TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SPUTTERED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BARKLY CADILLAC (3575 SKY LAND BLVD, TUSCALOOSA, AL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE SPRING FRACTURED AND DESTROYED THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
2012 gmc Terrain engine problems
moderate 113 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100
Complaints
113
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FROM GMC ABOUT A KNOCKING IN THE ENGINE WHICH JUST STARTED HAPPENING IN MY VEHICLE. THE RECALL DOES NOT SHOW UP WHEN THE DEALER CHECKED THE VIN NUMBER IN THE COMPUTER. BUT BEFORE I COULD TAKE MY CAR IN TO BE CHECKED MY ENGINE DIED WHEN I ARRIVE AT WORK WHICH IS 25 MILES FROM MY HOME. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GMC DEARLERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY TIMING CHAIN JUMPED AND TH…
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,600.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 gmc Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 113 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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