Is the 2010 GMC Terrain a bad year?
290 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 116, 2.5× a quiet Terrain year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2010 GMC Terrain were filed between 58k and 101k miles. You're at 77,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2010 Terrain owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 77,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 116 (40%) | 58k–101k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 54 (19%) | 60k–110k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 51 (18%) | 53k–94k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 48 (17%) | 48k–111k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 24 (8%) | 10k–82k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 21 (7%) | 51k–101k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 17 (6%) | 44k–87k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 16 (6%) | 44k–105k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 12 (4%) | 23k–89k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Body structure | 10 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 77,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 290 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 9 report an injury · 9 say the car was towed.
5 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Jun 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Check engine light has illuminated multiple times. A rough idle was initial indication something was wrong.
This is the second time that the vehicle has stalled at a stop. I am seriously concerned with the safety of my wife.
While driving my car the stabili-track service light comes on. Then the check engine, brake, ABS, AWD, as well as the power steering lights come on.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 77,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2010 GMC Terrain: 3
A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
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. 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.
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. Driving without a functioning defrost system can decrease your visibility under certain driving conditions and could result in a crash without warning.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from GMC: 524
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2010 GMC Terrain. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
Engine Run-On, Rough Running, Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Momentary Increased Steering Effort
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
Neighbouring years
2011 Terrain: 385 complaints, consider selling.
Every GMC Terrain year
2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Terrain years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2010 GMC Terrain a bad year?
290 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 116, 2.5× a quiet Terrain year. At 77,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2010 GMC Terrain were filed between 58k and 101k miles. You're at 77,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2010 GMC Terrain?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (116), visibility and wipers (54), transmission and drivetrain (51), electrical system (48), air bags (24). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 58k–101k miles.
How many recalls does the 2010 GMC Terrain have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 22V-137), Seats (NHTSA 14V-447), Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 09V-489). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.