10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
71,682 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 (Page 1 of 8)

problem #154

Jun 152023

Terrain

  • 88,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while performing a routine check on the vehicle, the contact became aware that oil level was low, and the dip stick was dry. The contact added 2 quarts of oil however, the following day the oil level was still low. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 88,000.

- Axton, VA, USA

problem #153

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

problem #152

Jun 012022

Terrain

  • miles
When I stop at the light my car shake and rocks, then the car goes into limp mode. Where the stabilitrack comes on and the engine goes into reduced mode. And I can't go over 30mps. When this happened on the freeway is the most dangerous and scary feeling ever. I've got So many new parts and put over 3,000 into the car and it still has this issue. I've been do several different mechanics and nobody can figure out what's wrong. Gm needs to look into this, it's so many forums going on for this issue.

- Redford, MI, USA

problem #151

Feb 132023

Terrain

  • 62,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that she was adding a quart of oil every two weeks. The vehicle was taken to the Nissan dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The dealer informed the contact that the engine needed to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while at a complete stop, there was smoke coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact lifted the hood and noticed oil residue. Additionally, the contact added oil since the oil level was low. The contact stated that vehicle stalled twice while driving to a nearby gas station. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear master cylinder had failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer. The contact stated that vehicle was not drivable. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil while starting the vehicle. The local Chevrolet dealer, Barlow Chevrolet (6057 Route 130 South, Delran, NJ 08075), was contacted and advised the contact to tow the vehicle to their location. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

- Edgewater Park, NJ, USA

problem #150

Dec 302022

Terrain

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle started hesitating and then stalled. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to an independent mechanic. The independent mechanic added 2-quarts of engine oil to the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that later that evening her son notified her of an oil leak nearby the rear of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to another independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the rear main seal to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #149

Dec 242022

Terrain

  • miles
As I was driving on December 24, 2022, (the temperature outside was 7 degrees).I heard my vehicle making a funny sound. I pulled over to a safe location then my truck cut off by itself. I got out of my truck and noticed that oil was on the back of the rear tire wall and on the ground. I had to get it towed to a repair shop. They told me a couple days later that the PCV valve was gone and that caused the rear main seal to go bad. Several days later, I happen to see a recall on YouTube about the PCV valve that GMC had issued back in March 2015, but I never received a letter through the mail. To get this fixed it-€™s gonna cause me a lot of money. Unless GMC is willing to pay for it.

- Dillwyn, VA, USA

problem #148

Jan 222022

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Gmc in Springdale, AR Refused to fix catalytic convertor after selling me a defective vehicle. They said it had expired and I never received the letter letting me know there was an issue with the vehicle.

- Springdale , AR, USA

problem #147

Nov 022022

Terrain

  • miles
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 #146

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 #145

Apr 012021

Terrain

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly stall. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that there was no presence of engine oil inside the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, and he had been refilling the engine oil reservoir weekly. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine piston rings were faulty, causing the rapid oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 97,000.

- Romulus, MI, USA

problem #144

Aug 132014

Terrain

  • miles

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

secondary air pipe leaks and is not produced anymore! Vehicle can not meet emissions standards ! Vehicle uses Oil due to faulty pct system

- Shreveport , LA, USA

problem #143

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 #142

Jul 122022

Terrain

  • miles
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 #141

Jun 172022

Terrain

  • miles
The check emissions light for the engine light came up on the dashboard. Without prior warning or other signs the vehicle lost engine power in the middle of the road. The entire electrical power and engine stopped working and the brakes jammed. This causes the vehicle to become unstoppable in the middle of the road causing a safety hazard to the vehicle, driver, passengers and fellow vehicles on the road. The only way to stop the vehicle is somehow use the gears to shift to parking position, turn the engine again on and try to remove the vehicle from the middle of the road.

- Paducah, KY, USA

problem #140

Apr 302022

Terrain

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated the vehicle consumed 4-quarts of engine oil per every 3,000 miles driven. The vehicle was not taken for an oil consumption test. The contact stated that there were no visible oil leaks found. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. The VIN was not available.

- Gaffney, SC, USA

problem #139

Apr 052022

Terrain

  • miles
Vehicle stalling like the hundreds of other complaints I-€™ve seen that almost caused an accident when vehicle suddenly stops. Dealership only offered to do diagnostic at my cost with no guarantee they will find the problem. Nothing is registered on the vehicle computer and no check engine light.

- Albuquerque , NM, USA

problem #138

Oct 152021

Terrain

  • miles
This suv has an oil consumption and it caused it to blow the timing chain and mess my motor up.

- Farmersburg, IN, USA

problem #137

Jun 012018

Terrain

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled at various speeds, and now was stalling while accelerating. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who linked the failure to excessive oil consumption. The fuel pump was replaced and oil was added. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred the following morning. The check engine and oil service warning lights were illuminated. The oil level was low. The contact stated that the oil was changed almost every 3-months. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The vehicle had not yet been taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 75,000.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

problem #136

Oct 012021

Terrain

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

- Farmersburg, IN, USA

problem #135

Oct 152021

Terrain

  • miles
I keep the oil changed on a regular basis and every time a few days later I would have to add another quart. Finely it wouldn't stay running and i took it to the garage and the engine had what i was told plastic through out the motor. Now I am paying for a car i cant even use. aT ONE TIME i RECALLED THERE WAS AN OIL ISSUE WITH THESE MODLES AND YEAR.

- Ctr Barnstead, NH, USA

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