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2012 GMC Terrain acceleration problems

11 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 45,000. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
11
of this car's complaints
3%
typical mileage
45,000
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

GMC Terrain acceleration problems in other years

2010201520202026

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2012 GMC Terrain owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 3, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · WA

I still have more to add to my other complaint. The fire started with alternator apparently there were crossed wires took alternator back to Orielys where I got it warrented out fixed the expanded wiring and replaced a hose and other things damaged by the little fire. Then after that things kept getting worse. Then it was spark plugs that were rusted that I replaced eventually I complained back to the dealership I got the car from and they agreed to help repair it after a posting by me on fb that I wasent a happy customer basically and that I literally had a sitting duck. Turns out the timing chain needed to be replaced and other little things. I've replaced O2 sensors camshaft sensors gaskets in catalytic converter had it inspected thinking it was a clogged exhaust the excessive oil usage was insane I would be going through 5quarts twice a month! I'm just tryna have a DECENT WORKING VEHICLE for my kids and I. I literally can't keep a job because I DONT HAVE RELIABLE transportation....I've put sooooo much money into this vehicle and now I might have a blown gasket!!! And that's because I haven't even been driving the vehicle. I got the car on Jan 7th 2021 with 129,043 miles on it as of today it has a total of 164,627 miles on it meaning in between the two years that I've owned the vehicle I have only put a total of 35,584 miles on it.....for it to have this many problems for so little mileage is INSANE!!! my kids were in the car with me today when the car started smoking like crazy from under hood and exhaust I pulled over turned the car off and took my baby off car seat in all and got away from vehicle thinking it was on fire again. I popped the hood and notice it was coming from under manifold.....meaning its probly a blown gasket after I just replaced the camshaft sensor AGAIN......it's ridiculous all the stuff thats going wrong with this vehicle with so little mileage that's been put on it.

Filed Nov 3, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · WA · fire

First off before I got the car it had gone through a tune up. About a couple months after I got the car little things started to happen it would rock back and forth while idling I thought it was kind of an indicator that it needed oil but the percentage was still at a decent range and telling me it didn't need oil plus I hadent driven it 3000-5000 miles. Then engine light came on had it inspected codes ran came back telling me something about Throttle body So I purchased a whole new throttle body in Prosser at dealership costing me some booko buks and swapped it out when I got back home I then took it for test drive along with my 4 kids in the vehicle with me and then a little ways about 20 mins driving engine power reduced light came on along with stabilitrak and eventually lost power I was stranded in the middle of summer in the middle of nowhere with my kids windows rolled down ppl drove by and asked if I needed help and eventually came back with jumper cables tried to jump me but the car wouldn't budge I then left the car there overnight and took battery out to have it inspected the next day IT WAS FRIED (over 4 yrs old) so I had to purchase a new one costing me roughly 150 buks then took it back to where my car was stranded put it in and alarm went off and I clicked the button on key ring stuck it in ignition shit the door behind me locking keys in car while vehicle was still running and had to bust a window out to get to em. Got into car drove off made it back to my apt left it running outside while I went inside to get some stuff before I THOUGHT the problem was solved it shut off again.....I then had to replace the alternator costing me another pretty penny....about a couple weeks later I was starting a new job at a assisted living facility and arrived 10 mins early shit car off a noticed smoke coming from under hood I was confused because where the smoke was coming from couldn't have been it overheating I popped the hood and my car was on fire!!!!

Filed Dec 5, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

Once again, timing chain incident, this time while driving, wasn't expecting it, suddenly my Terrain steering when became stiff to turn, and happened to realize the car motor had shut off and rolling to the right, nearly hitting parked car. I tried to start vehicle, but made a whining sound, but did not start, yet check engine light was on. I had my OBD reader handy, and got p0011, p0017 codes, which tell me it was the timing chain again in this car. This very dangerous because we could of collided with a parked vehicle, if not for me struggling so hard to steer vehicle while steering wheel was stiff.

Filed Feb 14, 2021 · Acceleration, Engine · 168,978 miles · MS

Vehicle began to use excessive amount of oil and idel up and down and sometimes even shuts down. After about 3 months while driving on the interstate it began to shut down while in motion. I called for someone to check the vehicle out and he arrived called someone to check the vehicle and he actually told me it seems to be the motor gone bad but he asked would I drive it back home if he followed behind. It literally scared me and my 4 children to death when it shut down while in motion with that kind of speed so I don't trust putting my children in it now. I don't think its safe at all. The vehicle I once thought was perfect for my family is turning out to be a nightmare.

