2011 GMC Terrain Engine Problems

We have 2011 GMC Terrain. We bought it used so we have only had it a couple years. We noticed it seemed to be using a little more oil but then we were told to keep watch on it. My husband did. Then one day while I was driving it I thought I had heard a faint clicking noise. I said that car isn’t going anywhere until it’s fixed. Little did we know it wouldn’t ever start again. We didn’t know about a so call recall or not a recall. Still until we had to have it towed in to be fixed, I heard it mentioned. By then the car was repaired at our expense of $8000+. We are retired and don’t have or didn’t have money for that repair. The only reason we had a little money was because my husband got paid for back (lump sum) payment just a couple of days before this. We still owe on the car. Without it we only have an old 2001GMC SIERRA 1500. We live paycheck to paycheck. I called one of GMC’s phone numbers today and I was told if we didn’t have it done at a GMC FACILITY we get NO reimbursement. I cried. My husband is a real stickler when it comes to our vehicles and maintenance and logs and also keeps receipts.Please tell me there is some to help us.

NHTSA ID

11688571

Incident

Aug 1, 2025

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated while driving at undisclosed speeds. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who confirmed there was no warranty or recall coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the engine might be blown. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 110,714.

NHTSA ID

11676206

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

Mileage

110,714 mi

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the right side of the roadway and waited for towing assistance. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and two separate auto body shops, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine was consuming engine oil, and the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the second time the vehicle was driven to the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 114,114.

NHTSA ID

11669797

Incident

Jun 18, 2025

Mileage

114,114 mi

SUV gets a slow down warning and it stops shuts off , it’s happened several times now I’m scared!!you wait few minutes it turns back on , mechanic said this a complain about this vehicle all the time , it has not been repaired I’m disabled with no money , I was on the highway and thank God I was on the slow lane if not I would have been killed by an eighteen wheeler. GMC is waiting for someone to die and probably address this issue

NHTSA ID

11605745

Incident

Jul 25, 2024

Two of the valves failed and the dealership told me it was likely due to a manufacturer’s defect.

NHTSA ID

11574922

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

Engine Failure: Timing chain had excessive slack causing guide to be sheared off. Timing chain guide bolt was completely stripped requiring both the timing chain and cylinder head to be replaced. Safety: The vehicle stalled while driving Problem: Problem was confirmed by a dealer Warnings: The check engine light came on as the vehicle stalled

NHTSA ID

11571561

Incident

Aug 12, 2019

continuous excessive oil issues burns and uses 3-5 quarts of oil every week to 2 weeks causing engine issues slow acceleration lurching and chugging issues with engine won’t downshift or upshift correctly transmission seizing issues have spent 1000s of dollars trying to fix this issue and mechanic has said it’s just a commen issues with this make and model and year range just have to keep pouring oil in each week which is costly and eventually will cause my engine and transmission to fail.

NHTSA ID

11566176

Incident

Jan 10, 2021

My car wouldn’t start, later found out it was due to timing chain issue which ended up blowing up my engine. I live 40 minutes from work and am consistently driving on the interstate for at least an hour a day. GM said there’s nothing they can do even though there’s been class action lawsuits for the engine. My car has also had oil consumption problems. I bought my car in March of 2022. The engine blew up by November 2022. I barely got my car back in September 2023. After the engine replacement, still wouldn’t turn on, over heated immediately when I did get it back. After paying $7440 for the engine replacement I had to fork over snother $650 to replace the fuel pump control module, and an engine control unit. My car overheated AGAIN just 2 weeks ago!!!!

NHTSA ID

11551802

Incident

Nov 30, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop sign making a left turn, the vehicle started sputtering. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The contact was informed that the failure was due to the timing belt being loose. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

NHTSA ID

11549667

Incident

Aug 23, 2023

Mileage

175,000 mi

I was driving my vehicle down the road and the vehicle just shut off. This was dangerous and could have cost my son and I our lives. I have spoken with many mechanics and they state that this car has issues with oil consumption This model vehicle has been reported to have a major oil consumption issues. The oil is dissolved within the engine.

NHTSA ID

11530810

Incident

May 11, 2023

My teenage daughter was driving vehicle home as she was approaching a traffic light Our 2011 GMC Terrain just turned off by itself leaving my daughter strand it in a middle of the road.I had to towed vehicle home called a mechanic to come inspect what had happened just to find out that my vehicle Timing chain had given out just like that. Vehicle was running good didn’t show any symptoms and just like that with no prior warnings it stop working. This vehicle put my daughters life in danger by living her stranded on the middle of a very busy transit road.

