CarRecordBook

Model year record

2010 GMC Terrain recalls & problems

The 2010 GMC Terrain has 3 safety recalls and 290 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (107 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints290filed by owners
Crashes · fires10 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths12 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingMar 8, 2022

Headlights

Recall 22V137000740,581 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
SeatsJul 23, 2014

Front assembly › Power adjust

Recall 14V447000414,333 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Buick LaCrosse, Regal and Chevrolet Camaro, as well as certain 2010-2012 Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, equipped with power height adjustable driver and passenger seats. 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.
Risk
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.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
VisibilityDec 23, 2009

Defroster/defogger/hvac system

Recall 09V48900059,031 vehicles

Problem
GENERAL MOTORS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX AND GMC TERRAIN VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 103, "WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING AND DEFOGGING SYSTEMS AND WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 101, CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS". 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.
Risk
DRIVING WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING DEFROST SYSTEM CAN DECREASE YOUR VISIBILITY UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COMPUTER MODULE IN THE CENTER INSTRUMENT PANEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463 OR AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2010 GMC Terrain 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk17.4%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Terrain FWD

26mpg combined
City / highway22 / 32 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Terrain AWD

23mpg combined
City / highway20 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Terrain FWD

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 25 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Terrain AWD

20mpg combined
City / highway17 / 24 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 6-spd · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine10740379,839 mi
Power trainAxle assembly; Driveline5110170,059 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel4820371,559 mi
Visibility/wiper4010097,243 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Frontal › Sensor/control module2450844,229 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)2100072,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1720148,000 mi
Unknown or other1600176,050 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core1400050,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1410073,470 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system1200020,000 mi
Steering1200085,150 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations