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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.

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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

Power Train complaints

44 reports
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102,110 miles · Nov 12, 2020
EnginePower Train

MY VEHICLE BEGAN BY STALLING OUT WHEN I WAS IN REVERSE, WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD STALL OUT WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN.

NHTSA ODI #11374298

114,000 miles · Oct 22, 2020
Power Train

MY VEHICLE IS CONSUMING TOO MUCH OIL.

NHTSA ODI #11365679

72,000 miles · May 19, 2020
EnginePower Train

2013 GMC TERRAIN WITH 72K MILES (ABOUT 5.5 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME). IN FRIGID TEMPERATURES (-15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT), THE VEHICLE RPMS STARTED FLUCTUATING WILDLY WHILE IN IDLE, AND WOULD SHUT OFF ENTIRELY. THE PCV PORT FROZE AND LEAD TO BLOWING OUT THE REAR MAIN SEAL. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY (DESPITE THE EX…

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2013 GMC TERRAIN WITH 72K MILES (ABOUT 5.5 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME). IN FRIGID TEMPERATURES (-15 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT), THE VEHICLE RPMS STARTED FLUCTUATING WILDLY WHILE IN IDLE, AND WOULD SHUT OFF ENTIRELY. THE PCV PORT FROZE AND LEAD TO BLOWING OUT THE REAR MAIN SEAL. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY (DESPITE THE EXISTING POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AND SERVICE BULLETIN 14882). ALSO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED (WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY). TOTAL REPAIR WAS $2,800. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11325195

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

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

93,600 miles · Jan 21, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train

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 W…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11300673

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

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…

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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…

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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

97,000 miles · May 14, 2019
EnginePower Train

I 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.

NHTSA ODI #11207571

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.