10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,561 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2011 GMC Terrain:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

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

problem #150

Dec 102021

Terrain

  • miles
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.

- Wayland, MI, USA

problem #149

Dec 062018

Terrain

  • miles
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

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #148

Mar 012017

Terrain

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the stability track control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked and hesitated. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road and the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle 2-3 times before being able to proceed driving. The contact stated that while stopped at the next traffic light, the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was restarted however, while driving the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who stated that the spark plug and coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The contact took the vehicle to another certified mechanic who diagnosed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced because sensors within the vehicle, due to the excessive oil consumption, were clogging up the pistons. The vehicle was repaired however the failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- Eastville, VA, USA

problem #147

Jul 182021

Terrain

  • miles
Purchased this vehicle in November 2020 and 7 months later was coming home from a trip, there was a ticking noise got louder and faster and then a pop. Took vehicle to a mechanic spun bearings and rods and crankcase was completely dry There were no leaks or evidence of oil These vehicles are known to have excessive oil consumption. I believe that the blown engine was a direct result of oil consumption

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #146

Jul 302021

Terrain

  • miles
Vehicle has been burning up to 3 quarts of oil every 1,500 miles. This has been an ongoing issue for years. In 2020 a GM dealer serviced/repaired the vehicle to correct the issue; the vehicle only had approximately 60,000 miles at the time. The issue returned around 20,000 miles after the repair. Neither an instrument panel light nor a OBDII code appears when the oil is low. When the oil is low the vehicle stalls when making a turn and also jitters and jerks while idling. I am put in a dangerous situation when the vehicle stalls (especially on the freeway service roads).

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #145

Nov 302019

Terrain

  • miles
Timing chain either broke or jumped track while driving and car shut off while vehicle was in motion. Had to have it towed home and will not start ever since. I hear alot of complaint with this type of motor with oil use and timing with results of destroying engine completely and not having money to fix after paying alot of money for this vehicle. GM needs to take responsibility for their faulty 2.4l ecotec motor and issue a recall to those affected by this faulty engine. I was driving a busy street in my home town when the car just shut off while in motion. Lost all power to the vehicle and could have crashed or been hit or worse been seriously injured or fatally injured. Please take responsibility and fix the problems created by faulty equipment! I had purchased from used lot and broke down same month I bought it and has been sitting outside my house ever since over a year

- Ashland , PA, USA

problem #144

May 262021

Terrain

  • miles
The engine locked up while driving on the interstate rendering it inoperable and undrivable. There were no warning signs (ie. leaks, noises, overheating, etc.). The vehicle now needs an entirely new or used engine and is unrepairable.

- Peculiar, MO, USA

problem #143

May 192021

Terrain

  • miles
Service stabilitrak pops up, engine goes into reduced power mode. Third time happening and dealership has done nothing to fix it besides charge me money. Car has 96k miles at this point and I-??ve spent more money to fix it than it-??s worth.

- Hickory, NC, USA

problem #142

Mar 102021

Terrain

  • 89,000 miles
Due to a faulty PCV design my vehicle experienced a rear main seal failure. It was externally cold. The same as in bulletin 14882. GMC states that my vehicle is not covered.

- Madison, SD, USA

problem #141

May 252020

Terrain

  • 115,000 miles
Odb code P0014/P0017 is a GMC recall and I would very much like to bring it and let you guys fix it because it is becoming a problem!

- Gaffney, SC, USA

problem #140

Feb 252021

Terrain

  • 135,000 miles
Car randomly shuts off while driving it doesn't matter if I am on the highway or driving through the city, also engine power reduced mode. Throws random codes even after codes have been serviced. We have been dealing with this issue for close to 2 years with no resolve. After further investigation we have found there are multiple complaints of this exact issue.

- Burleson, TX, USA

problem #139

Jan 262021

Terrain

  • 149,000 miles
My vehicle had been having to common oil consumption meaning I checked the oil every time I got fuel. This last time I went to check the oil level the dipstick was under so much pressure it shot twenty feet into the air when the hood opened. I then drove the vehicle from the gas station back home and this time took the oil fill cap off and when I turned the cap a quarter turn it blew off into the air followed by burning hot oil droplets and steam. When I run the vehicle for any amount of time the oil drain back system builds more pressure then the cooling system eventually causing the vehicle to stall under load such as when taking off from a stop. When the vehicle does stall it will take from 2-10 minuets to restart.

- Winnebago, MN, USA

problem #138

Jan 162021

Terrain

  • 30 miles
While driving along with ongoing traffic the vehicle stops and almost caused me an several accidents.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #137

Jan 172019

Terrain

  • miles
Excessive engine oil consumption about a quaker of oil every 2000 miles. This vehicle was bought from a non GMC as used certified with 145450 miles date 01/18/2019. By then then vehicles was classified as recall. With especial coverage warranty from GMC please see bulletin number 15285A. I reach out to GM customer engagement center of ca, but they refused to pay for diagnoses fees and repairs, quote the vehicle is over 120000. I had also made a complain to the better business bureau. I would like GMC pay for diagnoses and repairs to a certified local GMC dealership. Thank you for you help respectfully, customer

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #136

Jan 172019

Terrain

  • miles
Excessive engine oil consumption about a quaker of oil every 2000 miles. This vehicle was bought from a non GMC as used certified with 145450 miles date 01/18/2019. By then then vehicles was classified as recall. With especial coverage warranty from GMC please see bulletin number 15285A. I reach out to GM customer engagement center of ca, but they refused to pay for diagnoses fees and repairs, quote the vehicle is over 120000. I had also made a complain to the better business bureau. I would like GMC pay for diagnoses and repairs to a certified local GMC dealership. Thank you for you help respectfully, customer

- Stockton, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »