2011 GMC Terrain Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 8%of 386 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the electrical system of the 2011 GMC Terrain, 8% of the 386 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car randomly shuts off while driving it doesn't matter if I am on the highway or driving through the city, also engine power reduced mode. Throws random codes even after codes have been serviced. We have been dealing with this issue for close to 2 years with no resolve. After further investigation we have found there are multiple complaints of this exact issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11397978, filed 2021-02, 135,000 miles“My car shut off once while I was in idle at a red light and second time when I was backing up into a parking spot some one who was driving opposite me could have hit me when the car abruptly stopped. Luckily they were going very slow and stopped when my car stopped. The engine shuts off as well as the lights on the dash but when you put it in park and start it up again the engine starts back up and no check engine lights appear. Can you please look into this?”
NHTSA complaint #11244381, filed 2019-08, 153,000 miles“After dealing with the repairs on excessive oil consumption issues, my warranty is now up and I am dealing with my car completely dying at a moments notice. This is not the battery as we've had both aaa and our mechanic test the battery several times - the issue, according to our mechanic, is computer failure. Essentially, I spent $400 four weeks ago for my mechanic to tell me that nothing was wrong except the computer stopped communicating to the car to work , and my car has still died twice since...with the keys stuck in the ignition. …”
NHTSA complaint #11280563, filed 2019-11, 89,000 miles“Our vehicle has experienced the rough idle and hard/stalled shifting since we bought it in 2011. It has been reviewed by the dealership and we were told a recent recall would fix the issue. It did not and these issues have continued. Recently, this issue happened again, followed by the check engine light turning on, followed by (a few hours later) the engine going into reduced engine mode and the entire vehicle shaking uncontrollably with thumping noises coming from the front of the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10556257, filed 2013-12, 50,000 miles“Ignition completely turned off, I push button to turn on radio and I hear several tap, tap, tap, tap behind mid-dash radio-cd, a.c, heat control unit. I'm sure the tap, tap, tap, tap noise is door to air recirculation/no recirculation door that somehow activates unit actuator just by turning on radio! Unbelievable! Also, when I need to defrost windshield I turn temp knob to cold and the tap, tap, tap, tap noise happens! I do not turn on A/C compressor. Again, unbelievable!! This is a design defect for sure. I'm sure that to diagnose and repair the steering wheel, dash must be removed so tech,. …”
NHTSA complaint #11152537, filed 2018-11, 150,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V502000Jul 5, 2016General 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…Covers: GMC Terrain 2011–2013, Chevrolet Cruze 2011–2016, Equinox 2010–2013 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11010421Oct 3, 2024This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11007196Sep 6, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11006293Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer an issue where the vehicle's engine may crank over unprompted and not start afterward. This is the result of hooking up…
- 11007116Aug 6, 2024This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11002441Jun 14, 2024This service bulletin provides information for engine oil life monitor operation calculation.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 15% |
| 2025 | 4 | 31% |
| 2024 | 7 | 13% |
| 2023 | 7 | 17% |
| 2022 | 7 | 12% |
| 2021 | 7 | 19% |
| 2020 | 27 | 14% |
| 2019 | 39 | 21% |
| 2018 | 35 | 15% |
| 2017 | 9 | 7% |
| 2016 | 9 | 6% |
| 2015 | 31 | 10% |
| 2014 | 31 | 10% |
| 2013 | 22 | 6% |
| 2012 | 32 | 9% |
| 2011 | 29 | 8% |
| 2010 | 48 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2011 GMC Terrain
178 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
76 complaintsFuel system
48 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
35 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsAir bags
25 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 27, 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