← New search

2013 GMC Terrain

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Terrain years

Owner complaints for the 2013 GMC Terrain are substantially higher than the model-year median of 182.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

241 reports with mileage · 123 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 197 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

14 crash reports2 fire reports14 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

22 reports
Clear category filter
53,000 miles · Jun 29, 2019
Electrical System

MY A/C STOPPED WORKING AND MY MECHANIC FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD. THIS BOX ALSO CONTROLS MANY OF THE VEHICLES FEATURES. HE HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FINDING A NEW BOX. MY TOTAL COST WAS $461.00.

NHTSA ODI #11228365

45,000 miles · Jan 5, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringInjury

MY CAR SINCE DAY ONE STEERING WHEELS LOCKS UP CONSTANTLY, THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP YOU THE WORST IS THE ENGINES BATTERY WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT CONSTANTLY SAYS I HAVE NO POWER IT WILL TURN ON SEVERAL CODES AND THE START IDLING THE RPMS GO UP LIKE YOUR PRESS G THE GAS BUT YOU NOT THEN YOU STALL YOU CAN BE GOING 70 OR 20 MPH…

Read full complaint

MY CAR SINCE DAY ONE STEERING WHEELS LOCKS UP CONSTANTLY, THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP YOU THE WORST IS THE ENGINES BATTERY WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT CONSTANTLY SAYS I HAVE NO POWER IT WILL TURN ON SEVERAL CODES AND THE START IDLING THE RPMS GO UP LIKE YOUR PRESS G THE GAS BUT YOU NOT THEN YOU STALL YOU CAN BE GOING 70 OR 20 MPH AND IT WILL JUST STALL WITH NO WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL AND I LOSE TRACTION IN REGULAR ROADS IN PERFECT WEATHER. I CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE MY AIRBAGS I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICES A MILLION TIMES THEY ALWAYS SAY NOTHING IS WRONG ALSO WHEN THE RPMS OR GOING UP.AND DOWN I LOSE ALL HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT NIGHT SO MANY TIMES. THIS VEHICLE HAS ALMOST KILLED ME SO MANY TIMES I LOST COUNT I TAKE IT TO SERVICE THERE IS NEVER AN ISSUE. I'M PROBABLY GOING TO END UP IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT SOON THE BRAKE PEDAL STICKS AND I CAN'T PRESS IT DOWN I HAD TO PULL INTO GRASS ONE TIME TO AVOID A CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11165320

48,000 miles · Nov 15, 2018
Electrical SystemVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DARKENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DEFROST SYSTEM FAILED TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING IN COLD W…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DARKENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DEFROST SYSTEM FAILED TO CLEAR THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ODI #11151697

48,000 miles · Nov 10, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

I BOUGHT THE VECHILE IN FEB. 2016 RAN FINE. IN JUNE OF 2016. THE VECHILE STARTED ACTING LIKE IT HAD WATER IN THE GAS HESITATEING STALLING AND THE RADIO AND TOUCH SCREEN DON'T WORK TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND HE SAID HAD ATER IN FUEL PUT I A NEW SENORS. BUT STILL DOING THE SAME THING STALLING WHEN COMING TO STOP SIGNS HESITATES NOT G…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT THE VECHILE IN FEB. 2016 RAN FINE. IN JUNE OF 2016. THE VECHILE STARTED ACTING LIKE IT HAD WATER IN THE GAS HESITATEING STALLING AND THE RADIO AND TOUCH SCREEN DON'T WORK TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND HE SAID HAD ATER IN FUEL PUT I A NEW SENORS. BUT STILL DOING THE SAME THING STALLING WHEN COMING TO STOP SIGNS HESITATES NOT GOING INTO TO GEAR TOOK IT TO GM DEALER IN NEW RICHMOND AND THEY HOOK UP TO A COMPUTER SAID NOTHING WRONG WHEN VECHILE DOSE IT AGAIN BRING IT IN DON'T TURN IT OFF THATS HARD TO DO BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO START IT UP AGAIN TO DRIVE IT THEIR KNOW TODAY THE RADIO IS OFF AND TOUCHSCREEN DON'T COME ON I AM JUST SCARED BECAUSE WE TAKE OUR SON TO ROCHESTER THREE DAYS A WEEK FOR THERPY HELP

