2010 GMC Terrain

On June 1, 2020, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE20-009 to investigate instances of a momentary increase in steering effort after the vehicle is driven in a straight line for a period of time due to an issue with the steering gear in model year (MY) 2010 through 2012 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs.If the electric power steering system fails to operate as intended, the driver will experience momentary increased effort when attempting to turn the steering wheel from the straight-ahead position. For this condition to occur, the driver would need to have traveled in a straight line at a sustained high speed, without turning the steering wheel, for approximately 30 minutes or longer. The steering gear contains a servo unit that includes a worm gear with a worm and a worm wheel. General Motors (GM) stated that the primary root cause of the increased steering effort is the supplier's inconsistent application of grease in the interface between the worm and the worm wheel. The grease may have been applied in a location on the worm wheel that didn't interface with the worm, depriving the worm gear of proper lubrication.On November 1, 2014, GM issued Special Coverage 14232 to address the power steering stick-slip issue in MY 2010-2014 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain; MY 2011-2014 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt; MY 2012-2014 Buick Verano; and MY 2013-2014 Chevrolet Malibu vehicles. GM notified consumers via mail.The Special Coverage repair includes the replacement of the steering gear with an improved internal worm gear greasing process for MY 2010-2012 vehicles. For the MY 2013-2014 vehicles, the Special Coverage repair includes a reprogramming of the steering gear control module. The new software has an anti-stick feature which senses and reduces the friction between the worm and worm wheel by oscillating the worm gear. GM stated that the difference in remedy is due to the inability of the MY 2010-2012 steering gear control module to accept the new software.The remedy implemented in GM Special Coverage 14232 appears to be sufficient in addressing the safety-related concerns of this issue. Considering the low complaint and warranty rates of steering rack replacement as well as the field exposure time for the subject vehicles, the potential safety consequences of this issue are very low. To date, there have been no reported crashes, injuries, or fatalities related to this issue. ODI has not identified a safety defect or defect-related failure trend in the subject vehicles. In view of the Special Coverage, low rate of failure, and low potential hazard to drivers, this Preliminary Evaluation is closed. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.Review the ODI reports cited above at nhtsa.gov under the following identification numbers:11424633,11421725,11229647,11101375,10919921,10689932,10671557,10664687,10663350, 10593429,10592065,10585476,10585365,10576237,10575693,10532766,10490295,10434128, 10417845,10412535,10403168,10395532,10395171,10391948,10384211,10375515,10366297, 10360999,10360599,10345626,10319530,10305569,10304769,10299745

On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.

On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.

I am reporting an auto dealership and its finance company for contract fraud, electronic profile manipulation, and using illegal repossession threats to cover it up. During my vehicle purchase, the dealership used deceptive bait-and-switch tactics. They altered my final contract numbers without my consent, hid account ledgers, and changed how my down payment was applied. Crucially, they entered falsified financial metrics and manipulated personal tracking data within the electronic underwriting systems and lending networks to force a loan approval that never should have happened. The business records prove the companies have known about this active fraud dispute since March 31st, when I placed a formal cease-and-desist call to management. Instead of stopping collection activities to investigate the fraud, they ignored my notices, hid my payment histories, and completely refused to cooperate. Now, even though these companies are actively being sued in state court for these exact consumer protection violations, they are weaponizing aggressive repossession threats to try and bypass judicial oversight. The dealership sent a physical letter threatening immediate repossession while openly admitting my dispute flags had been active since March 31st. Shortly after, on the exact same day their legal counsel received the court lawsuit papers, the finance company mailed an aggressive notice threatening a live repossession of my vehicle by a strict deadline of July 2nd. They are deliberately using extrajudicial intimidation to seize the physical vehicle and cover their tracks before a state court judge can audit their electronic fraud. I request that NHTSA investigate this dealership and finance company for predatory marketplace practices and falsifying transaction information in electronic auto systems.

NHTSA ID

11743328

Incident

Sep 12, 2025

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

NHTSA ID

11732619

Incident

Apr 16, 2026

Got everything under the hood done n still have the same problem with it shut off while driving

NHTSA ID

11719522

Incident

Feb 18, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11706578

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

Mileage

114,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service stabili-trak and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to O’Reilly Auto Parts, where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there was no compression in cylinder #3. The vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that several oil consumption tests were performed by the dealer over the past three years. The contact stated that after each oil consumption test was performed, the oil pressure was always a quart or more lower when checked; however, the contact was informed that it was not an issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11705073

Incident

Jan 15, 2018

Mileage

120,000 mi

Reduce spreed unknown if related to fuel pressure regulator since repaired twice told could be to service bulletin. Warning lights keeps appearing while driving at a speed of 40 to 50 mph.

NHTSA ID

11627256

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

Twice had to have wiring repaired because animals ate the wiring. Both were caused by GM using soy based insulation on wiring that made it a delicacy to the animals and caused them to eat through two wiring harnesses, one of which GM no longer makes. The other complaint is the timing belt has stretched and is now in need of replacement at a cost of $4500 to $5000.

NHTSA ID

11598642

Incident

May 14, 2023

Wipers stop working

NHTSA ID

11568386

Incident

Jan 28, 2024

This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. If it is not an original manufacture part, they should install one and evaluate the vehicle.

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions without utilizing the support of General Motors Technical Assistance Center. If valid vibration frequency or Road Force Variation data has been collected and a repair attempt does not correct the customer complaint, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support. For any vehicles that remains unrepaired after being at the dealer for three days or more and a related bulletin or PI is not found, contact General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further support.