RoadVitals

2011 GMC Terrain Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
71
Latest Jan 1, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
18%
of 386 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2011 GMC Terrain submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 71 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 71, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 1, 2024

Transmission

NHTSA ID
11562900
Incident
Jan 1, 2024
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Sep 7, 2023

Transmission and control arms

NHTSA ID
11543242
Incident
Aug 20, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 22, 2023

Transmission failure

NHTSA ID
11540198
Incident
Aug 21, 2023
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 22, 2023

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
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 16, 2022

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
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 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
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 22, 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
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 23, 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
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 17, 2022

The 2.4l ecotec motor has had so many complaints not only for gmc terrain but also the Chevy equinox. The motor just stops and lose everything while driving! I was in traffic and it stop almost causing an accountant God I wasn't hurt! Now I have this car with a blown motor because it's a no tolerance motor. We spend so much money on these vehicles and spend so much to keep them safe for driving on the road and yet when it comes to the company cutting corners to save money they don't get faulted for putting faulty equipment in these vehicles. I have a 2011 terrain and I bought it in 2019 for 9000 and drove it a month before the motor blew it has less then 100000 miles on it and for me to get a new motor it's another 5000. I just don't understand why if the equipment is faulty and so many complaints have been posted about the same issue why it's not being recalled or why we can't get the company to give us new motors or a new car! We are expected to pay insurance registration inspections test every year and pay for the normal wear on the vehicles to make sure they are safe but they can't recall faulty parts! I foster children and can't afford to make expensive purchases that weren't caused by neglect on my part

NHTSA ID
11457062
Incident
Dec 21, 2019
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 2, 2021

Vehicle has been burning up to 3 quarts of oil every 1,500 miles. This has been an ongoing issue for years. In 2020 a GM dealer serviced/repaired the vehicle to correct the issue; the vehicle only had approximately 60,000 miles at the time. The issue returned around 20,000 miles after the repair. Neither an instrument panel light nor a OBDII code appears when the oil is low. When the oil is low the vehicle stalls when making a turn and also jitters and jerks while idling. I am put in a dangerous situation when the vehicle stalls (especially on the freeway service roads).

NHTSA ID
11427393
Incident
Jul 30, 2021
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 14, 2021

ODB CODE P0014/P0017 IS A GMC RECALL AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO BRING IT AND LET YOU GUYS FIX IT BECAUSE IT IS BECOMING A PROBLEM!

NHTSA ID
11402894
Incident
May 25, 2020
Mileage
115,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 3, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11377827
Incident
Feb 7, 2020
Mileage
91,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 24, 2020

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 ON

NHTSA ID
11376243
Incident
Nov 24, 2020
Mileage
219,674 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 26, 2020

ONLY 87000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, CAR STARTED TO SURGE WHILE DRIVING, AFTER PARKING IT WOULDN'T GO INTO REVERSE. THEN WHEN TRYING TO SEE IF IT WOULD STILL DRIVE FORWARD, WOULDN'T GO FASTER THAN 20 MILES AN HOUR, JUST STARTED REVVING WOULDN'T ENGAGE IN A GEAR.

NHTSA ID
11366482
Incident
Oct 23, 2020
Mileage
87,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 30, 2020

I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM THE STORE FRIDAY NIGHT AND MY WHEELS START SQUEAKING AND INCREASINGLY BECAME HARD TO THEN THE WHEEL WHENEVER I TURNED. WHEN I GOT HOME TRIED TO PARK THE WHEELS LOCKED UP AND I COULDN'T TURN THE WHEELS ANYMORE. DIVER THE CAR AGAIN MONDAY IT WAS FINE UNTIL I WAS MY WAY HOME AGAIN THE WHEELS LOCKED UP, CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE PART 2ND GEAR, THEN I WASN'T ABLE TO REVERSE AND MY ENGINEER LIGHT CAME ON. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 5 MONTHS AGO FROM A DEALERSHIP. NO I DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY AND THERE IS 86927 MILES ON IT. NO ACCIDENTS WHATSOEVER. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT THIS VEHICLE IS KNOWN TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
11361943
Incident
Sep 28, 2020
Mileage
86,927 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 15, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11355112
Incident
Sep 15, 2020
Mileage
123,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 17, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11349750
Incident
May 30, 2019
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 16, 2020

ENGINE RANDOMLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING AND REFUSES TO START BACK UP. NO CODES ARE BEING PRESENTED WHEN IT DOES STALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
11329113
Incident
Jun 16, 2020
Mileage
138,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 10, 2020

THE VEHICLE GOING THROUGH OIL LIKE MADE AND STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS OR PULLING ONTO A ROAD. THIS HAS CAUSED OTHER PEOPLE TO ALMOST HIT ME OR GO OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I WILL START OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION GET IN THE MIDDLE AND IT DIES. TURNING ONTO A DIFFERENT ROAD THIS HAPPENS ALSO IN MOTION GOING AT NORMAL SPEEDS FOR THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324051
Incident
Mar 20, 2020
Mileage
164,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 10, 2020

I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IT RAN GREAT. WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, IT STARTED STALLING WHEN I GO TO TAKE OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS OR PULLING OUT ONTO A ROAD. IT WILL RUN FINE I STOP IT IDLES OK AND WHEN I TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL IT WILL START OUT INTO THE ROAD AND THEN JUST DIE. IT GOES THOUGH OIL LIKE MAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324048
Incident
Mar 15, 2020
Mileage
164,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 24, 2020

WAS EXITING OFF A HIGHWAY RAMP WHEN MY CAR WOULDN'T GET ANY POWER TO GO. COME TO FIND OUT THE TCM WENT OUT IN THE TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ID
11322093
Incident
Jul 6, 2018
Mileage
97,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2020

TRANSMISSION NOT FUNCTIONAL, WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR,AND WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. I'VE SEEN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH SANE PROBLEM. RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE.

NHTSA ID
11307379
Incident
Oct 8, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2020

TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR, HAS GONE COMPLETELY NONFUNCTIONAL. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND NOTICE THAT EVERY COMPLAINT IS THE SAME REGRADING THE TRANSMISSION. SAME MILEAGE AS OTHERS AND THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS MATTER.

NHTSA ID
11307372
Incident
Oct 8, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 14, 2019

SINCE I BOUGHT MY TRUCK I HAVE BEEN HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION I'VE TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES TO CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP TO GET MY CAR LOOKED AT AND THEY DO NOT RESPOND BACK TO ME I FEEL LIKE THEY ACT AS IF I DID NO BUSINESS WITH THEM ON PURCHASING MY CAR

NHTSA ID
11289029
Incident
Oct 16, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 12, 2019

MY 2011 GMC TERRAIN WHILE DRIVING 45 MILES DOWN ROAD THE LOSE OF POWER LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY SLOWED DOWN CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HAVE A ACCIDENT. THE CAR WOULD RUN BUT SHAKE REAL BADLY. I STOPPED THE CAR AND TURNED OFF FOR 5MIN AND RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME BUT HAD TO DO THIS AT LEAST 3 TIMES GETTING THERE.I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, BUT I DO KNOW I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE IN THE PROCESS. MY CAR SEEMS TO BURN AIOT OF OIL TOO HERE LATELY, LIKE ITS DRINKING WATER.

NHTSA ID
11279620
Incident
Nov 12, 2019
Mileage
180,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .