2011 GMC Terrain problems
NHTSA has received 557 complaints about the 2011 GMC Terrain, and 36% of them involve engine. After that come drivetrain & axles (13%) and fuel system (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 557 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 36% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 20 and 11
- Injuries and deaths
- 49 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 78,000 miles 418 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 73 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 27 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 47 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 68 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 70 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 49 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 40 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 23 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 13 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 5 |
What the data shows
Among the 418 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 78,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 85,000 miles (152 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 20 complaints mention a crash; 11 complaints mention a fire; 49 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2011 ranks 2nd most-complained-about out of 17 model years of the GMC Terrain with enough data (226 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 GMC terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the front drivers side of the vehicle. Moments later flames were present coming from under the hood and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The doors were locked and would not unlock. The rear driver side door was kick open and the front passenger door pulled opened which allowed the occupants to exit.
Takata recall : sucking up oil, rattling sound, car jerking forward- diagnosis from GMC dealership- replace pistons, timing rings, and actuators, vehicle had 1 quart of oil and vehicle had regular oil checks and was in shop less than a year prior. This was a known recall by the dealership. 59k mileage on vehicle . We have letter and all documents
The airbag readiness light is illuminated and "service air bag" message is displayed. There have been recalls for this on 2011 GMC terrains but when I looked it up it says my vehicle isn't covered in the recall. I'm pretty sure that this, in combination with the takata air bag recall, has affected more gmcs than the company cares to admit. This recall should be extended to all 2011 GMC terrains. The service air bag light and air bag warning bell constantly come on while I'm driving my car.