NHTSA ID

11520231

Incident

Apr 30, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine made a loud knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the engine was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact added 3 quarts of oil to the engine. The mechanic informed the contact that the piston ring also needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.

NHTSA ID

11520001

Incident

Apr 25, 2023

Mileage

107,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel seized. Additionally, the ABS, traction control, and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the ABS module and traction control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11514392

Incident

Jan 1, 2013

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.

NHTSA ID

11503073

Incident

Jan 22, 2023

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... I just thank Jesus I wasn't speeding and that there was no oncoming traffic cuz I don't think me nor my 9 year old would have made it out ok. So thanks to whatever faulty motor engine or power train GMC has with this make and model putting people's safety and lives in danger due to these issues and only choosing certain VINS eligible instead of all VINS from 2011 GMC TERRAINS in my opinion is just choosing which owners survive because this make and model is dangerous to whoever drives it and to whoever meets it on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11497780

Incident

Dec 15, 2022

My wife and I on an Interstate Highway when the Check Engine light came on and the vehicle started slowing down. The message "Engine Power Reduced" came up on the dashboard display. My wife was driving and started pulling off the highway. As we left the driving surface, the car cut off. After a few minutes, the vehicle restarted and we drove home (about 12 miles). We took the vehicle to a mechanic who told us the oil was low. No low oil or low oil pressure lights had illuminated before this incident. He also stated that the timing chain would have to be changed and that this was a recurring problem on the GMC Terrain. I have not had any work done to the vehicle as yet. GMC should have a recall for this problem as I have seen many reports on the internet since it happened to us dating back over ten years.

NHTSA ID

11485467

Incident

Jul 30, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11484940

Incident

Mar 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the timing chain and water pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle could no longer be started. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.

NHTSA ID

11483146

Incident

Aug 27, 2022

Mileage

157,000 mi

2011 GMC TERRAIN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. AT THAT TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER TRADED THE VEHICLE IN AT A LOSS OF NEARLY 5,000.00. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR LOSS DUE TO DISCOVERING A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11480117

Incident

Aug 19, 2022

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

NHTSA ID

11475298

Incident

Jul 20, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11470574

Incident

Jun 5, 2022

In March of 2019. My 2011 GMC Terrain shut down while I was driving. No warning lights, sounds or any prior problems to indicate that the engine was no longer going to function. It was a miracle I wasn't driving on a multiple highway, which could have resulted in a serious multiple collision with catastrophic results. I had the vehicle towed to a mechanic shop. The engine due to internal oil consumption was replaced. For two and a half years I consistently had required oil changes. Then the exact thing happened again. In December 2021; my 2011 GMC Terrain completely shut down while driving.I again had to have it towed to the same mechanics, and was told the exact same problem occurred internal consumption of burning oil causing timing chain failure. So I had to have yet another engine replaced in this vehicle making it engine #4 in the exact same vehicle. That was completed in Feb. 2022 And I am currently having to go back to the lube place, and have them add one and a half to two quarts of oil every two weeks. Because it is consuming oil.!!!!!! I am filing a complaint because this to be addressed in having a recall; too get these vehicles off the road. A liability civil suit. A refund for my engine repairs. This vehicle is worthless!!!!! I can't even ethically sell or trade it in. Thank you Engine was replaced.

NHTSA ID

11468760

Incident

Dec 9, 2021

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the high-pressure fuel pump and camshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The mechanic replaced the camshaft sensor; however, the high-pressure fuel pump was not replaced, and the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.

NHTSA ID

11468053

Incident

Mar 6, 2022

Mileage

145,000 mi

The contact owns a 2011 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the oil light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with an excessive oil leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was notified of the failure by phone. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

NHTSA ID

11462215

Incident

Apr 3, 2021

Mileage

75,000 mi

Engine has had High Oil consumption for years I been changing oil every 1500 to 2000 miles, My GMC dealer nor did GMC inform me that there is an issue with this vehicle even when i had an extended warranty and the car has been in for service many times at my local dealership for it. now it will cost as much as a new engine to fix. GMC needs to make there products better and honor there mistakes,

NHTSA ID

11457150

Incident

Dec 13, 2017