2010 GMC Terrain Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2010 GMC Terrain has 290 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 73, and 3 recalls, ranking 5th worst out of 16 model years with a Caution verdict. Engine problems dominate at 43% of complaints, with median failure mileage of 77,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 73/100
- #5 of 16 Terrain years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 290
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 10
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2010 GMC Terrain problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine126 (43%)
- Electrical System53 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain51 (18%)
- Visibility & Wipers45 (16%)
- Brakes27 (9%)
- Airbags24 (8%)
- Other19 (7%)
- Fuel System16 (6%)
- Structure & Body13 (4%)
- Steering12 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine hesitates, stutters, or jolts forward unexpectedly during acceleration, sometimes causing a crash.
- Airbags fail to deploy in low-to-moderate speed crashes, even in significant impacts like multi-vehicle pileups.
- Vehicle experiences sudden unintended acceleration while parking, continuing forward despite hard braking.
- Windshield wipers become inoperable without warning during inclement weather, leading to loss of visibility and crashes.
- Electrical issues include flickering dashboard and stereo lights, malfunctioning heated seats, and excessive oil consumption tied to oil pump filter clogging.
2010 GMC Terrain recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V137000Mar 8, 2022Electrical System740,581 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
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."
Risk: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
- NHTSA 14V447000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body414,333 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:power adjust
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.
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.
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.
- NHTSA 09V489000Dec 23, 2009HVAC59,031 vehicles
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system
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.
Risk: Driving without a functioning defrost system can decrease your visibility under certain driving conditions and could result in a crash without warning.
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.
2010 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,025
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 GMC Terrain reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 Terrain has a complaint index of 73 and ranks 5th worst among 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other Terrain years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2010 GMC Terrain?
- Engine problems make up 43% of complaints (126 total), followed by electrical system issues (18%) and transmission & powertrain issues (18%), with a median failure mileage of 77,000 miles for engine complaints.
- Does the 2010 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Terrain, covering the electrical system (headlight glare), structure & body (power seat height adjuster bolts), and HVAC (windshield defrosting compliance).
- How does the 2010 Terrain compare to other model years?
- The 2010 Terrain's complaint index of 73 is lower than 2011 (100), 2012 (93), and 2013 (87), but higher than later years like 2017 (33) and 2021 (13), which are rated Best.