10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,841 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 GMC Terrain drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2011 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #31

Jan 012018

Terrain

  • 91,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on the highway at 45 mph, the vehicle remained running but abruptly stopped. I could have been hit from behind with serious consequences. It left me stranded on a 2 lane road unable to move out of the lane. This is a serious problem with this vehicle. GM needs to address this problem.

- Middletown, MD, USA

problem #30

Nov 032017

Terrain

  • 52,000 miles
Vehicle(automatic) will stall while driving, has happened multiple times on freeway. Mechanics are not discovering any issues, vehicle has regular maintenance. There has been times where the vehicle would not go into reverse and would jerk then shut off, it seems there is an issue with gears/transmission. Have researched online and there are many similar complaints of stalling vehicles while driving.

- Georgetown, TX, USA

problem #29

Aug 042017

Terrain

  • miles
While I was driving 35-45 miles per hour the truck turned off on its own so I parked truck on the side of the road. I waited a few minutes and tried to turn vehicle on again, it turned on again and I continued driving 20-30 per hour. Then after being stopped at a red light when it turned green I stepped on the gas and there was a loud sound plus we felt like it had jumped.

- Mission, TX, USA

problem #28

Aug 022017

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I purchased my car brand new in April of 2011. I didn't even have it a year and I had to take it in 3 different times for stalling. The engine light never came on therefore they couldn't pull a code to know what exactly was wrong but because it was under warranty, they just started replacing parts. The very first time it stalled they told me to watch what kind of gas I was putting it. They told me to try only going to mobil, bp or shell. I shook my head the whole time they were saying this but to rule it out for them, that's what I did. Obviously that wasn't the problem. Then, upon a cold start, the engine was very loud and made a rattling noise. Again, no engine light. The whole time I've had the vehicle it hesitates when pulling into traffic sometimes. Sometimes the kick back it gives off is so big that it actually jerks your body forward. I've had the car for 6 years and have over 10 receipts from dealerships for taking it in over the yrs.they have "replaced/fixed" cam auctor solonoids, actuator, tensioner, timing chain, catalytic converter, gasket, manifold and piston..to name a few.the other day I noticed a slight grinding noise when turning right.I went straight home and was going to have my friend listen to it so we could figure out where it was possibly coming from.within 2 hrs just sitting in the driveway the grinding became 20X worse and extremely loud! I couldn't even back it out of my driveway without it sounding like my whole entire engine was going to fall out.we were thinking it was the transfer case/transmission.I had to have it towed to the dealership where they called me a few hrs later only to confirm it was the transfer case and it will be $2,400 bc it's no long under warranty.I have numerous receipts showing ongoing issues with this and other things.I'm furious and disappointed.I bought a new car to feel safer in and I haven't felt that once!

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #27

May 102017

Terrain

  • 65,000 miles
The vehicle is consuming up to 2 qts of oil every 1000 miles. The low oil level light does not illuminate, even when the oil level falls below 2 qts low.

- Chesterfield, MI, USA

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problem #26

Jun 222017

Terrain

  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle jerked without warning. Upon starting the vehicle, the service transmission warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Updated 09/06/17

- Anderson, SC, USA

problem #25

May 032017

Terrain

  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At approximately 80,000 miles, the transmission weight plates disintegrated, fouling the controlling modules. The transmission needs to be entirely rebuilt or replaced. First scheduled transmission service for this vehicle is at 100,000 miles. This occurred during normal highway driving, stranding us.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #24

May 012013

Terrain

  • 45,000 miles
We bought it used in 2013 and shortly after it started have serious issues. It started with the traction control light coming on and it power down. Then it would stay running spitting and sputtering after we turned the key off. So then we received a letter stating there is a recall and take it to the dealership to have it fixed. So they fixed it or at least they said it was, so we continued to drive it and the engine light came on and stayed on so I took it back and they said it was the throttle body and catalytic convert. Then we changed those parts and it still has the engine light on and spitting and sputtering after we turn the key off.

- Gallipolis, OH, USA

problem #23

Apr 102017

Terrain

  • 116,649 miles
Vehicle transmission will suddenly drop into 2nd gear while driving and refuse to shift further. This caused vehicle to suddenly drop speed on highway from 65mph to 40 mph with no prior warning. Vehicle will also suddenly drop out of manual transmission mode, also without warning or indication.

