YearToAvoid

2013 GMC Terrain Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2013 GMC Terrain ranks 3rd worst of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 87 and 364 complaints, most tied to the engine. NHTSA lists 3 recalls, none do-not-drive, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Terrain years.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
87/100
#3 of 16 Terrain years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
364
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
3
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
14
reported in complaints
Fires
2
Injuries
25
Top issue
Engine
Best nearby year
2021
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 26 hwy
Injuries / deaths
25 / 1

Top 2013 GMC Terrain problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine206 (57%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers53 (15%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain44 (12%)
  4. Electrical System31 (9%)
  5. Other29 (8%)
  6. Fuel System23 (6%)
  7. Airbags19 (5%)
  8. Structure & Body17 (5%)
  9. Steering14 (4%)
  10. Brakes13 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Airbags reportedly fail to deploy during moderate-to-severe front and rear-end collisions, even when seat belts lock and dashboard warning lights indicate deployment.
  • Owners describe brake pedal placement or feel issues that caused missed braking attempts, including one incident where the driver's foot slipped past the pedal and into oncoming traffic.
  • One owner reported the vehicle accelerating on its own while parking at low speed, striking a pole and causing minor injuries.
  • Electrical wiring was blamed for a fire that started near the driver-side taillight after the vehicle had been parked.
  • A separate fire started near the driver's seat area after a remote engine start, producing smoke and a burn hole in the seat.
2013 GMC Terrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter272013 Q12014 Q42016 Q42018 Q32020 Q22022 Q12023 Q42025 Q3
364 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2013 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2019 Q1 (27).

2013 GMC Terrain recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V137000Mar 8, 2022Electrical System740,581 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:headlights

    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.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 16V582000Aug 4, 2016Visibility & Wipers367,808 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    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.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 16V502000Jul 5, 2016Electrical System8,367 vehicles

    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."

    Risk: 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.

2013 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,025
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2013 compared with other Terrain years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2011Avoid100386419.5
2012Avoid93364421.5
2013Avoid87364321.5
2014Good47296221.5
2015Caution60297323

All GMC Terrain years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2013 GMC Terrain reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Terrain ranks 3rd worst out of 16 model years with a complaint index of 87, earning an Avoid verdict compared to other Terrain years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2013 GMC Terrain?
Engine complaints make up 57% of all reports (206 of 364), with a median failure mileage of 91,000 miles, making it the top problem area.
Does the 2013 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Terrain, covering headlight glare, a windshield wiper module ball-joint corrosion issue, and an electronic park lock lever concern. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2013 Terrain compare to other years?
The 2013 model's complaint index of 87 is worse than the 2014 (47, Good) and 2016-2017 (40 and 33, Good) but slightly better than 2011 (100, Avoid).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.