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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

25 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2024
Unknown Or Other

Vehicle emissions issue, catalytic converter and engine light. Vehicle is burning oil

NHTSA ODI #11628963

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

I have almost been in 3 accidents. My 2013 Terrain has stalled while driving..Cut off at lights. Engine reduced while driving and massive oil leak that gas caused timing chain and engine failure. I have read other complaints, and this is sad GMC has been allowed to get away with this. These engines are dangerous and need to be…

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I have almost been in 3 accidents. My 2013 Terrain has stalled while driving..Cut off at lights. Engine reduced while driving and massive oil leak that gas caused timing chain and engine failure. I have read other complaints, and this is sad GMC has been allowed to get away with this. These engines are dangerous and need to be replaced before someone looses their life.

NHTSA ODI #11502096

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2023
EngineUnknown Or Other

I was driving my 2013 GMC Terrain to a friends house, I stopped at a stop light, when I picked up speed, the car stalled and wouldn't get up to speed. Eventually, it did pick up speed. I went to turn into her neighborhood and the same thing happened. Trying to get to the destination, I continued into the neighborhood. I stopped …

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I was driving my 2013 GMC Terrain to a friends house, I stopped at a stop light, when I picked up speed, the car stalled and wouldn't get up to speed. Eventually, it did pick up speed. I went to turn into her neighborhood and the same thing happened. Trying to get to the destination, I continued into the neighborhood. I stopped at a stop sign, and when I tried to accelerate, the car died. No indicator lights were engaged. I turned the car off and waited a minute or so and turned it back on. I got to her house, and charged my battery and drove home without issue. The next day, I went to have my battery checked and they alerted me to a horrible oil leak. I had the car towed to the dealership. The next day, the dealership told me that GMC would specifically have to look at the vehicle to diagnose. I had the car towed to my trusted mechanic and he told me the rear main oil seal blew out and found a service bulletin regarding this issue #14882. I made an appointment with the dealership only to find out that this isn't covered under the bulletin, because it expired in November of 2022, and it's not covered under my warranty. The warranty company stated, "if there isn't evidence of moisture in the PCV it would be covered, but since it's a known issue and a consistent problem with the vehicle, it's not covered." So, my only choice is to pay out of pocket for a defective part that will continue to break and cause the rear main oil seal to blow out of the car, potentially putting me and my 9 year old daughter at risk, because GMC isn't acknowledging this issue and recalling the faulty part that is the ROOT of the problem and has been widely reported. There is also a class action lawsuit that is currently open and ongoing (Case 2:22-cv-10785-MAG-JJCG) which is trying to hold GMC responsible for not recalling the part sooner - when they were made aware of it - putting thousands of consumers at risk. It's also fraudulent for this information to not be disclosed at point of sale.

NHTSA ODI #11500178

Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I've been having same issues Occurring since I Signed my purchase agreement. The constant rattle at about 1500 RPM, The oil leaves At such a rapid rate That I have to monitor it every day As to make sure the level doesn't go too low. I've only had the vehicle since September 2022 and here it is Halloween 2022 and I'm down o…

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I've been having same issues Occurring since I Signed my purchase agreement. The constant rattle at about 1500 RPM, The oil leaves At such a rapid rate That I have to monitor it every day As to make sure the level doesn't go too low. I've only had the vehicle since September 2022 and here it is Halloween 2022 and I'm down over $2000 maintenance costs and maintenance costs trying to prevent catastrophic failure with the engine that I know is coming! OBDII code reads P0171

NHTSA ODI #11491488

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

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

While pulling out of my driveway the car stalled and the stabilitrak light came on. Car would not start again. Had it towed to dealership because it seemed something electrical was the issue and now they say it needs a complete new engine because it lost oil compression. No oil light has ever come on, no other lights and no oil …

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While pulling out of my driveway the car stalled and the stabilitrak light came on. Car would not start again. Had it towed to dealership because it seemed something electrical was the issue and now they say it needs a complete new engine because it lost oil compression. No oil light has ever come on, no other lights and no oil leaking on our driveway or anywhere else that we’ve noticed. Dealership says they can’t tell us exactly why the engine failed. The car only has 53000 mikes on it. We bought it in august of 2014 and maintain it appropriately

