What are the most common problems with the 2010 GMC Terrain?

The engine group has the most complaints at 117. Power train has 51 and electrical has 48.

Has the 2010 GMC Terrain been recalled?

Yes, the year has 3 recalls. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

What mpg does the 2010 GMC Terrain get?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2010 GMC Terrain reliable?

Owners filed 290 complaints with NHTSA. Read the problems and safety sections to weigh that for yourself.

Is 2010 the best year for the GMC Terrain?

See the by-year comparison on this page. It lays out complaints and recalls for each year.

2010 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 290 owner complaints on file for the 2010 GMC Terrain^[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 117 complaints^[2].

290owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

20–26MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners raised most, biggest first.

Engine. 117 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the engine cutting out while driving, odd clapping noises, and oil running low between changes.
Power Train. 51 complaints^[5]. Owners describe the vehicle losing power or shutting down on the road, refusing to move forward, and damage to parts around a wheel after a hard hit.
Electrical System. 48 complaints^[6]. Owners describe warning lights popping on, lights dimming, blown fuses, and a car that would not start.
Visibility/Wiper. 40 complaints^[7]. Owners describe wipers quitting in heavy rain and a heater or defroster that would not clear the glass.
Air Bags. 24 complaints^[8]. This group includes 5 crashes and 8 injuries^[8].
Electronic Stability Control. 21 complaints^[9].
Speed Control. 17 complaints^[10].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2010 Terrain is necessarily included.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights (22V137), March 2022. About 740,581 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[11]
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust (14V447), July 2014. About 414,333 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System (09V489), December 2009. About 59,031 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced visibility. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	22 / 32 / 26	$2,600
Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[14]	20 / 29 / 23	$2,900
Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	17 / 25 / 20	$3,350
Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive^[16]	17 / 24 / 20	$3,350

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD/4WD^[17]	n/a	n/a	n/a	4	17.4%

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
TERRAIN SLE/SLT 4DR SUV AWD^[18]	185 in	73 in	67 in	113 in	4,019 lb
TERRAIN SLE/SLT 4DR SUV FWD^[19]	185 in	73 in	67 in	113 in	3,854 lb

How 2010 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Terrain model year. The 2010 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2010	290	3
2011	386	4
2012	364	4
2013	364	3
2014	297	2
2015	298	3
2016	153	2
2017	135	1
2018	225	5
2019	186	3
2020	197	2
2021	36	2
2022	88	4
2023	41	2
2024	52	1
2025	13	0
2026	33	1
2027	1	0

NHTSA's counts for the Terrain show 290 complaints and 3 recalls for 2010^[3]. Among the 18 model years listed, 12 have fewer complaints than 2010 and 5 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (1) and the most are for 2011 (386)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2010 Terrain?

The 2010 Terrain has a clear pattern in the complaints, with the engine group on top at 117 complaints^[2]. Power train issues follow with 51 complaints^[5]. Electrical issues come next with 48^[6]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales^[1]. Check the recalls section on this page, since the year has 3 recalls^[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 GMC Terrain?: The engine group has the most complaints at 117^[2]. Power train has 51^[5] and electrical has 48^[6].
Has the 2010 GMC Terrain been recalled?: Yes, the year has 3 recalls^[3]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
What mpg does the 2010 GMC Terrain get?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2010 GMC Terrain reliable?: Owners filed 290 complaints with NHTSA^[1]. Read the problems and safety sections to weigh that for yourself.
Is 2010 the best year for the GMC Terrain?: See the by-year comparison on this page. It lays out complaints and recalls for each year^[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the GMC Terrain

2010 this page
2011 386 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 364 complaints, 4 recalls
2013 364 complaints, 3 recalls
2014 297 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 298 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 153 complaints, 2 recalls
2017 135 complaints, 1 recall
2018 225 complaints, 5 recalls
2019 186 complaints, 3 recalls
2020 197 complaints, 2 recalls
2022 88 complaints, 4 recalls
2023 41 complaints, 2 recalls
2024 52 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the GMC Terrain

Other GMC models from 2010

2010 GMC Acadia 343 complaints, 4 recalls

All GMC models

Similar cars from 2010: suvs

2010 Subaru Forester 262 complaints, 17 recalls
2010 Toyota 4Runner 147 complaints, 12 recalls
2010 Toyota FJ Cruiser 66 complaints, 10 recalls
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser 3 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 Acura MDX 45 complaints, 1 recall
2010 Buick Enclave 275 complaints, 6 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 290 owner complaints on file for the 2010 GMC Terrain (10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 12 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
117 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Terrain model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 32 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
51 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,059). NHTSA vehicle records
48 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,559). NHTSA vehicle records
40 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,243). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,229). NHTSA vehicle records
21 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 22V137, filed March 8, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V447, filed July 23, 2014: Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust. NHTSA recall database
Recall 09V489, filed December 23, 2009: Visibility › Defroster / Defogger / Hvac System. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD/4WD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TERRAIN SLE/SLT 4DR SUV AWD: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,019 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TERRAIN SLE/SLT 4DR SUV FWD: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,854 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2010 GMC Terrain: problems, recalls and fuel economy