LARGE CONSUMPTION OF OIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON HAVE TO ADD OIL EVERY WEEK.
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.
What owners actually said
364 reportsI HAVE TO CHECK AND ADD OIL TO MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN EVERY SINGLE TIME I GET GAS. THIS IS A HUGE HAZARD, BECAUSE WHEN IT IS LOW, THE OIL LIGHT DOES NOT ILLUMINATE. I AM WORRIED FOR MINE AND MY DAUGHTERS SAFETY THAT I WILL GET STRANDED ON THE ROAD.
THE VEHICLE DIES WHILE RIDING DOWN THE ROAD IT CONSUMED 3 QUARTS OF OIL IN 1 WEEK. THERE IS ALSO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN AFFECT RIGHT NOW. AND I TRIED TO GO THROUGH WARRANTY BUT THEY WILL NOT COVER IT.
TIRES CONSTANTLY LOSE AIR, SOMETIMES VERY SUDDENLY AND NORMALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THREE OF THE TIRES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.
OUT OF NOWHERE MY CAR JUST DIED WHEN I GOT TO WORK, AND THEN AGAIN TWICE ON MY WAY HOME. I TOOK IT TO GET TESTED THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. I DROVE IT 3 BLOCKS TO A DEALERSHIP, AND ON THE WAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. PRIOR TO THIS, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OF ANY KIND CAME ON, NO STR…
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OUT OF NOWHERE MY CAR JUST DIED WHEN I GOT TO WORK, AND THEN AGAIN TWICE ON MY WAY HOME. I TOOK IT TO GET TESTED THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN. I DROVE IT 3 BLOCKS TO A DEALERSHIP, AND ON THE WAY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. PRIOR TO THIS, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS OF ANY KIND CAME ON, NO STRANGE NOISES, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT I NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. WITH ONLY 92,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, MY ENGINE IS NOW RUINED (WITH NO WARNING AT ALL), AND I HAVE TO COME UP WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX IT. HOW HAS THIS NOT BEEN A RECALL SITUATION AT THIS POINT GIVEN ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING - SUDDEN ENGINE ISSUES RESULTING IN ENGINE REPLACEMENT WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. GM PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT.
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH DAMAGED OXYGEN SENSOR. REPLACED BY MIDAS @ 132,863 MILES 11/14/2017 TOTAL COST $664.39
STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING BEFORE WORK AND IT IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND KNOCK. MESSAGE STATING REDUCED ENGINE POWER NOTED ON CONTROL CENTER. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO 25 MPH. FELT LIKE OIL WAS LOW SO ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO GET OIL CHECKED AND WHILE ON THE WAY THERE THE CAR QUIT WORKING AND I HAD TO COAST INTO A LOCAL BUSIN…
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STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING BEFORE WORK AND IT IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SHAKE AND KNOCK. MESSAGE STATING REDUCED ENGINE POWER NOTED ON CONTROL CENTER. VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO 25 MPH. FELT LIKE OIL WAS LOW SO ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO GET OIL CHECKED AND WHILE ON THE WAY THERE THE CAR QUIT WORKING AND I HAD TO COAST INTO A LOCAL BUSINESS PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER BUT I STILL HAD BATTERY POWER. HAD TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO MECHANIC WHO JUST NOTIFIED ME THAT MY ENGINE WAS BURNED UP AND THEY HAD TO PUT 4 QUARTS OF OIL IN FOR IT TO JUST REGISTER ON THE DIPSTICK. MY CAR WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY FINE UP UNTIL THAT MORNING. I GET MY OIL CHANGED AS I SHOULD. INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A BLOWN GASKET BUT IT WAS MUCH WORSE. I HAVE LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON THIS VEHICLE.
I LEFT THE HOUSE AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING LOUD JACK HAMMER NOISES, THE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ENGINE POWER REDUCED . THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS BELOW ZERO THAT DAY , HOWEVER, I HAD NO OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ON MY DASH BEFORE THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT . THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BECAME VERY VERY LOUD AND STOPPED FUNCTIONING. …
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I LEFT THE HOUSE AND THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING LOUD JACK HAMMER NOISES, THE WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ENGINE POWER REDUCED . THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS BELOW ZERO THAT DAY , HOWEVER, I HAD NO OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ON MY DASH BEFORE THE ENGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT . THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BECAME VERY VERY LOUD AND STOPPED FUNCTIONING. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR MANIFOLD FAILED AND "BLEW" OUT OF THE VEHICLE . UPON REVIEW OF THE WEBSITE CARCOMPLAINTA.COM I DISCOVERED THAT FOR MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT I WAS UNAWARE OF . THERE IS A GM SERVICE BULLETIN 14882 THAT COVERS THIS ISSUE AND THAT I NEEDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOU . I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE NO WAY TO AFFORD THIS AND IF GM IS AWARE OF THIS SITUATION THEY NEED TO MAKE THE NEEDED REPAIRS
I REMOTE STARTED MY CAR AND WHEN I GOT NEAR MY CAR I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING AND I OPENED THE DOOR AND SAW SMOKE COMING UP THROUGH THE DRIVERS SEAT. BURNED A HOLE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A DIME.
DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE VEHICLE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THEN IT PROCEEDED TO TELL ME TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, WHICH I DID AND TURN IT BACK ON. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND STARTED TO SPURT UNTIL I MADE IT HOME. LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE ISSUE I WAS HAVING WAS PART OF RECALL 14882, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST TO BE R…
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DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE VEHICLE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THEN IT PROCEEDED TO TELL ME TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, WHICH I DID AND TURN IT BACK ON. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND STARTED TO SPURT UNTIL I MADE IT HOME. LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE ISSUE I WAS HAVING WAS PART OF RECALL 14882, BUT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST TO BE REPAIRED.
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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