2012 GMC Terrain Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

169Engine complaints

46.4%Of all 364 complaints

#1Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

ENGINE169 · 46.4%

VISIBILITY/WIPER74 · 20.3%

POWER TRAIN37 · 10.2%

Unspecified / other37 · 10.2%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM30 · 8.2%

Share of the 364 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 GMC Terrain overview page.

What owners report

“2012 GMS TERRAIN 4 CYLINDER FLEX FUEL- CAMSHAFT CODE, CAM SENSORS REPLACED, SPITTING AND SPUTTERING, STALLED X3 AND SHUT OFF, FUEL CONSUMPTION NOTED, LOSS OF…”NHTSA complaint 11091129 — filed 05/01/2018

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND DID NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE…”NHTSA complaint 11080739 — filed 03/21/2018

“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…”NHTSA complaint 11073892 — filed 02/20/2018

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have engine problems?

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 GMC Terrain: 169 of 364 complaints on file (46.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 GMC Terrain have in total?

364 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 17 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 19 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.