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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

What owners actually said

364 reports
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

44,000 miles · Sep 9, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

WE LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND THE CARB FUEL PUMP NOZZLES ARE CUMBERSOME BEASTS. BUT THE NOZZLE POPS OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER WHEN PLACED ON AUTO-FILL AT 4 OUT OF 5 GAS STATIONS. IT'S DANGEROUS WHEN IT POPS OUT AND FALLS ON THE GROUND SOMETIMES PUMPING GAS ALL OVER. I TOOK THE TERRAIN TO THE DEALER AND OF COURCE THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHIN…

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WE LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND THE CARB FUEL PUMP NOZZLES ARE CUMBERSOME BEASTS. BUT THE NOZZLE POPS OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER WHEN PLACED ON AUTO-FILL AT 4 OUT OF 5 GAS STATIONS. IT'S DANGEROUS WHEN IT POPS OUT AND FALLS ON THE GROUND SOMETIMES PUMPING GAS ALL OVER. I TOOK THE TERRAIN TO THE DEALER AND OF COURCE THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WHAT GIVES AND WHAT'S THE FIX?

NHTSA ODI #10904880

60,000 miles · Sep 8, 2016
Visibility/wiper

THE WIPER TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED FROM THE WIPER MOTOR CAUSING THE WIPERS TO NOT FUNCTION. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM CAUSING LOSS OF VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI #10904749

45,000 miles · Aug 22, 2016
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE REVERSED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE REVERSED ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10897600

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2016
Air BagsCrash

WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY US19 AND COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT AT LEAST 40MPH AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY

NHTSA ODI #10895896

60,000 miles · Aug 3, 2016
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2014. IT HAD ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, I DIDN'T NOTICE THE ABNORMAL NOISE IT MAKES. WHILE THE CAR IS EITHER IN DRIVER OR REVERSE, IT MAKES A WEIRD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. THE NOISE GOES AWAY IN PARK. HOWEVER, THE NOISE CAN ONLY BE HEARD WHEN…

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I HAVE A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2014. IT HAD ONE PREVIOUS OWNER. WHEN I BOUGHT THIS CAR, I DIDN'T NOTICE THE ABNORMAL NOISE IT MAKES. WHILE THE CAR IS EITHER IN DRIVER OR REVERSE, IT MAKES A WEIRD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. THE NOISE GOES AWAY IN PARK. HOWEVER, THE NOISE CAN ONLY BE HEARD WHEN THE CAR IDOLS AT A CERTAIN RPM. THE CAR MAKES A RATTLE LIKE SOUND WHEN THE RPMS ARE LOW, LIKE BETWEEN 500 TO 1500. FOR EXAMPLE: WHEN I'M CRUISING DOWN TOWN AT SPEEDS OF ABOUT 25-45MPH, I CAN HERE THE RATTLE SOUND. WHEN I BACK INTO MY GARAGE, THE NOISE CAN BE HEARD EVEN LOUDER BECAUSE THE GARAGE AMPLIFIES THE SOUND. WHEN I USE CRUISE CONTROL TO ACCELERATE, IT DOES NOT MAKE THIS NOISE. ONLY WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. WHEN I TAKE MY FOOD OFF THE GAS, OR SPEED UP, THE SOUND GOES AWAY. IT'S NOT A LOW OIL TICK SOUND. IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT, LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE AND RATTLING. THIS NOISE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE BUT IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO REALIZE IT.

NHTSA ODI #10892791

18,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS LOWERING. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A PUDDLE UNDERNEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS LOWERING. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A PUDDLE UNDERNEATH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 09/27/16*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10888583

101,000 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Visibility/wiper

7/18/16 WHILE DRIVING IN A DOWNPOUR TODAY ON A BUSY ROAD, THE WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHICH ATTACHES THE LINKAGE TO THE MOTOR FAILED. THIS MADE THE WIPERS STOP AND IMMEDIATELY ALL FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED. IT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO NOT HIT…

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7/18/16 WHILE DRIVING IN A DOWNPOUR TODAY ON A BUSY ROAD, THE WIPER LINKAGE BALL JOINT WHICH ATTACHES THE LINKAGE TO THE MOTOR FAILED. THIS MADE THE WIPERS STOP AND IMMEDIATELY ALL FORWARD VISIBILITY WAS OBSCURED. IT MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF WHILE SLOWING DOWN IN TRAFFIC. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO NOT HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. THE PARTS STORES SELL AN ENTIRE NEW LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FOR AROUND $150. THE NYLON LINKAGE ASSEMBLY HANGS UPSIDE DOWN WHICH IS A VERY DANGEROUS FLAW IN THE GMC DESIGN AND SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO TO PREVENT TRAGEDY. RESPECTFULLY, LUCKY GUY

NHTSA ODI #10885676

30 miles · Mar 3, 2016
Structure

STARTED RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JAN 2013 AND CONTINUES EVERY WINTER. WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 40 DEGREE'S THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD MAKES A CRACKING SOUND. I LIKE TO REFER TO IT AS MAKING "POPCORN" SAME SOUND. CONTINUES WHILE DRIVING UNTIL I HEAT UP CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO DEALER ATTENTION EVEN HAD I…

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STARTED RIGHT AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN JAN 2013 AND CONTINUES EVERY WINTER. WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 40 DEGREE'S THE VEHICLE WINDSHIELD MAKES A CRACKING SOUND. I LIKE TO REFER TO IT AS MAKING "POPCORN" SAME SOUND. CONTINUES WHILE DRIVING UNTIL I HEAT UP CAR. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO DEALER ATTENTION EVEN HAD IT IN SERVICE DEPARTMENT BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE SOUND. I HAVE VIDEO AND SENT TO GMC.

NHTSA ODI #10839643

73,000 miles · Mar 3, 2016
Visibility/wiper

WIPER TRANSMISSION FAILED DURING RAIN STORM FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

NHTSA ODI #10839609

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.