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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

Engine complaints

197 reports
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10 miles · Aug 8, 2019
Engine

THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE WOULDNT GO FOWARD GOT IT TOWED TO THE GMC DEALER THEY STATED THAT THE CAR TRANSFER CASE WAS DAMAGED. NEED A TRANSFER CASE COST UNDER $3000 THE CAR ONLY HAS 79,500 MILES I BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO , HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES LIKE I HAD TO DO OIL CONSUPTION TEST , HAD TO REPLACE WATER PUMP TOO MANY ISSUE…

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THE CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD NOISE WOULDNT GO FOWARD GOT IT TOWED TO THE GMC DEALER THEY STATED THAT THE CAR TRANSFER CASE WAS DAMAGED. NEED A TRANSFER CASE COST UNDER $3000 THE CAR ONLY HAS 79,500 MILES I BOUGHT IT 2 YEARS AGO , HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES LIKE I HAD TO DO OIL CONSUPTION TEST , HAD TO REPLACE WATER PUMP TOO MANY ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11242514

Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 2019
Engine

GMC TERRAIN CONSUMING EXCESSIVE OIL EVERY 1-2K MILES. NO BULLETINS, OR RECALLS PRESENT, MULTIPLE VEHICLES SUFFERING ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11241419

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2019
Engine

USING OIL IN EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS , ABOUT 1QUART EVERY 1500 MILES , CAR IS NOT TELLING ME WHEN OIL IS LOW AND THEN THE MOTOR STARTS TO RATTLE. THIS HAS BEEN BAD FOR A LONG TIME BUT NOW GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11240558

70,488 miles · Jul 18, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF, AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PHILLIPS CHEVROLET OF LANSING (LOCATED AT 17730 TORRENCE AVE, LANSING, IL 60438, (708) 474-0000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT 75% OF THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,488. *BF *JS 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

NHTSA ODI #11233097

60,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
Engine

MY 2.4 ENGINE HAS AN EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. I HAVE TO ADD OIL TO KEEP IT FROM BLOWING THE ENGINE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11230741

148,000 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE SAFELY; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 40-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE SAFELY; HOWEVER, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HERITAGE BUICK (930 EAST INTERSTATE HWY 30, ROCKWALL, TX 75087, (972) 807-0165) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN AND FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

NHTSA ODI #11229354

105,000 miles · Jul 3, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S WIFE MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY STATE FA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT'S WIFE MANAGED TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY STATE FARM TO BALE CHEVROLET (13101 CHENAL PKWY, LITTLE ROCK, AR 72211, (501) 550-4465) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #11229335

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2019
Engine

COMPLAINTS FOR MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN FLEX FUEL WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH A 4 LANE INTERSECTION. WHENEVER THE LIGHT CHANGED THE VEHICLE SPUTTER OUT OR QUIT WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR ENDED THE BACK OF MY SUV. ALSO, HAVING TO HOLD BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL AT THE SA…

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COMPLAINTS FOR MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN FLEX FUEL WHEN I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH A 4 LANE INTERSECTION. WHENEVER THE LIGHT CHANGED THE VEHICLE SPUTTER OUT OR QUIT WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE TO PRESS THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME ALMOST REAR ENDED THE BACK OF MY SUV. ALSO, HAVING TO HOLD BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME DURING STOPS TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM GOING DEAD. THE FIRST REPAIR WAS A MONTH AGO DUE TO CODE P0013 AND P0014 WHICH MY MECHANIC REPAIRED THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR AND ACCELERATOR SENSORS. THOSE WERE REPAIRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND I RETURNED IT BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE SENSORS AGAIN BECAUSE THE PARTS HAD A WARRANTY. ONCE AGAIN AFTER LEAVING MY MECHANICS SHOP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME RIGHT BACK ON AFTER DRIVING 8 MILES. ALSO, LET ME SAY I DO TRUST MY MECHANIC, AS HE HAS WORKED ON MY PAST AND CURRENT VEHICLES WITH NO PROBLEMS. ANYWAY, MY MECHANIC COULD NOT GET A PROBLEM CODE ON THE TERRAIN SO THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PROMPTLY TAKEN TO MY LOCAL GMC DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY COULD DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MECHANIC AT THE GMC DEALERSHIP STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TIMING CHAIN AND GEARS, WHICH WAS GOING TO RUN $1100-$1500 TO FIX. I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY DUE TO THE YEAR AND MILEAGE. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS SEVERAL CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME SAFETY ISSUES WITH THE GMC TERRAINS. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY SUV FOR A FEW MONTHS AND MY DREAM VEHICLE HAS TURNED INTO A NIGHTMARE. I HAD THREE LOCAL MECHANICS WITHIN THE LAST MONTH SAY 'THOSE VEHICLES ARE BAD TO GIVE TROUBLE' AND MY MECHANIC STATED THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON THE TERRAINS OVER THE YEARS. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BY THE GMC MANUFACTURING COMPANY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI #11221891

