Due to heavy oil consumption and low-quality manufacturing, the 2011 GMC Terrain is susceptible to catastrophic drivetrain failure at low mileages, and repair costs for engines, transmissions, and electrical issues often soar for owners once the Terrain is out of warranty.
Key Points
- Four recalls were issued for the 2011 GMC Terrain, involving safety concerns over potential vehicle rollaway, faulty seatbelts that don’t restrain occupants, and bright headlights that may cause glare and reduced visibility for other drivers.
- Two of the 2011 Terrain’s three NHTSA investigations are still open and address faulty power steering and windshield wiper failure.
- The Terrain is known to consume large quantities of oil, which leads to overheating of the engine.
- Poorly built Terrain CVT transmissions sometimes fail as early as 50,000 miles, often needing to be entirely replaced.
- Electrical issues have reportedly led to fires, stalling, and stability control system malfunctions.
- The serious nature of most of the Terrain’s problems means that the SUV has a high cost of repair.
Four Recalls and Three Investigations for the 2011 GMC Terrain Involve Faulty Seatbelts, Malfunctioning Windshield Wipers, and Power Steering Failure
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recalls for the 2011 GMC Terrain are relatively few and came early in the vehicle’s life. The four recalls for the 2011 GMC Terrain include a serious safety concern over faulty seat belts susceptible to breaking.
Additional recalls were issued over potential vehicle rollaway, bright headlights that may obscure other drivers’ visibility and an improperly mounted driver’s seat that may unexpectedly drop and affect the driver’s control of the vehicle.
Additionally, there are three NHTSA investigations, including two that are still open. Malfunctioning windshield wipers account for two of the investigations, and the third is over the failure of the Terrain’s power steering.
2011 GMC Terrain Engines Have a Short Lifespan Due to Heavy Oil Consumption Issues
The GMC Terrain has well-documented oil-consumption issues. Of the 355 complaints listed in the NHTSA database, half are about the SUV’s engine and involve heavy oil consumption problems.
These complaints include accounts of sudden engine failure, reduced engine power due to low oil levels, and other issues related to the overheating of internal engine components due to high oil consumption.
Because of the high rate of oil usage, Terrain engines die rather quickly, and according to Car Complaints, most drivers who experienced this problem were unable to find a solution.
Additional but Less-common Issues with the Drivetrain Include Cracked Exhaust Manifolds and Sudden Transmission Failure
More engine problems include the exhaust manifolds on the 2011 Terrain, which break frequently, likely due to overheating of the engine. The cost of replacing an exhaust manifold on the 2011 Terrain comes in at around $400, according to Repair Pal.
Although not nearly as widespread as the Terrain’s engine problems, drivers of the 2011 GMC Terrain report failure of the infamously unreliable CVT transmissions at relatively low miles.
While CVT transmissions are meant to increase fuel economy and make for a smoother ride, they can be quite difficult to repair and often have a short lifespan.
Some drivers on Car Complaints say their transmissions failed anywhere from 50,000 to 150,000 miles. A complete transmission replacement was often the only solution, usually around the 95,000-mile mark.
Electrical Issues Cause the Terrain to Stop Running, and the Stabilitrak System Has Frequent Malfunctions
The NHTSA database lists many complaints involving the electrical system of the 2011 GMC Terrain. Many drivers report that the Terrain will randomly shut off while driving, and sometimes will be difficult to start.
At least one driver mentioned that their car caught fire due to electrical shortages.
Some complaints mention the oil consumption problem and the electrical issues combined to make the 2011 GMC Terrain a nightmare to keep in operating shape, with the engine having to contend with both issues simultaneously.
Additionally, the 2011 GMC Terrain uses electronic stability control, which is meant to help the vehicle drive in a straight line by evaluating the conditions of the road and traffic. But the GMC’s Stabilitrak system is prone to malfunction, with many drivers reporting their Terrain jerking and lurching while driving down the road, making it more dangerous to drive.
Further annoyances include key fob failure, inoperability of power doors and windows, and lightbulbs that burn out frequently due to shorts in the wiring system.
Drivers of the 2011 GMC Terrain Often Find that the Vehicle is More Trouble Than it is Worth
High maintenance costs alone should be enough to make drivers wary of the 2011 GMC Terrain.
For those that do drive the vehicle beyond the warranty coverage, every mile is traveled with trepidation.
While later model years showed some improvement, the 2011 Terrain may not be worth the headaches it carries with it.
Photos: GMC
