Every 2011 GMC Terrain recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 22V137000
Aug 3, 2022Exterior Lighting:Headlights
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
Full recall details for 22V137000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 16V502000
May 7, 2016Electrical System:Ignition
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
- Risk
- If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.
Full recall details for 16V502000 →Seats · NHTSA 14V447000
Jul 23, 2014Seats:Front Assembly:Power Adjust
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
- Risk
- If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Full recall details for 14V447000 →Seat Belts · NHTSA 10V623000
Dec 15, 2010Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
- Problem
- GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 CADILLAC SRX, CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES. THE DRIVER AND /OR FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY BELT BUCKLE ANCHOR MAY FRACTURE AND SEPARATE NEAR THE SEAT ATTACHMENT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Risk
- THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE PASSENGER AND/OR THE DRIVER SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AS NECESSARY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 18, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 AND AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Full recall details for 10V623000 →
2011 GMC Terrain complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 386 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Terrain, reporting 11 crashes, 8 fires, 24 injuries. GMC has issued at least 1,758 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Engine178
- Power Train76
- Unknown Or Other33
- Fuel/Propulsion System31
- Electrical System29
- Visibility/Wiper28
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (690)
- Electrical System (334)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (231)
- Engine (155)
- Power Train (128)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (107)
Read GMC Terrain owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2011 GMC Terrain
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 3 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Momentary Increased Steering Effort
PE20009Opened Jun 1, 2020Closed Jun 3, 2022
- Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
EA19005Opened Dec 13, 2019Closed Nov 28, 2022
- Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
RQ18002Opened Nov 2, 2018Closed Dec 19, 2019
What people reported
Owners have filed 386 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 GMC Terrain. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Fire
“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.”
2011 GMC TERRAINMar 8, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11455676
Fire
“I have owned this car for a little over year and have had nothing but issues. The car started on fire with an electrical issues once, the car has just stopped running on me multiple times while I was driving, almost causing a wreck. The engine goes through Oil like crazy.”
2011 GMC TERRAINJan 16, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11447670
Injury reported
“The liftgate on my 2011 GMC Terrain failed on 8/31/2021. It lifted to the 3/4 setting and then fell, hitting me in the head, and then it lifted back up and then closed. I have tried to operate the liftgate several times following this incident and it continues to do the same thing.”
2011 GMC TERRAINSep 1, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11431400
Injury reported
“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.”
2011 GMC TERRAINDec 5, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11377993
Fire
“DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE FROM UNDER HOOD. PULLED OVER AND PLACED CAR IN PARK. BRIEFLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER HOOD DUE TO OIL COMING OUT. AFTER INSPECTION OF CAUSE, ROD WENT THROUGH CYLINDER BLOCK CAUSING OIL LEAKAGE AND BLOWN ENGINE.”
2011 GMC TERRAINJun 10, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11328219
Check your Terrain by VIN
Not every 2011 GMC Terrain is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any GMC dealer.
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