2010 GMC Terrain: check engine light

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Engine · KS

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

Filed Dec 15, 2025 · Engine · 120,000 miles · TX

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.

Filed Jun 16, 2022 · Engine · 89,000 miles · HI

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.

Filed May 25, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · 121,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed May 15, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · MA

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

Filed Dec 22, 2021 · Engine · IL

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

Filed Aug 16, 2021 · Engine · 98,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated the vehicle would not exceed 15 MPH and was consuming a significant amount of engine oil. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rings needed to be replaced. The contact stated the vehicle was not repaired; however, the engine oil was refilled. The contact stated that the failure persisted, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer who replaced the rings, the catalytic converter, and the actuator under an unknown recall. The contact stated after the recall repair, the vehicle would inadvertently make abnormal sounds and shudder while driving. The check engine warning light and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the piston was rubbing against the motor and the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Apr 16, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 132,000 miles · WI

2010 gmc terrain I bought off a dealership lot in march 2019 not knowing all the reported issues! Being a single mother I thought I was buying a fairly priced,gas eff. Reliable car.from day 1 I have had countless oil changes, my tire pressure warning light will not turn off after replacing stems,tires nothing turns the light off! It lacks pick up speed and rough gear changes. While driving and coming to a stop it would hesitate and chug like it was going to die. I returned to dealership where I bought it from replaced the timing chain. Upon taking it home,2 days later check engine light came on. I returned to the dealership that replaced the chain they informed me I lost 2.5qts of oil in those 2 days and that id need to replace or rebuild the engine! My warranty company (fidelity) whom I purchased powertrain warranty from is telling me it is normal ware and tare they will not pay a thing,after reading all these reports clearly it's not normal ware! I still owe $6,000 and I don't have $3500 to get my car back! I don't know what to do or who to call will someone please help? I thought gmc was a reputable maker, was I wrong?

Filed Feb 1, 2021 · Engine · 130,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. The contact stated while driving at low speeds, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to contact's residence. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Feb 14, 2020 · Engine · 70,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 gmc terrain. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated with a loud abnormal noise with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to (frank's gmc located at 325 orient way, lyndhurst, nj 07071) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that failure was due to oil consumption caused by piston ring wear. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2020 · Airbags, Engine · KS

I only had my car for just about one year. The check engine light ended up coming on and I found that the catalytic converter was the culprit. No matter what I do this sensor comes on. Now here recently, the light to check the airbag system has come on. I have once before checked to see if there were any recalls on this vehicle, but there supposedly were none, yet I see so many complaints about the same issues that I am having on top of the defrost system being no good. This car has cost me more than it is worth and selling it would just leave me with nothing because I still owe on it. I need fixes and answers before this thing ends up in flames which is what I fear each day I drive it. This began in august of last year and now I am getting scared for my life.

Filed Dec 6, 2019 · Engine · PA

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 coverage" and again I was told that I had to pay for another cracked manifold. I asked what causes it and why and was told they did not know but I believe it must have to do with the original catalytic converter issue. I understand that there is a special coverage to fix the cc however something must be causing it to fail and gm is aware of it.