Embodiments of an uplink timing adjustment method and a terminal are disclosed. The method includes: when a Time Alignment Timer TAT corresponding to a first Timing Advance adjustment Group TAG fails, requesting, by a terminal, a serving cell corresponding to a second TAG to coordinate uplink timing of a serving cell corresponding to the first TAG; receiving, by the terminal, a Timing Advance Command TAC corresponding to the first TAG; and adjusting, by the terminal, the uplink timing of the serving cell corresponding to the failed first TAG according to the TAC corresponding to the first TAG.