2011 GMC TERRAIN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
4/5
Safety Rating
556
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
63
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2011 GMC TERRAIN
The 2011 GMC TERRAIN has received a total of 556 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM). 63 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (178 complaints), Power Train (71 complaints), and Unknown Or Other (33 complaints).
Recalls for the 2011 GMC TERRAIN
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2011 GMC TERRAIN, potentially affecting up to 1,269,491 vehicles.
Recall 22V137000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 740,581 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 16V502000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
| 8,367 vehicles affected
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...
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....
View full details →Recall 16V502000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
| 8,367 vehicles affected
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...
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....
View full details →Recall 14V447000 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST
| 414,333 vehicles affected
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...
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...
View full details →Recall 10V623000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
| 97,843 vehicles affected
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,...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2011 GMC TERRAIN
556 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 GMC TERRAIN. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 it wouldn’t ever start again. We didn’t know about a so call recall or not a recall. Still until we had to have it towed in to be fixed, I heard it mentioned. By then the car was repaired at our expense of $8000+. We are retired and don’t have or didn’t have money for that repair. The only reason we had a little money was because my husband got paid for back (lump sum) payment just a couple of days before this. We still owe on the car. Without it we only have an old 2001GMC SIERRA 1500. We live paycheck to paycheck. I called one of GMC’s phone numbers today and I was told if we didn’t have it done at a GMC FACILITY we get NO reimbursement. I cried. My husband is a real stickler when it comes to our vehicles and maintenance and logs and also keeps receipts.Please tell me there is some to help us.
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.
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 recall coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine might be blown. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 110,714.
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 independent mechanic and two separate auto body shops, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was consuming engine oil, and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the second time the vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 114,114.
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 an eighteen wheeler. GMC is waiting for someone to die and probably address this issue
Safety Rating for the 2011 GMC TERRAIN
The 2011 GMC TERRAIN received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2011 GMC TERRAIN
General Motors, LLC has issued 63 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2011 GMC TERRAIN. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIP5095G — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon and may also have an oil or coolant leak. Technician may find coolant or oil in a spark plug tube. If the Spark Plug Tube is leaking and it is determined that the...
N192266180 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
N192266180 - Special Coverage - On some 2010-2012, and 2014-2017 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, a link ball socket in the wiper transmission may separate. If this were to occur, the driver would experience a sudden loss of wiper function. Dealers are to replace the front wiper...
17NA098 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to Replace both camshaft position actuator valves to correct a condition of the engine runs rough, hesitates, hard to start, and or stalls. During diagnosis a technician may find DTCs P0010, P0013, P0011, P0014 set or stored due to camshaft position actuator solenoid valve...
PIT5427B — SERVICE BRAKES
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp, service Antilock Braking System, Service Stabilitrak, Service All Wheel Drive, Service Suspension Control, or Hard Steering. Technician may find the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes stored C0196, C0186, C0287, C0710, C0045,...
PIP5385D — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician on the steps to diagnose the concern, and the steps to repair the concern of Diagnostic Trouble Code P228C setting. The technician is to inspect the fuel and readings for the High Pressure Fuel Pump. The technician is to drain and clean fuel...
PI0865D — ENGINE
This preliminary information bulletin provides a information and a procedure on the 2.4L ecotec engine.
12313D — ENGINE
12313D - Special Coverage. On some vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine (RPO LAF), the chrome layer on the balance chain pins may wear, allowing the chain to stretch. This would cause an engine noise, and if left untreated, could cause the chain to break, leading to engine damage.
GCUS-9-4004 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
15285D - Special Coverage. Some vehicles, equipped with a 2.4L engine, may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2,000 miles per quart of engine oil), due to piston ring wear. If this condition is present, the oil can light may illuminate on the instrument panel or the following message...
WLK102116 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The inlet flange may have the potential to fatigue and crack at the inlet cone if the engine motor mounts are worn.
15285C — ENGINE
15285C - SPECIAL COVERAGE (REVISED TO CORRECT LABOR TIME MISPRINT). VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.4L ENGINE, MAY EXHIBIT EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION (LESS THAN 2,000 MILES PER QUART OF ENGINE OIL), DUE TO PISTON RING WEAR. IF THIS CONDITION IS PRESENT, THE OIL CAN LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT...
Showing 10 of 63 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2011 GMC TERRAIN
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the GMC TERRAIN
- 2009 GMC TERRAIN — 0 complaints
- 2010 GMC TERRAIN — 425 complaints
- 2011 GMC TERRAIN (current)
- 2012 GMC TERRAIN — 496 complaints
- 2013 GMC TERRAIN — 483 complaints
- 2014 GMC TERRAIN — 385 complaints
- 2015 GMC TERRAIN — 375 complaints
- 2016 GMC TERRAIN — 174 complaints
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- GMC ENVOY — 3,269 total complaints
- GMC YUKON XL — 2,820 total complaints
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