Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 GMC Terrain owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The service airbag warning light came on in the vehicle last week. I took the car to be serviced. Per service advisor, the passenger side seat air bag was out of spec. Air bag wire had to be repaired. The new wire would be available for inspection upon request. The safety of passengers in the car were at risk since the air bag had to be fixed.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, a second vehicle crashed into the front drivers side of the vehicle. Moments later flames were present coming from under the hood and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The doors were locked and would not unlock. The rear driver side door was kick open and the front passenger door pulled opened which allowed the occupants to exit. Also during the incident the side air bags did not properly deflate after deployment. The driver sustained neck, back and shoulder injuries. The front passenger sustained injuries to the lumbar spine and hip and the rear seat passenger sustained a bruised sternum. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Takata recall? On March 12, my wife and I were in a collision with another vehicle. We were on a city street in tulsa, oklahoma when we rearended another vehicle. It was a fairly minor accident at less than 40 MPH, but my wife sustained severe injuries to her right eye and both arms. She broke the major bone in both of her arms right above the wrist area, and her right eye was lacerated and exploded from the socket. She has been through numerous surgeries for her eye and arms. She is currently blind in her right eye. Her seatbelt did not restain her from coming forward, and we still do not know what hit her in the eye. All of the airbags in the car exploded, and we believe that this might have caused her eye injury, but we are unsure as to why her seatbelt would have not restrained her from what caused the injuries to her arms and eye.
My 2011 GMC Terrain hit a vehicle in front, causing major damage (the vehicle is totaled out) and no air bags deployed. My vehicle was traveling at approximately 55 MPH northbound in the #3 lane of the 41 freeway, south of the shaw exit. Impact was estimated to be between 20 to 30 MPH. The driver, my 18 year grand-daughter hit her head on the steering wheel and her left wrist was injured holding on to the steering wheel. The 18 year old female right front seat passenger suffered an ankle injury. Why did the air bags fail to deploy, with a straight on front end collision with the vehicle in front?! Unacceptable!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving 55 MPH, the contact fell asleep crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the spine, which required medical attention. There were no injuries sustained to the driver of the other vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the contact crashed into the side of another vehicle that veered into the contact's lane. The air bags failed to deploy. There were minor injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000. ......updated 04/01/16
I was on the interstate in cincinnati, ohio when a deer crossed over the jersey wall onto the roadway as I was just beginning to exit. I hit the deer at a minimum speed of 45-50mph. My airbag did not deploy. Although I was unharmed I am concerned about the failure of the airbag to deploy given my speed and front impact. My vehicle has also recently had an intermittent issue with sudden loss of power that has been attributed to the stability control system. Given the recent rash of incidents surrounding GMC vehicles and the lack of recalls on the Terrain vehicle, I am reporting these incidents at this time as I am concerned that they May be indicative of broader problem with the Terrain model of vehicle.
The airbag readiness light is illuminated and "service air bag" message is displayed. There have been recalls for this on 2011 GMC terrains but when I looked it up it says my vehicle isn't covered in the recall. I'm pretty sure that this, in combination with the Takata air bag recall, has affected more gmcs than the company cares to admit. This recall should be extended to all 2011 GMC terrains. The service air bag light and air bag warning bell constantly come on while I'm driving my car. It comes on when I start the car and continues to go on and off the entire time I'm driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the rear of her vehicle, and the air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and the driver suffered minor bruising. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem who performed an investigation and the investigators concluded that there was no problem with the air bags. The VIN was not available and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 1,100.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 general motors Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the contact's passenger's side of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. There was no injuries. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not towed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who repaired the vehicle. The contact stated since the crash,the service air bag warning indicator illuminates intermittently. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 32,275 .
Airbag complaints in other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2011 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 GMC Terrain, 6% of the model year's 386 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2011 GMC Terrain airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2011 GMC Terrain, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2011 GMC Terrain airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 15 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.