10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,519 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 GMC Terrain engine problems

engine problem

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2011 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #170

May 112023

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving my vehicle down the road and the vehicle just shut off. This was dangerous and could have cost my son and I our lives. I have spoken with many mechanics and they state that this car has issues with oil consumption This model vehicle has been reported to have a major oil consumption issues. The oil is dissolved within the engine.

- Jacksonville , FL, USA

problem #169

Apr 302023

Terrain

  • miles
My teenage daughter was driving vehicle home as she was approaching a traffic light Our 2011 GMC Terrain just turned off by itself leaving my daughter strand it in a middle of the road.I had to towed vehicle home called a mechanic to come inspect what had happened just to find out that my vehicle Timing chain had given out just like that. Vehicle was running good didn-??t show any symptoms and just like that with no prior warnings it stop working. This vehicle put my daughters life in danger by living her stranded on the middle of a very busy transit road.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #168

Apr 252023

Terrain

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made a loud knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact added 3 quarts of oil to the engine. The mechanic informed the contact that the piston ring also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

- Jasper, IN, USA

problem #167

Jan 012013

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. Additionally, the ABS, traction control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the ABS module and traction control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Rochelle, FL, USA

problem #166

Jan 222023

Terrain

  • miles
I bought this vehicle and NHTSA made GM release an extended warranty on this vehicle for excessive loss of engine oil. In 2019 I had to take this vehicle and pay several thousand dollars for the pistons to be replaced in my engine because I was 1 year past the extended warranty. Now 3 years after spending thousands of dollars through a certified GM store I am having the same problem excessive loss of engine oil. I have zero leaks and I have to put oil in my engine every other day. If I do not by the end of the week I will have an empty engine.

- Clio, MI, USA

problem #165

Dec 152022

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles
Ok so my 2011 GMC terrain just went over 150,000 miles I bought this vehicle used from a dealership not knowing that there was a big lawsuit or that GMC continuted making this make and model knowing that it had a oil usage problem. So mmm mmm with that being said let's start with my vehicle uses oil, my vehicle idles high low and always rough at times, my service stabilitrak flashes, my motor sounds like a HEMI kock knock knock instead of a 2.4, doesn't matter where I'm at or where I'm going I let off of the gas and my car dies.... Let me clarify on that last one me and my 9 year old daughter we're headed home today let off the gas to go around a curve and a hill and you guesswd it my 2011 GMC TERRAIN died I lost all control and all power had no power steering and no brakes... I just thank Jesus I wasn't speeding and that there was no oncoming traffic cuz I don't think me nor my 9 year old would have made it out ok. So thanks to whatever faulty motor engine or power train GMC has with this make and model putting people's safety and lives in danger due to these issues and only choosing certain VINS eligible instead of all VINS from 2011 GMC TERRAINS in my opinion is just choosing which owners survive because this make and model is dangerous to whoever drives it and to whoever meets it on the highway.

- Gatewood, MO, USA

problem #164

Jul 302022

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My wife and I on an Interstate Highway when the Check Engine light came on and the vehicle started slowing down. The message "Engine Power Reduced" came up on the dashboard display. My wife was driving and started pulling off the highway. As we left the driving surface, the car cut off. After a few minutes, the vehicle restarted and we drove home (about 12 miles). We took the vehicle to a mechanic who told us the oil was low. No low oil or low oil pressure lights had illuminated before this incident. He also stated that the timing chain would have to be changed and that this was a recurring problem on the GMC Terrain. I have not had any work done to the vehicle as yet. GMC should have a recall for this problem as I have seen many reports on the internet since it happened to us dating back over ten years.

- Youngsville, NC, USA

problem #163

Mar 012022

Terrain

  • miles
2011 GMC Terrain SLT The engine blew do to timing Chain breaking and it tore up the injectors as i was looking it up there where lots of people with the same problem and when it blew i was on the Highway and almost wrecked. We put new engine. After putting the engine in the transmission seems like every gear you put it in is like neutral and reeding up on other complaints people are having the same problems it only has 80,000 miles No lights came on or Warnings

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #162

Aug 272022

Terrain

  • 157,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the timing chain and water pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle could no longer be started. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

- Fort Pierce, FL, USA

problem #161

Aug 192022

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles
2011 GMC Terrain. Consumer writes in regard to engine failure. The consumer stated that the engine seized. At that time, the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The consumer traded the vehicle in at a loss of nearly $5,000. The consumer requested to be compensated for loss due to discovering a class action suit for the failure.

- Florence, NJ, USA

problem #160

Jul 202022

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving the car and all of a sudden a bunch of lights came on the dash called the dealership where I got it from to get fix and they said sorry they can-€™t help and then have blocked my number from communication. I can-€™t drive my car so I don-€™t know what to do at this point

- New Bedford , MA, USA

problem #159

Jun 052022

Terrain

  • miles
Was driving home from work had a half tank of gas no lights or anything came on, car just shut off was not able to start it from that point. I spoke with car lot to whom I'm making payments with and not able to get anything done with the vehicle. Now I've lost my job and I'm about to be homeless due to this mechanic problem on this vehicle.

- Hutchinson, KS, USA

problem #158

Dec 092021

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles
In March of 2019. My 2011 GMC Terrain shut down while I was driving. No warning lights, sounds or any prior problems to indicate that the engine was no longer going to function. It was a miracle I wasn't driving on a multiple highway, which could have resulted in a serious multiple collision with catastrophic results. I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic shop. The engine due to internal oil consumption was replaced. For two and a half years I consistently had required oil changes. Then the exact thing happened again. In December 2021; my 2011 GMC Terrain completely shut down while driving.I again had to have it towed to the same mechanics, and was told the exact same problem occurred internal consumption of burning oil causing timing chain failure. So I had to have yet another engine replaced in this vehicle making it engine #4 in the exact same vehicle. That was completed in Feb. 2022 And I am currently having to go back to the lube place, and have them add one and a half to two quarts of oil every two weeks. Because it is consuming oil.!!!!!! I am filing a complaint because this to be addressed in having a recall; too get these vehicles off the road. A liability civil suit. A refund for my engine repairs. This vehicle is worthless!!!!! I can't even ethically sell or trade it in. Thank you Engine was replaced.

- Noblesville, IN, USA

problem #157

Apr 032021

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the oil light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with an excessive oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure by phone. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

- Walsenburg, CO, USA

problem #156

Dec 132017

Terrain

  • miles
Engine has had High Oil consumption for years I been changing oil every 1500 to 2000 miles, My GMC dealer nor did GMC inform me that there is an issue with this vehicle even when i had an extended warranty and the car has been in for service many times at my local dealership for it. now it will cost as much as a new engine to fix. GMC needs to make there products better and honor there mistakes,

- Surprise, AZ, USA

problem #155

Dec 212019

Terrain

  • miles
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

- Ashland, PA, USA

problem #154

Mar 052022

Terrain

  • 200,000 miles
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.

- Radford, VA, USA

problem #153

Aug 102020

Terrain

  • miles
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 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.

- Streator, IL, USA

problem #152

Jan 242022

Terrain

  • miles
Uncertain. Engine power is reduced stall while driving common issues I-€™ve read about is throttle body and it-€™s sensor

- Dexter , ME, USA

problem #151

Oct 132021

Terrain

  • miles
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.

- Albion, NE, USA

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