10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,269 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 GMC Terrain drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2010 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

Sep 012016

Terrain

  • 85,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving at about 5 miles an hour, turning vehicle around a cul-de-sac the vehicle completely turns off. I have contacted the GMC dealership about this and the only recall I was told was the fuel pump. I was told they would order my parts and they would call me; I never received a call. I have towed the vehicle to two repair shops and I have been told by both that it is a timing chain issue and I need to install a new engine! I called the GMC dealership and asked if the recall could be a direct result of my timing chain issue, and if I had any other recalls? I was told I would have to pay for them to look at my vehicle if not apart of the recall. I do not have the extra money to pay multiple times for my car to be looked at or to put an engine in a vehicle that has less than 85K miles. I purchased this vehicle in late December of 2015 and have not be able to drive the vehicle since about September of 2016. I have gotten at least two oil changes in that time frame (Dec-Sept) from the same GMC dealership and was never told about any recalls or any issues with my vehicle besides needing tires/brakes. One of the mechanics that I took the vehicle to said I have other recalls. I was not able to locate any others online and that is my reason for writing this. I am very unsatisfied and do not know how to proceed.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #26

Aug 092016

Terrain

  • 74,100 miles
GMC Terrain have a recall 2010-2014 on a high pressure fuel pump that is faulty and the ECM unit is not accurate that cause the transmission to fail.

- Escondido, CA, USA

problem #25

Dec 042016

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles
I am adding on additional information to my previous complaint #10938600. GMC sca #14159, 14232, 15810, 12313, and my transmission failure all seem to fall victim to excessive heat. I was pulling into traffic when the transmission failed. My Terrain has fallen victim to three possibly four of the five calamities. There is no reason to believe all five will not fail under the same driving conditions. Somehow not once did warning lights come on for multiple engine oil occurrences, nor for my transmission failure. I was an HVAC chiller technician for 28 years. When I hear ECM referenced, as in sca#12312, I have to ask which values were changed and why. Thermistors and pressure switches designed to protect vital engine compartment components run through the ECM yet no warning. My transmission failed on December 4, 2016, the catalytic converter may be bad, the steering gear is suspect, and the engine warning lights have not done what they are supposed to do. The unnecessarily long delay in addressing the oil consumption issue outlined in sca#14159 probably compromised my engine in other ways. Sca#12313 resulted from GM delaying the repair of sca#14159 for so long. What, why, and how. We know what is failing. Simply replacing the part in kind or similar is not addressing why. How do we keep it from happening again is definitely not being addressed. Safety as well as quality issues are at hand here. GM has ignored my requests for all information regarding sca#14159, 14232, 15810, 12313, and 12312, as well as the transmission. Why they are failing is excessive heat. That is just my guess. They know what it is. I can not afford a costly transmission bill that only finds me back in an unreliable vehicle with some serious safety issues.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

problem #24

Jan 062017

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 58,332 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. While driving various speeds, the check engine and control assist warning indicators illuminated. The speed decelerated below 10 mph independently in addition the engine made an abnormal sound. The contact managed to drive the vehicle home slowly. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,332. Upated 03/07/17

- El Paso, TX, USA

problem #23

Feb 272015

Terrain

  • miles
GMC special coverage adjustment #14159A took an unnecessarily long time to fix(over 6 months) because GM said the vehicle has to consume a certain amount of oil every 1000 miles for them to honor the vehicle. I was forced into driving the vehicle less to avoid causing further damage. The longer duration I drove it the more oil it would consume. Why would I keep driving a vehicle if the problem was identified early enough that I could avoid causing further damage. I was basically told the vehicle has to run out of oil within 3000 miles for them to warranty sca#14159A. It ended up happening and that problem was fixed but it took an additional 3 months of filling out an oil consumption sheet. Which brings me to my most serious safety concern about the vehicle. Sca#14232A- power steering. I can not get an answer from GM on whether this is a progressively worsening issue within the steering gear or does it fail without warning. Their response is the condition must happen before they will replace the steering gear. According to sca#14232A the condition is the vehicle may have increased friction in the steering system while driving long distances on a straight highway. This could cause the steering wheel to stick in the straight-ahead position. Pretty scary scenario has to happen before they would fix a flaw they already know about in the steering system. A hundred and fifty bad things might happen to me when I get behind the wheel of a car I am not that paranoid to think about them. When the manufacturer suggests something specific and deadly may happen I am going to avoid that situation. May happen is more likely than might happen. Finally, my transmission went up three weeks ago without warning. The vehicle has less than 100,000 miles on it. Ethically I can not sell it even if I fix the transmission and won't drive it.

