The 2011 Terrain lasts 150,000 miles with serious engine and transmission problems. At $8,472 – 9,796, it’s not worth the money since there are so many expensive failures.
Is the 2011 GMC Terrain a Good Used SUV?
- No, 2011 is a bad year. We have received a lot of negative owner reviews mentioning sudden breakdowns, fuel pump failures, and transmission problems.
- Reliability ratings are poor with a lot of engine problems. Avoid models from 2010–2015, we recommend a 2016 or newer model.
- There are two engine options including a weak four-cylinder and more powerful V6.
- Fuel economy is great at up to 26 mpg combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Terrain?
- Consumer Reports finds the Terrain to be sluggish and behind rivals with very low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Terrain 3.1/5 with a quiet cabin, but less cargo space than rivals.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Terrain a 4.0/5 with good gas mileage, but find it weak and boring compared to other SUVs.
What Problems Does the 2011 GMC Terrain Have?
The GMC Terrain has serious problems including engine failures, broken transmissions, and cracked exhaust manifolds.
Excessive oil consumption issues leading to engine failures are common at around 92,000 miles. Worn-out pistons and rings cause the problem, and GMC extended the warranty to seven years and six months, or 120,000 miles. Once the warranty is over replacements cost over $5,000.
Transmission failures are another frequent problem at around 95,000 miles. Replacing the transmission is the only solution, costing about $3,500 depending on local labor rates.
Cracked exhaust manifolds show up on a lot of vehicles at 115,000 miles. The only solution is replacing the entire manifold, which costs around $400.
There are three recalls including seat belt buckle anchor, seat height adjuster bolt and the key can be removed while not in park. The most serious recall is for the key being removed while not in park, which can cause the SUV to roll away.
How Long Will the 2011 GMC Terrain Last?
A properly maintained Terrain will last only about 150,000 miles, which is significantly shorter than long-lasting SUVs like the RAV4. Repair Pal finds the annual maintenance costs to be very expensive at $609 per year.
As a Terrain reaches 100,000 miles owners should prepare to replace radiator fan motors for $700, transmission mounts costing $450, and suspension components which cost $300.
The 2011 terrain is very reliable and it has never given me a significant problem. I have always enjoyed driving it.
For the most part it is reliable. Right now it does not have A/C and I need new tires on it. But other than that it is good.
It is very reliable - I have never had any issues with it -I would recommend to others as nothing has went wrong
Yes. They were as I read prone to transmission problems and mine did need a new transmission when I got it. But overall I am satisfied with my vehicle.
It is reliable but we did have to buy an oil catch can and the oil constantly Burns off the engine so my car just seems to smoke even though it's not overheating
How Much Is the 2011 GMC Terrain Worth?
Blue book prices range from $8,472 – 9,796, making the Terrain more expensive than rivals including the Escape and Forester. When new, the price range was $24,500 to $31,650. Depreciation is similar to other SUVs, losing about 8% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Terrain?
The Terrain is offered in four different models. Technology was updated in 2010 but is missing some high-end features, with the next refresh coming in 2016.
SLE 1 is the entry-level model with:
- 17-inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Cruise Control
- OnStar
- Six-speaker AM/FM/CD Player With USB And AUX Input
SLE 2 is a step up adding features including:
- Eight-way Power Driver’s Seat
- Premium Cloth Seating
- Eight-speaker Pioneer Stereo System With Bluetooth
SLT 1 adds some more luxury with:
- 18-inch Alloy Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Remote Engine Start
- Heated Front Seats
SLT 2 is the flagship model and has minor upgrades including:
- 19-inch Chrome Wheels
- Power Tailgate
- Sunroof
- Chrome Exterior Trim
Is the GMC Terrain a Safe SUV?
Safety scores are sufficient, earning four out of five stars in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick Award.
- Standard safety features include a rearview camera, airbags, anti-lock brakes, and OnStar.
- Parking sensors are the only optional upgrade.
What Engines Come In the Terrain?
Both engine options in the Terrain are very boring, but offer similar power to other compact SUVs. The more powerful V6 engine still takes 8.3 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour.
- The base engine is a weak 2.4L four-cylinder with 182 horsepower.
- A more reasonable 3.0L V6 is available making 264 horsepower.
What Colors Does the Terrain Come in?
How Big Is the Terrain?
The 2011 Terrain is a compact SUV similar in size to the Rogue and Liberty. Passenger room is excellent, easily fitting adults in the back seats with more legroom than rivals.
Cargo space is smaller than many competitors at only 31.6 cu. ft. of room behind the back seats, expanding up to 63.9 cu. ft. with the seats folded flat.
How Does the Terrain Compare to the Competition?
One of the highest-rated competitors is the $2,000 more expensive Toyota RAV4. Where the RAV4 stands out is with better reliability ratings, but the Terrain is more luxurious. Overall on the used market, the RAV4 is a better choice since they have significantly fewer problems.
Another rival is the Honda CR-V, which is around $700 more. The CR-V stands out with more cargo space and better technology, but the Terrain has a smoother suspension. We recommend the CR-V since it is more affordable to own.
Do Owners Recommend the GMC Terrain?
Yes, it is a good vehicle. Safe and reliable. I have never had a significant problem with my terrain.
Yes the Terrain is a good vehicle. It has some problems right now but other than that it is a good vehicle. A lot of head and leg room.
Yes - I have never had any issues with it - it goes where I want and drives great - looks nice as well
Yes I acquired it used and have had some issues with it but like it. It's good on fuel and drives well. I am happy with it
Yes I like the style, it has a lot of room and seats that fold down if needed. It has leather seats with seat warmers and a sunroof that I enjoy. I love the fact that it has the automatic lift on the trunk.