YearToAvoid

2010 GMC Terrain Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 126 engine complaints for the 2010 GMC Terrain, 43% of its 290 total complaints for the year. There is no related recall on file. Median mileage at failure was 77,000, with 5 crashes and 4 injuries reported.

Engine complaints
126
43% of 290
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Median mileage
77,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration or the vehicle lunging forward while stopping or parking, sometimes leading to a crash.
  • Several report excessive oil consumption, with one owner noting the four-cylinder engine burns oil at a high rate and warning of possible catastrophic failure if not monitored.
  • Some describe the vehicle hesitating, jolting, or stuttering during acceleration, occasionally paired with dashboard lights flickering or an engine light coming on.
  • One owner reported a timing belt or chain detaching at 74,000 miles, which destroyed the engine and required a tow.
  • Others describe intermittent loss of speed at highway speeds, with repeated dealer visits and repeated replacement of the fuel injector and timing chain.
  • A few owners noted a hissing or clapping noise traced to the air conditioner compressor, requiring compressor replacement.

When 2010 GMC Terrain engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 3, 2010, latest Apr 21, 2026.

2010 GMC Terrain engine complaints: complaints filed per quarter112010 Q22012 Q32014 Q32016 Q12017 Q32019 Q22020 Q42022 Q3
126 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2010 Q2 to 2026 Q2; peak 2017 Q1 (11).

Engine recalls for the 2010 GMC Terrain

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Terrain model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2010126 (43%)
  2. 2011207 (54%)
  3. 2012179 (49%)
  4. 2013206 (57%)
  5. 2014130 (44%)
  6. 201583 (28%)
  7. 201648 (32%)
  8. 201779 (59%)
  9. 201858 (26%)
  10. 201976 (41%)
  11. 202067 (34%)
  12. 202111 (31%)
  13. 202213 (22%)
  14. 202316 (41%)
  15. 202413 (27%)
  16. 20253 (23%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine complaints on the 2010 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA lists 126 engine complaints for the 2010 Terrain, which is 43% of the 290 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 GMC Terrain engine problems?
No. NHTSA shows no related recalls tied to this engine complaint category for the 2010 Terrain.
At what mileage do engine problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure among these complaints is 77,000 miles, though individual reports range widely.
Have engine problems on the 2010 Terrain caused crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data tied to this complaint category shows 5 crashes and 4 injuries, and no fires, reported.
How does the 2010 Terrain compare to other model years for engine complaints?
The 43% share for 2010 is lower than 2011 (54%), 2012 (49%), 2013 (57%), and 2017 (59%), but higher than most years from 2015 onward.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.