- Salisbury, MD, USA

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problem #22

Oct 202016

Terrain

  • 66,000 miles
Transmission problems. While on a slight incline, car would not go into reverse.forward acceleration was very sludgiest. Corrosion on passenger side door.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #21

Jun 082016

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Returning towards home and transmission malfunctioned. Limped at 5 mph to stark stoughton wi. Sales dept helped with a loaner car because service was closed. Called next day and had to replace transmission.I think around June 8th 2016. Finished around June 17th. Luke piper / lpiper@starkauto.com stark automotive (608)873-5661

- Mazomanie, WI, USA

problem #20

May 042016

Terrain

  • 86,000 miles
2010 GMC certified used 86K miles while driving to work about 45mph the vehicle completely locked down and quite working, the transmission was the problem, it was 4 months out of warranty and cost me $2800 out of pocket. I see this is a very common issue, why is there no recall on this yet" the vehicle also burns oil 2-4 quarts more in between 3K mile oil changes. My check engine light is now coming on and off depending on how long the vehicle is driven. Why is this vehicle having so many issues? only 6 years old and under 90K miles" research this please! documentation can be provided.

- York, SC, USA

problem #19

Sep 022015

Terrain

  • 41,119 miles
While entering a freeway onramp, vehicle would not accelerate. Pulled over and waited a few minutes. Started and limped to the nearest dealer. Transmission went out at 41K miles, 5 years "80 days" (Sept 2015) into ownership! dealer did not offer to do an full goodwill repair, despite the low miles and 80 days past the warranty. Engine constantly uses/burns oil. Service documentation available on request.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #18

Apr 122016

Terrain

  • 68,000 miles
The car check engine light won't go out and the onstar rep says it is transmission related to possible timing chain which was replaced aprox 2 years ago at that time there was no warning as the check engine light coming on I travel only highway most of the time and im in fear that the car will stop without notice I feel if the chain is the issue again they should make good on the car it has aprox 71000. Miles at this time and if it stops on highway could be cause for deaths to me or maybe someone else

- Irvington, NJ, USA

problem #17

Mar 312016

Terrain

  • 103,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving on the highway the transmission stopped working and did nothing but rev high rpms. Had to pull over to the emergency lane, at which point I had to turn off the Terrain. Once restarted, the transmission did not shift out of first gear. A month and a half and $3000+ later, a new transmission and 4 computers later, the Terrain is still being worked on! according to many different dealers, this is a common issue on the Terrains, and many have been in the dealerships for the same issue. So why has this not been a recall issue?

- Copperas Cove, TX, USA

problem #16

Jan 152016

Terrain

  • 67,000 miles
I have had car speed up accelerate not accelerate burn oil and loss of engine power body throttle and mobile stabilizer codes and it's un safe I have children dealership wil not honor so called warranty

- Topeka, KS, USA

problem #15

Nov 202015

Terrain

  • 100,052 miles
While stopped at a traffic light, the transmission failed and the vehicle switched itself into reverse, propelling the vehicle backwards almost striking the vehicle behind me. The entire transmission required replacement and since it was 52 miles over the warranty period, GMC would not warranty it. The issue that I am asking you to investigate, is GM's response to me when I explained the transmission failure and the car putting itself in the reverse mode. I had been speaking with one of the executive customer service reps who works directly for the CEO of GM, wendy and I was abruptly told this transmission failure and throwing itself into reverse is not considered a problem or issue with GM. I feel that it is a serious problem and concern when the passengers safety is an issue. I cannot believe their attitude and non-action or even concern over this matter as this could have been a tragic occurrence, particularly if it could have been prevented by the manufacturer, GM. I am prepared to take this situation to any level and Agency that I need to and I purposely kept the old parts of the transmission that failed. We have a potentially deadly situation here and I am unable to convince any one within GM of the seriousness of this situation. Therefore, I am asking for your assistance as I am convinced that a thorough federal investigation is appropriate and I am also convinced that GM is "sweeping" this issue under the carpet and withholding the truth from the consumer. Anything I can do, please email me or call me any time. Thanks for your concern and action. [xxx] 'information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #14

