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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

What owners actually said

364 reports
156,000 miles · May 14, 2020
Engine

CAR HAS STARTED EXCESSIVELY USING OIL AND RINGING SOUND FROM ENGINE. ROARING SOUND WHEN IT STARTS. I PURCHASED CAR SEPT '17, WITH 125K MILES. RECEIVED A LETTER TODAY MAY 8, 2020 SAYING THIS IS AN ISSUE. CALLED GM SAYS THIS SERVICE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, BUT I JUST RECEIVED LETTER TODAY. SAYS PREVIOUS OWNER PROBABLY RECEIVED LETT…

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CAR HAS STARTED EXCESSIVELY USING OIL AND RINGING SOUND FROM ENGINE. ROARING SOUND WHEN IT STARTS. I PURCHASED CAR SEPT '17, WITH 125K MILES. RECEIVED A LETTER TODAY MAY 8, 2020 SAYING THIS IS AN ISSUE. CALLED GM SAYS THIS SERVICE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, BUT I JUST RECEIVED LETTER TODAY. SAYS PREVIOUS OWNER PROBABLY RECEIVED LETTER BUT THAT DOESN'T HELP CURRENT OWNER. I HAD PREVIOUSLY VISITED A GM DEALER 3 TIMES AND THIS WAS NEVER MENTIONED TO ME. I WANT MY REPAIRS COVERED BECAUSE SOMEONE DROPPED THE BALL AND IT WASN'T ME. IT IS NOT FAIR THAT I WASN'T NOTIFIED SOONER I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT IN TO BE CHECKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324558

7 miles · Apr 25, 2020
Engine

THE CAR CONSUMES OIL SO MUCH YOU WILL STALL OUT DUE TO SENSORS PRESSURE DEFECT WITH THE EXHAUST. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TRYING TO FIX, KEEP OIL IN IT. IT'S NOT SAFE. IT TAKES A FULL QUART NOW EVERY 500 TO 700 MILES AND MY CAR HAS 116K. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE 2 YEARS I BOUGHT IT. THE STALLING OUT WITH CHECK ENGINE INDI…

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THE CAR CONSUMES OIL SO MUCH YOU WILL STALL OUT DUE TO SENSORS PRESSURE DEFECT WITH THE EXHAUST. I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY TRYING TO FIX, KEEP OIL IN IT. IT'S NOT SAFE. IT TAKES A FULL QUART NOW EVERY 500 TO 700 MILES AND MY CAR HAS 116K. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE 2 YEARS I BOUGHT IT. THE STALLING OUT WITH CHECK ENGINE INDICATES CAMSHAFT SENSOR BUT YOUR JUST LOW ON OIL

NHTSA ODI #11322242

100,000 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Engine

STARTED HAVING A NOISE BOTH COLD AND HOT, HAD IT INSPECTED TO FIND OUT THE EXCHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED BROKEN IN SEVERAL AREAS AND EXCHAUST FLEX PIPE IS BAD. CAR HAS JUST OVER 100000 MILES ON IT. THESE ARE AROUND THE AREA OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTS. GM SAYS NOT UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL …

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STARTED HAVING A NOISE BOTH COLD AND HOT, HAD IT INSPECTED TO FIND OUT THE EXCHAUST MANIFOLD IS CRACKED BROKEN IN SEVERAL AREAS AND EXCHAUST FLEX PIPE IS BAD. CAR HAS JUST OVER 100000 MILES ON IT. THESE ARE AROUND THE AREA OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTS. GM SAYS NOT UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL 2.4 4 CYLINDER

NHTSA ODI #11319278

88,968 miles · Mar 16, 2020
Engine

MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM GROCERY SHOPPING , AS WE WERE EMPTYING OUT THE CAR WE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE CAR. THERE WAS AT LEAST A QUART OF OIL ON THE FLOOR , I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND COULD SEE THAT IT WAS THE REAR MAIN SEAL ON THE ENGINE. THEN I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULA…

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MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM GROCERY SHOPPING , AS WE WERE EMPTYING OUT THE CAR WE NOTICED A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER THE CAR. THERE WAS AT LEAST A QUART OF OIL ON THE FLOOR , I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND COULD SEE THAT IT WAS THE REAR MAIN SEAL ON THE ENGINE. THEN I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE OF GM , AND ON MOST OF THE CARS THIS HAPPENED TO GM DOES NOT COVER IT. IT ENDED UP COSTING US $1142.44 TO HAVE IT FIXED. SINCE THEN I HAVE TWICE TAKEN OFF THE INTAKE , PCV TUBE AND CLEANED IT OUT AND FOUND EXCESSIVE MOISTURE IN THEM. THIS ENGINE ALSO HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION , THERE WAS A LAWSUIT AGAINST GM ABOUT THIS AND OUR CAR IS GETTING NEW RINGS INSTALLED. I'M HOPING THIS WILL ALSO SOLVE THE REAR SEAL PROBLEM. THIS IS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN , 2.4 LITER ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI #11318245

92,000 miles · Mar 13, 2020
Power TrainSteering

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.

