Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.
Recalls
Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.
Exterior lighting recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Electrical system recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Safety recall
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 14271.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Seat belts recall
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.
- Status
- Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
- What to do
- Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.
Owner complaints by system
Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.
Engine & powertrain
251
Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 6 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
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.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11688571 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Electrical & infotainment
21
Most reports here involve sudden stalling.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11741914 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Brakes
9
Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11394397 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Steering, suspension & tires
14
Most reports here involve loss of steering.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11543242 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Airbags & seat belts
25
Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 8 mention a crash, 11 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
The service airbag warning light came on in the vehicle last week. I took the car to be serviced. Per service advisor, the passenger side seat air bag was out of spec. Air bag wire had to be repaired. The new wire would be available for inspection upon request. The safety of passengers in the car were at risk since the air bag had to be fixed.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11471656 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Structure & body
43
Most reports here involve corrosion. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 5 mention an injury.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11551493 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
Other systems
23
Most reports here involve fire. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.
Read full complaint
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 200,000.
Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11682188 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov
How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 386 complaints on file, more than the 2010 (290) and more than the 2012 (364). That is the most of the 17 model years of the GMC Terrain we cover. Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.