2011 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls & Reliability
557 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2011 GMC Terrain, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 100/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 85,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2011 GMC Terrain sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2021–2022.
Avoid
Where 2011 sits among all Terrain years
What owners report
“Excessive oil use. 1 qt of oil every 300 to 500 miles. I have 104,600 miles on car. Also had timing chain failure at 95,212 miles while driving. I believe this is a serious safety hazard and the car needs to be recalled. My engine is a 2.4 eco”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Terrain
“Transmission not functional, will not engage into any gear,and went out while driving. I've seen multiple complaints online with sane problem. Recall needs to be done.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Terrain
“I have a 2011 gmc terrain with 59000 miles on it and the catalic convertor is rotting away and i was wondering if there was any other problems or if it will be covered”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Terrain
“The engine will randomly stall and shut off. There are several complaints of you google the problem. This is a serious safety hazard.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Terrain
“The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lightning) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Terrain
“During heavy rain storm wipers stopped working while driving on hwy. We were unable to see the road. Dealership is saying the wiper module failed.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2011 Terrain
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 407 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 78,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 45,000 and 112,790 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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,…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 22V165000.
Technical service bulletins
1,757 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2011 GMC Terrain. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2011 Terrain TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2011 GMC Terrain reliable?
The 2011 GMC Terrain drew 557 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 100/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 2011 GMC Terrain problems?
The top reported problems for the 2011 GMC Terrain are engine (200 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (76), and other (58).
At what mileage do 2011 GMC Terrain problems show up?
Owners most often report 2011 GMC Terrain problems around 78,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 45,000 and 112,790 miles.
Does the 2011 GMC Terrain have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2011 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.