YearToAvoid

2010 GMC Terrain Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 51 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 GMC Terrain, 18% of its 290 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 72,000. No recalls are tied to this problem area for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
51
18% of 290
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
72,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Drivers report sudden loss of power on the highway, with the dash showing a StabiliTrak and engine power reduced warning as speed drops sharply.
  • Some owners describe the transmission refusing to engage drive or reverse at a stop, sometimes recovering after several minutes and repeated restarts.
  • Several complaints describe the vehicle stalling or shutting down completely while driving at low speeds, then being towed for repair.
  • One owner reported the transaxle breaking apart after hitting a pothole, along with tire damage on the same side of the vehicle.
  • A few complaints mention the check engine light coming on along with rough idling or a loud noise traced to the cam actuator or camshaft position sensor.

When 2010 GMC Terrain transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 11, 2010, latest Nov 9, 2023.

2010 GMC Terrain transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month5Mar 2010Apr 2014Jan 2016Jan 2017Mar 2018Dec 2020May 2022
51 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2010 to Nov 2023; peak Sep 2015 (5).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2010 GMC Terrain

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Terrain model year

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

  1. 201051 (18%)
  2. 201176 (20%)
  3. 201237 (10%)
  4. 201344 (12%)
  5. 201433 (11%)
  6. 201521 (7%)
  7. 201611 (7%)
  8. 201723 (17%)
  9. 201841 (19%)
  10. 201951 (28%)
  11. 202028 (14%)
  12. 20218 (23%)
  13. 20228 (13%)
  14. 20237 (18%)
  15. 202421 (43%)
  16. 20254 (31%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission and powertrain complaints does the 2010 GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA lists 51 complaints in the Transmission & Powertrain category for the 2010 GMC Terrain, which is 18% of the 290 total complaints filed for this model year.
Is there a transmission recall for the 2010 GMC Terrain?
No related recalls are listed for the 2010 GMC Terrain in this problem area, according to NHTSA data.
At what mileage do 2010 GMC Terrain transmission problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints on the 2010 GMC Terrain is 72,000 miles.
What kind of transmission problems do 2010 GMC Terrain owners report?
Owners describe sudden power loss with a StabiliTrak warning, the transmission not engaging drive or reverse, unexpected stalling while driving, and in one case a transaxle breaking apart after hitting a pothole.
Does the 2010 GMC Terrain have more transmission complaints than other model years?
Among the years listed, 2011 has more Transmission & Powertrain complaints at 76, while 2010's 51 complaints represent an 18% share of that year's total complaints.

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.