2011 Gmc Terrain problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (103) · Power Train (62) · Visibility/Wiper (28)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Terrain model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
296 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-03-08 · campaign 22V137000 · 740,581 vehicles
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."
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.
Electrical System:ignition 2016-07-05 · campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles
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 lever
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.
Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust 2014-07-23 · campaign 14V447000 · 414,333 vehicles
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.
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.
Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly 2010-12-15 · campaign 10V623000 · 97,843 vehicles
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.
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.
Service bulletins (1,758)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,758 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-03 · Exterior Lighting“no warning before headlights gave up…”
2025-09-20 · Engine“we have 2011 gmc terrain. we bought it used so we have only had it a couple years. we noticed it seemed to be using a little more oil but then we were told to keep watch on it. my husband did. then one day while i was driving it i thought i had heard a faint clicking noise. i said that car isn’t going anywhere until it’s fixed. little did we know …”
2025-08-21 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 200,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2011 gmc terrain. the contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 87,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 200,000.…”
2025-07-25 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 110,714 mi“the contact owns a 2011 gmc terrain. the contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. the contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil. the check engine warning light was illuminated while driving at undisclosed speeds. the vehicle was taken to a local dealer who confirmed there was no warranty or recal…”
2025-06-27 · Engine · 114,114 mi“the contact owns a 2011 gmc terrain. the contact stated while driving 25 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. the contact pulled over to the right side of the roadway and waited for towing assistance. the contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. the vehicle was towed to an independen…”
2024-07-31 · Fuel/Propulsion System“suv gets a slow down warning and it stops shuts off , it’s happened several times now i’m scared!!you wait few minutes it turns back on , mechanic said this a complain about this vehicle all the time , it has not been repaired i’m disabled with no money , i was on the highway and thank god i was on the slow lane if not i would have been killed by …”
2024-03-01 · Engine“two of the valves failed and the dealership told me it was likely due to a manufacturer’s defect.…”
2024-02-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System“engine failure: timing chain had excessive slack causing guide to be sheared off. timing chain guide bolt was completely stripped requiring both the timing chain and cylinder head to be replaced. safety: the vehicle stalled while driving problem: problem was confirmed by a dealer warnings: the check engine light came on as the vehicle stalled …”
2024-01-18 · Unknown Or Other“continuous excessive oil issues burns and uses 3-5 quarts of oil every week to 2 weeks causing engine issues slow acceleration lurching and chugging issues with engine won’t downshift or upshift correctly transmission seizing issues have spent 1000s of dollars trying to fix this issue and mechanic has said it’s just a commen issues with this make a…”
2023-11-22 · Visibility/Wiper“temperature actuator door is broken, this causes my windshield to fog up therefore i can't see to drive. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.