This technical bulletin provides a procedure to Inspect harness, splice 6 wire pigtail connector. Replace Accelerator Pedal Position (APP) sensor on vehices that have the condition of Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) ON, Reduced Power Mode and DTCs
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2011 GMC Terrain cruise control problems
moderate Owners of the 2011 GMC Terrain have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control, typically surfacing around 86,000 miles at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Terrain | 10 |
| 2011 Terrain (this page) | 10 |
| 2012 Terrain | 7 |
| 2013 Terrain | 5 |
What stands out
Of the 7 model years of GMC Terrain we track for cruise control problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 10.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Car and Truck Fix it Right the First Time Issues
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
A pattern of sudden, unpredictable power loss and stalling dominates these 10 complaints. Owners describe driving at highway speed (50-65 mph) when the vehicle suddenly decelerates to 30 mph or stops entirely, accompanied by on-screen warnings like "Reduced Engine Power" and "Check StabiliTrak." The vehicle may shut down completely while rolling, leaving the driver unable to restart immediately. After waiting several minutes, the engine may restart, only for the problem to repeat later.
Acceleration problems also feature heavily: at stop lights and intersections, owners press the gas and the vehicle either stalls or refuses to move. One owner reported his car nearly caused a T-bone collision when it stalled during a left turn in traffic.
Repairs attempted include throttle body cleaning and replacement, and one mechanic diagnosed a total control module failure—but the problem recurred even after replacement. A dealer identified high oil consumption and recommended a new engine at a cost unrelated to warranty coverage. One owner's 2011 Terrain with 35,000 miles burns a quart every two weeks.
Dealers have struggled to diagnose the root cause. Check-engine lights appear and disappear before diagnostic codes can be read. One complaint references a recall (#12313D) for similar models, but notes the Terrain has zero unclaimed recalls despite matching symptoms.
Same GMC Terrain cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Reduced engine power / StabiliTrak messages with stalling and loss of power
Vehicle suddenly loses power, displays 'Reduced Engine Power' and/or 'Check StabiliTrak' messages on screen. Engine speed drops from highway cruising to 30 mph or below, or vehicle shuts down completely. Restarting after waiting resolves the issue temporarily. Power steering also becomes unresponsive in some cases.
When: 100,715 miles; 103,000 miles; 44,000 miles; also reported at 60-65 mph highway speeds and during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Reduced engine power warning message appears; Check StabiliTrak message on display; Vehicle decelerates uncontrollably from highway speeds to 30 mph or lower; Complete engine shutdown while driving; Loss of power steering control; Vehicle continues rolling after shutdown; Engine light illuminates intermittently (light goes out before dealer can read codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cleaning of throttle body did not resolve issue (narrative #2). One mechanic diagnosed total control module failure and replaced it, but failure recurred (narrative #4). Another dealer diagnosed throttle body replacement needed but was not performed (narrative #8). Repairs attempted but symptoms persist. One estimate cited $4,000 for repairs (narrative #3).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #12313D exists for similar GMC/Chevy/Cadillac models for engine balance chain and fuel pump, but Terrain 2011 shown as having 0 unclaimed recalls (narrative #5). GM reportedly given the 'run around' by owners researching similar issues on other GM vehicles (narrative #2). Manufacturer and dealer contact made in some cases with no resolution.
Acceleration hesitation / stalling during acceleration
Vehicle hesitates or refuses to accelerate when driver applies throttle, particularly at stop lights or during intersection turns. Engine stalls or does not respond to gas pedal input. Vehicle pulls instead of accelerating smoothly.
When: 35,000 miles; at stop lights and during turns
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle does not accelerate when gas pedal is pressed; Vehicle stalls at stop lights; Vehicle stalls during turns in intersections; Engine pulls instead of accelerating forward; Stalling occurs repeatedly despite multiple repair attempts; Nearly caused T-bone collision when stalling in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple repair attempts made with no permanent fix. No specific parts cited for this failure mode.
Excessive engine oil consumption
Engine burns oil at abnormally high rate, requiring frequent top-ups. One mechanic cited very high oil consumption and recommended new engine; stated repair was not covered under warranty.
When: After approximately 35,000 miles of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Consumes at least 1 quart of oil every 2 weeks; Very high oil consumption noted by independent mechanic
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic recommended engine replacement; repair not covered under warranty. New engine not installed.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2011 GMC Terrain?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2011 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 46,200 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 86,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,200; a quarter make it past 103,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/GMC/Terrain.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.