10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,561 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2011 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 3 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #135

Aug 082020

Terrain

  • 83,000 miles

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

On a highway way home and says reduced engine power like 3 days after getting transmission replaced had to get it towed I had my kids with me and mechanic told me it's the engine it had no oil in it when it did have oil before that happened it didn't show leaking or nothing now I'm out of my money under 86,000 miles yet 2011 Terrain

- Blackduck, MN, USA

problem #134

Oct 152020

Terrain

  • 115,497 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that her vehicle would fail to start up after multiple attempts with an unknown engine warning light illuminated on the dashboard. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failure but stated that the failure was likely caused by a defect inside the engine. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,497.

- Forest, MS, USA

problem #133

Nov 282020

Terrain

  • 100,000 miles
Purchased a 2011 GMC Terrain in may with 94K miles. W?hen change oiil light came on, took to a GMC dealer to have it serviced. Drove it home about 50 miles, parked in garage and 4 days later started it. Engine made a weird noise so I turned it off. Would not start again and had it towed to a local garage who tells me the timing chain broke and bent all the valve stems and damaged the heads. The vehicle is financed so I'm making payments on a worthless SUV that now needs a new engine at a cost of about 7500.00.

- Mcallister, MT, USA

problem #132

Nov 192020

Terrain

  • 184,000 miles

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

On 08/05/2020 I was sold this vehicle with a cracked manifold. Upon replacement of the manifold it was discovered that two manifold bolts were seared on the engine block side. After consulting my mechanic and another, I was advised that 1) to repair the engine has to be lifted as the space between the firewall and the engine is too small to make repairs without lifting the engine ( manufacture defect). Further, it was advised to me that completely sealing the manifold could lead to a fire in the catalytic converter because ' these engines run hot'. as I expressed that this vehicles 'antifreeze' level is not stable as I have experienced with other vehicles. In other words this vehicle burns up antifreeze quicker than I've seen occur in other vehicles. After researching the topic it was discovered by consumer reports that these vehicles have major defective engines with repairs to manifold being notorious. And to have to have the engine lifted each time is unreasonably costly. And I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle if a defective engine runs hot and there's a risk of fire. This is exacerbated by the fact of the tiny space between the engine and firewall within the vehicle.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #131

Jan 172017

Terrain

  • 84,000 miles
Engine had to be replaced at 84,000 miles. States on docs at time of replacement timing chain and cam worn due to low oil.has warranty but for replacing due to 'oil consumption ' but service manager refuses to write that although he has stated it.GM refuses to help

- Whiting, NJ, USA

problem #130

Jul 282020

Terrain

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while attempting to drive the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the vvt solenoid was replaced. The contact stated that while driving, and making a slight right turn, the vehicle hesitated but continued driving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed that there was a communication failure. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to an authorized GMC dealer. The vehicle was later taken to coggin Buick GMC in jacksonville (7245 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244) where the contact was informed that the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. Additionally, without the check engine warning light being illuminated, the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The failure recurred twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 96,000.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #129

May 022019

Terrain

  • 72,000 miles

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

Proven oil consumption problem on my car as well as many others leading to a class act which has failed just about everyone. Car is completely unsafe and these cars require a new engine among other fixes in order to avoid the engine blowing. My engine blew on the highway with no warning despite regular oil changes and maintenance. The oil consumption problem has been documented by GM and they are still negligent to the issue. The car was in motion on the highway going around 70 mph when the engine blew. There is supposed to be an oil light signifying low oil which did not go off as well as doing 3 oil consumption tests mandated by GM in order for them to do any repairs. All were failed tests and GM still pushed for more tests that required me to keep driving it. Despite the failed tests they still fought it and the engine blew over this time.

- Muncie, IN, USA

problem #128

Feb 072020

Terrain

  • 91,000 miles
I purchased the vehicle in March 2018. From the date of purchase, the service engine and/or change oil lights would turn on. Every time I took the vehicle to my mechanic, it needed oil. In January 2020, I got a notice from GMC about the settlement of a lawsuit regarding vehicle oil consumption. I took the vehicle to my local GMC and the manager read the "notice of approval of class action settlement and claim form" that was sent to me. The lawsuit requires GMC to pay for repairs or reimburse customers for the repairs. My vehicle had not had the necessary repairs done to it, so the manager instructed me to approve the necessary repairs and pay for them out of pocket because GMC would reimburse me. The repairs were completed on February 7, 2020. I followed all the guidelines provided to me by GMC in order to get the reimbursement. I mailed documents to them a week after the repairs were completed, months before the deadline of May 16, 2020. After waiting over a month and not getting reimbursed, I called GMC customer services (1-866-790-5600) on April 11, 2020. I was informed by GMC customer service to expect a reimbursement check for repairs and rental car fees within two weeks. After not receiving the reimbursement, I called again in June and July 2020 and given the same information-wait. This continued throughout the summer. The delay was blamed on covid-19. I called again in late September 2020, and they instructed me to email all the documents and that the check would arrive in two weeks. On September 30, 2020, I emailed all the documents to GMC. After waiting another two weeks, I called them and they again said it would come in two weeks. On November 10, 2020, I sent another email asking for the reimbursement check. A week later, I got a letter stating I did not qualify for reimbursement because the time had passed/expired.

