10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,501 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #31

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 #30

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 #29

Mar 082019

Terrain

  • miles
MASSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION!! Ever si Fr the purchase of the vehicle there has been massive oil consumption leak. Taken back to the dealer for service to take care of the problem, they claim they don-€™t see a problem! This car has been oil leaking and also draining oil somewhere to the engine causing also power rain engine issues and also contact oil light on. Reported to GMC as well and corporate, no response! This vehicle has cut off and lost power because of oil consumption on highway with my children in the car! I have been emailing with no avail! This matter needs to be rectified immediately! It is a death trap!

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #28

Dec 272021

Terrain

  • miles

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

I just spent 1,600 dollars to replace the timing chain. I know their were recalls on this, I was wondering why my vin and model were not included in these recalls?

- Dunnellon, FL, USA

problem #27

Nov 182021

Terrain

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption caused blown engine

- Rice, VA, USA

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problem #26

Jun 282021

Terrain

  • miles
I am having trouble with these things now. The powertrain especially I have not had accident yet but it keeps going dead on me in the middle of driving down road. Causing me to have to put in neutral and restart. At this time the steering goes out. This needs to be repaired before an accident does happen. The drivers seat does not move forward or backwards. The tire pressure warning does not warn until it is at 20 psi.

- Silver Creek, GA, USA

problem #25

May 282021

Terrain

  • miles

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

Says powertrain control module failure. Also oxygen sensor on the my gmc app. It keeps cutting off in the middle of road.

- Lindale, GA, USA

problem #24

Jun 232016

Terrain

  • 50 miles
Burning oil engine power reduced bucking stalling

- Irvington, NJ, USA

problem #23

Aug 012018

Terrain

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that he was informed that there was no oil inside the vehicle upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for the first oil change. No warning lights appeared on the instrument panel prior to the discovery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a voucher to have the vehicle inspected. The contact was informed that the failure was due to defective piston rings that were too expensive to be replaced. As a result, the engine became inoperable. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. Prior to the engine failure, the contact also stated that the vehicle revved and accelerated independently without warning, while driving at various speeds. The contact noted that prior to the engine failure, both windshield wipers were defective due to the windshield wiper transmission. Both windshield wipers were replaced on three separate occasions. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #22

Dec 012020

Terrain

  • 133,000 miles
Car is burning excessive amount of oil. Now the engine has seized

- Cranston, RI, USA

problem #21

Nov 152020

Terrain

  • 95,860 miles

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

Code-P0014-camshaft positionb timing over-advanced or system.code-P0300 random/muitiple cylinder misfire.computerized engine analysis.recalls#50490-50491

- Alliance, OH, USA

problem #20

Sep 072018

Terrain

  • 99,000 miles
Have a serious oil consumption problem have to have oil changed every 500 miles, it starts to shake when start up it turns off keep getting camshaft codes also got misfire code

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #19

Nov 122019

Terrain

  • 80,000 miles
Vehicle shuts off when slowing to a stop and have to restart in order to accelerate. That was looked at and 'fixed' and now the vehicle shakes when slowing down and headlights dim as if it is trying not to shut off. Engine is very rough and rattles while starting to accelerate and accelerating. When brakes are pushed the car starts to turn off while in motion. When stopped, car shakes and there is a very hard knocking coming from the engine.

- Elverson, PA, USA

problem #18

Aug 142019

Terrain

  • 67,000 miles
Transfer case went at 67K just bought it used at 63K. I had no warranty only 60 day from used dealer I bought it from. Ruined my passenger side axel also when transfer case went $1137 was the bill. 500 for used case 16K 170 for axel 30 for fluid rest in labor. Should be a recall car sounded awful back up and in drive loss a bit of power when driving. Also.