74,052 miles · Jun 19, 2019
Engine

I BOUGHT MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN NEW IN DECEMBER OF 2012. NOTICED THE ENGINE MAKING NOISE 10/20/18, MILEAGE: 74,052 NEEDED AN EMERGENCY OIL CHANGE, NO OIL. AGAIN ON 1/18/19, MILEAGE: 78,759 ENGINE MAKING NOISE, CHECKED OIL AND AGAIN NO OIL. GOT AN OIL CHANGE. 5/2/19, MILEAGE: 83,055 ENGINE MAKING NOISE, CHECKED OIL AND AGAIN N…

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I BOUGHT MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN NEW IN DECEMBER OF 2012. NOTICED THE ENGINE MAKING NOISE 10/20/18, MILEAGE: 74,052 NEEDED AN EMERGENCY OIL CHANGE, NO OIL. AGAIN ON 1/18/19, MILEAGE: 78,759 ENGINE MAKING NOISE, CHECKED OIL AND AGAIN NO OIL. GOT AN OIL CHANGE. 5/2/19, MILEAGE: 83,055 ENGINE MAKING NOISE, CHECKED OIL AND AGAIN NO OIL. GOT AN OIL CHANGE. ON 6/16/19, MILEAGE: 84,577 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CHECKED OIL, AGAIN NO OIL. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD (***FOR THE FIRST TIME) "THAT THE GMC TERRAINS ARE KNOWN FOR BURNING OIL." I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL, WAS TOLD NO. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME IT'S A $3500 JOB TO REPLACE THE PISTONS AND THE SEALS BECAUSE THEY ARE DEEP IN THE ENGINE. HE HAD A MECHANIC ADD 2 QUARTS OF OIL. I ASKED IF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD TO BE RESET OR IF IT WOULD GO OFF AND WAS TOLD IT PROBABLY WOULD GO OFF. THEN HE SENT ME ON MY WAY. GOT A SECOND OPINION FROM ANOTHER MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD TO DILIGENTLY CHECK THE OIL AND KEEP OIL IN IT AND IT WILL RUN FINE. THREE DAYS LATER MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON. THE OIL IS VERY DIRTY AND IT SHOULDN'T BE. , SOMETHING IS WRONG!!!THIS ISSUE REALLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH GM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AS I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING IT!

NHTSA ODI #11221234

68,000 miles · May 24, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

OUR TERRAIN STARTED KNOCKING RIGHT BEFORE IT'S DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WE CHECKED IT AND IT HAD NO OIL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BRUSHED IT AWAY AND STATED THAT IT'S NOT LEAKING BUT COULD BE BURNING THE OIL. IT WASN'T UNTIL WE TALKED TO A MECHANIC THAT WE WERE TOLD THAT CERTAIN GMC VEHICLES BURNING OIL AND THAT IT IS RECOMMENDED WE …

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OUR TERRAIN STARTED KNOCKING RIGHT BEFORE IT'S DUE FOR AN OIL CHANGE. WE CHECKED IT AND IT HAD NO OIL. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BRUSHED IT AWAY AND STATED THAT IT'S NOT LEAKING BUT COULD BE BURNING THE OIL. IT WASN'T UNTIL WE TALKED TO A MECHANIC THAT WE WERE TOLD THAT CERTAIN GMC VEHICLES BURNING OIL AND THAT IT IS RECOMMENDED WE SPEND MORE MONEY ON MORE OIL REPLACING 1 QUART EVERY 1000 MILES. WE ALSO FOUND THAT OUR RADIO STOPPED WORKING BUT BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO INFORM US THAT THE WARRANTY WE GOT DIDN'T COVER THE RADIO. THEY TOLD US WE COULD GET IT REPAIRED BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME WE BUY A GMC OR A CHEVY SUV DUE TO THE ISSUES WITH GETTING THE REPAIRS DONE AND THE FACT THAT WE WANT A RELIABLE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11209736

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.