2011 GMC TERRAIN Complaints

View complaints related to 2011 GMC TERRAIN. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 380 complaints submitted for the 2011 GMC TERRAIN. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - Ashland, PA

    The 2.4l ecotec motor has had so many complaints not only for gmc terrain but also the Chevy equinox. The motor just stops and lose everything while driving! I was in traffic and it stop almost causing an accountant God I wasn't hurt! Now I have this car with a blown motor because it's a no tolerance motor. We spend so much money on these vehicles and spend so much to keep them safe for driving on the road and yet when it comes to the company cutting corners to save money they don't get faulted for putting faulty equipment in these vehicles. I have a 2011 terrain and I bought it in 2019 for 9000 and drove it a month before the motor blew it has less then 100000 miles on it and for me to get a new motor it's another 5000. I just don't understand why if the equipment is faulty and so many complaints have been posted about the same issue why it's not being recalled or why we can't get the company to give us new motors or a new car! We are expected to pay insurance registration inspections test every year and pay for the normal wear on the vehicles to make sure they are safe but they can't recall faulty parts! I foster children and can't afford to make expensive purchases that weren't caused by neglect on my part

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - Radford, VA

    The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while idled, there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle and the smoke dissipated. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the the timing chain had come to the head without much heat. The timing chain needed to be repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The contact had not contacted the manufacturer. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

    Source: HOTLINE VEHICLE OWNERS QUESTIONNAIRE
  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - Streator, IL

    My car is burning oil between oil changes. Oil changed regularly every 3,000 miles for the past 11 years. Worried about motor blowing up and being stranded somewhere due to the oil consumption.Oil life still showing 42% on panel and burnt oil on the crossing part on oil stick only.. Contacted Dealership about a Class Action Settlement which I was unaware of cause I didn't get a notice of settlement it was to late and expired..told me my warranty for this was over and they couldn't help me unless I pay 3,500.00 for new piston's. No warning light nor messages, car over heated and engine smoking..Had to put more oil in to get by..6 months ago when it all started.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - Dexter , ME

    Uncertain. Engine power is reduced stall while driving common issues I’ve read about is throttle body and it’s sensor

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - albion, NE

    I have owned this car for a little over year and have had nothing but issues. The car started on fire with an electrical issues once, the car has just stopped running on me multiple times while I was driving, almost causing a wreck. The engine goes through Oil like crazy. I've had it back to the dealership multiple times and never get a fix. I believe this vehicle is a true lemon.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - Wayland, MI

    The timing chain is run by oil pressure. This engine burns so much oil that I have put in 6quarts in 1 month. If not continually checking and adding oil the vehicle stalls in traffic.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - Monona, WI

    The failure point was the seal on the sunroof and the sunroof itself. A correct failure mode would be for it to leak into the cabin thus being immediately visable. Instead, an internal seal apparently failed allowing the intruding water to flow unobserved into the bulkhead region between the car body and the internal liner of the vehicle. As a consequence it flowed down a side post exiting into the dashboard and control panel. The dashboard shorted out elliminating the turn signal indicator (and possibly the turn signal itself). The radio and amplifier and the general alarm system went to maximum volume. Fortunately, it did not short out the airbag, thus it did not deploy while I was on the freeway, maybe next time. The salient point is that water was allowed to intrude through the sunroof and able to proceed unobserved to the back of the dashboard. The inside of the car was removed and replaced as was the major components behind the dashboard. The airbags were not replaced.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - Dolton, IL

    Oil burning too quickly I recent got an oil change in Aug, checked oil and it was completely dry less then 2 months (oil consumption recall expired) I had same issue in 2017 but my was non operational due to oil consumption problem damaged my engine and dealer couldn't run test so I paid for new engine out of pocket! Second issue shortage in rear passenger lights I've changed bulbs several times now I see there's a shortage definitely.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - Greeley, CO

    The liftgate on my 2011 GMC Terrain failed on 8/31/2021. It lifted to the 3/4 setting and then fell, hitting me in the head, and then it lifted back up and then closed. I have tried to operate the liftgate several times following this incident and it continues to do the same thing. I currently have the liftgate in the Off position so that it does not cause bodily injury to anyone else. Please confirm that there will be a recall associated with this incident since bodily injuries were incurred.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2011 GMC TERRAIN
    - San Antonio, TX

    The original Engine blew a piston rod and cracked my engine in the middle of the freeway , had to have vehicle towed to a shop and whole engine replaced with a new one. This could have caused a huge accident or even caught fire. I had no previous issue or light on the engine prior to this happening. Oil had been changer regularly , Tune ups, and any additional required maintenance, The Manufacturer has not wanted to take any responsibility or assist in compensating any of the cost . I have been fighting this for well over 2 years

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE