YearToAvoid

2011 GMC Terrain Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 48 Fuel System complaints for the 2011 GMC Terrain, 12% of that year's 386 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 66,000 miles. No related recalls are listed for this problem area.

Fuel System complaints
48
12% of 386
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
66,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Owners report highway and city fuel economy falling well below the EPA-rated mpg, often citing figures such as 32 mpg highway rated versus 20 to 22 mpg actual.
  • Some drivers describe the engine stalling or rpm dropping sharply at idle or at stop lights, occasionally shutting off completely.
  • A rattling or clicking noise on startup is reported by multiple owners, sometimes tied to a fix that later returns.
  • Several owners describe jerky or hesitant transmission behavior at low speeds alongside the fuel economy complaints.
  • One owner reported the fuel nozzle popping out of the fill tube during refueling.
  • A separate owner reported gasoline spilling from the fuel tank during refueling despite multiple dealer repair attempts.

When 2011 GMC Terrain fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 19, 2011, latest Jul 31, 2024.

2011 GMC Terrain fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2011Jan 2012Apr 2014Dec 2016Apr 2018Jun 2019May 2020Oct 2023
48 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2011 to Jul 2024; peak Jul 2011 (3).

Fuel System recalls for the 2011 GMC Terrain

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Fuel System complaints by Terrain model year

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

  1. 201016 (6%)
  2. 201148 (12%)
  3. 201229 (8%)
  4. 201323 (6%)
  5. 201415 (5%)
  6. 201517 (6%)
  7. 20163 (2%)
  8. 20174 (3%)
  9. 201815 (7%)
  10. 20194 (2%)
  11. 202031 (16%)
  12. 20214 (11%)
  13. 202237 (62%)
  14. 202321 (54%)
  15. 202410 (20%)
  16. 20250 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2011 GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA lists 48 Fuel System complaints for the 2011 GMC Terrain, making up 12% of the 386 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 GMC Terrain fuel system?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the 2011 GMC Terrain's fuel system complaints.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?
The median mileage at failure for fuel system complaints on the 2011 GMC Terrain is 66,000 miles.
Did the fuel system issues cause crashes or fires?
NHTSA records show 0 crashes and 0 fires associated with these fuel system complaints.
What is the main fuel system complaint pattern?
The most common pattern is fuel economy falling short of the EPA rating, along with reports of stalling and startup rattling noises.

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.