Sep 092015

Terrain

  • 97,000 miles
While driving back from work, in a 2010 2.4L GMC Terrain purchased at star Buick GMC, the car was making a horrible rattling noise, which has occurred several times. Stopping at a red light caused the entire car to shut down. It would not turn over and I was in the middle of rush-hour traffic with a car that wouldn't respond. Several times over the years I have taken my car to the joycekoons GMC dealership for required maintenance and service, because the timing chain was damaged, and the car appears to be losing significant amounts of oil between oil changes. This time when having the vehicle towed to the dealership I'm told that the entire engine needs replacement because metal has gotten inside, and conveniently I'm 3 months outside of my powertrain warranty. This sort of issue puts lives at risk (engine failure in traffic) and I would like the govt. To investigate so that others do not suffer from this problem in the future.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #13

Sep 012015

Terrain

  • 87,000 miles
We were almost rear end when travelling down the highway the car just stops moving with engine running. The driver who almost hit us and other drivers got out to assist us in getting my car off the highway. We travel alot in this car what if we were on interstate we would probably been killed. Thank god that did not happen. The dealer had the car over a week trying to find the problem first they said it was a crank shaft sensor now they are saying it's the plates in the transmission. The cost between $3150 and $4000. We can't afford that with only 5 payments left on a car we purchased new kept up with all the services including a transmission service the dealer said we needed to cover any future problems we may incur. Why in the world would a transmission go out at 87,000 miles. I just want the governing authority to look into this problem to save someone life. There was no warning before this happened to us. I think GMC should be order to issue some type of recall. I'm still waiting for a call from GMC

- Ridgeville, SC, USA

problem #12

Sep 022015

Terrain

  • 82,000 miles
We were traveling West on highway 78 at a speed about 45 or just a little over speed limit when all of a sudden the car stops in mid traffic we almost got rear ended. Passenger from other vehicles decided to get out and help us push it off the highway thank god was no injuries

- Ridgeville, SC, USA

problem #11

Aug 202013

Terrain

  • 26,000 miles
Problem with GMC products I purchased a brand new 2010 GMC Terrain from star GMC. Since 2013 I've having problems with the stbilitrak light comes, car will not move and the engine is running but not power. This has happened to me three times since I have had this car. One time the dealer told me it was because the gas cap was not tight. That is the error code they got, which is not true, I always tighten till I hear it click.3 times since I have had the automobile, the stabiltrak light would come on, the engine was running, but no power, the car would not move. Now the last time I brought it in for this problem, service tells me they found an electronic link switch which was no good and they replaced it, mean time I go on google and find there are many same such problems out there, and the dealers do not know how to deal with this problem. This is a very dangerous problem ad should be investigated right away before someone gets killed. I'm still not sure that they found the problem, and I worry every time my wife takes the car out.

- Easton, PA, USA

problem #10

Aug 282015

Terrain

  • 77,000 miles
The car has been to the dealership 4 times for this problem only to have the dealership fix everything but the timing chain now we are not in "warranty" whatever that crap means. So we are responsible for $1400 bill on a timing chain for a car that has 77000 miles on it. We have a 2003 with 200000 miles on it and never had to repair all this engine stuff. I think GM is the worst car maker in the world. I am never buying another GM product.

- Davison, MI, USA

problem #9

Dec 182013

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
Driving on highway, 65 mph. Without warning the cars display said service stabilitrak and engine power reduced and immediately lost power. Cars coming up behind me fast, had to pull over, no power. Almost wrecked / died. Dealer says can't recreate issue and cleared codes. I'm afraid it will happen again.

- Mcallen, TX, USA

problem #8

Sep 252014

Terrain 4-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
I was at a stop light, when I accelerated the vehicle would not move, I tried changing gears it would not go in drive or reverse, after a few minutes it did go into drive and I was able to make it into a parking lot at that time I parked and turned off the vehicle I waited a few minutes and started the vehicle back up and at that time it would not drive in either gear. I called GMC roadside assistance who could not get it to do anything either they had to put it on a lift tow truck to take it to the dealership. At this time I am waiting on the dealership to tell me what is wrong with it.

- Houston, TX, USA

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