The Lemon Index2010 GMC Terrain.
The 2010 GMC Terrain is better than average by owner complaints: 50 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 75, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 20 to 26 mpg combined. The best GMC Terrain year is 2017.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 290 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every GMC Terrain year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 41K to 100K miles on the car (234 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 61K–108K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 48K–95K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 43K–111K miles
Recalls 3
- lights 2022
A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light.
- seats 2014
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.
- visibility 2009
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 DEFO…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 1653 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Gm/hummer/saab: intermittent illumination of mil, service lamps, service messages, or dtc set…
- Gmc/chevrolet/cadillac/buick: a door may not open, intermittently, w/the outside handle and/or…
- Engineering information-chemical damage on inner surfaces of fuel tank
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedMomentary increased steering effort2020–2022
- ClosedFront wiper transmission inoperative2019–2022
- ClosedWindshield wiper transmission failure2018–2019
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
A (service air bag) light came on in my Terrain.I feel this a GMC defect and should be covered by them. I have only 44,000 miles. They said it will cost me $250.
2010 GMC Terrain owner · NHTSA complaint 10511969
More owner reports
The four cylinder engine consumes lube oil at an alarming rate. This could cause a catastrophic engine failure if engine oil level is not constantly monitored.
NHTSA complaint 10402919
Traveling on a highway about 50mph a car turned left in front of us. We t-boned the car. The passenger air bag failed to deploy. The driver air bag shot off to the left. This was a 2010 Terrain.
NHTSA complaint 10367996
Quick answers
Is the 2010 GMC Terrain reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 75; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Terrain year by this measure is 2017.
What are the most common 2010 GMC Terrain problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (20%), airbags (16%) and electrical (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 GMC Terrain have?
3 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 GMC Terrain get?
20 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 GMC Terrain problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 41,100 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 73,900 miles, from 234 complaints.
Does the 2010 GMC Terrain have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 GMC Terrain cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 GMC Terrain have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What GMC Terrain year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2017, 2021 and 2016.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works