← 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

What owners actually said

364 reports
101,000 miles · Dec 14, 2019
Unknown Or Other

EXTREMELY COLD DAY DRIVING HOME AND CAR STARTED TO BUCK A LITTLE, THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT STARTED TICKING. NEXT THING MY CAR SHUTS OFF AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. THE CAR BLEW IT'S REAR MAIN SEAL OUT AND AFTER READING IT SOUNDS LIKE MANY OTHER HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAD CHECKED THE OIL TWO…

Read full complaint

EXTREMELY COLD DAY DRIVING HOME AND CAR STARTED TO BUCK A LITTLE, THEN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT STARTED TICKING. NEXT THING MY CAR SHUTS OFF AND ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. THE CAR BLEW IT'S REAR MAIN SEAL OUT AND AFTER READING IT SOUNDS LIKE MANY OTHER HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I HAD CHECKED THE OIL TWO DAYS PRIOR AND IT WAS FULL. THE CAR HAD NO OIL IN IT. I BASICALLY SPENT 16,000 AND 3 YEARS LATER THE CAR IS JUNK.

NHTSA ODI #11289085

61,067 miles · Dec 11, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL AND THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE OIL IN THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE OIL LEAKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STEVEN LUST AUTOMOTIVE (1314 6…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE EXHAUST WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL AND THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND ATTEMPTED TO PLACE OIL IN THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE OIL LEAKED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO STEVEN LUST AUTOMOTIVE (1314 6TH AVE SW, ABERDEEN, SD 57401, (605) 277-4261) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCV VALVE WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER RECALL THAT WAS PLACED ON HER YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE MANUFACTURER RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,067.

NHTSA ODI #11288515

69,000 miles · Dec 5, 2019
Engine

IN AUGUST, 2019 I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND WHEN I WEN TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE CAR SPUTTERED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I THEN BROUGHT IT TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE TIMING CHAINS AND ACTUATORS ($1,416.60). TWO DAYS AGO THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND AND THEN WHILE I WAS …

Read full complaint

IN AUGUST, 2019 I HAD THE OIL CHANGED AND WHEN I WEN TO LEAVE THE PARKING LOT AND PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE CAR SPUTTERED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. I THEN BROUGHT IT TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE TIMING CHAINS AND ACTUATORS ($1,416.60). TWO DAYS AGO THERE WAS A TICKING SOUND AND THEN WHILE I WAS IN GEAR (DRIVE) WAITING FOR THE GARAGE TO OPEN, THE CAR STARTED TRYING TO "BUCK" FORWARD WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS MODEL WITH LOTS OF MILES (UNDER 70,000) TEND TO BURN OIL. I ADDED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OIL (NONE ON DIP STICK) AND NOW THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING FINE. WHY IS THIS CAR BURNING SO MUCH OIL? I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR BURN OIL AND TO BE TOLD BY A DEALERSHIP AFTER IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THAT BURNING OIL IS NORMAL IS DISTURBING AS IS THE UNRELIABILITY OF THE CAR. WILL IT BUCK AGAIN OR DIE AGAIN?

NHTSA ODI #11287157

48,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Power Train

WHILE MODERATELY ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR WHILE IN MOTION, THE TRANSMISSION SLAMS INTO A FORWARD GEAR WITH A LOUD NOISE AND JERK. THIS IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11280420

88,000 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Engine

THE CAR STARTED TO "BUCK" AND MAKING A TAP TAP TAP NOISE LIKE A LIFTER TAPPING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, SOMETHING SMELLED HOT. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE WAS NOTHING WET OR STEAMING. NO CHECK LIGHTS EVER CAME ON. LATER AT LUNCH, I LEFT AND THE TAPPING NOISE WAS LOUDER AND THE HEAT GAUGE INCREAS…

