I bought the vehicle with around 86,000 mi - one owner, from dealership. The engine was making a noise within a couple of months. I have to change the oil every month because of the unusual oil burning issue. It died on me three times. The engine would slow down to a stop. I had to turn it off and back on. Later, after a cold day, I had an oil leak. I took it in and the mechanic said there is a…
2010 GMC Terrain engine problems
moderate 70 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
70
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 70 engine complaints filed for the 2010 GMC Terrain, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 70 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Engine accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
I I changed it. It stalled repeatedly and we had it repaired recently. We also had the oil checked and replaced so gm could track the oil consumption. Unfortunately a month later the car would not start sitting in the driveway, so we had it towed in to a gm dealer. They said the timing chain is busted and they need to pull the engine because there is metal in the oil pan so our oil test is…
My terrain recently got the check engine light on the mechanic is telling me that it is the timing chain that all of this vehicles have this problem and I got lucky it only jumped one tooth to repair will cost me around $ 1500 what I don't understand if this is been going on for long time how is it that this does not constitute a recall
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC terrain. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal noise and noticed that the timing chain had fractured. The check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed fuel fumes emitting from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the timing chain, water pump, fuel pump, pistons,…
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…
In sept. 2017, the dealer fixed the catalytic converter b/c it was under a "special warranty" for free however I had to pay $582 to replace the cracked manifold which caused the converter issue. I recently went to the dealership b/c the check engine light came on again, the catalytic converter is still under warranty and they have to fix the oil consumption problem the is under a "special…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 GMC Terrain?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2010 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 70 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 54 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 58,450 and 108,000 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 58,450; a quarter make it past 108,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2010/GMC/Terrain.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.