VehicleVerdict

2013 GMC Terrain problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 484 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.7 times the median Terrain year — the 2013 model ranks #3 of 17 Terrain years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 45 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 43% of all reports (208 of 484), far ahead of visibility & wipers at 54. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

484

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

45

Injuries

1

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other Terrain years?

Terrain NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted557 complaints2010: 426 complaints2011: 557 complaints2012: 500 complaints2013: 484 complaints2014: 385 complaints2015: 382 complaints2016: 180 complaints2017: 181 complaints2018: 317 complaints2019: 287 complaints2020: 282 complaints2021: 50 complaints2022: 65 complaints2023: 63 complaints2024: 70 complaints2025: 26 complaints2026: 29 complaints
Terrain NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Terrain years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 GMC Terrain problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine20843%
Visibility & Wipers5411%
Transmission449%
Electrical System327%
Other296%
Fuel System235%
Airbags194%
Steering143%
Body & Structure133%
Lighting102%
Brakes71%
Suspension71%
Tires & Wheels71%
Driver Assistance51%
Speed Control51%
Seats41%
Seat Belts20%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2013 GMC Terrain have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

22V137000LightingMarch 8, 2022 · 740,581 units

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."

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.

16V582000Visibility & WipersAugust 4, 2016 · 367,808 units

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.

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.

16V502000Electrical SystemJuly 5, 2016 · 8,367 units

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 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owned a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while attempting to park in a parking lot at 5 mph, the vehicle independently accelerated. As a result, the vehicle ran into a pole. The air bags did deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained some bruising and swelling on her…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 21, 2021 · crash

“2013 GMC TERRAIN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE WINDSHIELD WIPERS MALFUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH THE SAME MODEL PART THAT FAILED. THE CONSUMER IS IN POSSESSION OF THE OLD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · November 29, 2016

“THIS VEHICLE IS CONSUMING OIL AT AN EXCESSIVE RATE. THIS HAS CAUSED OTHER ISSUES SUCH AS SOLENOIDS NEEDING REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS A TIMING CHAIN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONG THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I HAVE TO ADD OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND IF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · November 1, 2020

“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”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 5, 2014 · fire

“Vehicle involved in a significant head on crash. Child was restrained in the right rear in Cosco Easy Elite All in One forward facing car seat. The buckle positioned between the legs failed by ripping through the plastic base of the car seat. The plastic base was damaged and the buckle was no…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · November 4, 2024 · crash

2013 GMC Terrain — common questions

Is the 2013 GMC Terrain reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 484 complaints put the 2013 model at #3 of 17 Terrain years. It is one of the Terrain years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 Terrain problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (208 complaints), visibility & wipers (54 complaints), transmission (44 complaints).

Does the 2013 GMC Terrain have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 GMC Terrain. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Terrain years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Terrain years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010. The cleanest record among Terrain years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2013 GMC Terrain?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 GMC Terrain earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.