Filed Nov 11, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 114,500 miles · OK

My terrain is stalling really bad some days and sometimes no problems at all. It does it more when going into reverse, I have to keep giving gas to get backed up. It has also died on me when I slow to a stop like at a light. This is really frustrating!!

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 41,000 miles · FL

Several times in 3 years, the dealership can not duplicate the problem loss of power starts running slow, wont go over 20 MPH, check stability light comes on, check engine light starts blinking, acts like misfire or no fuel in vehicle, starts anywhere at any time, very unsafe and scary. At least taken to a certified dealership 7 or 8 times and every time they do something differant , yet the problem persists! The vehicle can be stationary at red light and big or while driving going 45 or 65 and drop to 20 MPH and not want to go, I push the gas paddle to floor and it does nothing. This has been intermediate and a problem since month 3 of buying my vehicle. This is not safe and the dealership has basically givin up on me and my vehicle.

Filed May 1, 2016 · Acceleration, Airbags · MI · crash · 1 injury

Sudden unintended acceleration when vehicle shifted from park to drive, resulted in extreme high speed acceleration and no control of vehicle. This resulted in a high impact crash into garage side wall. Also air bag did not deploy. Assume throttle wide open causing sudden acceleration. Insurance report , and police report pending

Filed Mar 8, 2016 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 45,000 miles · CA

Summary: I had to decide to brake or shoot through a yellow light, going about 35 MPH, I braked! All of a sudden I heard a clunk and then alarm ding from the dash as well as message "service stabiltrak" then "reduced engine power". I was unable to go any faster than 25mph. I drove in this mode for about 2 miles taking the back streets to my destination. At destination shut vehicle off to see if this would reset something, it did! It was super scary. So now terrified to brake hard.

Filed Sep 21, 2015 · Acceleration · 73,115 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. Upon starting and driving the vehicle, the speedometer failed to function. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,115. The VIN was not available.

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Acceleration, Body · 44,039 miles · FL

On 8/2/12 I purchased my gmc terrain brand new in ashland city, tn. I moved to west palm beach in october 2012. The current miles on the vehicle are 44,039. I got an oil change, filter and multi-point inspection on 10/24/13 by the local gmc dealer. On 10/23/13 I took my vehicle in to have a recall repaired at schumacher buick/gmc. The recall # is 12312. A month later the vehicle would lunge sharply forward while driving and a heavy shaking vibration (both while driving and at a stop) below my feet in the vehicle (floor board). I took the vehicle to schumacher buick/gmc 3031 okeechobee blvd, on 11/11/13 and it remained until 11/15/14 and the problem was not identified. I returned the vehicle for the same problem on 12/21/13 (same dealer) and it was picked up on 12/31/13. The first service advisor was rob deal he told me that the vehicle shifts its drivability to the driver and nothing was wrong. I took my vehicle back a second time for the same problem this time (it was getting worst) my rep was "[xxx]". He said it was the "eco" button in the car, if pushed makes the car run rough." on march 7, 2014, I contacted gmc corporate office and spoke to sherry and requested a full analysis of my car. This time I went to another gmc dealer locally (lake park schumacher) and my service tech was [xxx]. Per [xxx] it is a transmission issue -left on my voicemail and saved" specifically he said it was the "control pressure valve causing it to lunge forward and it was improper." he said it was "uncommon to see this issue." the reason I took the vehicle in is that I almost rear ended two people while driving due to the vehicles lunges and have my body jolted into the glass the force was so strong with the lunge. I fear for my safety and that of my 12 year old daughter in this car. I was contacted on 3/13/14 that the vehicle was ready for pick-up and it had been fixed. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Questions about the 2012 GMC Terrain acceleration

Does the 2012 GMC Terrain have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 11 complaints about the acceleration of the 2012 GMC Terrain, 3% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2012 GMC Terrain acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 45,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2012 GMC Terrain acceleration?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the GMC Terrain have the most acceleration problems?

The GMC Terrain model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2011 (18 complaints), 2010 (17 complaints) and 2012 (11 complaints).

Other 2012 GMC Terrain problems

Engine 173Visibility 81Transmission 37Electrical 32Fuel system 29Airbags 25Driver assistance 16Body 12Lights 10Seat belts 9Steering 7Brakes 5Wheels 5Seats 4Suspension 4Tires 1

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