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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

Wheels complaints

6 reports
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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

125,000 miles · Jan 4, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineWheels

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.

NHTSA ODI #11297053

54,000 miles · May 1, 2019
Wheels

TIRES CONSTANTLY LOSE AIR, SOMETIMES VERY SUDDENLY AND NORMALLY WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THREE OF THE TIRES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI #11205137

85,000 miles · Jul 23, 2018
EngineWheels

EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN. IT HAS A 2.4 CYLINDER ENGINE THAT CONSUMES TOO MUCH OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED BY GM FOR THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE NOT DONE A FULL RECALL YET. VEHICLE WAS STALLING DUE TO LOW OIL ISSUES. INTAKE SOLENOID HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF LOW OIL LE…

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EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN. IT HAS A 2.4 CYLINDER ENGINE THAT CONSUMES TOO MUCH OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED BY GM FOR THE PROBLEM BUT THEY HAVE NOT DONE A FULL RECALL YET. VEHICLE WAS STALLING DUE TO LOW OIL ISSUES. INTAKE SOLENOID HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF LOW OIL LEVELS. TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED FROM TRANS TORQUE CONVERTER SEAL, LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO BEARINGS GOING BAD ALL WITH JUST 52K MILES. THE ENGINE SPECIFICALLY IN MY VEHICLE IS A SAFETY HAZARD/CONCERN FOR ANYONE WITH A FAMILY. MY WIFE IS A NANNY AND DOES NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AGGRESSIVELY. I HAD DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE NOT VERY MANY MILES ON A NEW FRESH OIL CHANGE AND THE NEXT TIME I WENT TO CHECK MY OIL THE DIPSTICK HAD NO OIL ON IT!! I WAS FURIOUS BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT A LIGHT THAT INDICATOR THAT CAME ON IN MY VEHICLE TO TELL ME I HAD LOW OIL OR ANYTHING!! ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE LOUD NOISE OF TIRES WHEN GOING DOWN HIGHWAY .. I DID LIKE THIS VEHICLE WHEN I FIRST GOT IT BUT EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT IS GOING ON ..

NHTSA ODI #11113074

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

7,000 miles · Sep 24, 2014
WheelsCrash

1. ON AUGUST 17, 2014 MY VIRTUALLY NEW 2013 GMC TERRAIN WITH LESS THAN ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES OF USE CRASHED DUE TO THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION [GMC] GMC TERRAIN DEFECT IN DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF THIS VEHICLE AS CONFIRMED BY AN OFFICIAL GMC DEALER AS RECORDED HEREIN. THE DETAILS OF THIS INCIDENT ARE RECORDED BELOW AND …

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1. ON AUGUST 17, 2014 MY VIRTUALLY NEW 2013 GMC TERRAIN WITH LESS THAN ONLY A FEW THOUSAND MILES OF USE CRASHED DUE TO THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION [GMC] GMC TERRAIN DEFECT IN DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING OF THIS VEHICLE AS CONFIRMED BY AN OFFICIAL GMC DEALER AS RECORDED HEREIN. THE DETAILS OF THIS INCIDENT ARE RECORDED BELOW AND REPRESENT ONLY A SMALL FRACTION OF MY MANY ATTEMPTS BY USPS MAIL, EMAIL AND TELEPHONE TO CONTACT GMC AND TO REGISTER MY COMPLAINT. GMC HAS NOT MADE ANY MEANINGFUL RESPONSE TO MY CONTACTS AND, IN POINT OF FACT AND IN TRUTH, GMC HAS ACTED TO INTIMIDATE, TERRORIZE AND BULLY ME! 2. DURING THE MORNING OF AUGUST 17, 2014 IN MY 2013 GMC TERRAIN WHILE TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-95 IN THE RIGHT LANE IN VIRGINIA, NEAR CHESTER, VIRGINIA, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL SUDDENLY SEPARATED AND DETACHED FROM THIS VEHICLE CAUSING THE STEERING OF THE VEHICLE TO BECOME DISORDERED AND DEVIATE TO THE LEFT AND TO CRASH INTO THE CONCRETE BARRIER SEPARATING THE NORTH BOUND LANE OF I 95 FROM THE SOUTH BOUND LANE. MY DAMAGED VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TOWED, AFTER SEVERAL HOURS, TO A GMC DEALERSHIP IN CHESTER, VIRGINIA AND THEN TO SECOND GMC DEALERSHIP IN CHESTER, VIRGINIA WHERE TEMPORARY REPAIRS WERE MADE AFTER MANY DELAYS AND LACK OF AVAILABILITY OF PARTS AND OTHER GMC GLITCHES. AFTER THE TEMPORARY REPAIRS WERE EFFECTED SIX DAYS LATER, AT 5:55 PM, MY VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME. A COPY OF THE REPAIR FACILITY OF THE GMC DEALER: STROSNIDER CHEVROLET, INC., ATTESTING TO THESE FACTS, IS REPRINTED BELOW WHEREIN IT IS RECORDED: 'THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL, WHILE DRIVING, BEGAN TO COME LOOSE CAUSING THE STEERING TO BE DISTORTED RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE STRIKING THE CONCRETE CENTER DIVIDER AND THE WHEEL COMPLETELY CAST OUT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE ENSUING BODY DAMAGE' FOR YOUR INFORMATION AND FOR INCLUSION IN MY FILE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10638662

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.