Which year to buy
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2012CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly engine and power train Extended coverage
249 serious complaints of 370, the most about engine (170) and power train (37); per car on the road, 1.8× this model's usual year. 4 recalls. NHTSA investigation PE20009: momentary increased steering effort.
What owners report
“The contact's uncle owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 34-35 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool down. The contact drove to the residence under 15 MPH.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Oct 2025
“The contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost acceleration power. The contact also stated that while at a stop the engine stalled. The failure occurred on two different occasions.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the power train, Feb 2017
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage Some vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine, may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2,000 miles [3,200 km] per quart [0.946 L] of engine oil), due to piston ring wear. 16118 - Special Coverage. (GCUS-9-4006, Apr 2017)
- Extended coverage Some 2012 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine, may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2,000 miles [3,200 km] per quart [0.946 L] of engine oil), due to piston ring wear. Special Coverage (Revised Service Procedure). (16118, Jan 2020)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine and certified to the EPA Bin 4 emission standard and the California Cleaner Federal Vehicle option of Bin 4 emission standard, may exhibit catalytic converter and/or oxygen sensor performance degradation, without illumination of the malfunction indicator… (N192287100, Oct 2020)
- Extended coverage Emission Recalls and Special Coverage. (N192268180, Oct 2020)
- Extended coverage Some vehicles may have increased friction in the steering system. 14232 - special coverage. (G-205009, Nov 2014)
- Extended coverage Certain vehicles equipped with a 2.4l engine (laf, lea or luk) that have experienced high oil consumption may also experience a frozen and/or plugged pcv (positive crankcase ventilation) system during cold weather operation. 14882 - special coverage. (14882, Mar 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
370 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 19–26 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2012 trims and features
Every Terrain year's verdict →
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl; 3.0L 6-cyl · Drive: AWD, FWD
2012 Terrain trims
| Denali | SLE 1 | SLE 2 | SLT 1 | SLT 2 |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as GMC reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for GMC aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD, FWD | 25–27 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 33 | Unknown or other (9) | — |
| 2025 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD, FWD | 25–27 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 13 | Power train (4) | Yes |
| 2024 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD, FWD | 25–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 50 | Power train (21) | Yes |
| 2023 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD, FWD | 26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 40 | Fuel/propulsion system (16) | Yes |
| 2022 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD, FWD | 26–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 88 | Fuel/propulsion system (32) | Yes |
| 2021 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo | AWD, FWD | 26–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 36 | Engine (10) | Yes |
| 2020 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | AWD, FWD | 23–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 2 | 197 | Service brakes (65) | Yes |
| 2019 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.6L 4-cyl turbo diesel 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | AWD, FWD | 23–32 mpg | 5 of 5 | 3 | 185 | Engine (69) | Yes |
| 2018 | 1.5L 4-cyl turbo 1.6L 4-cyl turbo diesel 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | AWD, FWD | 23–32 mpg | 4–5 of 5 | 5 | 223 | Service brakes (69) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 18–25 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 134 | Engine (78) | No |
| 2016 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 18–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 152 | Engine (46) | No |
| 2015 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 19–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 315 | Visibility/wiper (102) | No |
| 2014 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 19–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 301 | Engine (124) | No |
| 2013 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 19–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 369 | Engine (197) | No |
| 2012 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 19–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 4 | 370 | Engine (170) | No |
| 2011 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 19–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 4 | 397 | Engine (178) | No |
| 2010 | 2.4L 4-cyl 3.0L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 20–26 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 295 | Engine (107) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Terrain 2018–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | GMC TERRAIN SUV N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 33 |
| 2026 | GMC TERRAIN SUV N/A FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 33 |
| 2025 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 13 |
| 2025 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 13 |
| 2024 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 50 |
| 2024 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 50 |
| 2023 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 40 |
| 2023 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 40 |
| 2022 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 4 | 88 |
| 2022 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 4 | 88 |
| 2021 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 36 |
| 2021 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 36 |
| 2020 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 197 |
| 2020 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 197 |
| 2019 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 185 |
| 2019 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 5 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 185 |
| 2018 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD Later Release | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 13 |
| 2018 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD Later Release | 5 | Optional | Optional | 0 | 13 |
| 2018 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD Early Release | 4 | Optional | Optional | 5 | 223 |
| 2018 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD Early Release | 4 | Optional | Optional | 5 | 223 |
| 2017 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 134 |
| 2017 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 1 | 134 |
| 2016 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 152 |
| 2016 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 152 |
| 2015 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 315 |
| 2015 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 315 |
| 2014 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 301 |
| 2014 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 2 | 301 |
| 2013 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 369 |
| 2013 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 3 | 369 |
| 2012 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 370 |
| 2012 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 4 | Optional | Optional | 4 | 370 |
| 2011 | GMC Terrain SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 4 | 397 |
| 2011 | GMC Terrain SUV FWD | 4 | No | No | 4 | 397 |
| 2010 | GMC Terrain 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 295 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Terrain AWD | Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2026 | Terrain AWD Denali/AT4 | Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2026 | Terrain FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 27 |
| 2025 | Terrain AWD | Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2025 | Terrain FWD | Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 27 |
| 2024 | Terrain AWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2024 | Terrain FWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2023 | Terrain AWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2023 | Terrain FWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2022 | Terrain AWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2022 | Terrain FWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 27 |
| 2021 | Terrain AWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2021 | Terrain FWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo | 27 |
| 2020 | Terrain AWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
23–26 |
| 2020 | Terrain FWD | Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–27 |
| 2019 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
23–32 |
| 2019 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–32 |
| 2018 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
23–32 |
| 2018 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L, Turbo Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–32 |
| 2017 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
18–23 |
| 2017 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
20–25 |
| 2016 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
18–23 |
| 2016 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
20–26 |
| 2015 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L |
19–23 |
| 2015 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
19–26 |
| 2014 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
19–23 |
| 2014 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI |
19–26 |
| 2013 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
19–23 |
| 2013 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV |
20–26 |
| 2012 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI |
19–23 |
| 2012 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI; FFV |
20–26 |
| 2011 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI; FFV |
19–23 |
| 2011 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI; FFV Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SIDI |
19–26 |
| 2010 | Terrain AWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
20–23 |
| 2010 | Terrain FWD | Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L |
20–26 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.