2011 GMC Terrain Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2011 GMC Terrain has 386 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest among all 16 model years, ranking worst overall. It is rated Avoid, driven mainly by engine problems (54% of complaints) and 4 recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 16 Terrain years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 386
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 24
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 16.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 24 / 0
Top 2011 GMC Terrain problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine207 (54%)
- Transmission & Powertrain76 (20%)
- Fuel System48 (12%)
- Electrical System36 (9%)
- Other36 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers35 (9%)
- Brakes29 (8%)
- Airbags25 (6%)
- Structure & Body21 (5%)
- Steering15 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report engine oil leaking onto hot exhaust components, sometimes leading to smoke or fire under the hood.
- Some describe catastrophic engine failure where piston rods broke through the engine block, followed by fire.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in low-to-moderate speed crashes, including rear-end and side impacts.
- One owner reported an alloy wheel disintegrating while driving, causing loss of control and a barrier collision.
- A tailpipe reportedly overheated during highway driving and ignited a rear cargo carrier basket.
2011 GMC Terrain recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 GMC Terrain reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2011 Terrain has 386 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest of any Terrain model year. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Terrain years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2011 GMC Terrain?
- Engine issues make up 54% of complaints (207 of 386), with a median mileage at failure of 85,000 miles. Owners describe oil leaks, stalling, and fires.
- Does the 2011 GMC Terrain have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2011 Terrain, covering electrical headlight reflections, structural power seat height adjusters, and seat belt buckle anchors.
- How does the 2011 Terrain compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 100, the 2011 model ranks worst among all 16 Terrain model years tracked. Later years like 2021-2023 and 2025 earn Best verdicts with complaint indexes as low as 0.
- Are airbag failures common in the 2011 GMC Terrain?
- NHTSA lists 25 airbag-related complaints for the 2011 Terrain, tied to 10 crashes and 1 fire, with a median mileage at failure of 64,500 miles.