Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2012 GMC Terrain owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,116.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving about 35 MPH, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle. The driver's air bag busted open, smoked and emitted debris but did not deploy. The service air bag light illuminated. The contact and a nine-year old child in a booster seat, in the back seat of the vehicle sustained injury that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged and was driven to the contact's residence. The contact also stated that the driver's seat belt did not retract. The contact called the stan mcnabb Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealer, located at 200 n. Jackson st, tullahoma, tn 37388 and was told that the information would be entered in the contact's file. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
On feb 10, 2020 I was involved in a side impact crash when a large truck failed to stop at a red light. I took the vehicle in for repairs as the front quarter panel and wheel were damaged. The collision shop called today and stated that all four of my impact sensors are "dead". He said I was very lucky because there is no way I would've known that my airbags wouldn't have deployed and I very likely would've been seriously injured or killed. There was no warning light on the dash, and no code. They found it by accident on a more intensive diagnostic. This is scary because how many other 2012 Terrain owners won't know until one of their loved ones are injured or killed!?!? You need to do something about this. I got lucky but you have now 23 complaints about these bags not deploying. Please do something!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While driving 55 MPH, the contact struck a deer. The driver's side air bag failed to deploy. The contact stated that the impact was on the passenger side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the service air bag warning indicator was illuminated. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries. The contact stated that there was an odor from the air bag propellant even though the air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that the seat belt operated as intended; however, the seat belt seized in position and would not retract even after the vehicle was turned off. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, but had not been diagnosed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her grandson was driving approximately 40-45 MPH, a deer jumped into the front of the vehicle causing severe damage to the front end of the vehicle but the air bags did not deploy. The contact mentioned that the radiator was pushed into the engine. The contact sustained whiplash injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed. The cause of the failure was not determined by the independent mechanic. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and a case was opened but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 103,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, when two vehicles in front of him crashed. The contact stated he depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle failed to stop and rear ended the vehicle in front. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a fractured sternum due to the seat belt and was taken to the hospital and stayed over night. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to impound lot. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired as of yet. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
I was traveling about 75mph when a deer ran infront of me, I wasn't able to stop completely and hit the deer on my right front side of my vehicle.. The smell of smoke came from my vehicle and my "service airbags" indicator came on.. No airbags deployed.. I had my 6 year old son in the car with me!! My car isn't drivable due to the signal being on even though the airbags didn't deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. While driving 60 MPH, the contact attempted to tap the brakes to slightly slow down the vehicle; however, the vehicle stopped abruptly. The failure recurred. The contact found that whenever he would lightly tap the brake pedal, the vehicle would abruptly stop. The contact found that the vehicle was equipped with a brake assist system and believed it was activating prematurely. The contact took the vehicle to the williamson Cadillac dealer who stated that the system was performing normally. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened case number: [redacted], which was now deemed a closed case. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000. The consumer stated at approximately 40-50 MPH as the brakes were applied rapidly and lightly the brakes system engages causing a sudden stop. …
Veered off side of highway, struck something head-on and was rendered unconscious as head hit steering wheel. I was transported unconscious in ambulance from crash scene to local hospital, where I was an inpatient for two days. Extensive damage to front of vehicle indicated the severity of impact... Yet air bags did not deploy. I believe air bags should have deployed on impact and I would not have been rendered unconscious, and could have controlled vehicle to avoid striking tree, brush, etc. I contacted GMC corporate.. To advise my concerns for safety... Received a follow up telephone call from GMC representative... (he) expressed no interest in my complaint... Refused to comment on my statement that air bag failed to deploy resulting in extensive damage to front of vehicle and sustaining a head injury as no bag deployed. …
?on April 16th our son was driving on fairview rd. And traveling through a green light when a car that ran a red light hit him. ?his car ? A GMC 2012 Terrain was hit multiple times ? Driver's front end, front end and spun around from the force and hit on the passenger side. No airbags deployed ?[redacted] was immediately contacted by on star, they called police, his car was totaled ?on 4/21 I emailed GMC and asked what department I would contact to file a complaint about the front and side airbags not deploying call from GMC [phone] ext. 22745 said on voice mail ? The airbag did not deploy as it should have? He made a case number [redacted] GMC has since declared this was a low threshold event - no need for airbag deployment - yet the car was totaled and our son has whiplash and contusions
Airbag complaints in other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2012 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 GMC Terrain, 7% of the model year's 364 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2012 GMC Terrain airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2012 GMC Terrain, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2012 GMC Terrain airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 17 crashes, 1 fire and 14 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.