2012 GMC TERRAIN Complaints and Recall Information
The 2012 GMC Terrain has 4 complaints and 5 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report excessive oil consumption that requires frequent oil top-offs. Other issues include failure of the rearview camera display and air bag deployment without impact.
- Excessive oil consumption. Owners note oil levels drop rapidly between changes, sometimes within 12 days or 2,000 miles, which raises concerns about potential engine damage during extended driving.
- Rearview camera failure. The center console display screen turns off suddenly when shifting into reverse, leading to visibility loss and minor vehicle bumps without warning indicators.
- Unexpected air bag deployment. The front driver’s side air bag deploys while the vehicle is parked with no collision or prior warning.
In addition to complaints, there are 5 recalls involving safety and operational systems. These recalls address defects in tire pressure monitoring, power seat adjustment, headlight glare, and ignition lock mechanisms.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System. (NHTSA recall 11V511000) Affects 33,964 vehicles for delayed tire pressure warning light activation when tire pressure drops over 25% below recommended levels. Risk includes tire blowout and crash. Dealers update the body control module free of charge.
- Power seat adjuster bolts. (NHTSA recall 14V447000) Affects over 414,000 vehicles where bolts securing power seat height adjusters may fall out causing seats to suddenly drop. This can distract the driver and increase crash risk. Dealers replace bolts at no cost.
- Headlight reflection glare. (NHTSA recall 22V137000) Over 740,000 affected vehicles have headlight housings that cause bright reflections outside driver view, potentially blinding other drivers and raising crash risk. Dealers install headlamp appliques free of charge.
- Ignition and electronic park lock lever. (NHTSA recall 16V502000) Affects 8,367 vehicles including GMC Terrain models where the ignition key can be removed without shifting into park, risking unintended vehicle rollaway and injury. Dealers inspect and replace key cylinder lock housing at no charge.
Owners with repeated repairs or unresolved recall issues related to safety defects or critical engine problems may want to explore their rights under state lemon laws. Documentation of all repair attempts and recall completions is advisable when seeking assistance.
2012 GMC TERRAIN Summary
2012
Model Year
4
Total Complaints
4
Total Recalls
1197245
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2012 GMC TERRAIN
740581 vehicles affected
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Risk: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
2012 GMC TERRAIN
8367 vehicles affected
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
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."
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
2012 GMC TERRAIN
414333 vehicles affected
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
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.
Risk: 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.
2012 GMC TERRAIN
33964 vehicles affected
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
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.
Risk: 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.
Complaints
2012 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2093503AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,116.
2012 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2074830ENGINE
I have excessive oil consumption. I noticed the issue after getting my 3000-mile oil change. The technician said I only had 1 quart of oil, which I thought was extremely low. Every 2000 miles, my oil dipstick reports abnormally low oil levels. I am concerned that when I go on an extended road trip, I will have engine issues that will leave me and my family stranded on the side of the road. The GM technician started tracking my oil consumption. He said he was doing that to prove to GM that they owe me a new engine. I didn't understand what he meant until I saw a lawsuit my vehicle was part of.
2012 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2061659ENGINE
Car burns oil bad . Got an oil change and it only took 12 days to go dry with no oil
2012 GMC TERRAIN
ID: 2061249BACK OVER PREVENTION
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse out of a parking space, upon putting shifting into reverse, the rearview camera screen turned off. The contact stated that the display screen went blank, and due to the failure, the vehicle bumped another vehicle that was also reversing. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that it was a minor impact and that there was no cosmetic damage to either vehicle. The Police was not called. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the center console display was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.