How many recalls does the 2011 GMC Terrain have?

The 2011 GMC Terrain has 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2011 GMC Terrain has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2011 GMC Terrain?

Of 557 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is engine.

2011 GMC Terrain Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2011 GMC Terrain has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,261,124 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 557 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 6, 2026.

Recall campaigns

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 22V137000 2022-03-08 740,581 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16V502000 2016-07-05 8,367 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

SEATS 14V447000 2014-07-23 414,333 affected

Defect

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…

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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),…

SEAT BELTS 10V623000 2010-12-15 97,843 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE SAFETY BELT SYSTEM MAY NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANT(S) AS DESIGNED AND COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

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…

Complaints by component

ENGINE

178

184

POWER TRAIN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VISIBILITY/WIPER

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

AIR BAGS

10115

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Total complaints557

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“No warning before headlights gave up”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2026-06-03

“Odometer fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 gmc terrain. The contact discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 87,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER · reported 2025-08-21

“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 isnâ€™t…”

ENGINE · reported 2025-08-01

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2025-06-18

“Suv gets a slow down warning and it stops shuts off , itâ€™s happened several times now iâ€™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 iâ€™m disabled with no money , I was on the highway and thank god I…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2024-07-25

“Suv gets a slow down warning and it stops shuts off , itâ€™s happened several times now iâ€™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 iâ€™m disabled with no money , I was on the highway and thank god I…”

ENGINE · reported 2024-07-25

“Transmission”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2024-01-01

“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…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2024-01-01

Defect investigations

Investigation EA19005 Opened 2019-12-13 · closed 2022-11-28

Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative

On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not…

Investigation EA19005 Opened 2019-12-13 · closed 2022-11-28

Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative

Investigation EA19005 Opened 2019-12-13 · closed 2022-11-28

Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative

Investigation PE20009 Opened 2020-06-01 · closed 2022-06-03

Momentary Increased Steering Effort

On June 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (MY) 2010 through 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC…

Investigation PE20009 Opened 2020-06-01 · closed 2022-06-03