2010 GMC Terrain Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2010 GMC Terrain.

< older2011
Complaints
425
Crashes
17
Fires
0
Injuries
20
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2010 GMC Terrain Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1106 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:82,626 mi
Crash-related:4
#247 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:72,579 mi
Crash-related:2
#347 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:104,228 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2010 GMC Terrain.

Engine Problems
106
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
82,626
Electrical Faults
47
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
72,579
Transmission / Drivetrain
47
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
104,228
Wipers & Visibility
40
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
123,168
Airbags
21
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
55,739
Electronic Stability Control
21
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
123,699
Unintended Acceleration
17
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
55,952
Fuel System
14
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
67,923
Steering Defects
12
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
90,351
Headlight/Taillight Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,429
Brakes
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
110,037
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
52,007
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
35,050
Structural Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
14,410
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Instrument Cluster
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2010 GMC Terrain. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2010 GMC Terrain

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,154,914 vehicles.

22V137000Exterior Lighting:headlights
~740,581 affected

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."

14V447000Seats:front Assembly:power Adjust
~414,333 affected

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.

Other GMC Terrain Years

2010 GMC Terrain — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2010 GMC Terrain reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2010 GMC Terrain has 425 NHTSA complaints, 17 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 106 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2010 GMC Terrain?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (106 complaints, avg 82,626 mi); Electrical Faults (47 complaints, avg 72,579 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (47 complaints, avg 104,228 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2010 GMC Terrain?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 84,985 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2010 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA complaints for the 2010 GMC Terrain include 17 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 20 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2010 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,154,914 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2010 GMC Terrain?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Terrain reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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