2011 GMC Terrain
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 199 of 386 complaints (52%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (15) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 290 in 2010 to 386 in 2011.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | vs. 2011 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,100 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–22 / 24–32 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–444 | 342–468 | 342–468 | 347–481 | |
| Complaints filed | 290 | 386 | 364 | 364 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 11 | 17 | 14 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 8 | 5 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 24 | 19 | 25 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Terrain have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2011 GMC Terrain?
Engine: 199 of 386 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates it 19–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 GMC Terrain?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 199 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 76 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 48 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 29 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 29 | 10 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 21 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 36 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 22V137000 · Mar 8, 2022
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 16V502000 · Jul 5, 2016
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST · Campaign 14V447000 · Jul 23, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 10V623000 · Dec 16, 2010
Defect: GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX, CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE NEAR THE SEAT ATTACHMENT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PASSENGER AND/OR THE DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.