2013 Gmc Terrain problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (142) · Visibility/Wiper (50) · Power Train (38)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Terrain model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
241 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Exterior Lighting:headlights 2022-03-08 · campaign 22V137000 · 740,581 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2016-08-04 · campaign 16V582000 · 367,808 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:ignition 2016-07-05 · campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles
Defect: 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 lever
Risk: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,935)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-19 · PIP6113 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code p0191 and may also set p0172. the diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. if it is not an origi
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,935 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-22 · Structure:body“the paint on top of these kind of vehicles is peeling off tremendously, i've seen several vehicles like the same model& make in my neighborhood that have the same issues like mine with the paint coming off from the top of the vehicle. it's so badd to where it's corroding from the paint coming off!!!…”
2026-06-18 · Seat Belts · 177,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 gmc terrain. the contact stated that the metal base of the seatbelt of the driver side has become exposed. the contact stated area looks frayed and deteriorated. the contact stated that is coming apart and has affected the seatbelt function. the local dealer was not contacted about the failure. the manufacturer was not ma…”
2026-01-07 · Power Train“the exhaust and emissions system appears to have failed or is malfunctioning, including the catalytic converter and potentially the exhaust manifold or upstream exhaust components. the engine and fuel/propulsion system are also affected, as evidenced by sputtering and drivability issues. the vehicle and affected components are available for inspect…”
2025-12-12 · Engine“was driving my terrain and suddenly it started to shake and then check engine light came on. upon getting out i checked the dipstick and no oil was on dipstick. start to put oil in and it's running out of the oil pan underneath the vehicle. towed it home removed oil pan and engine parts laying shattered in bottom. never got a low oil alert . had c…”
2025-10-21 · Engine · 200,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while coming to a complete stop or shifting into reverse, the vehicle lost automotive power. the check engine warning light was illuminated. in addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park(p) to regain motive power. the local dealer was not contacted. the vehicle wa…”
2025-09-17 · Engine“my 2013 gmc terrain suddenly began to jerk as i was heading to run an errand in town. i pulled my truck back in the drive way at [xxx] where it is parked now. i had a mechanic to come and tell me the engine will need to be replaced and an estimate of the cost to repair it. i could have been rear ended by another vehicle since this suddenly oc…”
2025-08-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 88,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. the contact also stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle lost automotive power. the vehicle was able to be restarted. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnos…”
2025-05-28 · Power Train · 172,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 gmc terrain. the contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the transmission failed to shift as needed. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped and stalled. there were no warning lights illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that …”
2025-02-16 · Engine“oil consumption rate was too high, roughly 2qts every 1500miles. caused timing chain to break. second time with the oil consumption. first fix under 100k mile warranty checked off as recall. it was done before a recall came out. paying for timing chain to get fixed but recommended a new engine. prefer gmc to replace engine since it's an ongoing iss…”
2025-01-28 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2013 gmc terrain. the contact stated that when slowing down to come to a stop, the vehicle was jumping and hesitating, causing the contact to shift into neutral(n) to stop the vehicle and prevent the vehicle from shaking. there was a fuel odor that smelled like rotten eggs. the check engine warning light was intermittently illumi…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.