2012 Gmc Terrain problems and recalls

46% of owner complaints on the 2012 Gmc Terrain related to the Engine (170 of 370).

370
Complaints
4
Recalls
17
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
19
Injuries
66.2
Severity index

Severity index 66.2 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 66.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 58 of 130 by severity index among 2012 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 55% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2012 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 170 complaints (45.9%)170 46%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 74 complaints (20.0%)74 20%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 40 complaints (10.8%)40 11%Power TrainPower Train: 37 complaints (10.0%)37 10%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 33 complaints (8.9%)33 9%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 29 complaints (7.8%)29 8%Air BagsAir Bags: 27 complaints (7.3%)27 7%StructureStructure: 14 complaints (3.8%)14 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE17045.9%
VISIBILITY/WIPER7420.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4010.8%
POWER TRAIN3710.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM338.9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM297.8%
AIR BAGS277.3%
STRUCTURE143.8%

Complaints filed per year

034682011: 12012: 92013: 82014: 62015: 142016: 222017: 492018: 582019: 682020: 332021: 342022: 262023: 162024: 152025: 82026: 3 (partial year)1112131415161718196820212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20111
20129
20138
20146
201514
201622
201749
201858
201968
202033
202134
202226
202316
202415
20258
2026 (year to date)3
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.4x those in 2020 to 2022 (39 against 93).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
16V50200005/07/2016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITIONGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-20
14V44700023/07/2014SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUSTGeneral Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected
11V51100019/10/2011TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMSGENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 18, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITO
22V13700008/03/2022EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSGeneral Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the req

Other Gmc Terrain model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 15 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.