2013 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls & Reliability
484 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2013 GMC Terrain, alongside 3 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 87/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 92,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2013 GMC Terrain sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 2021–2022.
Avoid
Where 2013 sits among all Terrain years
What owners report
“My 2.4 engine has an excessive oil consumption issue. I have to add oil to keep it from blowing the engine. I am the original owner of this vehicle.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Terrain
“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.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Terrain
“The car has oil consumption issues which is causing it to stall. My car stalled while driving in traffic which could very easily cause a bad accident gm is aware of the issue but won't fix it. I am already on my second engine do to this excessive oil consumption.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Terrain
“Vehicle emissions issue, catalytic converter and engine light. Vehicle is burning oil”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Terrain
“The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2013 Terrain
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 308 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 78,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 51,500 and 103,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (3)
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Technical service bulletins
1,934 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2013 GMC Terrain. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
See the 2013 Terrain TSB list →
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2013 GMC Terrain reliable?
The 2013 GMC Terrain drew 484 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 87/100, scored against the model's worst year (2011).
What are the most common 2013 GMC Terrain problems?
The top reported problems for the 2013 GMC Terrain are engine (208 complaints), visibility & wipers (54), and transmission & drivetrain (44).
At what mileage do 2013 GMC Terrain problems show up?
Owners most often report 2013 GMC Terrain problems around 78,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 51,500 and 103,000 miles.
Does the 2013 GMC Terrain have recalls?
3 recall campaigns apply to the 2013 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.