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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
37,000 miles · Dec 8, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

I WAS ABOUT TO SWITCH LANES ON HIGHWAY FROM ON RAMP TRAVELLING APRPOX 60 MPH AND ACCELERATING WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDELING STOPPED ACCELERATING & SOMEONE PULLED UP ON MY SIDE TO INFORM ME I WAS LEAKING FUEL EVERYWHERE. I LOST NEARLY A FULL TANK OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE MEN WHO STOPPED HAD WORKED ON GM VEHICLES IN THE PAS…

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I WAS ABOUT TO SWITCH LANES ON HIGHWAY FROM ON RAMP TRAVELLING APRPOX 60 MPH AND ACCELERATING WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDELING STOPPED ACCELERATING & SOMEONE PULLED UP ON MY SIDE TO INFORM ME I WAS LEAKING FUEL EVERYWHERE. I LOST NEARLY A FULL TANK OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY. ONE OF THE MEN WHO STOPPED HAD WORKED ON GM VEHICLES IN THE PAST AND WAS ABLE TO CLIP SOMETHING TOGETHER TO SLOW THE LEAK. I DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE NO HELP AND DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THE ISSUE OR HOW SERIOUS THIS WAS FOR A 2 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 37K MILES. I WAS TOLD I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME AND WERE GOING TO CHARGE ME A $200 DIAGNOSTIC FEE. DISAPPOINTED BY THE POOR SERVICE I RECEIVED I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WORKS ON OUR OTHER VEHICLE. THEY WERE SHOCKED TO SEE A FUEL LINE ON A 2013 VEHICLE BREAK. THEY ORDERED THE REPLACEMENT FUEL LINE FROM GM AND I GOT MY CAR BACK ON 5 DAYS LATER. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK MY CAR OUT TO RUN ERRANDS AND WHEN RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS, UPON LOOKING UNDER THE CAR I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS STILL LEAKING AND FROM THE SAME PLACE! WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SHOP AND THEY IMMEDIATELY GO IN TOUCH WITH GM WHO SENT OUT ANOTHER REPLACEMENT PART AND ALSO RECOMMENDED ALSO REPLACING THE METAL LINE AS THEY HAD BEEN SEEING SOME ISSUES WITH THIS LINE. UNDER THE RECOMMENDATION OF GM THE SHOP REPLACED BOTH LINES AND I GOT MY CAR BACK 3 DAYS LATER. THE PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED ARE UNACCEPTABLE AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS HURT BUT HAD I BEEN IN THE HIGH SPEED LANE AND TRAVELING AT FULL SPEED LIMIT WHEN THIS HAPPEN I OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BY THIS ISSUE. GIVEN THE AGE OF THE CAR AND LOW MILEAGE THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR ISSUE, THIS IS 100% A DEFECTIVE PART OR MFG PROBLEM THAT I EXPECT GM TO REIMBURSE $670 FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #10809001

8,000 miles · Dec 4, 2015
Power Train

GMC TERRAIN HESITATES IN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. TACHOMETER SHOWS ENGINE SPEEDS UP BETWEEN SHIFTS, CAUSING A STALL/ LEARCH FORWARD BETWEEN SHIFTING HAPPENS MORE WHEN WARM THEN WHEN COLD. HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY AFTER TRANSMISSION IS WARMED UP.

NHTSA ODI #10808391

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2015
Back Over PreventionElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE BACKUP CAMERA SCREEN FAILED TO OPERATE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE RADIO SCREEN POWERED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL MILES, THE SCREEN POWERED ON WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE BACKUP CAMERA SCREEN FAILED TO OPERATE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE RADIO SCREEN POWERED OFF WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER SEVERAL MILES, THE SCREEN POWERED ON WITHOUT BEING PROMPTED. THE FAILURES RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 04/29/16*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10788064

64,500 miles · Aug 22, 2015
Visibility/wiper

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE POURING RAIN, AND HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPPED WORKING, CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE AND TOTAL LOSS OF VISION. LUCKILY, SHE DID NOT WRECK, BUT THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE ENDED VERY BADLY. I REMOVED THE TRIM COVERING THE WIPER MOTOR, AND…

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 65 MILES AN HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE POURING RAIN, AND HER WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPPED WORKING, CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE AND TOTAL LOSS OF VISION. LUCKILY, SHE DID NOT WRECK, BUT THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE ENDED VERY BADLY. I REMOVED THE TRIM COVERING THE WIPER MOTOR, AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION LINKAGE ARM THAT CONNECTS THE WIPERS TO THE MOTOR HAD BECOME DISCONNECTED. THE NYLON BUSHING THAT HOLDS IT IN PLACE WAS VERY BADLY WORN. THERE IS NO DIRECT REPLACEMENT BUSHING AVAILABLE, SO I REPLACED IT WITH A BUSHING THAT SORT-OF FIT. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THIS REPAIR ONLY LASTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN TO MY WIFE TWO DAYS AGO. SHE WAS ON HER WAY TO WORK (IN THE POURING RAIN, NO LESS) WHEN THE LINKAGE ARM AGAIN DISCONNECTED. SHE WAS ON A NARROW BRIDGE ACROSS A RIVER THAT WAS UNDERGOING ROADWORK AT THE TIME IT HAPPENED. AGAIN, SHE WAS BADLY FRIGHTENED AND SHAKEN UP BY THE ORDEAL. LUCKILY, SHE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A WRECK. THIS TIME, I ORDERED A NEW WIPER TRANSMISSION FOR HER CAR. IT CAME AT A COST OF $175, WITH A ONE WEEK WAIT FOR IT TO BE DELIVERED. IN THE MEANTIME, MY WIFE IS WITHOUT A RELIABLE CAR. I HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT ENOUGH THAT I BELIEVE GMC SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND REIMBURSE REPAIR COSTS.

