2012 GMC Terrain Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
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
“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
“WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I EXPERIENCED STRONG KNOCKING VIBRATIONS AND SOUNDS SEEMINGLY COMING THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD. AS I CONTINUED DRIVING FOR ABOUT 5 MILES TRYING…”NHTSA complaint 11073770 — filed 02/20/2018
“PCV SYSTEM FROZE...AIR CLEANER HAS WATER IN IT// REAR MAIN SEAL PUSHED OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE CRANKCASE PRESSURE. #14882 SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT COVERS EXACT ISSUE…”NHTSA complaint 11066892 — filed 02/04/2018
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2012 GMC Terrain: 37 of 364 complaints on file (10.2%). 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 power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