NHTSA ODI #11150747

33,956 miles · Aug 20, 2018
Electrical SystemEquipment

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CENTER CONSOLE LOST POWER INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IG BURTON LEWES AUTOMALL (17861 COASTAL HWY, LEWES, DE 19958), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CENTER CONSOLE LOST POWER INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO IG BURTON LEWES AUTOMALL (17861 COASTAL HWY, LEWES, DE 19958), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIO MODULE ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,956. **TR CONSUMER STATED TOOK VEHICLE TO I.G., BURTON 8/15/2018 VEHICLE'S CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS WERE NOT WORKING CAUSING THE HEATING, AIR CONDITIONING,DEFROST, NAVIGATION SYSTEM, RADIO CONTROLS AS WELL AS THE PANEL ILLUMINATION TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS WOULD HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. WENT TO PICK IT UP ON THE 16TH AND IT WAS NOT WORKING. THEY KEPT THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE RADIO CONTROL MODULE. INVOICES ATTACHED. RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK 8/21/2018. TOOK VEHICLE TO I.G, BURTON SAME ISSUES AS BEFORE. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE RADIO CONTROL DISPLAY AND INFO SCREEN, THE RADIO CONTROL ASSEMBLY, PROGRAMMED THE RADIO AND THE HVAC MODULE. INVOICE ATTACHED. RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK 9/6/2018. 9/24/18 TOOK VEHICLE TO I.G., BURTON, DROPPED THE VEHICLE OFF WITH THE SAME ISSUES. TODAY IS THE OCT.3RD AND WE STILL DON'T HAVE OUR VEHICLE BACK, NOR HAVE WE HEARD ANYTHING. UPDATED 10/29/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11121014

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHORTED OUT DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, WHICH ALSO CAUSED ALL THE GAUGES AND WARNING INDICATORS NOT TO FUNCTION. THE DEALER (CARLSBAD BUICK GMC CADILLAC, 5…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHORTED OUT DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE, WHICH ALSO CAUSED ALL THE GAUGES AND WARNING INDICATORS NOT TO FUNCTION. THE DEALER (CARLSBAD BUICK GMC CADILLAC, 5334 PASEO DEL NORTE, CARLSBAD, CA 92008, (760) 438-5311) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER FOUND DIAGNOSTIC FAILURE CODES P0496, P0171, AND P0174, WHICH DETECTED PRESSURE IN THE EVAPORATIVE SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT MORE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WOULD BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO SUBURBAN CADILLAC OF COSTA MESA (2600 HARBOR BLVD, COSTA MESA, CA 92626, (877) 844-8058) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WAS SCHEDULED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A DOCUMENT THAT DID NOT SPECIFICALLY INDICATE THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THEY SENT HER A CAMPAIGN NOTICE PERTAINING TO THE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE COMPONENTS FOR CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *LN *TT

NHTSA ODI #11091609

55,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE RADIO, FUEL GAUGE, AND OTHER COMPONENTS FROM WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUTO ZONE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE PRODUCED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KOCO…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE RADIO, FUEL GAUGE, AND OTHER COMPONENTS FROM WORKING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AUTO ZONE FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT NO FAILURE CODES WERE PRODUCED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KOCOUREK GMC (1500 MORNING GLORY LN, WAUSAU, WI 54401) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY REGULAR PRICE IN ORDER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THERE WAS ONE UNRELATED RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #11062281

93,685 miles · Nov 3, 2017
Electrical SystemPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION BECAUSE IT FAILED TO REGISTER WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VICTORY CHEVROLET (717 RHYNE RD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28214 (704) 790-7800),…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE KEY WAS UNABLE TO BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION BECAUSE IT FAILED TO REGISTER WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VICTORY CHEVROLET (717 RHYNE RD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28214 (704) 790-7800), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC FEES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V502000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,685.

NHTSA ODI #11043080

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2015
Back Over PreventionElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE BACKUP CAMERA SCREEN FAILED TO OPERATE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE RADIO SCREEN POWERED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL MILES, THE SCREEN POWERED ON WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICL…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE BACKUP CAMERA SCREEN FAILED TO OPERATE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE RADIO SCREEN POWERED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL MILES, THE SCREEN POWERED ON WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/29/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10788064

20,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Electrical System

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO WORK ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. DURING THIS TIME, I HAVE HAD THE USER INTERFACE SCREEN FREEZE, NOT POWER OFF AND LOSE SERVICES DURING USAGE. THE ELECTRICAL PANEL ISSUES WILL LEAD TO FURTHER COMPLICATIONS MOVING FORWARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668841

Official recalls

3

22V137000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Mar 8, 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.

16V582000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Aug 4, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode and wear over time, possibly resulting in one or both of the windshield wipers becoming inoperative.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will repair the AIP-hole, inspect and, if necessary, replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 25302.

16V502000 · Electrical System:ignition; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

Jul 5, 2016

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:ignition

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu as the electronic park lock lever may allow the ignition key to be removed without the transmission being in PARK. Also, certain 2013 Buick Encore, 2011 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."

Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.