YearToAvoid

2011 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 16 Terrain years

The 2011 GMC Terrain ranks worst of 16 model years tracked, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 386 complaints, 4 recalls, and 8 fires reported. Engine problems dominate at 54% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 85,000, making this the year to avoid.

Complaints
386
Recalls
4
Crashes / fires
11 / 8
Injuries / deaths
24 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
19.5
16.5 city / 23.5 hwy

Top 2011 GMC Terrain problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine207 (54%)
  2. Transmission & Powertrain76 (20%)
  3. Fuel System48 (12%)
  4. Electrical System36 (9%)
  5. Other36 (9%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers35 (9%)
  7. Brakes29 (8%)
  8. Airbags25 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body21 (5%)
  10. Steering15 (4%)

What owners report

  • Owners report engine oil leaking onto the hot exhaust and causing under-hood fires, in one case after piston rods broke through the engine block.
  • Some describe a burning oil smell followed by visible smoke and oil pouring from underneath the vehicle while driving around 45 mph.
  • Several owners report airbags failing to deploy during moderate-speed crashes, including rear-end and side-impact collisions.
  • One owner reported the tailpipe overheating and igniting a rear cargo carrier, spreading fire to the bumper.
  • A front alloy wheel reportedly disintegrated while driving, causing loss of control and a collision with a barrier.
  • One report describes the engine stalling on the highway followed by smoke and fire from under the dashboard and hood.
2011 GMC Terrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter342010 Q42012 Q42014 Q42016 Q42018 Q42020 Q42022 Q42025 Q3
544 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q4 to 2026 Q2; peak 2019 Q1 (34).

2011 GMC Terrain recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V137000Mar 8, 2022Electrical System740,581 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:headlights

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    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."

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 14V447000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body414,333 vehicles

    Seats:front assembly:power adjust

    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.

    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.

See all 4 recalls for the 2011 GMC Terrain →

2011 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16.5 MPG
Highway
23.5 MPG
Combined
19.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,325
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Terrain years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Avoid80290221.5
2011Avoid100386419.5
2012Avoid87364421.5
2013Avoid93364321.5

All GMC Terrain years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 GMC Terrain reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Terrain has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest of all 16 model years tracked, and ranks worst overall with an Avoid verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2011 GMC Terrain?
Engine problems are the top issue, making up 54% of complaints, including several reports of engine fires and oil leaking onto hot exhaust components. Median mileage at failure for engine issues is 85,000.
Does the 2011 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2011 Terrain covering electrical headlamp reflection issues, structural power seat height adjuster bolts, and seat belt buckle anchors that could fracture.
How does the 2011 Terrain compare to other years?
The 2011 Terrain has a Complaint Index of 100, higher than every other tracked year; by contrast 2021 scores 0 and 2017 scores 27, both rated Best or Good.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.