2010 GMC Terrain Owner Complaints

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

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended; however, the contact was able to jumpstart the vehicle. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact observed excessive corrosion on and around the battery terminals and the presence of battery acid coming from the battery casing. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown electronics and instrument panel gauges failed to work properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID

11556651

Incident

Nov 22, 2023

Mileage

58,000 mi

The transmission stoped working after the second shift.

NHTSA ID

11554424

Incident

Oct 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer; however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11521137

Incident

Oct 1, 2022

Mileage

160,000 mi

Faulty timing chain

NHTSA ID

11512571

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

My defrost system doesn't work. As I drive down the road my windshield fogs up andni can't get it to un fog at all or fast enough. Almost caused me to have an accident before Christmas

NHTSA ID

11499345

Incident

Dec 21, 2022

The defroster/ radio control/ heating area stopped working. Upon visiting a mechanic was told they never seen this or heard of this happening before and quoted me over $1,000.00 dollars to fix stating that due to Federal Law they have to give an estimate but this problem not being in their system they came up with an estimate based on parts and labor. Upon searching online I found a recall for this issue dating back to 2009 recall number was 09V489000 but was never informed about this and while looking up my car it’s not listed but being a safety issue should still be current which it is not.

NHTSA ID

11498635

Incident

Dec 21, 2022

As i went to drive my terrain we bought back in June or July. But for the absolute first time we needed to use the defrost/defogger button last week on OCTOBER 20, 2022 and it wouldn't work. No lights came on to say it was defaulty. It also started to make our radio screen flicker when i tried to turn defrost on and it's continuously flickering and defrost doesn't engage on front windshield at all won't even melt snow or help defog when it's been raining or it's cold out. I almost wrecked my terrain due to this problem. Now on my instrument panel says camshaft/crankshaft sensor says service stabilitrack and something about my AWD System. All these happened within a week from trying to use my defrost. Also my instrument panel where it shows how fast i go flickers and it flickers on the RPM side as well. Noone has touched or looked it over since i have owned my 2010 terrain. Everything was just fine up till i pushed my defrost button and then all the other stuff happened

NHTSA ID

11491381

Incident

Oct 20, 2022

Burning oil and bad engine timing chain

NHTSA ID

11485312

Incident

Sep 19, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that upon engaging the defroster, the defroster operated with a significant delay. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V489000 (Visibility) however, the VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11481333

Incident

Aug 26, 2019

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced a reduction in engine power with the check engine and traction control warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the vehicle intermittently failed to start and the passenger's side rear tire made knocking sounds and lifted up off the roadway while making turns. The contact also stated that the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil, causing the contact to refill the oil reservoir every three days. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11469633

Incident

Jun 16, 2022

Mileage

89,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID

11466965

Incident

Mar 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and depressing the acceleration pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated the vehicle was restarted several times and the gear shifter was shifted several times before the vehicle started operating as needed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, 5 months later the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

NHTSA ID

11466141

Incident

Dec 25, 2020

Mileage

121,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11465950

Incident

Mar 8, 2022

My information screen which shows valuable information to driver as well as speedometer is blank and the radio and temps , ac/ setting etc a are all unable to be read . There is a recall listed for the computer modules yet they exclude my vin number in that recall how can Chevrolet do that when it’s the same issues 2010 terrains with a different number than mine are being fixed

NHTSA ID

11465004

Incident

May 17, 2022

My 2010 Terrain had been been intermittent dash warnings for “Service StabiliTrac” and “Engine Power Reduced” which would force the engine to reduce the speed itself down to about 30 MPH. After turning off car and restarting, warnings would go away. Yesterday, while driving on a secondary road, with no check engine light on, the engine stalled while traveling at approx 35 MPH. I was able to drop the vehicle into neutral and coast onto a side street, while also attempting to restart the engine. I was able to pull over without causing an accident. After letting the car sit for a few minutes I attempted to restart the engine, but only got a strange noise from the area of the upper cylinders. At his point the check engine light was now on. While waiting for a tow truck, and independent mechanic pulled up to ask if I needed help. After listening to the noice from the upper engine he asked if he could get tools and look in the engine. I said yes. He quickly pulled parts off the upper engine and opened and removed the upper cylinder cover. This revealed that the timing chain had no tension, as well as shards of shattered plastic all over the place, in and around the upper cylinders. After pointing this out he put everything back together and suggested I contact the dealership I got the vehicle from, which I have done already. He then stated that it appears that the engine would need to be replaced or rebuilt, due to catastrophic engine failure. He said my quick thinking of putting the vehicle into neutral probably avoided causing an accident and allowed me to get myself to a safe spot before stopping the vehicle. He also stated that this particular GM motor is known for catastrophic failure, which GM has failed or refused to acknowledge

NHTSA ID

11464699

Incident

May 14, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after changing headlight bulbs, the headlights operated for only one day. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting). The approximate failure mileage was 137,000. Invalid VIN.

NHTSA ID

11464553

Incident

May 11, 2022

Mileage

137,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AS I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 4 IN ORLANDO FLORIDA. THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND REVVED AS I APPLIED THE GAS. IT SLOWED AND I HAD TO SLIP IT INTO NEUTRAL THEN BACK INTO TO DRIVE TO GET IT TO CATCH. HAD THE VEHICLE STOPPED ON THE INTERSTATE IT COULD CAUSED ACCIDENTS AND/OR PERSONAL INJURY TO ME OR OTHER DRIVERS. THIS WITH JUST UNDER 70,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED BY ORANGE BUICK GMC SERVICE CENTER ON WEST COLONIAL DRIVE IN ORLANDO FLORIDA, AS WELL AS AT UNIVERSAL AUTOMOTIVE ON TURKEY LAKE ROAD IN ORLANDO FLORIDA. AS TO THE INSPECTION BY THE MANUFACTURER, THE CLOSEST IS ORANGE BUICK GMC. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE WARNING TO ME THAT THIS MIGHT HAPPEN. TWO WEEKS EARLIER I HAD IT AT ORANGE BUICK GMC FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE.

NHTSA ID

11446164

Incident

Nov 29, 2021