Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 GMC Terrain
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 GMC Terrain has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 364 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #22V137000 Headlight Reflection May Cause Glare/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V502000 Key May Be Removed When Not In Park/FMVSS 114 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V447000 Seat Height Adjuster Bolt may Fall out NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #11V511000 TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM/FMVSS 138 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 169 complaints
- Visibility/Wiper 74 complaints
- Power Train 37 complaints
- Unknown or Other 37 complaints
- Electrical System 32 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 28 complaints
Of the 364 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 364 complaints, owners report 19 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$15,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 GMC Terrain has a moderate number of issues, with 364 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns. Engine-related complaints are the most prevalent, indicating potential reliability concerns. The visibility/wiper issues also merit attention. The recall data addresses some compliance issues with safety standards. While there are several areas to watch, the evidence from the recall and complaint data is somewhat limited, leading to an overall average rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 70,000–100,000 miles | $1,200–$4,000 | very common |
| visibility/wiper | 40,000–80,000 miles | $100–$500 | common |
| power train | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$2,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake inspections
- Battery replacement
- Tire rotations
- Transmission fluid check
- Air filter replacement
- Coolant flush
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Engine misfires or noises
- Poor visibility or wiper issues
- Transmission slipping
- Electrical malfunctions
- Fuel system warning lights
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 GMC Terrain at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.