Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 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. …
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... …
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).
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.
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
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.
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
The car did not change gears at the ?proper? Time, and then when the brakes were applied or acceleration was ended the car would hard shift to the next gear. It is almost as if the gear was locked into place by the acceleration. Because of this shifting issue, it feels like the car is bucking, which can be a potential safety issue for myself and my family. Issue mainly occurs on slope like conditions in the 25 to 35 mile per hour range, our car is up to date on all recalls per dealer, they were unable to replicate the issue, but replaced the shift stick, this also prevents the car from shifting gears by accident I.e. Without the button pushed, this repair has corrected the manual shifting issue. The automatic shift issue still remainsthe car has less then 50K miles. …
We have a 2011 GMC Terrain that is 91,000miles. This morning on the way to work, underneath the car just making a huge clicking sound. When the car slow and stop, it makes huge wheezing sound and unable to shift when trying to accelerate. We brought to the GMC dealer right away (thank god, we were close to the dealer), and they said we need to replace transmission and it costs $5,000!!!! They say the fuel line has all kind of metals particle in it, so there is no way of knowing what exactly the problem is, it's better off to replace transmission. This car is under 91,000 miles and we have to replace transmission!!! I then do more research online just to find out there are many similar complaints about GMC Terrain's transmission problems. It all went down without any warnings and the car can't even make to 100K miles. …
Rear main seal blew. I was told that my rear main seal had blown b/c moisture can get in and freeze and since it was so cold the pressure caused the seal to blow. I started the car ahead of time b/c it was in the single digits. When I went outside to leave I noticed some smoke coming from the engine area. I immediately drove to the dealership. As I was driving I noticed some hesitation upon acceleration. Thankfully I did not have to drive the highway to get to the dealership. As soon as I got it to the service department they told me that there was oil leaking under my car to the point that they had to add 3.5 quarts of oil before they could move it to a service bay. After a short examination of the car I was told that the rear main seal had blown. I also found out that 10 other cars had the same issue at the same dealership that same day and 4 the next day. …
Transmission complaints in other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2011 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2011 GMC Terrain, 20% of the model year's 386 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 GMC Terrain transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.