Driving on the highway my car would not go. Car sensor prevented my car from moving because the wheel bearings went out on the used car I just purchased. The timing belt is also loose and the motor can seize up at any moment. My all wheel drive stopped working as well because of this. I had to put on my flashers and try to make it to an area where I could get off the highway. I called a tow…
2010 GMC Terrain powertrain problems
moderate 46 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
46
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 46 powertrain complaints filed for the 2010 GMC Terrain, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 46 powertrain 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.
Among the 16 model years of GMC Terrain in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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. *tr
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2010 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 46 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 35 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 54,000 and 97,000 miles, with the median around 74,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 54,000; a quarter make it past 97,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.