I just spent 1,600 dollars to replace the timing chain. I know their were recalls on this, I was wondering why my vin and model were not included in these recalls?
2012 GMC Terrain powertrain problems
severe 36 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
36
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 36 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 GMC Terrain, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 36 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2012 GMC Terrain powertrain has documented defects in oil consumption, PCV/rear main seal failure in cold weather, and timing chain integrity that can cause total engine loss with little warning and no dashboard alerts. Owners report $1,500–$6,000+ in repairs for failures occurring between 55,000 and 165,000 miles, with GM denying coverage despite acknowledging the issues in service bulletins.
The 2012 GMC Terrain powertrain develops multiple cascading failures. Excessive oil consumption is the root problem—owners burn through quarts between services despite light mileage and no low-oil warning lights. One owner lost an entire crankcase with 54% oil life still showing on the monitor. This deprives the engine of lubrication, causing the timing chain to slip or jump, which damages valves, cylinder heads, and can require engine replacement at $6,000 or more.
Cold weather triggers a separate failure: the PCV system freezes, trapping crankcase gases that blow out the rear main seal and dump oil onto the muffler, suspension, and road. One owner's engine caught fire as a result.
Stalling and sudden power loss also plague these vehicles. Drivers report losing all motive power at highway speeds with no warning lights, forcing them to coast to the shoulder. Dealers often cannot reproduce the problem on service visits, and when repairs are attempted, failures recur. One owner reported being stranded repeatedly and told by GM legal to stay quiet in exchange for $5,000.
Transfer cases crack and deteriorate with no dashboard alerts, even on vehicles in regular maintenance. One replacement part failed identically within three months.
The extent of owner frustration is clear: many have poured $5,000–$10,000 into repairs, received denials from GM warranty programs despite acknowledged service bulletins, and lost confidence in vehicle reliability.
Same GMC Terrain powertrain reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns or leaks oil at abnormally high rates. Owners report running completely dry or losing multiple quarts between oil changes, despite normal or light mileage usage. One owner consumed 5 quarts twice per month; another went through entire crankcase with only 54% oil life remaining on monitor.
When: Begins early in ownership; some reported within months of purchase, others after 50,000+ miles. One owner drained engine dry by first oil change (55k failure mileage).
Symptoms owners cite: Dipstick shows little to no oil despite recent service; Burnt oil smell; Engine shaking or rough idle on startup; Check engine lights relating to misfire or cam timing; No warning lights on instrument panel despite complete oil loss
Codes mentioned: P0014 (Camshaft Position B Timing Over-Advanced), P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite defective piston rings, timing chain failure (due to poor lubrication), engine replacement ($6,000), catalytic converter damage. One owner replaced timing chain ($2,800), then faced $3,000+ catalytic converter repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin GM-14882 Special Coverage Adjustment exists for PCV freezing and rear main seal blowout on 2010-2013 Terrains; manufacturer claims some VINs excluded despite matching year/make/model/engine. Oil consumption warranty letter received by some (7 years 6 months/120k miles), but GM denied coverage citing 5-year/100k warranty expiration. Service Bulletin on excessive oil consumption documented online.
Rear main seal failure (PCV-related)
Rear main seal blows out under high crankcase pressure. Owner reported PCV system froze in cold weather (3°F), trapped crankcase gases pressurized, and seal failed violently, dumping oil onto muffler and underbody. Another owner experienced similar failure with expanded wiring and alternator damage from oil fire.
When: Cold weather operation reported; one failure at 71,000 miles with freeze-related trigger.
Symptoms owners cite: Strong burning smell while driving; Severe engine knocking; Loss of power and towing needed; Smoke/fire from under hood; Oil covering muffler and rear tires
Repairs/costs cited: Rear main seal replacement; one owner faced potential engine replacement due to total oil loss. Repair estimates $1,500–$2,000 for complete seal and related work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Service Bulletin 14882 Special Coverage Adjustment covers this exact issue for 2010-2013 Terrains; however, GM denied coverage to at least one qualifying vehicle, claiming 5-year warranty expired despite bulletin covering 10 years/120k miles on this failure mode.
Timing chain failure
Timing chain jumps, stretches, or becomes loose due to inadequate oil pressure from excessive consumption. Chain slips off sprockets, damages guides, tensioners, and cylinder head. Multiple owners cite timing chain failure as root cause of catastrophic engine damage.
When: Occurs after extended period of excessive oil consumption. Failures reported between 87,000 and 164,627 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud rattling or knocking noise from engine; Loss of compression/power; Engine will not start or turns over without starting; Bent valves on inspection; Smoking from under hood
Repairs/costs cited: Timing chain replacement $1,600–$2,800. Often results in bent valves, requiring engine replacement ($6,000) or full cylinder head rebuild. One owner faced $3,500–$6,000 for complete engine replacement after chain jumped.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls mentioned for timing chain failure itself; owners attribute failure to unaddressed oil consumption. Some owners question why their VIN not included in timing-related recalls.
Transfer case failure
Transfer case cracks or deteriorates, sometimes without warning. AWD system can fail suddenly with no dashboard notification. One owner's replacement used part cracked in identical spot within 3 months.