NHTSA ODI #11442308

Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 2021
SteeringUnknown Or OtherWheels

While driving, the traction control light turns on. Then the gauges all start fluctuation. The dash reads service park assist. Then service stabilitrak. It does not run properly. It shifts hard. I’ve had it to the dealership twice now. The issue is still not resolved and it’s going back next Monday. I feel it will again not be…

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While driving, the traction control light turns on. Then the gauges all start fluctuation. The dash reads service park assist. Then service stabilitrak. It does not run properly. It shifts hard. I’ve had it to the dealership twice now. The issue is still not resolved and it’s going back next Monday. I feel it will again not be resolved after reading multiple forums of others having the same issue after spending thousands of dollars. This is frightening and stressful to say the least. My car has less then sixty thousand miles on it. I should not be having this issue.

NHTSA ODI #11441264

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I’ve been having a issue with my oil consumption and display messages about servicing the stabilitrak and traction control. I could be driving and suddenly my engine power is reduced asking with these two messages. I received a letter from GMC about the excessive oil consumption due to degraded catalytic converter and/or oxygen …

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I’ve been having a issue with my oil consumption and display messages about servicing the stabilitrak and traction control. I could be driving and suddenly my engine power is reduced asking with these two messages. I received a letter from GMC about the excessive oil consumption due to degraded catalytic converter and/or oxygen sensor. The one oxygen sensor was replaced before I received the letter. The letter states I should get the oil consumption diagnosed. I’ve went 4 times now and the oil dipstick smells like gas but the dealership is saying the special coverage has expired. My letter says otherwise. Why send a letter about a possible issue and then not help to fix it?

NHTSA ODI #11426576

87,000 miles · Mar 29, 2021
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

MY VEHICLE EATS UP OIL. I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION INVESTIGATION. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON. SOMETIMES WHEN I FILL IT WITH GAS IT GOES OFF. A WEEK AGO IT CAME ON AND THEN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, THEN A MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY SAYING S…

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MY VEHICLE EATS UP OIL. I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THE EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION INVESTIGATION. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON. SOMETIMES WHEN I FILL IT WITH GAS IT GOES OFF. A WEEK AGO IT CAME ON AND THEN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY STREET MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON, THEN A MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY SAYING SERVICE STABILITRACK AND ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED. I COULDN'T GO OVER 35MPH. I TOOK IT TO OREILY THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND THE CODE P0175 SHOWED 'FUEL SYSTEM TOO RICH'. I FOUND A RECALL OF AN O2 SENSOR. I COULDN'T GET INTO A GM SHOP FOR ANOTHER WEEK. TODAY THEY FIXED THE RECALL BUT TOLD ME THE SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION WAS EXPIRED IN 7/2020 FOR MY VEHICLE. I CHATTED WITH GM ONLINE AND THEY DIDN'T ANSWER ALL MY QUESTIONS. EVEN THOUGH I FOUND THE INFO ON THIS HERE WEBSITE ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION AND THE TIME LIMIT AND MILEAGE ON WHEN I COULD GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED, GM WOULD NOT EXPLAIN IN DETAIL TO CLARIFY THIS INFO. IT SAID 7 YEARS AND 6MOS OR 120K MILES FROM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN SERVICE. THEY SAID THIRD PARTY SITES LIKE THESE AREN'T RELIABLE. THE SHOP MENTIONED I SHOULD JUST KEEP OIL IN IT AND THAT GETTING THE PISTONS FIXED WOULD BE $5K. MY EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION OTHERWISE I WOULD'VE NEVER GOTTEN THE VEHICLE OR AT LEAST GOT IT FIXED IN SAID TIME LIMIT.

NHTSA ODI #11405475

1 miles · Mar 12, 2021
Unknown Or OtherInjury

I CAN NOT ROLL DOWN A BACK WINDOW DRIVING ABOVE 25 MPH WITHOUT AN EAR-PIERCING NOISE CREATED IN THE CABIN. IT HAS ALWAYS HAPPENED EVERY TIME THE BACK WINDOW IS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE TO CLOSE THE WINDOWS EVERY TIME. IT HURTS OUR EARS AND IS VERY DISTRACTING. I HAVE SIX CARS AND NO OTHER MAKE THAT I HAVE DOES THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11402661

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.