Read full complaint

THE CAR STARTED TO "BUCK" AND MAKING A TAP TAP TAP NOISE LIKE A LIFTER TAPPING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, SOMETHING SMELLED HOT. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND THERE WAS NOTHING WET OR STEAMING. NO CHECK LIGHTS EVER CAME ON. LATER AT LUNCH, I LEFT AND THE TAPPING NOISE WAS LOUDER AND THE HEAT GAUGE INCREASED FAST. I STOPPED AT A REPAIR SHOP. WHILE I WAITED I CHECKED THE OIL. THERE WASN"T ANY!!! AT ALL. THE DIPSTICK WAS MILKEY. THE OIL FILL CAP WAS WET INSIDE AND MILKEY. UNDERNEATH MY CAR WAS COVERED IN FRESH OIL. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BUSTED REAR MAIN SEAL. 4 QTS OF OIL ADDED SO I COULD GET HOME. MY MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSIS. HE WAS SHOCKED. HE FOUND GM BULLETIN 14882 ONLINE. WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THAT VIDEO IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED. WE HAD A SUDDEN HARD FREEZE X 3 DAYS. THE PVS CONNECTION AT THE INTAKE WAS FULL OF WATER. WHEN THAT FROZE, IT BLEW OUT THE SEAL. MY CAR HAS 88,000 MILES ON IT. THERE ARE VIDEOS AFTER VIDEOS ONLINE OF THE SAME ENGINE DOING THIS EXACT SAME THING. I CALLED GM. THE BEST THEY COULD DO IS TELL ME TO REPORT TO YOU.

NHTSA ODI #11280374

92,000 miles · Oct 25, 2019
Engine

THE ENGINE STALLED OUT AND DIED. UPON GETTING NEW ENGINE THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT INTERMITTENTLY. CHANGES OF SOLENOID'S BUT PROBLEM PERSISTS. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN VEHICLE IS STATIONARY OR WHILE DRIVING IN MOTION.

NHTSA ODI #11270978

72,000 miles · Oct 15, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT'S WIFE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT'S WIFE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE TRANSFER CASE AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #11268444

136,059 miles · Oct 9, 2019
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN THE DRIVE GEAR, IT SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE KEY WAS RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE MOVED. FURTHERMORE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND TORQUE CONVERTER WARNIN…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN THE DRIVE GEAR, IT SHUT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE KEY WAS RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE MOVED. FURTHERMORE, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND TORQUE CONVERTER WARNING MESSAGES WERE DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WILLIAMS BUICK GMC (8201 SOUTH BLVD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28273, (704) 697-1600), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,059.

NHTSA ODI #11267364

Mileage unknown · Sep 30, 2019
Unknown Or Other

WHEN I USE HEAT IN MY CAR FOR SOME REASON IT CUTS ITS SELF BACK ON .I CAN TURN THE HEAT OFF AND ITS DOES CUT OFF WHEN I PRESS OFF.THE PROBLEM IS WHEN I TURN OFF MY CAR AND TURB IT BACK ON LATER IN THE DAY ,THE HEATS CUTS ITS SELF BACK ON BUT THE SYSTEM IN THE CAR SHOWS THAT THE HEAT IS OFF ,SO THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO TURN THE …

Read full complaint

WHEN I USE HEAT IN MY CAR FOR SOME REASON IT CUTS ITS SELF BACK ON .I CAN TURN THE HEAT OFF AND ITS DOES CUT OFF WHEN I PRESS OFF.THE PROBLEM IS WHEN I TURN OFF MY CAR AND TURB IT BACK ON LATER IN THE DAY ,THE HEATS CUTS ITS SELF BACK ON BUT THE SYSTEM IN THE CAR SHOWS THAT THE HEAT IS OFF ,SO THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO TURN THE HEAT OFF IF THE SYSTEM INDICATES THAT ITS IS ALREADY OFF , THE ONLY WAY I CAN ACTUALLY CAN GET THE HEAT TO TUN OFF IS TO TURN ON THE AIR FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND THEN TURN IT OFF

NHTSA ODI #11258951

40,000 miles · Sep 26, 2019
Engine

WHILE IN MOTION THE CAR IS RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET BUT WILL IMMEDIATELY START BACK UP ONCE TURNING THE IGNITION BACK ON. THIS ISSUE ALSO CAUSED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND AFTER DOING A DIANOSTICS IT TURNS OUT THAT THE INTAKE VALVE SOLENOID THAT WENT BAD. AFTER REACHING OUT TO S…

Read full complaint

WHILE IN MOTION THE CAR IS RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE WHILE IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET BUT WILL IMMEDIATELY START BACK UP ONCE TURNING THE IGNITION BACK ON. THIS ISSUE ALSO CAUSED MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND AFTER DOING A DIANOSTICS IT TURNS OUT THAT THE INTAKE VALVE SOLENOID THAT WENT BAD. AFTER REACHING OUT TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND GMC DEALERS THEY'VE TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY CAR TYPE. ANOTHER ISSUE THEY MENTIONED IS THAT IF YOU REPLACE ONE AND NOT THE OTHER, MORE THAN LIKELY THE ISSUE WILL OCCUR AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI #11258282

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.