Oil burning and timing chain wear
The 2012 Terrain has about 380 complaints per 100,000 sold. Half are about the engine: oil consumption, timing chain wear and loss of power.
Updated November 2026 · based on 370 owner complaints and 4 recalls
378 1.7x the Terrain average
4 free to fix at a dealer
Every Terrain year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2012 Terrain
Top problems and what they cost
Oil consumption
The engine burns oil between changes.
Fix: Free under special coverage if eligible; otherwise $2,500 to $4,000
Engine
Timing chain wear
Rattle and check engine light from a stretched chain.
Fix: Timing chain $1,200 to $2,000
Engine
Wiper failure
Windshield wipers stop working.
Fix: Wiper motor $200 to $400
Visibility and wipers
Recalls
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
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 c...
UNDERINFLATED TIRES CAN RESULT IN TIRE OVERLOADING AND OVERHEATING, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE CRASH.
The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2012 GMC Terrain
- Check the oil level on the dipstick.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 70 complaints about oil consumption on the 2012 Terrain, one of the worst years for it.
- Listen for rattle at cold start.Knocking, ticking or rattling from the engine, especially when cold, can mean worn bearings, lifters or a stretched timing chain. These are engine-out repairs costing thousands.Owners filed 70 complaints about oil consumption on the 2012 Terrain, one of the worst years for it.
- Test the wipers on every speed.Small parts like wipers, trim and roof rack covers have come loose or failed on some of these cars, and a few were recalled.Owners filed 77 complaints about windshield wipers stop working on the 2012 Terrain, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2012 GMC Terrain reliable?
Oil burning and timing chain wear. The 2012 Terrain has about 380 complaints per 100,000 sold. Half are about the engine: oil consumption, timing chain wear and loss of power.
How many recalls does the 2012 GMC Terrain have?
4 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2012 GMC Terrain problems?
Oil consumption; Timing chain wear; Wiper failure.
Crash rating shown for the 2012 GMC Terrain SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.