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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

Service Brakes complaints

7 reports
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103,000 miles · Dec 27, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11291657

63,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

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

NHTSA ODI #11140481

52,396 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CURTAIN SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE DRIVER AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE CURTAIN SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, HOWEVER THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,396.

NHTSA ODI #10910000

36,000 miles · Oct 30, 2013
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

DEAR SAFETY OFFICER, THIS IS TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT I WISH TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST GMC. MY LIFE WAS AT RISK IN AN ACCIDENT. AS IT IS ACCIDENTS ARE UN-WELCOMED, TO ADD TO IT THE SAFETY FEATURE (AIRBAGS) FROM MY GMC VEHICLE CHASIS NO [XXX],ORIGIN CANADA,REGISTER IN UAE DID NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. A DEPLOY SIGN APPE…

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DEAR SAFETY OFFICER, THIS IS TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION THAT I WISH TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST GMC. MY LIFE WAS AT RISK IN AN ACCIDENT. AS IT IS ACCIDENTS ARE UN-WELCOMED, TO ADD TO IT THE SAFETY FEATURE (AIRBAGS) FROM MY GMC VEHICLE CHASIS NO [XXX],ORIGIN CANADA,REGISTER IN UAE DID NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. A DEPLOY SIGN APPEARED ON THE DISPLAY, BUT NONE OF THE AIRBAGS FUNCTIONED AS REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW LESS THAN A YEAR AGO UNDER WARRANTY WITH COMPLETE SERVICE HISTORY. THE DAMAGE WAS SO MUCH TO THE VEHICLE THAT MY INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED IT AS TOTAL LOSS AND ARE SETTLING WITH ME FOR THE AMOUNT THEY HAD INSURED THE VEHICLE FOR (OR A SUITABLE SUM). DESPITE THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT FUNCTION, PUTTING MY LIFE AT RISK. A GMC REPLY WHICH PUTS SERIOUS QUESTIONS ON THE REAR IMPACT TEST PRACTICED IN DESIGN .A AIRBAG SYSTEM INTEGRATED WITH SEAT BELT AND WARNING SIGN, UPON CRASH FULLY EXTENDED BUT DID NOT ROLL BACK TO FACTORY SETTING IS CLEAR SIGN FOR VISUAL EVIDENCE.A EDR(EVIDENT DATA RECORDER)WILL NOT BE ACCESSED BY THE CUSTOMER DUE TO RIGHTS HELD BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR WARRANTY. AS SAFETY IS THE NORMS FOR US VEHICLES,A COMPLETE FAILURE OF MULTIPLE COLLISION RAISES THE DOUBT OF GMC COMPLYING WITH SAFETY DURING DESIGN AND TEST EXECUTION.WHAT WOULD BE THE MALFUNCTION OF SAFETY SYSTEM COULD BE INVESTIGATED IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE THE FATALITY IN THE DESIGN FEATURES.A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED AFTER THE FINDING OF EDR RECORDINGS.I WILL BE RELIEVED IF THE FUTURE DESIGN IMPROVEMENT WILL SAVE MANY LIVES FROM SIMILAR CRASHES. IT WOULD BE MERCY OF GOD NOT BECAUSE OF AIRBAGS TWO LIVES HAVE BEEN SAVED . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550152

5,000 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Service BrakesCrash

PURCHASED 2013 GMC TERRAIN DENALI BRAND NEW; VEHICLE HAD APPROX 5000 MILES WHEN THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. WHILE OUT TO MOUNTAINS AND JUST STARTING TO HEADING DOWN A STEEP GRADE ON A DIRT/GRAVEL ROAD (JUST STARTED MOVING AND WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 5MPH), ABS KICKED IN AND WOULDN'T STOP, PREVENTING THE BREAK FROM BEING PRESSED. …

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PURCHASED 2013 GMC TERRAIN DENALI BRAND NEW; VEHICLE HAD APPROX 5000 MILES WHEN THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. WHILE OUT TO MOUNTAINS AND JUST STARTING TO HEADING DOWN A STEEP GRADE ON A DIRT/GRAVEL ROAD (JUST STARTED MOVING AND WAS TRAVELING LESS THAN 5MPH), ABS KICKED IN AND WOULDN'T STOP, PREVENTING THE BREAK FROM BEING PRESSED. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT A HALF MILE DOWN THIS STEEP GRADE ROAD WITH A CLIFF ON ONE SIDE AND A MOUNTAIN FACE ON THE OTHER. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN PICKING UP SPEED THE ENTIRE TIME. I TRIED EVERYTHING I COULD THINK OF TO GET THE ABS TO RELEASE THE BREAKS SO THAT I COULD USE THEM AGAIN. I TRIED TO PUMP THE BREAKS, SHIFTED FROM M1 TO DRIVE, THEN TO NEUTRAL, THEN TO REVERSE, ALL TO NO AVAIL. I ALSO TRIED TO JUST NOT DO ANYTHING, NOT TOUCH THE BREAKS, AND SEE IF THE BREAKS WOULD RELEASE AND I STILL CONTINUED DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO STOP. AFTER TRAVELING APPROX 1/2 MILE DOWN THE MOUNTAIN I HIT THE EMERGENCY BREAKS WHICH DID STOP THE VEHICLE. ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP DID THE BREAKS BECOME FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED DURING THE RAPID DECENT DOWN THE MOUNTAIN SIDE. MY FAMILY AND I CAME VERY CLOSE TO DEATH THAT DAY AND ALL COULD'VE BEEN KILLED DUE TO THIS DEFECT. BUYERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520537

Mileage unknown · Apr 23, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10509266

1,300 miles · Mar 22, 2013
Service Brakes

WHEN I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AT STOP SIGN I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY BADLY PLACED SO MY FOOT MISSED THE BRAKE AND I WENT THRU THE STOP SIGN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. (FORTUNATELY,I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE OUT OF THE ONCOMING LANE) OVER THE FOLLOWING WEEK, MY FOOT HAD TO RELEARN THE POSITION OF THE PEDAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SA…

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WHEN I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AT STOP SIGN I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY BADLY PLACED SO MY FOOT MISSED THE BRAKE AND I WENT THRU THE STOP SIGN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. (FORTUNATELY,I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE OUT OF THE ONCOMING LANE) OVER THE FOLLOWING WEEK, MY FOOT HAD TO RELEARN THE POSITION OF THE PEDAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504074

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.