What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Terrain?

The engine group has the most complaints at 199, followed by the power train group at 76. Owners describe stalling and jerky gear changes in the stories we read.

Does the 2011 GMC Terrain have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data lists 4 recalls. The Recalls section on this page lists them.

Is the 2011 GMC Terrain reliable?

NHTSA has 386 owner complaints on file. Check the engine and power train history of any car you look at.

What is the gas mileage of the 2011 GMC Terrain?

See the Fuel Economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2011 the best year for the GMC Terrain?

See the by-year comparison section on this page to weigh complaints and recalls across model years.

2011 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 386 owner complaints on file for the 2011 GMC Terrain^[1]. The engine group leads the list with 199 complaints^[2].

386owner complaints^[1]

4recalls^[3]

19–26MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.

Engine. 199 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe stalling, a rattle or bang at startup, hesitation and rough running. Some say the dealer found no codes and could not repeat the trouble. The median mileage at failure is 84,901^[2].
Power Train. 76 complaints^[6]. Owners describe gear changes that feel harsh or jerky, especially from first to second gear and in slow traffic. Some took the car back to the dealer more than once without a fix. The median mileage at failure is 74,500^[6].
Unknown or other. 33 complaints^[7]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
Fuel and propulsion system. 31 complaints^[8]. Owners describe the car losing power or shutting off while driving, plus a reduced power message. One owner describes a rusted fuel line that leaked.
Electrical system. 29 complaints^[9]. Owners describe stalls while driving, trouble turning the key, and static on the phone system.
Visibility and wipers. 28 complaints^[10].
Air bags. 25 complaints^[11]. This group has 10 crashes and 15 injuries attached to it^[11].
Electronic stability control. 21 complaints^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2011 Terrain is necessarily included.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights (22V137), March 2022. About 740,581 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Electrical System › Ignition (16V502), July 2016. About 8,367 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, the car rolling away. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust (14V447), July 2014. About 414,333 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly (10V623), December 2010. About 97,843 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	22 / 31 / 26	$2,600
Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[17]	20 / 28 / 23	$2,900
Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	16 / 23 / 19	$3,550
Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350
Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[20]	16 / 23 / 19	$3,550
Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive^[21]	16 / 23 / 19	$3,550

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV AWD^[5]	4	4	5	4	17.4%
SUV FWD^[22]	4	4	5	4	19.1%

How 2011 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Terrain model year. The 2011 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2010	290	3
2011	386	4
2012	364	4
2013	364	3
2014	297	2
2015	298	3
2016	153	2
2017	135	1
2018	225	5
2019	186	3
2020	197	2
2021	36	2
2022	88	4
2023	41	2
2024	52	1
2025	13	0
2026	33	1
2027	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the Terrain show 386 complaints and 4 recalls for 2011^[3]. Among the 18 model years listed, 17 have fewer complaints than 2011 and 0 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2011 (386)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2011 Terrain?

The 2011 GMC Terrain has 386 owner complaints on file^[1]. The engine and power train groups carry the bulk of them^[2]^[6]. Across the whole file, 11 complaints mention a crash and 8 mention a fire^[1]. Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a guide to what to check. Look over the recall section on this page too, since the by-year data lists 4 recalls^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 GMC Terrain?: The engine group has the most complaints at 199^[2], followed by the power train group at 76^[6]. Owners describe stalling and jerky gear changes in the stories we read.
Does the 2011 GMC Terrain have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data lists 4 recalls^[3]. The Recalls section on this page lists them.
Is the 2011 GMC Terrain reliable?: NHTSA has 386 owner complaints on file^[1]. Check the engine and power train history of any car you look at^[2]^[6].
What is the gas mileage of the 2011 GMC Terrain?: See the Fuel Economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2011 the best year for the GMC Terrain?: See the by-year comparison section on this page to weigh complaints and recalls across model years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the GMC Terrain

2011 this page
2012 364 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 364 complaints, 3 recalls
2014 297 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 298 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 153 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 135 complaints, 1 recall
2018 225 complaints, 5 recalls
2020 197 complaints, 2 recalls
2024 52 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the GMC Terrain

Other GMC models from 2011

2011 GMC Acadia 269 complaints, 5 recalls

All GMC models

Similar cars from 2011: suvs

2011 BMW X5 331 complaints, 18 recalls
2011 BMW X6 32 complaints, 13 recalls
2011 Buick Enclave 213 complaints, 6 recalls
2011 Cadillac SRX 447 complaints, 7 recalls
2011 Chevrolet Equinox 782 complaints, 3 recalls
2011 Chevrolet HHR 203 complaints, 2 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 386 owner complaints on file for the 2011 GMC Terrain (11 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 24 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
199 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 8 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,901). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Terrain model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
76 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,500). NHTSA vehicle records
33 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,800). NHTSA vehicle records
31 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,901). NHTSA vehicle records
29 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,500). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
25 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,500). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V137, filed March 8, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V502, filed July 5, 2016: Electrical System › Ignition. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V447, filed July 23, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V623, filed December 15, 2010: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2011 GMC Terrain: problems, recalls and fuel economy