2013 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
93/100
#2 most-complained of 16 Terrain years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2013 GMC Terrain has 364 complaints and a complaint index of 93, the second-worst year (out of 16) for this model. Engine problems dominate at 57% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 91,000, plus 3 recalls including one for wiper module corrosion.
- Complaints
- 364
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 25 / 1
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 26 hwy
Top 2013 GMC Terrain problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine206 (57%)
- Visibility & Wipers53 (15%)
- Transmission & Powertrain44 (12%)
- Electrical System31 (9%)
- Other29 (8%)
- Fuel System23 (6%)
- Airbags19 (5%)
- Structure & Body17 (5%)
- Steering14 (4%)
- Brakes13 (4%)
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy during moderate-to-severe collisions, including highway impacts at 40 mph or higher.
- Owners describe brake pedals that fail or are hard to reach, in one case causing the driver to miss the pedal at a stop sign.
- Some vehicles reportedly accelerated on their own at low speed while parking, leading to a collision.
- Electrical wiring issues have reportedly caused fires at the taillight and near the driver's seat after remote starting.
- ABS reportedly engaged and prevented braking on a downhill gravel road at low speed.
2013 GMC Terrain recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 GMC Terrain reliable?
- Compared with other Terrain model years, 2013 ranks poorly. NHTSA data show 364 complaints and a complaint index of 93, making it the second-worst of 16 model years, with an 'Avoid' verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 GMC Terrain?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 57% of complaints (206 total), with a median mileage at failure of 91,000.
- Does the 2013 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Terrain, covering headlight glare, wiper module ball-joint corrosion, and an electrical park lock issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2013 Terrain compare to the 2014 or 2016 model?
- The 2013 Terrain has a complaint index of 93 versus 73 for 2014 and 40 for 2016. Both later years carry better verdicts, 'Caution' and 'Good' respectively, than the 2013's 'Avoid'.