2011 GMC Terrain: engine overheating

6 of the 386 complaints about the 2011 GMC Terrain describe engine overheating.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 293 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Engine overheating by model year

2024
1
2020
1
2019
2
2014
1
2012
2
2011
6
2010
4

What owners say

Filed Oct 25, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · NE

My car wouldn’t start, later found out it was due to timing chain issue which ended up blowing up my engine. I live 40 minutes from work and am consistently driving on the interstate for at least an hour a day. GM said there’s nothing they can do even though there’s been class action lawsuits for the engine. My car has also had oil consumption problems. I bought my car in March of 2022. The engine blew up by November 2022. I barely got my car back in September 2023. After the engine replacement, still wouldn’t turn on, over heated immediately when I did get it back. After paying $7440 for the engine replacement I had to fork over snother $650 to replace the fuel pump control module, and an engine control unit. My car overheated AGAIN just 2 weeks ago!!!!

Filed Jun 5, 2021 · Engine · MO

The engine locked up while driving on the interstate rendering it inoperable and undrivable. There were no warning signs (ie. leaks, noises, overheating, etc.). The vehicle now needs an entirely new or used engine and is unrepairable.

Filed Sep 1, 2020 · Engine · 73,000 miles · CA

Vehicle transmission overheats in less than 40 minutes on a 70 MPH highway. Speed deteriorates and can no longer go faster than 55 MPH. Vehicle must be put in stationary in order to cool transmission. Incident has repeated in twice in a month.

Filed Jan 31, 2019 · Driver assistance, Engine · IL

Car has been a nightmare since we purchased it. Constantly breaking down and having to result in expensive repairs. 3 catalytic converters, engine used to shut off due to overheating. Engine reduce sign, stabilitrak problems. This has been the worst car to ever be created in the history of vehicles. I'd rather take the [xxx] bus parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 18, 2014 · Driver assistance, Engine · 47,000 miles · OK

The same issue happened 3 times. November 2013, 28 january 2014, 16 february 2014. Each time the vehicle was in and idling situation red light, in a fast food drive thru, heavy traffic, or if I forgot something, left the car running, and went into the house to get what I was looking for, especially if it took me 4-5 minutes to find what I was looking for and return to the car. Additionally, I've experienced this moving at speeds of 8mph or less in thick traffic. (1) car would for no reason start rough idling. (2) the yellow check engine light would come on. (3) the engine reduced power message would appear. (4) the stabilitrak warning message light would then appear. (5) then I pressed the accelerator to cross an intersection and move out of the way of traffic, and the vehicle moves at a snail's pace (5-10 MPH). (6) I let it sit for 10-30 minutes (or overnight if I was fortunate enough to be at home), restart it, and it runs like it normally does as if nothing ever happened. (7) the "yellow check engine light" simply disappears after a few hours. (8) sometimes there's a faint burning smell like a plastic garbage bag on fire, burning rubber, or overheated electronics. I'm taking it to my local gmc dealership today before I end up stranded somewhere or worse be the cause of a major serious accident! It's like it has a malicious code in the engine's computer system, and it selects the time and place when idling to inject itself! It may go several weeks or even months before it happens, but you can be confident it's going to happen! Other than this annoying safety issue, the terrain in my opinion is a pretty good vehicle for its class. Makes me wish I had chosen the 6 cylinder instead of the 4 cylinder. I don't think the 6 cylinder is having this issue. Gm/gmc should address this, and make this right asap!

Filed Sep 3, 2013 · Engine · 25,000 miles · CA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 gmc terrain. The contact stated that the tail pipe overheated while driving 50 MPH, causing the rear cargo carrier basket to catch on fire. The fire spread to the bumper and the contact was able to extinguish the fire but the fire department was also present. The vehicle was taken to a local body shop for repair. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 25,232.