Vehicle Data Hub

2012 GMC Terrain drivetrain & axles problems

37 complaints about drivetrain & axles have been filed for the 2012 GMC Terrain, which is 7% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
37 7% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
87,000 miles 22 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 2
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When drivetrain & axles problems show up

Drivetrain & axles complaints by mileage, 2012 GMC Terrain Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 87,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 4 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 0 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 1 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 2 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 9 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 3 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 3 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 87,000 miles
Based on 22 complaints that include mileage. 23% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles4
20k to 40k miles0
40k to 60k miles1
60k to 80k miles2
80k to 100k miles9
100k to 120k miles3
120k to 140k miles3
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 22 drivetrain & axles complaints that report mileage, the median is about 87,000 miles, and 23% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 2 fires.

What owners wrote

My 4 cyl. AWD GMC Terrain has had excessive oil use which caused premature failure of the timing chain, loss of power/compression, blown engine, damage to exhaust manifold, cellinoids, and melted the catalytic converter. Its was a road safety, poor emissions due to failed catalytic converter. Headlights are too bright for oncoming traffic at night. Another road & safety hazard. Auto warranty is refusing to cover parts listed above caused by the timing chain and excessive oil consumption problems.

December 2023 Fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC terrain. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was brought to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but the details could not be provided. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to jerk and hesitate and a loud abnormal knocking noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicle was in working condition.

Reported at 135,000 miles, August 2015

Other problems reported for the 2012 GMC Terrain

Drivetrain & axles problems in other years

Drivetrain & axles problems across all GMC models