YearToAvoid

2011 GMC Terrain Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 21 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 GMC Terrain, 5% of its 386 total complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 25,000 miles. A related recall, campaign 14V447000, covers power seat height adjuster shoulder bolts.

Structure & Body complaints
21
5% of 386
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Median mileage
25,000 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Headliner and roof seal detach or sag, sometimes after a car wash, with clips fracturing and the roof panel flopping downward.
  • Driver's seat bolt loosens and unscrews, letting the seat move independently of driver input, tied to recall campaign 14V447000.
  • Door locks cycle and lock or unlock on all four doors independently without driver action, and the failure could not be replicated at the dealer.
  • Excessive body vibration occurs above 30 mph when both rear windows are open, described by a dealer as a design flaw.
  • Door lock switches are positioned low on the door panel, making them hard to reach if the automatic motor fails.
  • Owners who received the seat recall notice reported that replacement parts were unavailable with no estimated repair date.

When 2011 GMC Terrain body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 20, 2010, latest Nov 23, 2021.

2011 GMC Terrain structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month1Dec 2010Mar 2012Sep 2012Jun 2014Nov 2014Mar 2016Dec 2018
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2010 to Nov 2021; peak Dec 2010 (1).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2011 GMC Terrain

  1. 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.

Structure & Body complaints by Terrain model year

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

  1. 201013 (4%)
  2. 201121 (5%)
  3. 201216 (4%)
  4. 201317 (5%)
  5. 20149 (3%)
  6. 201515 (5%)
  7. 20166 (4%)
  8. 20177 (5%)
  9. 20187 (3%)
  10. 20192 (1%)
  11. 20206 (3%)
  12. 20210 (0%)
  13. 20220 (0%)
  14. 20231 (3%)
  15. 20241 (2%)
  16. 20251 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2011 GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA lists 21 Structure & Body complaints for the 2011 Terrain, which is 5% of the 386 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 GMC Terrain related to body structure?
Yes, campaign 14V447000 covers 2011-2012 Terrain vehicles with power seats and addresses the height adjuster shoulder bolts; it does not require parking outside or stopping driving.
At what mileage do structure and body problems typically show up on the 2011 Terrain?
The median mileage at failure for Structure & Body complaints on the 2011 Terrain is 25,000 miles.
Were there crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?
NHTSA data tied to this complaint area for the 2011 Terrain shows 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 7 injuries reported.
How does 2011 compare to other Terrain years for this problem area?
The 2011 Terrain's 21 Structure & Body complaints and 5% share are the highest complaint count among the listed years, compared to 13 complaints in 2010 and 16 in 2012.

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.