There are 50 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2011 GMC Terrainin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
We have 2011 GMC Terrain. We bought it used so we have only had it a couple years. We noticed it seemed to be using a little more oil but then we were told to keep watch on it. My husband did. Then one day while I was driving it I thought I had heard a faint clicking noise. I said that car isn’t going anywhere until it’s fixed. Little did we know it wouldn’t ever start again. We didn’t know about a so call recall or not a recall. Still until we had to have it towed in to be fixed, I heard it mentioned. By then the car was repaired at our expense of $8000+. We are retired and don’t have or didn’t have money for that repair. The only reason we had a little money was because my husband got paid for back (lump sum) payment just a couple of days before this. We still owe on the car. Without it we only have an old 2001GMC SIERRA 1500. We live paycheck to paycheck. I called one of GMC’s phone numbers today and I was told if we didn’t have it done at a GMC FACILITY we get NO reimbursement. I cried. My husband is a real stickler when it comes to our vehicles and maintenance and logs and also keeps receipts.Please tell me there is some to help us.
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the right side of the roadway and waited for towing assistance. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and two separate auto body shops, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was consuming engine oil, and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the second time the vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 114,114.
SUV gets a slow down warning and it stops shuts off , it’s happened several times now I’m scared!!you wait few minutes it turns back on , mechanic said this a complain about this vehicle all the time , it has not been repaired I’m disabled with no money , I was on the highway and thank God I was on the slow lane if not I would have been killed by an eighteen wheeler. GMC is waiting for someone to die and probably address this issue
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated while driving at undisclosed speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who confirmed there was no warranty or recall coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine might be blown. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 110,714.
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign making a left turn, the vehicle started sputtering. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the timing belt being loose. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
Two of the valves failed and the dealership told me it was likely due to a manufacturer’s defect.
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.
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.
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.
My car wouldn’t start, later found out it was due to timing chain issue which ended up blowing up my engine. I live 40 minutes from work and am consistently driving on the interstate for at least an hour a day. GM said there’s nothing they can do even though there’s been class action lawsuits for the engine. My car has also had oil consumption problems. I bought my car in March of 2022. The engine blew up by November 2022. I barely got my car back in September 2023. After the engine replacement, still wouldn’t turn on, over heated immediately when I did get it back. After paying $7440 for the engine replacement I had to fork over snother $650 to replace the fuel pump control module, and an engine control unit. My car overheated AGAIN just 2 weeks ago!!!!
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.
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 5,000.00. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR LOSS DUE TO DISCOVERING A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE FAILURE.
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.
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.
Uncertain. Engine power is reduced stall while driving common issues I’ve read about is throttle body and it’s sensor
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026