Problems · NHTSA complaints
2010 GMC Terrain problems
Owners filed 295 complaints about the 2010 GMC Terrain with NHTSA between Feb 2010 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is engine (107).
Complaints
295
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
10
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
12
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine107
- Power train51
- Electrical system48
- Visibility/wiper40
- Air bags25
- Electronic stability control (esc)21
- Vehicle speed control17
- Visibility14
- Fuel/propulsion system14
- Steering12
- Structure11
- Engine and engine cooling10
- Exterior lighting8
- Service brakes8
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
15
13
6
16
32
29
45
33
34
24
13
10
13
4
3
2
3
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 16 |
| 2014 | 32 |
| 2015 | 29 |
| 2016 | 45 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 34 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 13 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
107 reports4 crashes
“I bought this car and the mileage said 120K, but the title says when it was tagged 157K. the car has been tampered with and the some of the lights for the car on the dash are missing, such as the check engine light. Also, it misses so bad that it will die at times”
Power train
51 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”
Electrical system
48 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the center console display intermittently malfunctioned and became inoperable. During the failure, the HVAC system was no longer blowing hot air, and the front windshield could not be defrosted, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. Additionally, the radio had become inoperable, and the audible clicking from the turn signal was muted. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V489000 (VISIBILITY). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 114,000.”
Visibility/wiper
40 reports1 crash
“My defrost system doesn't work. As I drive down the road my windshield fogs up andni can't get it to un fog at all or fast enough. Almost caused me to have an accident before Christmas”
Air bags
25 reports5 crashes
“I ONLY HAD MY CAR FOR JUST ABOUT ONE YEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ENDED UP COMING ON AND I FOUND THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS THE CULPRIT. NO MATTER WHAT I DO THIS SENSOR COMES ON. NOW HERE RECENTLY, THE LIGHT TO CHECK THE AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS COME ON. I HAVE ONCE BEFORE CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT THERE SUPPOSEDLY WERE NONE, YET I SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING ON TOP OF THE DEFROST SYSTEM BEING NO GOOD. THIS CAR HAS COST ME MORE THAN IT IS WORTH AND SELLING IT WOULD JUST LEAVE ME WITH NOTHING BECAUSE I STILL OWE ON IT. I NEED FIXES AND ANSWERS BEFORE THIS THING ENDS UP IN FLAMES WHICH IS WHAT I FEAR EACH DAY I DRIVE IT. THIS BEGAN IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR AND NOW I AM GETTING SCARED FOR MY LIFE.”
Electronic stability control (esc)
21 reports
“SERVICE STABILITRAK LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR STOPPED AS WELL AS ON CLEAR DRY ROADS. HAVE TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART CAR MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET FULL ENGINE POWER.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.