KnownCarProblems2011 GMC Terrain Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 386 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Terrain, most often about the engine (52% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Terrain model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2011 GMC Terrain problems
Engine
199 complaints · 52%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving various speeds, the stabilitrak and loss of engine power indicators illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
I was at a busy intersection with my 19 month old son at 5:00pm on friday, march 27, 2015 when my car just died on me. After having it towed to a non GMC service station, they informed me that I had no oil in my car. I was taken back by this because it had not even been 1500 miles since my last oil change and I had no…
Transmission
76 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 74,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the transmission began to hesitate and jerked. In addition, the transmission slipped gears intermittently with a rapid loss of engine oil. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was…
We bought this and had it three months when the transmission went out at less that 80000 miles. It lost power and also had lost oil after just having the oil changed. Supposedly it was "dry" and also no transmission fluid. It had just been serviced and have the proof of servicing. It took US three months to find a…
Fuel system
48 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The car was taken into steven lust automotive and we were told that a transfer seal needed to be replaced and that GMC was aware of the issue but would only warranty the issue if the car was produced in a certain factory. Same year same model all having same issue but produced in a different plant. Now the…
The vehicle is consuming up to 2 qts of oil every 1000 miles. The low oil level light does not illuminate, even when the oil level falls below 2 qts low.
Visibility and wipers
35 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer.
While driving wipers stopped working, was told I needed and new wiper transmission. This was extremely hazardous because it was raining heavily. The mileage on the vehicle was approximately 94000.
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the windshield wipers failed to work. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that the wiper blade transmission motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The…
Other or unspecified
33 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles.
Vehicle keeps shutting off when driving. I was at stop sign vehicle just shut off I started it back and try to go park it back home it shut off 4 times before it got in my driveway. The truck recently did the so samething two weeks ago and I took it to the dealership and was told they couldn't find anything wrong with…
Rear tailgate door goes up fully, then comes down half way, backup fully, then closes all the way down. This happens with keyless remote, switch inside vehicle and vehicle started or not started.
Electrical
29 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, instrument panel.
The car is only 5 years old and now the compressor and condenser are broken and need to be replaced. Seem like gm products aren't holding up very well. I had to have freion added last year because the AC wouldn't work and again this year.
After dealing with the repairs on excessive oil consumption issues, my warranty is now up and I am dealing with my car completely dying at a moments notice. This is not the battery as we've had both aaa and our mechanic test the battery several times - the issue, according to our mechanic, is "computer failure."…
Air bags
25 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 64,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving 55 MPH, the contact fell asleep crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the spine, which required medical attention. There were no injuries sustained to the driver of the…
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving 25 MPH, the passenger side air bag warning sensor illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ocs needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure…
Stability control
21 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles.
I had oil changed that morning. That night, while driving, "engine power reduced" and "service stabilitrac" lights came on and vehicle would not accelerate over 15 MPH. I had to pull to the side of the freeway and turn off the vehicle, wait a few minutes and try again. It was fine until the next day when the same…
During a normal commute on route on 2/15 received about 3 miles into the drive received a warning error - loss of engine power and the car would not accelerate. The car started shaking violently and received a stabilititrak error. The car was pulled to the side of the road and placed in neutral. The shaking became…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2011 GMC Terrain recalls
Lights: headlights
Risk: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 8, 2022. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n222363740.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2010-2017 gmc terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Electrical: ignition
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in park, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on october 14, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, buick 1-800-521-7300, and gmc 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 buick verano and 2016 chevrolet malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in park. Also, certain 2013 buick encore, 2011 buick regal, 2013-2014 buick verano, 2011-2016 chevrolet cruze, 2010-2013 chevrolet equinox 2013-2015 chevrolet malibu, and 2011-2013 gmc terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 114, "theft protection and rollaway prevention."
Seats: power adjust
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on september 11, 2014. The recall began on december 26, 2014. Owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (buick), 1-800-458-8006 (cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (gmc). Gm's number for this recall is 14271.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 buick lacrosse, regal and chevrolet camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 cadillac srx, chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Seat belts: buckle assembly
Risk: The safety belt system may not restrain the occupant(s) as designed and could increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will modify the passenger and/or the driver safety belt buckles as necessary. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before january 18, 2011. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 and at the owner center at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2011 cadillac srx, chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain vehicles. The driver and /or front passenger safety belt buckle anchor may fracture and separate near the seat attachment in a vehicle crash.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Momentary increased steering effort
Summary
On june 1, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened pe20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (my) 2010 through 2012 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain suvs.if the electric power steering system fails to operate as intended, the driver will experience momentary increased effort when attempting to turn the steering wheel from the straight-ahead position. For this condition to occur, the driver would need to have traveled in a straight line at a sustained high speed, without turning the steering wheel, for approximately 30 min
Front wiper transmission inoperative
Summary
On december 13, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) upgraded rq18-002 to an engineering analysis (ea19-005) to further assess the my2010-2016 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16v-582, addressing this issue in the my2013 subject vehicles, my2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, odi had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.general motors (gm) initiated safety recall 16v-582 on august 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the model year (my) 2013 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain. Failures were attributed to wa
Windshield wiper transmission failure
Summary
On november 2, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a recall query (rq18-002) to assess the scope of recall 16v-582.general motors (gm) initiated safety recall 16v-582 on august 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the model year (my) 2013 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on
Questions about the 2011 GMC Terrain
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Terrain?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (199 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); transmission (76 complaints, typically around 74,500 miles); fuel system (48 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Terrain have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 8, 2022 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2011 a bad year for the GMC Terrain?
- It is the most complained-about Terrain model year since 2000, with 386 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.