- Lompoc, CA, USA

problem #22

Feb 172017

Terrain

  • 65,000 miles
Exhaust manifold cracked between cylinders 2 and 3 upstream oxygen sensor from hot exhaust gases from the leak passing on the wires and heater element within the oxygen sensor and exhaust manifold top heat shield. Carbon monoxide leaking through floor board

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #21

Dec 092016

Terrain

  • 62,353 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2011 GMC Terrain about 62390 miles. When I am accelerating the car jerks. I took it to the dealer they state they could not find nothing wrong. I just got the fuel pump replaced due to a recall. And now a light came on that read ac off due to high engine temp but the temperature gauge showed cold and it never went to normal after being on for 20 mins and to this day is goes to the notch right before normal. Also when the fuel is low the light does not come on. I called the dealership and they stated they have to duplicate the problem to fix it but I cant bring it in until 12/16/2016 because they are booked

- Montgomery, AL, USA

problem #20

Nov 172016

Terrain

  • 91,000 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. I believe GM aware of this but choose to not fixing this, leaving the consumer to deal with the problem, since it happens shortly after the warranty expired. Transmission is most important part in a car, if my car can't even make to 100K without replacing transmission, what about other parts in the car"? how am I going to put my trust in GM car in the future" we love american car and support american products, but if GM couldn't stand up and fix the problem, then we'll be forcing to get different car other than GM.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #19

Sep 072016

Terrain

  • 93,000 miles
Timing chain broke while reversing out of driveway into road causing engine to stop.

- Monroe, MI, USA

problem #18

Aug 152016

Terrain

  • miles
It has a loud knocking sound which gets louder with the a C on.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #17

Jul 262016

Terrain

  • 47,000 miles
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. The issue was 1st discovered in the mountains of pa on the 80 hwy the stickiness was between all gears but mostly 1st/2nd and 3nd/4nd since we are back in the city we can only deal with 1/2 gear on the hwy and this problem persists. When doing basic research on this issue I noticed that others experienced a similar problem in 2011 shortly after the cars release, but a flash to the emc "fixed" the problem. Our dealer says that all recalls and software are up to date. Last occurrence 7/26/16 we dont drive the car much since then.

- Flsuhing, NY, USA

problem #16

Jan 012012

Terrain

  • miles
Since I first purchased the car, it has given nothing but issues, the ac went out while still under warranty, it was fixed so I thought, it broke down again and because I was unable to describe word by word, I was told it would not be covered since it was not the same issue and I no longer had the warranty. A mechanic told me that GMC installed really cheap ac compresors/unit and he has had a lot of customers with same issue. It is a shame that we pay so much money in the purchase of a vehicle and in return we get a piece of junk. I need help.

- Winter Haven, FL, USA

problem #15

Nov 012015

Terrain

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving approximately 65 mph. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the power train belt failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Bessemer, AL, USA

problem #14

Jun 112015

Terrain

  • 71,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. While driving approximately 35 mph, the transmission began to hesitate and jerked. In addition, the transmission slipped gears intermittently with a rapid loss of engine oil. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to locate the failure. The transmission fluid was flushed however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #13

Oct 012014

Terrain

  • 80,000 miles
We bought this and had it three months when the transmission went out at less that 80000 miles. It lost power and also had lost oil after just having the oil changed. Supposedly it was "dry" and also no transmission fluid. It had just been serviced and have the proof of servicing. It took us three months to find a transmission to put in it, since we were still making payments on it!! had to get a rental car for three months. It was a nightmare. We both believe that GM knows this vehicle make and model transmissions are faulty. We were very disappointed. We had owned a jimmy with 300000 miles on it. Very disappointed in this vehicle.

- Bedford, IN, USA

problem #12

Oct 282014

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2011 GMC Terrain. Put the vehicle in reverse and backed out of the driveway, then I put the vehicle in drive and it wouldn't go forward.therefore, I put in reverse and backed back into the driveway I took it to the dealership and was told that the torque converter went bad on the transmission.

- Saginaw, MI, USA

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