VehicleVerdict

2011 GMC Terrain problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 557 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Terrain year — the 2011 model ranks #1 of 17 Terrain years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 49 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 200 reports (36% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

557

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

49

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Terrain years?

See all Terrain years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 GMC Terrain problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine20036%
Transmission7614%
Electrical System519%
Fuel System489%
Other366%
Visibility & Wipers356%
Airbags254%
Speed Control183%
Steering153%
Body & Structure112%
Seats102%
Brakes71%
Seat Belts71%
Lighting71%
Suspension51%
Tires & Wheels41%
Latches & Locks20%

Does the 2011 GMC Terrain have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V137000LightingMarch 8, 2022 · 740,581 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

16V502000Electrical SystemJuly 5, 2016 · 8,367 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

14V447000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 414,333 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

10V623000Seat BeltsDecember 15, 2010 · 97,843 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. PULLED OVER AND PLACED CAR IN PARK. BRIEFLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD DUE TO OIL COMING OUT. AFTER INSPECTION OF CAUSE, ROD WENT THROUGH CYLINDER BLOCK CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE AND BLOWN ENGINE. RECALL UNKNOWN HOWEVER I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 8, 2020 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 2015

I have owned this car for a little over year and have had nothing but issues. The car started on fire with an electrical issues once, the car has just stopped running on me multiple times while I was driving, almost causing a wreck. The engine goes through Oil like crazy. I've had it back to the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 13, 2021 · fire

DIAGNOSED WITH OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM, P0014 CODE FOR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, SHOWING 10 DEGREES ON SCANNER, RECOMMENDED TIMING CHAIN ALIGNMENT, MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IT, GMC HAS CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT, TOLD ME MY VIN WAS ELIGIBLE FOR IT, BUT WILL NOT LET ME SUBMIT A CLAIM, I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 21, 2020

ON A HIGHWAY WAY HOME AND SAYS REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIKE 3 DAYS AFTER GETTING TRANSMISSION REPLACED HAD TO GET IT TOWED I HAD MY KIDS WITH ME AND MECHANIC TOLD ME IT'S THE ENGINE IT HAD NO OIL IN IT WHEN IT DID HAVE OIL BEFORE THAT HAPPENED IT DIDN'T SHOW LEAKING OR NOTHING NOW I'M OUT OF MY MONEY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 8, 2020

2011 GMC Terrain — common questions

Is the 2011 GMC Terrain reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 557 complaints put the 2011 model at #1 of 17 Terrain years. It is one of the Terrain years to avoid.

What are the most common 2011 Terrain problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (200 complaints), transmission (76 complaints), electrical system (51 complaints).

Does the 2011 GMC Terrain have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2011 GMC Terrain under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Terrain years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Terrain years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010. The cleanest record among Terrain years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2011 GMC Terrain?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 GMC Terrain earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.