The Lemon Index

All cars · GMC Terrain · 2011

2011 GMC Terrain. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index87100 = average car
Complaints84NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold83,179U.S. model year
Per 100K sold101complaints
Year rank#13 of 13#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spdFWD22 / 31 / 26Regular$2,400
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spdAWD20 / 28 / 23Regular$2,700
3.0L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD16 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
3.0L 6-cylAuto 6-spdAWD16 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 43,100 and 109,400 miles. Median 79,000, from 296 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine85,50063,500–115,400132
Transmission & drivetrain74,5009,500–111,20058
Fuel or ev drive system84,90052,100–139,00024
Electrical89,50044,000–137,20020
Wipers & visibility100,00086,400–121,20022

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Transmission & drivetrain19%
Fuel system, gasoline18%
Engine18%
Engine14%
Airbags12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
38611813015

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 22V137000 Mar 2022 Exterior Lighting / Headlights

    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 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.

    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.

  • 16V502000 Jul 2016 Electrical System / Ignition

    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 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 Sta

    Risk. 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.

  • 14V447000 Jul 2014 Seats / Front Assembly / Power Adjust

    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 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.

    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), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14

  • 10V623000 Dec 2010 Seat Belts / Front / Buckle Assembly

    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.

    Risk. 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 OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedMomentary increased steering effort20202022
ClosedFront wiper transmission inoperative20192022
ClosedWindshield wiper transmission failure20182019

Manufacturer communications 1758

GMC filed 1758 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Gmc/chevrolet/cadillac/buick: a door may not open, intermittently, w/the outside handle and/or…
  • Buick/chevrolet/gmc/pontiac/saturn/suzuki: all wheel drive system inoperative and dtc c0550 set
  • Chevrolet/gmc: loss of engine power acceleration intermitted electrical issues including door…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
GMC Terrain SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
GMC Terrain SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2010755060,519Engine
2011878483,179Transmission & drivetrain
2012363897,786Airbags
2013556899,525Wipers & visibility
20144248105,016Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data