Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC terrain. The contact stated that when using the automatic option for the headlights, he assumed that the tail lights would also illuminate. The tail lights would automatically during daytime hours when there was low visibility, such as fog or snow. The manufacturer was not contacted and there were no repairs made to the vehicle. The VIN and failure mileage was…
2010 GMC Terrain lighting problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $250 · see lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
What stands out
Of the 8 model years of GMC Terrain we track for lighting problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (5).
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had lighting 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 lighting problem on the 2010 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 137,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting 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 lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting 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.