Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 GMC Terrain problems

Owners filed 370 complaints about the 2012 GMC Terrain with NHTSA between Dec 2011 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is engine (170).

Complaints
370
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
17
Reported by owners
Fires
5
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine170
  2. Visibility/wiper74
  3. Power train37
  4. Electrical system33
  5. Fuel/propulsion system29
  6. Air bags27
  7. Structure14
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)13
  9. Vehicle speed control11
  10. Exterior lighting10
  11. Seat belts9
  12. Visibility8
  13. Steering7
  14. Wheels5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20111
20129
20138
20146
201514
201622
201749
201858
201968
202033
202134
202226
202316
202415
20258
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

170 reports1 crash3 fires
“My car has started stalling and dying when i slow down, take off or when idling. No power when accelerated, and the smell of exhaust comes into my car. I was making a turn from a red light and my car spit, sputtered, and died right in the middle of the busy intersection. I was almost hit from the rear and another car had to go into on coming traffic to avoid T boning me. I took it to 2 different places to get a diagnosis reading and both places said it was a catalyst problem, and I was told that there was a recall about that because of engine oil clogging it up. My car has been using more oil than usual here lately and im guessing thats why. Now, im afraid to drive anywhere because I don't feel like it safe and the fact that my car doesn't run good enough to drive. I was told by more than 1 person that knows mechanics, that its a issue with the catalyst and that it had a recall on it but I never received one. This is a very concerning safety issue, and one that needs immediate attention before someone gets badly hurt (or worse) because of a bad car part . My car is literally just a lawn ornament now until I can get this issue resolved. I need my car to make a…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 2, 2026Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11741552

Visibility/wiper

74 reports
“I was driving while it was raining. The wipers stopped working. The driverside wiper jumped partially off the windshield. I had my mechanic inspect it. The fuses, relay, and wiper motor are operational. The bushing on the wiper transmission failed. I found the following recall. Special Coverage Adjustment N192266181 Wiper Transmission Arm Linkage Failure – USA Only Release Date: July 2022. However, my VIN does not have this as an applicable recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2023Visibility/wiperODI 11545190

Power train

37 reports2 fires
“1. The engine suddenly lost power while driving during evening rush hour and the vehicle would no longer accelerate. 2. Because the vehicle could not maintain speed, I was unable to keep up with traffic, creating a serious safety hazard that could have resulted in a major accident. 3. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center for diagnosis. 4. During the incident, the “Engine Power Reduced” warning indicator illuminated just before the loss of power occurred. 5. As the vehicle slowed and came to a complete stop at an intersection, it remained unresponsive. When the traffic light turned green, the vehicle would not accelerate at all.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 16, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11699710

Electrical system

33 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“The display screen of GPS/Radio is blackout combined intermittent control button illuminating light went off( include emergency, A/C control), backup camera stopped working, turning signal lost click sound. Safety concern: 1. Emergency and A/C control buttons lost illuminating light(Causing night driving difficult.). 2. AC vent the temperature control lost visual status cause distraction of normal driving. 3. Lost Backup camera function which is supposed to be an assisted safety feature. 4. Lost turning signal click sound which leads to missing alert of turning signal malfunction. 5. Complete audio loss create unsafe for long trip driving. 6. GM doesn't provide genuine replacement part. This problem started from 2018 till now. I've contacted GM with no meaningful resolution. I visited the dealer and the only thing they could do is replace non guaranteed refurbished head unit with hefty price. I did some research online and found there are a lot of same problems happened to this vehicle and similar models of GM. After driving this vehicle for several years without incurring any accident, I realized that the losses of the some vital control functions and safety…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 14, 2023Electrical systemODI 11517031

Fuel/propulsion system

29 reports
“Evap emission control leak detected As the check engine light comes on, when hooking a computer up to the car for a scan it pulls a code stating there is an evap leak. The gas cap has been replaced along with a sensor and no gas is seen leaking but you can smell gas vapors when the car is running and fuel mileage is terrible. Also the stabilitrak has been an underlying issue since owning the vehicle”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11612482

Air bags

27 reports17 crashes1 fire
“The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,116.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 21, 2025Air bagsODI 11662388
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.