202023

Terrain

  • miles
My lift gate has been failing since i bought it used from a local dealership. It's closed down on my mom's leg when she was situating luggage that she'd put in. It has tried closing on myself as well each time i opened it(4×) & when I tried to stop it by pushing up on it, it only forces itself down not up. This is very dangerous & had an old recall from GM motors due to the struts in the lift gate was faulty & made by stabilize whom had numerous lawsuits from other manufacturers due to injuries & deaths. The dealership refuses to fix it for free even though they knew the issue with it cause it was brought to their attention by their detail guy whom had it close on him as well. This a is major issue that needs addressed asap. And not at the expense of the owners but the manufacturers & dealerships that knowingly sell these autos that can be dangerous.

- Boonville, IN, USA

problem #32

Jun 162023

Terrain

  • miles

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

Drive side frame is rotted out which has allowed rear driver side control arm for the wheel to freely move. The passenger side is completely fine. Contacted gm and was told it has to be taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. It-??s easy to see the issue I have pictures that can be provided. This car should not be rotted out frame was perfect 8 years ago with no rust and has been washed twice a week during winter to remove salt with undercarriage car wash.

- Hillsdale, MI, USA

problem #31

May 202023

Terrain

  • miles
The timing chain is failing on my 2012 GMC Terrain. It-??s dangerous to drive and it started without warning (to me). It-??s my understanding that this is a common problem with this year and model GMC vehicle as many owners are complaining about the same issue. Will GMC be notified so they can remedy this situation? Many thanks.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

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problem #30

Nov 232022

Terrain

  • miles
The rear tailgate on a 2012 GMC Terrain has auto lift and close. The tailgate opens, but wont stay open then closes hitting you in the head. The heavy tailgate comes down hitting you in the head, and it takes a lot to hold the gate up. I called the dealer who said it could be the power lift. He said there was a previous recall to fix the same issue, but that part is not holding. I spoke with the dealer and found issued on line. No warning lamps or messages appeared.

- Hanover, PA, USA

problem #29

Jul 122022

Terrain

  • miles

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

My oil in my truck is depleting rapidly. It do not last 3months or 3k miles. Sometimes I'm barely 1800 miles in and I'm low on oil

- Union, NJ, USA

problem #28

Oct 012021

Terrain

  • miles
My timing chain went out due to losing oil to quickly.

- Farmersburg, IN, USA

problem #27

Sep 232020

Terrain

  • miles
Car burns oil quickly. I have to get frequent oil changes. Two weeks ago oil had leekaed into my car.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #26

Apr 222018

Terrain

  • 45,000 miles
The left front tire pressure sensor no longer works. My husband bought a newer Chevy and the same sensor no longer works. Friends have the same exact problem with the same sensor on their GMC/Chevy vehicles. Sensor light warns of the sensor not working for the left front tire pressure. Lighted sign on dashboard says "service tire monitor system". when you enter menu and select tire pressure it says left front tire 0. manufacturer defect?

- Vidalia, GA, USA

problem #25

Jul 152019

Terrain

  • 75,000 miles

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

The back gate comes down on your head when you are trying to put things in back or take things out, almost immediately. It has hit my head several times causing immense pain and a migraine. It started in July of 2019 and was slow at first. Now it happens almost immediately.. it has hit my head several times and my son. I saw there were problems with this model with this issue. GMC tells me it is not covered.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

problem #24

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

problem #23

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 #22

Apr 122019

Terrain

  • 92,000 miles
Time changing actuators.

- Cedar Lake, IN, USA

problem #21

Apr 022019

Terrain

  • 0 miles
My car oil consumption is excessive. I have repetitive codes: P0089, P0300, P0366, P228D, P0014 and the check engine light being on. Car is jerking back and forth when at a stop light. Tapping noise made also. Every 1000-1500 my car is always needing oil (at least 2 quarts) and I also have to put more than the usual amount of gas in it then when I first purchased.

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #20

Dec 172018

Terrain

  • 121,350 miles
Exploding sunroof.:driving down the freeway and the sunroof just broke out with a big hole in it.

- Cleveland, TX, USA

problem #19

Feb 182019

Terrain

  • 109,000 miles
Stabilitrak flash's and everything electric in the vehicle starts flickering

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #18

Dec 152018

Terrain

  • 61,345 miles
To whom it may concern: Please note that I have observed my vehicle a profound amount of water entering the vehicle somewhere within, at, or in vicinity of the front passenger side of the vehicle and driver's side (front). This occurs during rain-fall. My vehicle began displaying an odor and showing white-yellowish colored matter in the carpet area. The water is now developed into a puddle on the passenger - side and carpet soaked on the driver's side (the lost of footing on the driver's side, makes it sometimes difficult when driving, and shifting my foot from the accelerator to (and) braking (to steer, and performing turning maneuvers). I have researched and noted several consumer chat pages, in which consumers have discussions experiencing the problem of water leaking into their GMC Terrain, and other GMC vehicles.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

problem #17

Nov 092018

Terrain

  • 70,030 miles
When I come complete stop or waiting for the light to change. The truck shakes or act it wants cut only with eco button is push on. This does not happen while driving only when I come your complete stop. If the is cut off do not have problem runs fine. Dealer was in form he said nothing they can until the engine light comes on..

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #16

Nov 092018

Terrain

  • 70,030 miles
When I have my eco light at stopping or sitting it will cause the vehicle to shake or like it stall or wants to cut off cut off. When the eco is turned I don't have that problem. The engine is notown what is this problem? this happens on street not the highway on when sitting at a stop.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

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