- Rumford, RI, USA

problem #17

Sep 302019

Terrain

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While driving various low speeds, the vehicle stalled and shut off without warning. After the vehicle was restarted, the vehicle jerked and then resumed normal operation. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #16

Jun 282019

Terrain

  • 81,534 miles
While driving a short distance on a city street I heard a thud followed by a grinding noise and lack of power. Vehicle was towed to a trusted mechanic that I have known and used for years. Diagnosed with a crack in the transfer case. Mechanic had difficulty finding a part and was informed by someone at the GMC dealer that this part was on back order because of an issue known by GMC but a recall had not been issued. New part would not be available for over a month and repairs were needed since it is my primary vehicle. A used part with a warranty was found and was installed for a total of $1500. Vehicle power train warranty was expired. Less than 3 months after transfer case was replaced with a used part - the replacement part cracked in the same exact spot as the original. Luckily, the part was still covered by a warranty but local mechanic recommended diagnosis by dealer to determine if there is an issue with the transmission. Contacted GMC to see if they were aware of the issue and they said they were not.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #15

Jan 132019

Terrain

  • 10,800 miles
Rear main seal leak, pvc valve freezes from water condensation and low temperatures: Causing crank case gases to become highly pressurized and blow out the rear main seal of the engine causing a massive oil leak on the road to the rear tires possibly causing loss of control to the rear wheels causing the possibility of a fatal loss of control vehicle accident. Other possibilities oil coating entire undercarriage of vehicle causing a vehicle fire, catistrophic engine damage causing loss of control, enviromental impact 5 quarts of oil on the highway.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

problem #14

Nov 052018

Terrain

  • 87,228 miles
I also have a 2012 GMC Terrain that has an oil consumption issue that has caused complete engine failure. Approximately 2.5 weeks ago the car wouldnt start. Engine would turn over but not start. I thought that it might be the fuel pump. Had it towed to my mechanic since it has 87K miles and out of warranty. So I went to check the status of the car and the first thing I was told was there was no oil when they checked it. They added 4 quarts before trying to diagnose the problem. Mind you the oil was changed 3K miles ago and oil life monitor said it had 54% life left. They ran the car for codes and the only code that came up was for the tire pressure system, also an issue with the Terrain. No issue was found with fuel pump or sensors. Spark plugs were replaced due to them being all fouled up. That didnt fix the issue so it was determined that it must be the timing chain jumped. At that point I had it towed again to the dealership I purchase it from. I was told it would be $125 to run a diagnostic. Fine. So I get a call the next day that it was indeed the timing chain. I asked the service guy what would cause this and I was told poor lubrication or low oil pressure. Thats when I started to explain that the first shop had to put 4qts of oil in bc it was bone dry. I asked about the VIN specific letter I received last year,2017, about the oil consumption issue and isnt that why there was no oil and hence causing the timing belt to jump. He answered "no". then told that upon further inspection, the valves were bent so we were now looking at 3500 to fix or 6K to replace the engine with another problemed engine. So that is when I contacted the toll free customer service line about the situation. They told me to go back to dealership and speak to the customer experience manager.

- Erial, NJ, USA

problem #13

Jul 262018

Terrain

  • miles
Excessive engine oil consumption. Timing chain failure. Pistons, rings, exhaust manifold, muffler, door regulator, wiper motor, transmission failure. Vehicle cannot be driven

- Hanson, MA, USA

problem #12

Feb 172018

Terrain

  • 98,000 miles
As I was driving down the road at 55 mph hour my SUV began to shake extremely and was throttling at very high RPM's and the SUV thrash to sudden halt and continued to shake and idle very high and loud. I tried to hit the gas to get myself off the road as I was on a 2 lane highway with my 4 year old son in the car, and the engine revved and the RPM's spiked but I went not more than 15 mph, at the same time the following errors appeared on my screen: 1) service stabaili trak 2) engine power is reduced slowly I was able to safely get the car up to 35 mph and get us home safe. I did some research and seems that this is a very well known issue with GMC so I contacted GMC and was basically given the runaround. I took the car to a GMC dear today and was told it was the fuel pump that needed replaced.....

- Sunbury, OH, USA

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