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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

Suspension complaints

7 reports
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125,000 miles · Nov 29, 2022
Suspension

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the contact heard a sound coming from the rear of the vehicle and had the shocks replaced. While the vehicle was getting a routine oil change, the mechanic noticed that the vehicle was rusted, causing the rear suspension trailing arms to detach from th…

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The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH, the contact heard a sound coming from the rear of the vehicle and had the shocks replaced. While the vehicle was getting a routine oil change, the mechanic noticed that the vehicle was rusted, causing the rear suspension trailing arms to detach from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

NHTSA ODI #11495297

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2022
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

Water in spare tire component area stays there even when it rains and during car washes; also I replace the suspension and still hearing cracking noise as I make turns

NHTSA ODI #11465866

47,000 miles · Nov 10, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSuspension

I HAVE HAD THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT REPLACED BY THE DEALER TWO TIMES. IT HAS BEEN SHORTING OUT AND COME TO FIND OUT THE PLUG THAT THE BULB CONNECTS TO HAS BEEN BROKEN AND NO ONE FIXED THE ISSUE. ALSO I HAD MY FRONT AXLE'S HAVING ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11373930

70,000 miles · Sep 16, 2016
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD METAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD METAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 11/29/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10907239

5,000 miles · Nov 20, 2014
Air BagsSuspensionWheels

WE BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A BRAND NEW GMC TERRAIN. HER OLD GMC HAD OVER 200,000 MILES ON IT. SHE HAD A BLOWN OUT TIRE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. SHE WAS NOT DRIVING FAST AND THERE WAS NOT REASON FOR THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. SHE IS ON HER WAY HOME FROM A FRIENDS HOUSE AND GOES OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, NOT SPEEDING. ANOTHER TIRE BLOWS OU…

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WE BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER A BRAND NEW GMC TERRAIN. HER OLD GMC HAD OVER 200,000 MILES ON IT. SHE HAD A BLOWN OUT TIRE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. SHE WAS NOT DRIVING FAST AND THERE WAS NOT REASON FOR THE TIRE TO BLOW OUT. SHE IS ON HER WAY HOME FROM A FRIENDS HOUSE AND GOES OVER A RAILROAD TRACK, NOT SPEEDING. ANOTHER TIRE BLOWS OUT. HAS TO GET CAR TOWED. THE TOW CAR TO GMN DEALERSHIP. DAYS IN SHOP AIRBAG ISSUES, TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED. TAKES OVER 4 DAYS TO BE REPAIRED HAS TO GO BACK. OVER $1700.00 BILL. THIS IS SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10659670

27,000 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingSuspension

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

NHTSA ODI #10568902

2,500 miles · Sep 3, 2013
SuspensionUnknown Or Other

WHILE DECELERATING FROM ABOUT 35 OR 40 MPH WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THEN COME TO COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR END WILL START TO LOUDLY THUMP, IT STARTS OUT SLOWLY THUMPING AND BEGINS TO SPEED UP AND WHEN YOU START TO RELEASE THE BRAKE IT BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP ONCE ONE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. WE HAVE HAD THE ISSUE …

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WHILE DECELERATING FROM ABOUT 35 OR 40 MPH WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES THEN COME TO COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE REAR END WILL START TO LOUDLY THUMP, IT STARTS OUT SLOWLY THUMPING AND BEGINS TO SPEED UP AND WHEN YOU START TO RELEASE THE BRAKE IT BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP ONCE ONE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. WE HAVE HAD THE ISSUE ONGOING FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW, IT STARTED ABOUT 2 OR 3 WEEKS AFTER WE GOT THE VEHICLE AND IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ABOUT 6 TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 2200 MILES ON IT AND THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A 'LIKE NEW' LOANER VEHICLE. THE MECHANICS SAID THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A EXHAUST, SOMETHING WITH THE REAR BRAKES, OR MAYBE A PANEL IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE, THEY HAVE TIGHTENED, AND REPLACED ALMOST THE ENTIRE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THEY CANNOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM AND I AM AFRAID IT MIGHT BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. THE DEALER HAS CALLED GMC AND THE DEALER SAID GMC WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR US. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541711

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.