NHTSA ODI #10758526

25,000 miles · Apr 28, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

LESS THAN A MONTH AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN THE LEFT LANE DURING RUSH HOUR THE ENGINE BLEW ON A 2 YEAR OLD GMC TERRAIN. HOW THIS IS AT ALL POSSIBLE I HAVE NO CLUE, BUT LUCKILY ENOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND AWAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. BELOW IS THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, AS WELL AS T…

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LESS THAN A MONTH AGO, WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN THE LEFT LANE DURING RUSH HOUR THE ENGINE BLEW ON A 2 YEAR OLD GMC TERRAIN. HOW THIS IS AT ALL POSSIBLE I HAVE NO CLUE, BUT LUCKILY ENOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER AND AWAIT FOR A TOW TRUCK. BELOW IS THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION, AS WELL AS THE HEADACHE I HAVE HAD TO UNDERGO SINCE THIS HAPPENED. -1 MONTH PRIOR TO THE ENGINE BEING BLOWN I HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR A 5,000 MILE CHECK-UP -NIGHT BEFORE THE INCIDENT THERE WAS A FLUTTERING NOISE HEARD FROM THE ENGINE, SO PLANNED ON TAKING TO SHEEHAN THE NEXT MORNING AT APPROXIMATELY 9:30 AM ON 3/17/2015 WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN THE LEFT LANE DURING RUSH HOUR AND THE RPMS DROPPED TO ZERO -WITNESS SOMETHING THAT LOOKED LIKE OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE WAS TOLD TO SHEEHAN BUICK GMC WHERE THEY LOOKED AT IT AND THE NEXT DAY REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE BLEW, A ROD TO THE PISTON SNAPPED AND TORE A HOLE THROUGH THE SIDE OF THE ENGINE -WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER THAT WHEN THE ENGINE WENT IT "GRENADE" INSIDE AND RESULTED IN LONGER TO FIX AND REPLACING MORE PARTS LIKE A MANIFOLD. -SINCE IT WAS FIXED I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO TAKE THE CAR BACK I LEFT THE SHOP AND GOT ON INTERSTATE 95 FOR ABOUT 10 MILES WHEN I NOTICED THE CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT ON IMMEDIATELY RETURNED TO SHEEHAN AND TOOK THE LOANER BACK -WAS TOLD NOW HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS -2 WEEKS AFTER THAT WEEK REPAID ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN FOR A WIRE HARNESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10713326

2,000 miles · Feb 22, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN THE GMC TERRAIN IS FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNINGS THE VEHICLE "MISSES" FOR ABOUT 5 SECONDS. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS CONDENSATION IN THE FUEL LINE. AFTER ABOUT 5 SECONDS THE VEHICLE SMOOTHES OUT AND RUNS NORMAL. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EACH AND EVERY MORNING. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ANY OTHER TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689848

41,449 miles · Jan 20, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP. THE IMPACT PUSHED ME INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. MY SEAT BELTS LOCKED AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT DEPLOYED. BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY (JUST THE LIGHT). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676718

20,000 miles · Dec 29, 2014
Electrical System

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED TO WORK ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. DURING THIS TIME, I HAVE HAD THE USER INTERFACE SCREEN FREEZE, NOT POWER OFF AND LOSE SERVICES DURING USAGE. THE ELECTRICAL PANEL ISSUES WILL LEAD TO FURTHER COMPLICATIONS MOVING FORWARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668841

32,299 miles · Dec 11, 2014
Electrical SystemFire

AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 30 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE DETERMINED BY THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663729

32,400 miles · Dec 8, 2014
EngineSteering

I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE 2013 GMC TERRAIN DENALI AND NOTICED THAT IT HAS A BOGGING SENSATION IN THE STEERING AT IDLE WHEN TURNING. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING IS GOING TO CUT OUT - ALMOST LIKE NOT FULLY ENGAGING THE CLUTCH ON A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO DIE. VERY NOISY AND ANNOYING IN THE TIGHT PARKING GAR…

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I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE 2013 GMC TERRAIN DENALI AND NOTICED THAT IT HAS A BOGGING SENSATION IN THE STEERING AT IDLE WHEN TURNING. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING IS GOING TO CUT OUT - ALMOST LIKE NOT FULLY ENGAGING THE CLUTCH ON A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO DIE. VERY NOISY AND ANNOYING IN THE TIGHT PARKING GARAGE WHEN YOU HAVE TO TURN THE STEERING AT A STANDSTILL DURING IDLE. THERE IS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CONSTRUCTION WORKER JACKHAMMERING ABOUT 1 BLOCK AWAY WITH THE WINDOWS UP. IT CAN ALSO BE DESCRIBED AS A HELICOPTER HOVERING OVERHEAD AT AROUND 200-300 FEET. YOU CAN ONLY HEAR IT FROM INSIDE THE CAB. I SHOULD HAVE NOTICED THIS DURING THE TEST DRIVE, EXCEPT THAT THE RADIO WAS ON AND THERE WERE NO TIGHT STEERING SITUATIONS. I WAS TOLD THAT BOTH OF THESE ITEMS ARE NORMAL BY THE GMC DEALER. BE SURE TO TEST OUT THESE TWO SCENARIOS WHEN TEST DRIVING. TOO LATE FOR ME, AND UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT BUT WOULD RATHER NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10662902

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.