YearToAvoid

2011 GMC Terrain Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 29 brake-related complaints for the 2011 GMC Terrain, about 8% of its 386 total complaints for the year. The median mileage at failure is 72,000, and NHTSA shows no recall tied to this brake issue.

Brakes complaints
29
8% of 386
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Median mileage
72,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake pads corrode and rust inside the caliper slides, keeping the pads from moving freely.
  • The ABS warning light and a 'skidding vehicle' indicator stay on after hard braking on icy roads, along with a Service StabiliTrak message.
  • Owners report the stability control light coming on together with a sudden, sharp drop in engine power while braking or driving.
  • Some owners describe the vehicle losing speed unexpectedly, dropping from highway speed to a crawl, while dashboard brake and stability warnings appear.

When 2011 GMC Terrain brake complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 13, 2012, latest Jan 14, 2020.

2011 GMC Terrain brakes complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2012Apr 2014Jan 2015Jul 2015May 2016Apr 2018Feb 2019Nov 2019
29 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2012 to Jan 2020; peak Jan 2015 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2011 GMC Terrain

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Terrain model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201027 (9%)
  2. 201129 (8%)
  3. 201217 (5%)
  4. 201313 (4%)
  5. 201415 (5%)
  6. 201517 (6%)
  7. 20168 (5%)
  8. 20173 (2%)
  9. 201887 (40%)
  10. 201977 (42%)
  11. 202072 (37%)
  12. 20218 (23%)
  13. 20221 (2%)
  14. 20230 (0%)
  15. 20243 (6%)
  16. 20253 (23%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA lists 29 brake complaints for the 2011 Terrain, which is 8% of the 386 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 GMC Terrain brakes?
No. NHTSA's data shows no related recall tied to this brake complaint pattern for the 2011 Terrain.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2011 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA's complaint data puts the median mileage at failure at 72,000 miles for this brake issue.
Did the brake issue cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA's data tied to this brake problem area for the 2011 Terrain lists 1 crash and 2 injuries, with no fires reported.
Is 2011 the worst year for Terrain brake complaints?
No. Brake complaint share was higher in 2010 at 9%, and later years like 2018 and 2019 show much higher shares, at 40% and 42% respectively, though those may reflect a different generation.

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.