When: One failure at 67,000 miles (purchased used at 63,000). Another owner's vehicle showed complete deterioration requiring diagnosis.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding noise and lack of power; Strong odor necessitating window opening; Knocking vibrations through floorboard; Steering affected; Cracking sound followed by loss of motive power
Repairs/costs cited: Used transfer case replacement $1,500 (including $500 for part, $170 for axle, labor). Replacement part failed in same location within 3 months despite warranty. No mention of root cause analysis by dealer.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GMC initially claimed no awareness of transfer case cracking issue; no recall issued despite mechanic being told it was a known problem on back order.
Engine stalling and power loss while driving
Vehicle suddenly loses motive power or shuts off without warning while driving at various speeds. Engine stalls at stops or during deceleration. Some stalls recur even after repair attempts. One owner reported loss of steering control when engine lost power.
When: Multiple occurrences reported; mileage ranges from 101,000 to 135,000+ miles. One failure at 106,122 miles required engine and transmission diagnosis.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning; Vehicle will not accelerate or responds slowly (15 mph max); Engine power reduced warning light illuminates; Service StabiliTrak warning light appears; Vehicle jerks and hesitates before resuming; No warning lights before failure occurs; Loss of steering when engine loses power
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs attempted but failures recurred. One dealer diagnosed need for complete engine and transmission replacement at 106,122 miles. Another owner attempted fuel pump replacement as initial diagnosis (later corrected).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers unable to replicate problem on multiple service visits despite video evidence from owners. GM hired outside techs who declared vehicle safe with no further problems, but failures continued. One owner reported GM legal advisor offered $5,000 settlement with instruction to 'keep mouth shut' and stated offer amounts to compensation for owner's children's value.
Alternator failure with wiring issues
Alternator fails, often with crossed or expanded wiring leading to fire risk. Battery drain occurs, trapping occupants when power locks engage. Owner's alternator fire ignited underhood fire.
When: One failure occurred approximately 2 months after purchase with 129,043 miles on odometer; wiring fire damage occurred during startup sequence.
Symptoms owners cite: Battery discharge/stalling; Smoke under hood; Vehicle fire under hood; Power locks engage during electrical failure, trapping keys inside while engine running
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement approximately $150. Alternator replacement and wiring repair performed at shop with additional hose replacement due to fire damage.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None stated; issue attributed to defective alternator unit from retailer.
Engine misfire and rough idle
Engine misfires, runs rough on startup and idle, and shakes. Spark plugs found rusted/fouled. Multiple misfire codes generated. Conditions worsen over time despite replacement of plugs.
When: Observed early in ownership; one owner noted it shortly after purchase at 129,043 miles. Complaints continue throughout ownership period.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shakes on startup and idle; Engine rattles while accelerating; Very rough, loud idle; Check engine light; Rusted or fouled spark plugs on inspection
Codes mentioned: P0300 (Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire), P0014 (Camshaft Position B Timing Over-Advanced)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug replacement (plugs found rusted). Camshaft sensor replacement attempted multiple times ($200–$300 range, inferred from multiple replacements). One owner needed to replace both camshaft sensors.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None specific to misfire issue beyond service attempts.
Throttle body and fuel system issues
Throttle body malfunction causes engine light and rough running. Fuel pump replacement attempted for loss-of-power symptoms, later found to be incorrect diagnosis. Powertrain control module failure also reported.
When: One throttle body code appeared early in ownership; fuel pump misdiagnosis occurred around 106,000+ miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light on; Engine power reduced warning; Loss of acceleration; Vehicle stalls; Difficulty restarting
Codes mentioned: Throttle body codes (unspecified), P0300 (Multiple Cylinder Misfire, related)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement $500–$1,000 (dealership part). Did not resolve subsequent power loss issues. Fuel pump replacement proposed but later determined to be incorrect diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None mentioned.
Exhaust manifold damage and catalytic converter failure
Exhaust manifold leaks or blows gaskets, causing severe smoking from under hood. Catalytic converter melts or becomes clogged due to oil consumption and incomplete combustion. Owners cite these as secondary failures caused by oil consumption and misfire issues.
When: Develops after timing chain and oil consumption issues; one owner observed smoking at 164,627 miles (35,584 miles of actual driving).
Symptoms owners cite: Smoking from under hood and exhaust; Blown gasket at manifold; Strong emissions smell; Failed emissions inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement $3,000+. Exhaust manifold gasket replacement attempted. One owner replaced catalytic converter, then faced second failure due to underlying misfire/oil consumption.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: None mentioned. One dealer noted awareness of oil consumption issue but was not willing to cover the downstream exhaust damage costs.
Synthesized from 36 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC terrain. The contact stated that he was informed that there was no oil inside the vehicle upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for the first oil change. No warning lights appeared on the instrument panel prior to the discovery. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was given a voucher to have the vehicle inspected. The contact…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 GMC Terrain?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 GMC Terrain?
It's a meaningful issue. 36 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 71,760 and 101,000 miles, with the median around 87,228. A quarter of owners report trouble before 71,760; a quarter make it past 101,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/GMC/Terrain.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.