2010 GMC Terrain
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 117 of 290 complaints (40%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | vs. 2010 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,100 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–22 / 24–32 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–444 | 342–468 | 342–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 290 | 386 | 364 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 4 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 11 | 17 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 8 | 5 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 24 | 19 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2010 GMC Terrain have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2010 GMC Terrain?
Engine: 117 of 290 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2010 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates it 20–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 GMC Terrain?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 20 mpg | 29 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 17 mpg (low) | 25 mpg | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 117 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 51 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 49 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 27 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 13 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 61 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 18 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 22V137000 · Mar 8, 2022
Defect: 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."
Consequence: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST · Campaign 14V447000 · Jul 23, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM · Campaign 09V489000 · Dec 23, 2009
Defect: 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.
Consequence: DRIVING WITHOUT A FUNCTIONING DEFROST SYSTEM CAN DECREASE YOUR VISIBILITY UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: 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.