NHTSA ODI #11317857

75,000 miles · Mar 2, 2020
Engine

I TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A KNOWN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. THE DEALER CHECK MY OIL AND CONFIRMED NO ACTIVE LEAKS. THE NEXT DAY A LARGE OIL LEAK APPEARED. THE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO WERE PURELY COINCIDENCE. THE DEALER, AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, UNCOVERED A REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE DUE TO A FROZEN PCV. THIS ISSUE IS DOCUMENTED IN TSB 14882 HOWE…

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I TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A KNOWN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. THE DEALER CHECK MY OIL AND CONFIRMED NO ACTIVE LEAKS. THE NEXT DAY A LARGE OIL LEAK APPEARED. THE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO WERE PURELY COINCIDENCE. THE DEALER, AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, UNCOVERED A REAR MAIN SEAL FAILURE DUE TO A FROZEN PCV. THIS ISSUE IS DOCUMENTED IN TSB 14882 HOWEVER MY VEHICLE'S VIN IS SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED. AGAIN MY VEHICLE MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF TSB 14882. I AM SPECIFICALLY LOOKING TO HAVE THE TSB EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE AND OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11315732

60,771 miles · Feb 11, 2020
Air BagsSeatsUnknown Or OtherInjury

AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE TWO WEEKS LATER I DEVELOPED A VERY SERIOUS SKIN RASH ON MY FACE AND NECK AND SEVERE HEALTH ISSUES CAUSING ME TO HAVE CARDIAC ARREST SYMPTOMS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FOR THE PAST 11 MONTHS MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL AND MY DOG IS ALSO DYING FROM THE SAME SYMPTOMS. MY SITUATION IS LIFE OR…

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AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE TWO WEEKS LATER I DEVELOPED A VERY SERIOUS SKIN RASH ON MY FACE AND NECK AND SEVERE HEALTH ISSUES CAUSING ME TO HAVE CARDIAC ARREST SYMPTOMS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FOR THE PAST 11 MONTHS MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL AND MY DOG IS ALSO DYING FROM THE SAME SYMPTOMS. MY SITUATION IS LIFE OR DEATH AT THIS MOMENT AND MY CONDITION IS UNKNOWN AND I'M NOT SURE IF I WILL SURVIVE

NHTSA ODI #11308401

59,036 miles · Feb 7, 2020
Engine

I HAVE A LEAKING REAR MAIN SEAL. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER GM BULLETIN 14882. I HAD A GM TECHNICIAN INSPECT THE VEHICLE AT GLOCKNERS CHEVROLET AND GMC DEALER IN PORTSMOUTH, OHIO. HE SAID THE DEAL IS LEAKING DO TO A CLOGGED PCV VALVE. THIS IS THE VERY THING COVERED IN THE BULLETIN BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE VIN DOE…

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I HAVE A LEAKING REAR MAIN SEAL. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER GM BULLETIN 14882. I HAD A GM TECHNICIAN INSPECT THE VEHICLE AT GLOCKNERS CHEVROLET AND GMC DEALER IN PORTSMOUTH, OHIO. HE SAID THE DEAL IS LEAKING DO TO A CLOGGED PCV VALVE. THIS IS THE VERY THING COVERED IN THE BULLETIN BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE VIN DOES NOT MATCH. THIS IS HAPPENING ON NUMEROUS GM VEHICLES WITH THIS ENGINE IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE TEMPERATURE HAS BEEN BELOW FREEZING HER FOR THE LAST COUPLE DAYS. I DROVE THE VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FROM WORK TO THE DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI #11307831

60,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
EnginePower Train

THE CAR HAS OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES WHICH IS CAUSING IT TO STALL. MY CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WHICH COULD VERY EASILY CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT GM IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT WON'T FIX IT. I AM ALREADY ON MY SECOND ENGINE DO TO THIS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION.

NHTSA ODI #11301724

60,660 miles · Jan 24, 2020
EquipmentUnknown Or OtherInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE WHITE PARTICLES EMITTING FROM THE AIR CONDITION VENTS WHILE THE UNIT WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED DEVELOPED A SKIN RASH AND A BURNING SENSATION IN HER LUNGS. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT EVEN WHEN THE AIR CONDITION UNIT WAS NOT ACTIVATED, WHITE PAR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE WHITE PARTICLES EMITTING FROM THE AIR CONDITION VENTS WHILE THE UNIT WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED DEVELOPED A SKIN RASH AND A BURNING SENSATION IN HER LUNGS. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT EVEN WHEN THE AIR CONDITION UNIT WAS NOT ACTIVATED, WHITE PARTICLES EMITTED FROM THE AIR VENTS LOCATED BY THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONTACT WENT TO A DOCTOR WHERE EROSION IN HER LUNGS, PNEUMONIA, AND AN INFECTION ON HER FACE WERE DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HER DAUGHTER HAD RECENTLY STARTED TO COUGH UP BLACK AND RED MUCUS. SHE HAD NOT TAKEN THE CHILD TO A DOCTOR TO BE TREATED. THE CONTACT HAD AN AIR QUALITY TEST PERFORMED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE RESULTS CAME BACK POSITIVE BUT WAS YET TO RECEIVE THE ACTUAL RESULTS AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE POSITIVE RESULTS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN TO THE DEALER REGARDING THE MATTER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE MATTER AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,660.

NHTSA ODI #11301673

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.