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #127

Nov 242020

Terrain

  • 219,674 miles
Burns to much oil and I can't keep up with the speed limit it's in and the shop got to put a new timing belt

- Kansas City, KS, USA

problem #126

Jan 192018

Terrain

  • miles
Third engine in vehicle. Needs 2 quarts of oil in between oil change. Oil light never comes on.

- New Franklin, OH, USA

problem #125

Mar 192012

Terrain

  • 130,000 miles

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

The vehicle is out of the window on the oil consumption lawsuit; however it has been burning oil since I have had it and I kept taking it in and they didn't mention anything about a problem said it was normal. By the time I found out about the lawsuit I was out of that period. Can I get the vehicle repaired, I am putting oil in constantly

- Clayton, NC, USA

problem #124

Oct 132020

Terrain

  • 93,000 miles
My car has been wasting to much engine oil. Has had two oil changes in the last three months. At start up and while driving the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. While driving the vehicle there is a knocking and clicking sound coming from the engine at low speeds and especially when you first start the car until I get to higher speeds.

- Middletown, OH, USA

problem #123

Sep 212020

Terrain

  • 130,000 miles
Diagnosed with oil consumption problem, P0014 code for check engine light, showing 10 degrees on scanner, recommended timing chain alignment, my car shut off while driving it, GMC has class action lawsuit, told me my VIN was eligible for it, but will not let me submit a claim, I have owned this car for a year, constant oil changes about every 2 months.

- Toano, VA, USA

problem #122

Sep 152020

Terrain

  • 123,000 miles
Yet again, another costly engine repair. Car would not accelerate properly, engine seemed to be back firing. Then check engine light came on (code P0016). GMC dealer said the timing chains needs to be replaced. $2300. Yet, they will create a recall for a seat. But not an unsafe engine. Hope lives won't be lost, like with the ignition fiscal. Smh.

- Belleville, MI, USA

problem #121

Jul 282020

Terrain

  • 73,000 miles
Vehicle transmission overheats in less than 40 minutes on a 70 mph highway. Speed deteriorates and can no longer go faster than 55 mph. Vehicle must be put in stationary in order to cool transmission. Incident has repeated in twice in a month.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #120

May 302019

Terrain

  • miles
Hesitation and lag on acceleration after hard or quick brake application. Feels like engine momentarily stalling or trans mission not engaging for one or two seconds.. happens when vehicle is in motion, happens in stop and go traffic, happens coming out of turns, also in straight line motion. Poses a safety risk such as when entering an intersection and not being able to accelerate through the intersection to avoid collision with other vehicles crossing that intersection.

- Fort Walton Beach, FL, USA

problem #119

Jul 202020

Terrain

  • miles
My car has been wasting to much engine oil for no reason

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #118

Jul 092020

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 77,310 miles
2.4 L 4 cylinder engine, rear main seal leak, leaking a lot of oil, GMC bulletin number 14882, they have hour some of their 2.4 engine vehicle, I have the same problem based on mechanic diagnosis, poring oil out from main seal between engine and transmission.leak continues and this oil leak goes all the way of back of vehicle, it causing ABS sensor read wrong, at rear and also smokes under car because leaks goes to exhaust unit. Please I need this issue looking in to to recall, this rules applies 120 K miles, 10 years, I wanted to get this recalled because they are hiding info, so they wound T fix more affected vehicle, I have been nail down by VIN, however leak does not get check out by VIN, leaks will be check by tech, mechanic or service department. So I have been given run around, I have seen so many post at social media, that they have been denied by VIN. Problem is still exist out there millions affected with those engine main seal issues.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #117

Jun 162020

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 138,000 miles
Engine randomly stalls while driving and refuses to start back up. No codes are being presented when it does stall.

- Houma, LA, USA

problem #116

Jun 012018

Terrain

  • 141,000 miles
The contact called on behalf of the owner of a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled with the reduced engine power and serviced stability track warning lights illuminated. The contact removed the ECM and replaced the module prior to restarting the vehicle however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to joe mahan for (211 memorial dr, paris, tn 38242, (731) 642-4711) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and schedule a vehicle inspection. The contact was informed that the exhaust cylinder and high pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was 141,000. The VIN was not available.

- Paris, TN, USA

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