ENGINE POWER REDUCED LIGHT CAME ON AND THERE IS RATTLING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. WE PULLED OUT OF A DRIVE THRU INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THIS ALL STARTED.
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.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
8 reportsON A COLD 12 DEGREE DAY ON 1/19/2020 I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN ON A BUSY STATE HIGHWAY DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH. OUT OF NO WHERE I BEGAN TO SMELL THE ODOR OF BURNING OIL AND SEEN WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I NOTICED IT MY CAR'S GAUGES STARTED COMING ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, A W…
Read full complaint
ON A COLD 12 DEGREE DAY ON 1/19/2020 I WAS DRIVING MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN ON A BUSY STATE HIGHWAY DOING THE SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH. OUT OF NO WHERE I BEGAN TO SMELL THE ODOR OF BURNING OIL AND SEEN WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. AS SOON AS I NOTICED IT MY CAR'S GAUGES STARTED COMING ON. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, A WARNING TO FOR "SERVICE STABILITRAK", THEN THE WARNING FOR "ENGINE POWER REDUCED". AT THE MOMENT MY CAR ALL THE SUDDEN SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY! THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING AND IT WAS VERY HARD FOR ME STEER MY CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT OF WALMART AND SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. ONCE IN THE PARKING LOT I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND CHECKED MY OIL. SMOKE IS ROLLING OUT OF THE DIPSTICK SHAFT. I CHECK MY OIL WEEKLY DUE TO GM'S OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUES WITH THE 2013 GMC TERRAINS AND ON 1/15/2020 THE OIL WAS AT FULL, WAS OF NORMAL COLOR AND CONSISTENCY WHEN I FUELED AND CHECKED IT THAT DAY. SO I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THERE WAS NO OIL ON MY DIPSTICK AND INSTEAD A MILKY BROWNISH SLUDGE ON IT. I SENT MY FIANCE TO BUY ME 2 QUARTS OF OIL JUST TO GET IT TO THE WALMART SERVICE DEPARTMENT SO THEY COULD LOOK AT IT SINCE I WAS IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT. I ADDED THE OIL DROVE IT 100 YARDS TO THE SERVICE DEPT OF WALMART. THE SERVICE MAN PULLED IT INTO THE GARAGE AND THEN INFORMED ME A FEW MINUTES LATER THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL BLEW AND OIL WAS FLOWING OUT OF IT. IT WAS NOT DRIVEABLE SO I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A GM DEALER. THE GM DEALER CALLED ME THIS MORNING 1/21/2020 TO INFORM ME THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL BLEW DUE TO MOISTURE IN THE INTAKE AND A FROZE THE PCV MODULE AND CAUSED TO MUCH PRESSURE TO BUILD UP AND BLEW THE SEAL. THE DEALER QUOTED THE REPAIRS TO BE $2065.69 AND INFORMED ME THAT THE REPAIRS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THE GM SERVICE BULLETIN #14882 BECAUSE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN.
SHOWED STABILITY TRACK. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT SHOWED SERVICE STABILITY TRAK THEN ENGINE POWER REDUCED. IT TOOK MY SPEED FROM A 65 TO 35 IN AN INSTANT CAUSING ME TO ALMOST CRASH. THEN THE CAR STARTED TO JERK AS I TRIED TO DRIVE TO FIND SOMEWHERE SAFE.
THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE MY WIFE HAS BOUGHT HER CAR IN SEPT 2018 WHEN SHE HAD A WARENTY THE DEALER SOLD HER A CAR MADE HER SIGN PAPER WORK BEFORE SHE COULD EVEN TEST DRIVE VEHICLE KNOW WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT DOESNT WORK PROPERLY TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF STABILITRACK IS ON DASH NOTIFICATI…
Read full complaint
THE ABS LIGHT IS ON AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE MY WIFE HAS BOUGHT HER CAR IN SEPT 2018 WHEN SHE HAD A WARENTY THE DEALER SOLD HER A CAR MADE HER SIGN PAPER WORK BEFORE SHE COULD EVEN TEST DRIVE VEHICLE KNOW WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT DOESNT WORK PROPERLY TRACTION CONTROL IS OFF STABILITRACK IS ON DASH NOTIFICATION ALSO TIMING CHAIN IS BAD AND CRANKSHAFT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ACORDING TO DIAGNOSTIC CODE DEALERSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA MN LAKES AREA AUTO SALES ERIC GARDENER IS THE OWNER WHICH REFUSES TO FIX OR GIVE US DIFERENT CAR MY FAMILY HAS 5 DISABLED PEOPLE THAT WE NEED TO TRANSPORT AND KNOW CANT BECAUSE OF THE DEALERSHIP SELLING US A CAR THATS NOT RELIABLE
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…
Read full complaint
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.
CRASH CONTROL KEEPS BRAKING FOR A CRASH WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN FRONT OF. HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED SO I KNOW IT IS NOT THAT
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR THAT THE SERVICE STABILITITRAK LIGHT HAS COME ON AND A MESSAGE TO DO THAT HAS COME UP ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN ON THE DASH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE POWER IS IMMEDIATELY REDUCED. THEN YOU CANNOT TURN THIS OFF AS IT LOCKS THE CONTROLS FOR THIS FEATURE WHICH CAN NORMALLY BE TURNED ON AN…
Read full complaint
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A YEAR THAT THE SERVICE STABILITITRAK LIGHT HAS COME ON AND A MESSAGE TO DO THAT HAS COME UP ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN ON THE DASH. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE ENGINE POWER IS IMMEDIATELY REDUCED. THEN YOU CANNOT TURN THIS OFF AS IT LOCKS THE CONTROLS FOR THIS FEATURE WHICH CAN NORMALLY BE TURNED ON AND OFF. I TOOK THE CAR IN THE FIRST TIME AND THERE WE'RE RELAY AND SENSOR ISSUES WHICH THEY FIXED. I AM WAITING FOR THE CALL AS TO WHAT IS GOING ON THIS TIME. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR NOT JUST THIS VEHICLE BUT ANY VEHICLE TO HAVE A FEATURE THAT YOU CAN TURN ON AND OFF TO IMMEDIATELY CAUSE POWER LOSS? SHOULD YOU NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THIS FEATURE OFF TO AVOID CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLY CAUSING SOMEONE TO BE INJURED OR KILLED? ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS A FEATURE YOU CAN TURN ON AND OFF ANYTIME YOU WANT WHEN IT IS WORKING CORRECTLY. I HAVE READ ON DIFFERENT WEB SITES THAT OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
THE STABILITY TRACK GAVE AN ERROR AND THE ENGINE NOW SLOW. THE ERROR DOESN'T LET THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO WENT ON. *TR
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.
Illustration