Recalls
4campaigns
1 lighting · 1 electrical · 1 seat
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
364filed
Owner reports, 2010–2019 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
4★overall
★★★★☆ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 4★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
26mpg combined
$2,512/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2.4 L 4-cyl· 6-speed automatic
8 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2012 GMC Terrain. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2012 GMC Terrain. Not checked against your VIN.
Headlight Reflection May Cause Glare/FMVSS 108
Exterior lighting · headlights
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Consequence
- The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
38.8% repairedof 740,581 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V137000
Listed for 2012 GMC Terrain. Not checked against your VIN.
Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114
Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Consequence
- If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
97.9% repairedof 8,367 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 16V502000
Listed for 2012 GMC Terrain. Not checked against your VIN.
Seat Height Adjuster Bolt may Fall out
Seats · front assembly · power adjust
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
- Consequence
- If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
75.5% repairedof 414,333 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 14V447000
Listed for 2012 GMC Terrain. Not checked against your VIN.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM/FMVSS 138
Tires · pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 18, 2011, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 6, 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM" (TPMS). THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO ILLUMINATE THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT WHEN THE PRESSURE IN A TIRE IS 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE. ON THESE VEHICLES, THE LIGHT WILL NOT ILLUMINATE UNTIL THE TIRE PRESSURE IS MORE THAN 25% BELOW THE RECOMMENDED COLD TIRE PRESSURE.
- Consequence
- UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH. THE RESULTING CRASH COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY. UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN ALSO RESULT IN PREMATURE OR IRREGULAR WEAR, POOR HANDLING, AND POOR FUEL ECONOMY.
- Remedy
- GM DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE BODY CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT NOVEMBER 9, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Repair progress not yet reported33,964 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V511000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (364)
364 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
17involved a crash
5involved a fire
19injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 364 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 169 | 46.4% |
| Visibility/wiper | 74 | 20.3% |
| Power train | 37 | 10.2% |
| Unknown or other | 37 | 10.2% |
| Electrical system | 32 | 8.8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 28 | 7.7% |
| Air bags | 25 | 6.9% |
| Electronic stability control | 13 | 3.6% |
| Structure | 12 | 3.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 3% |
How 2012 compares with other Terrain years
Best and worst Terrain years →2010290
2011386
2012364
2013364
2014296
2015297
2016152
2017134
2018223
2019185
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 290 | 3 |
| 2011 | 386 | 4 |
| 2012 | 364 | 4 |
| 2013 | 364 | 3 |
| 2014 | 296 | 2 |
| 2015 | 297 | 3 |
| 2016 | 152 | 2 |
| 2017 | 134 | 1 |
| 2018 | 223 | 5 |
| 2019 | 185 | 3 |
This year (2012)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 4★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 19.1%★★★★☆
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2012 GMC Terrain suv fwd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 26 mpg combined
26
mpg combined
22
city
31
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,600
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 342 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
$2,512per year
$209per month
577gallons a year
Miles ÷ 26 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 31 / 26 | $2,600 | 342 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 28 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Terrain for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 GMC Terrain FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 22V137000 (lighting), 16V502000 (electrical), 14V447000 (seat), 11V511000 (tire). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 GMC Terrain problems?
Owners filed 364 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (169), Visibility/wiper (74), Power train (37) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 22 city, 31 highway and 26 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2012 GMC Terrain get?
NHTSA rated the 2012 GMC Terrain suv fwd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (19.1% rollover risk).
How does the 2012 Terrain compare with other years?
Among the 2010–2019 GMC Terrain model years at least five years old, the 2017 drew the fewest complaints (134) and the 2011 the most (386). The 2012 drew 364. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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