Model year record

2012 GMC Terrain

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 516 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 22V137000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Component
Exterior lighting: headlights
Manufacturer
General Motors, LLC
Vehicles affected
740,581
Reported to NHTSA
2022-03-08
Owners notified
2022-09-08

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V502000

Electrical system: ignition

Component
Electrical system: ignition
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
8,367
Reported to NHTSA
2016-07-05
Owners notified
2016-10-14

Defect description

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."

Safety risk

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V447000

Seats: front assembly: power adjust

Component
Seats: front assembly: power adjust
Manufacturer
General Motors LLC
Vehicles affected
414,333
Reported to NHTSA
2014-07-23
Owners notified
2014-12-26

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V511000

Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

Component
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS LLC
Vehicles affected
33,964
Reported to NHTSA
2011-10-19
Owners notified
2011-11-09

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine17685,000 mi
Visibility/wiper7490,000 mi
Power train3987,000 mi
Unknown or other3860,100 mi
Electrical system3177,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2998,000 mi
Air bags2699,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)1358,940 mi
Vehicle speed control1145,000 mi
Exterior lighting1028,755 mi
Seat belts980,000 mi
Steering712,000 mi
Structure: body761,345 mi
Wheels648,436 mi
Service brakes559,000 mi
Suspension56,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor5100,000 mi
Seats450,000 mi
Back over prevention268,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2114,000 mi
Structure210 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate266,867 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking195,860 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery178,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch141,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling13,600 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)111,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe192,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump175,000 mi
Structure: body: door160,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems110,000 mi
Visibility14 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system181,107 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1100,000 mi

The 2011 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2013 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.