2012 GMC Terrain Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 9%of 364 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 77,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 GMC Terrain, 9% of the 364 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 77,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I purchased my 2012 Gmc Terrain from clay cooley in irving, tx on 01/05/2015 with an extended service contract. I have had issues with this vehicle ever since. I took the vehicle in for service and was told the service contract would not cover my issue and that the issue was caused by lack of maintenance, which is not the case as I maintain the oil in this vehicle and even had to purchase a new battery for the vehicle recently. …”
NHTSA complaint #10822455, filed 2016-01, 68,000 miles“In may 2018 my rear camera and backup lights stopped working. When I went to the dealer, the dealer tol me that the rear camera was bad and it was tied to the back up lights. They would not fix it for free. I was charged $175 dollars to disconnect the camera. The camera should be linked to the backup lights when it malfunctions. I almost hit a person because the backup lights would not turn on this is a serious defect. Sunrise chevy should not have charged me for this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11157131, filed 2018-12, 72,000 miles“Takata recall my car has been throwing a engine power reduced and service stabil trak light. I have had it in the shop five times now, after replacing a coolant sensor which is a code it through, it has thrown three pedal sensors, after replacing it the first time the mechanic place told me the pedal was bad, sent it back replaced it again and the light came back on. This has been going on since the beginning of may and still not resolved. I have read several other people post about this on their terrains.”
NHTSA complaint #11245895, filed 2019-08, 145,000 miles“Gmc refuses to help. I am contacting because I own a 2012 Gmc Terrain and we just started having issues with out radio where it will turn on even with the car off. Our Gmc dealer said that they have seen this issue alot and since my vehicle just came out of warranty in feb. It will cost us $150. What can we do since this is a fault in the radio flashing not something we have done. If the radio turns on while the car is off what else will start doing that.”
NHTSA complaint #10703844, filed 2015-04, 92,000 miles“While driving the vehicle, I experienced strong knocking vibrations and sounds seemingly coming through the floorboard. As I continued driving for about 5 miles trying to get home, the knocking became more pronounced and my steering was affected. I also began noticing an extremely strong odor necessitating lowering windows to breathe. I notified my dealership and took the vehicle in for diagnosis the very next morning without driving it after arriving to my garage. I was told the awd had completely deteriorated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11073770, filed 2018-02, 87,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V502000Jul 5, 2016General 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…Covers: GMC Terrain 2011–2013, Chevrolet Cruze 2011–2016, Equinox 2010–2013 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11010421Oct 3, 2024This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11007196Sep 6, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11006293Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer an issue where the vehicle's engine may crank over unprompted and not start afterward. This is the result of hooking up…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 15% |
| 2025 | 4 | 31% |
| 2024 | 7 | 13% |
| 2023 | 7 | 17% |
| 2022 | 7 | 12% |
| 2021 | 7 | 19% |
| 2020 | 27 | 14% |
| 2019 | 39 | 21% |
| 2018 | 35 | 15% |
| 2017 | 9 | 7% |
| 2016 | 9 | 6% |
| 2015 | 31 | 10% |
| 2014 | 31 | 10% |
| 2013 | 22 | 6% |
| 2012 | 32 | 9% |
| 2011 | 29 | 8% |
| 2010 | 48 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2012 GMC Terrain
169 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
81 complaintsOther or unknown
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsElectronic stability control
13 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 GMC Terrain
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology