2010 GMC Terrain: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 290 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (28% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2022
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 290 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I bought this car and the mileage said 120K, but the title says when it was tagged 157K. the car has been tampered with and the some of the lights for the car on the dash are missing, such as the check engine light. Also, it misses so bad that it will die at times”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2026
“Reduce spreed unknown if related to fuel pressure regulator since repaired twice told could be to service bulletin. Warning lights keeps appearing while driving at a speed of 40 to 50 mph.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2024
“Twice had to have wiring repaired because animals ate the wiring. Both were caused by GM using soy based insulation on wiring that made it a delicacy to the animals and caused them to eat through two wiring harnesses, one of which GM no longer makes. The other complaint is the timing belt has stretched and is now in need of replacement at a cost of $4500 to $5000.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“My defrost system doesn't work. As I drive down the road my windshield fogs up andni can't get it to un fog at all or fast enough. Almost caused me to have an accident before Christmas”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2022
“The defroster/ radio control/ heating area stopped working. Upon visiting a mechanic was told they never seen this or heard of this happening before and quoted me over $1,000.00 dollars to fix stating that due to Federal Law they have to give an estimate but this problem not being in their system they came up with an estimate based on parts and labor. Upon searching online I found a recall for this issue dating back to 2009 recall number was 09V489000 but was never informed about this and while looking up my car it's not listed but being a safety issue should still be current which it is not.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Dec 2022
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2022
“My information screen which shows valuable information to driver as well as speedometer is blank and the radio and temps , ac/ setting etc a are all unable to be read . There is a recall listed for the computer modules yet they exclude my vin number in that recall how can Chevrolet do that when it's the same issues 2010 terrains with a different number than mine are being fixed”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2022
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after changing headlight bulbs, the headlights operated for only one day. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 137,000. Invalid VIN.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2022
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2022
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2022
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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."
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Terrain by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 GMC Terrain reliable?
NHTSA has 290 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 GMC Terrain. The most complained-about area is engine (28% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 GMC Terrain problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2010 GMC Terrain have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.