KnownCarProblems2010 GMC Terrain Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 290 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 GMC Terrain, most often about the engine (40% of complaints, typically around 77,000 miles). It is 6th of 17 Terrain model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2010 GMC Terrain problems
Engine
117 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
The car has been to the dealership 4 times for this problem only to have the dealership fix everything but the timing chain now we are not in "warranty" whatever that crap means. So we are responsible for 1400.00 bill on a timing chain for a car that has 77000 miles on it. We have a 2003 with 200000 miles on it and…
Check engine light has illuminated multiple times. A rough idle was initial indication something was wrong. I have had the vehicle tested multiple times and have been told from dealership and other mechanics that it is a timing issue. The vehicle will start and drive. Safely problem is while driving through a busy two…
Visibility and wipers
54 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer.
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the windshield wipers failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact made unknown repairs independently to the vehicle but the failure still persisted. The manufacturer was not…
Driving at 50 MPH in pouring rain the windshield wiper detached and got stuck on driverside outside of the windshield while on high speed. This resulted in the wipers non moving and stuck upward the middle of the windshield. Thank god no one was behind me or this may had resulted in an accident as I could not see a…
Transmission
51 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, axle assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Driving on highway, 65 MPH. Without warning the cars display said service stabilitrak and engine power reduced and immediately lost power. Cars coming up behind me fast, had to pull over, no power. Almost wrecked / died. Dealer says can't recreate issue and cleared codes. I'm afraid it will happen again.
The problem(s) that I have had or currently have with my vehicle are as follows: 1. Vehicle hesitates 2. Jolts forward 3. Stutters 4. Excessive oil consumption 5. The car has been undrivable since 01/27/20
Electrical
48 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. While driving at any speed, there was no heat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that there was a computer software failure. The contact was referred to the dealer (north day GMC in roslyn, ny) who stated that there was no recall. The failure recurred.…
The problem(s) that I have had or currently have with my vehicle are as follows: 1. Vehicle hesitates 2. Jolts forward 3. Stutters 4. Excessive oil consumption 5. The car has been undrivable since 01/27/20
Air bags
24 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
A (service air bag) light came on in my Terrain.I feel this a GMC defect and should be covered by them. I have only 44,000 miles. They said it will cost me $250.
I have 41,000 miles - should I need a left pretension buckle (part failure) and timing chain - oil was changed in december, checked in january and GMC dealer states I have no oil and need a timing chain where did the oil go? Is this a factor defect? Car stalled at stop signs and red lights.
Stability control
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles.
Driving on highway, 65 MPH. Without warning the cars display said service stabilitrak and engine power reduced and immediately lost power. Cars coming up behind me fast, had to pull over, no power. Almost wrecked / died. Dealer says can't recreate issue and cleared codes. I'm afraid it will happen again.
I ordered this vehicle in 12/2009 and received it 2/2010. There have been several recalls and most recently I had to replace cam shaft accuators and high pressure fuel pump to the tune of $1800.00. My wife was driving home from work and the car was rattling and vibrating like it had two flat tires. Before that she…
Speed control
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 48,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be…
I was going about 40 MPH about to get on the freeway, when my car begin a loud noise, shaking, and dropped speed to about 20 MPH. The dashboard said something also about no power, no matter how much I pushed the gas pedal, car would not accelerate. Instead of getting on freeway I pulled over to a gas station. I cut…
Fuel system
16 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles.
My vehicle, 2010 GMC Terrain, at times would sputter and act like it wants to die at idle, so I took it into the dealership and they found that the high pressure fuel pump was leaking into the crankcase contaminating the oil with fuel. There is currently a recall for this issue, #43180: product emission recall ' high…
I ordered this vehicle in 12/2009 and received it 2/2010. There have been several recalls and most recently I had to replace cam shaft accuators and high pressure fuel pump to the tune of $1800.00. My wife was driving home from work and the car was rattling and vibrating like it had two flat tires. Before that she…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2010 GMC Terrain recalls
Lights: headlights
Risk: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed september 8, 2022. Owners may contact gmc customer service at 1-800-462-8782. Gm's number for this recall is n222363740.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2010-2017 gmc terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Seats: power adjust
Risk: If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on september 11, 2014. The recall began on december 26, 2014. Owners may contact gm customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (buick), 1-800-458-8006 (cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (gmc). Gm's number for this recall is 14271.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 buick lacrosse, regal and chevrolet camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 cadillac srx, chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. In the affected vehicles, the bolt that secures the driver's and passenger's power front seat height adjuster may fall out causing the seat to drop suddenly to the lowest vertical position.
Visibility and wipers: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Risk: Driving without a functioning defrost system can decrease your visibility under certain driving conditions and could result in a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will replace the computer module in the center instrument panel free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during january 2010. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463 or at www.gmownercenter.com.
Full defect summary
General motors is recalling certain model year 2010 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 103, "windshield defrosting and defogging systems and with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 101, controls and displays". The software in the center instrument panel can cause the heating, air conditioning, defrost, and radio controls, as well as the panel illumination to become inoperative.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Momentary increased steering effort
Summary
On june 1, 2020, the office of defects investigations (odi) opened pe20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (my) 2010 through 2012 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain suvs.if the electric power steering system fails to operate as intended, the driver will experience momentary increased effort when attempting to turn the steering wheel from the straight-ahead position. For this condition to occur, the driver would need to have traveled in a straight line at a sustained high speed, without turning the steering wheel, for approximately 30 min
Front wiper transmission inoperative
Summary
On december 13, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) upgraded rq18-002 to an engineering analysis (ea19-005) to further assess the my2010-2016 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16v-582, addressing this issue in the my2013 subject vehicles, my2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, odi had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.general motors (gm) initiated safety recall 16v-582 on august 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the model year (my) 2013 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain. Failures were attributed to wa
Windshield wiper transmission failure
Summary
On november 2, 2018, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a recall query (rq18-002) to assess the scope of recall 16v-582.general motors (gm) initiated safety recall 16v-582 on august 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the model year (my) 2013 chevrolet equinox and gmc terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on
Questions about the 2010 GMC Terrain
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 GMC Terrain?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (117 complaints, typically around 77,000 miles); visibility and wipers (54 complaints, typically around 86,500 miles); transmission (51 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2010 GMC Terrain have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 8, 2022 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2010 a bad year for the GMC Terrain?
- It is 6th of 17 Terrain model years by number of complaints, with 290 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.