When driving in the rain going through puddles power steering will intermittently stop working.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Terrain years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
Steering complaints
14 reportsHello, I have spent a lot of money on this mobile car and even so, it continues to cause problems and the oil runs out too quickly.
Previously wrote to NHTSA and filed complaint about problem with steering rack. Steering Rack BECAME a safety issue as the steering would lock up intermittently and even while driving. Repair (complete replacement) cost nearly $2000 with diagnostic fee from dealer. I feel my year should be covered as other years are. Other issu…
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Previously wrote to NHTSA and filed complaint about problem with steering rack. Steering Rack BECAME a safety issue as the steering would lock up intermittently and even while driving. Repair (complete replacement) cost nearly $2000 with diagnostic fee from dealer. I feel my year should be covered as other years are. Other issues with GMC quality of parts, so I will probably not buy another GMC product. 2013 GMC Terrain SLE. GMC needs to address this issue and treat ALL customers fairly.
While driving, the traction control light turns on. Then the gauges all start fluctuation. The dash reads service park assist. Then service stabilitrak. It does not run properly. It shifts hard. I’ve had it to the dealership twice now. The issue is still not resolved and it’s going back next Monday. I feel it will again not be…
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While driving, the traction control light turns on. Then the gauges all start fluctuation. The dash reads service park assist. Then service stabilitrak. It does not run properly. It shifts hard. I’ve had it to the dealership twice now. The issue is still not resolved and it’s going back next Monday. I feel it will again not be resolved after reading multiple forums of others having the same issue after spending thousands of dollars. This is frightening and stressful to say the least. My car has less then sixty thousand miles on it. I should not be having this issue.
WHEN DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL AND LOCK UP WITH OUT WARNING. YOU CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE COMPUTER RESETS AND EVERYTHING IS NORMAL ONLY TO FAIL IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT UNDER 60,000 MILES. PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS THIS WAS A RECALL. I BELIEVE I HAVE A FAULTY PART FROM THE PREVIOUS RECALL YEARS. NOT SAF…
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WHEN DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WILL FAIL AND LOCK UP WITH OUT WARNING. YOU CAN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE COMPUTER RESETS AND EVERYTHING IS NORMAL ONLY TO FAIL IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT UNDER 60,000 MILES. PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS THIS WAS A RECALL. I BELIEVE I HAVE A FAULTY PART FROM THE PREVIOUS RECALL YEARS. NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.
WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED HARD TO EITHER SIDE, 'SERVICE POWER STEERING' LIGHT COMES ON. MY REPAIR SHOP TRIED TWICE (FIRST IN APRIL, THEN AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER) TO REPROGRAM COMPUTER. TOOK TO GMC DEALER. I HAD ASKED IF THERE WAS SECRET WARRANTY OR BULLETIN ON PROBLEM AND THEY SAID YES, BUT I NEEDED TO PAY $150 FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THEY …
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WHEN STEERING WHEEL TURNED HARD TO EITHER SIDE, 'SERVICE POWER STEERING' LIGHT COMES ON. MY REPAIR SHOP TRIED TWICE (FIRST IN APRIL, THEN AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER) TO REPROGRAM COMPUTER. TOOK TO GMC DEALER. I HAD ASKED IF THERE WAS SECRET WARRANTY OR BULLETIN ON PROBLEM AND THEY SAID YES, BUT I NEEDED TO PAY $150 FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THEY TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO PERFORM 'SPECIAL COVERAGE 14232A' BUT AS STATED ON INVOICE ' PROBLEM STILL EXISTS', . THEY DO COVER 2010-2012 MODELS BUT I HAVE THE 2013. I CALLED GMC AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM EXISTS (SINCE 2015) BUT WILL NOT COVER MY YEAR CAR. THE REPAIR IS $2000 FOR THE COMPLETE STEERING GEAR. I HAVE HAD MANY CARS, ALL WELL MAINTAINED BUT NONE EVER NEEDED A STEERING RACK REPLACED. MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN SLE HAS ONLY 67745 MILES. I AM UPSET THEY CHOOSE TO COVER ONLY SOME YEARS WHEN THEY KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTS FOR OTHER YEARS. IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE SO I WILL NOT HAVE IT REPAIRED. I NOW HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHERE I PARK AND DRIVE SO AS NOT TO HAVE TO MAKE SHARP TURNS-RIDICULOUS! I TOLD THEM THIS WAS MY FIRST, AND PROBABLY LAST, GMC PRODUCT. I HAD A LENS ASSEMBLY REPLACED WITH GENUINE GMC OEM PARTS AND THE SAME LEAKS OCCUR. SEEMS THEIR QUALITY CONTROL IS LACKING. PLUS THEIR ISSUE WITH HEAVY ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. AND AIR BAGS??? MAYBE NHTSA NEEDS TO STEP IN AND REALLY SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AT GMC. THANK YOU FOR ANY ASSISTANCE YOU CAN PROVIDE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND STALLED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MORAN CHEVROLET CLINTON TWP LOCATED AT (35500 S GRATIOT AVE, CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI 48035) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING AND STALLED. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MORAN CHEVROLET CLINTON TWP LOCATED AT (35500 S GRATIOT AVE, CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI 48035) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL OR TO TSB-14882. THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS REPLACED AND THE PCV VALVE CLEANED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
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…
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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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PENSKE BUICK GMC OF CERRITOS (18400 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, (877) 886-6265) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE SERVICE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PENSKE BUICK GMC OF CERRITOS (18400 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, (877) 886-6265) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING GEAR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,328.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PENSKE BUICK GMC OF CERRITOS (18400 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, (866) 365-2940) …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PENSKE BUICK GMC OF CERRITOS (18400 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, (866) 365-2940) TWICE, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. ON THE THIRD OCCURRENCE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE AN UNKNOWN FAILURE DIAGNOSIS WAS DETERMINED AND UNKNOWN PARTS WERE REPLACED IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Official recalls
322V137000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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