2011 GMC Terrain Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 6%of 386 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2011 GMC Terrain, 6% of the 386 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,500 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had a airbag warning indication. I took the SUV to Gmc and they indicated the issue is in the seat, as the individual sit in the seat it flexes the cannon plug with cause the airbag system to disable , and send a warning. They indicated they could not correct the issue without deviating due to safety concerns and they asked me to contact ntsb to indicate the safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10617920, filed 2014-07, 23,500 miles“My 2011 Gmc Terrain hit a vehicle in front, causing major damage (the vehicle is totaled out) and no air bags deployed. My vehicle was traveling at approximately 55 MPH northbound in the #3 lane of the 41 freeway, south of the shaw exit. Impact was estimated to be between 20 to 30 MPH. The driver, my 18 year grand-daughter hit her head on the steering wheel and her left wrist was injured holding on to the steering wheel. The 18 year old female right front seat passenger suffered an ankle injury. …”
NHTSA complaint #11166326, filed 2019-01, 130,000 miles“I was on the interstate in cincinnati, ohio when a deer crossed over the jersey wall onto the roadway as I was just beginning to exit. I hit the deer at a minimum speed of 45-50mph. My airbag did not deploy. Although I was unharmed I am concerned about the failure of the airbag to deploy given my speed and front impact. My vehicle has also recently had an intermittent issue with sudden loss of power that has been attributed to the stability control system. …”
NHTSA complaint #10606875, filed 2014-06, 18,380 miles“I had purhased a 2011 Gmc terrian and have gotten three letters saying don't bring in to dealer until the problems happen one side -impact circuit cause-airbag-readiness light illuminate and the service air bag message to display. Gmc extened the protection for 10 years or 120,000 miles. The second that was sent the steering same protection and the third letter for oil consumption which it is doing now. This not safe for my wife and me or the any other passengers. What is your addvismentfor me.”
NHTSA complaint #10787759, filed 2015-11, 75,000 miles“Takata recall? On march 12, my wife and I were in a collision with another vehicle. We were on a city street in tulsa, oklahoma when we rearended another vehicle. It was a fairly minor accident at less than 40 MPH, but my wife sustained severe injuries to her right eye and both arms. She broke the major bone in both of her arms right above the wrist area, and her right eye was lacerated and exploded from the socket. She has been through numerous surgeries for her eye and arms. She is currently blind in her right eye. …”
NHTSA complaint #10864204, filed 2016-05, 77,264 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2018 | 14 | 6% |
| 2017 | 12 | 9% |
| 2016 | 10 | 7% |
| 2015 | 17 | 6% |
| 2014 | 11 | 4% |
| 2013 | 19 | 5% |
| 2012 | 25 | 7% |
| 2011 | 25 | 6% |
| 2010 | 24 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2011 GMC Terrain
178 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
76 complaintsFuel system
48 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
35 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsElectronic stability control
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSeats
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 GMC Terrain
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology