NHTSA lists 364 complaints for the 2012 GMC Terrain, 17 of them mention a crash and 5 mention a fire. 16 complaints mention an injury, with 19 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-07.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as GMC TERRAIN.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 80 | 28.3% | 0.78 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 61 | 21.6% | 0.88 |
|---|
| loss of control | 45 | 15.9% | 0.81 |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 33 | 11.7% | 0.79 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 23 | 8.1% | 0.95 |
|---|
| fluid or fuel leak | 22 | 7.8% | 0.66 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 9 | 3.2% | 0.66 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 5 | 1.8% | 0.95 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 4 | 1.4% | 0.83 |
|---|
| unclear | 1 | 0.4% | 0.88 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 177 | 62.5% | 0.81 |
|---|
| low | 79 | 27.9% | 0.69 |
|---|
| high | 24 | 8.5% | 0.86 |
|---|
| critical | 2 | 0.7% | 0.72 |
|---|
| none | 1 | 0.4% | 0.90 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 283 tagged complaints of 364 complaints (77.7%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
4 recalls.
Date: 2022-03-08. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
Defect: 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.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-07-05. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN.
Defect: 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 T (excerpt)
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-07-23. Systems: SEATS.
Defect: 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 s (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
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 14 (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2011-10-19. Systems: TIRES.
Defect: 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 (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
3 investigations; 0 open.
PE20009
Opened: 2020-06-01. Closed: 2022-06-03.
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
On June 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (MY) 2010 through 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs.If the electric power steering system fails to operate as intended, the d
Systems: STEERING.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
EA19005
Opened: 2019-12-13. Closed: 2022-11-28.
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations
Systems: VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Linked campaign numbers: 22V165000.
RQ18002
Opened: 2018-11-02. Closed: 2019-12-19.
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball jo
Systems: VISIBILITY, VISIBILITY/WIPER.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
1,842 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 752 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 347 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 223 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 160 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 122 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 117 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 81 |
|---|
| VISIBILITY | 79 |
|---|
11037253
Date: 2026-09-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11032947
Date: 2026-05-19. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. If it is not an origi
11030974
Date: 2026-04-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
11030091
Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11030092
Date: 2026-03-09. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
11027601
Date: 2026-01-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11025755
Date: 2025-11-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customera s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If
11023091
Date: 2025-09-09. Type: Other. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
11022084
Date: 2025-08-14. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
11021792
Date: 2025-08-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, B3935, C0750, C0755, C0760, C0765, and/o