2013 GMC Terrain Electrical System Problems
NHTSA lists 31 electrical system complaints for the 2013 GMC Terrain, 9% of that year's 364 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 47,500. One fire and three injuries were reported, but the electrical recalls on file (headlamp glare and park-lock lever) target other model years, not 2013.
- Electrical System complaints
- 31
- 9% of 364
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 1
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 47,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical electrical symptoms owners report
- Instrument panel gauges, lights, or the entire panel go dark or shut off while driving, sometimes returning after a restart.
- Radio and touchscreen displays freeze, lose power, or turn off and back on unpredictably, including the backup camera feed.
- Daytime running lights or dashboard indicators illuminate intermittently for no apparent reason.
- Owners report the gear selector shifting from drive to neutral on its own and the key becoming stuck in the ignition because it fails to register park.
- A fuse box circuit board under the hood fails and disables multiple systems, including the air conditioning.
- One case describes a fire at the driver-side taillight traced to faulty electrical wiring after the vehicle had been parked.
When 2013 GMC Terrain electrical complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 19, 2013, latest Jul 8, 2024.
Electrical System recalls for the 2013 GMC Terrain
- 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 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.
Electrical System complaints by Terrain model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many electrical complaints does NHTSA have for the 2013 GMC Terrain?
- NHTSA lists 31 electrical system complaints for the 2013 Terrain, which is 9% of the 364 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2013 GMC Terrain electrical system?
- NHTSA shows two electrical system recalls tied to the Terrain, but one covers a headlamp glare issue on 2010-2017 models and the other covers a park-lock lever on 2016-2017 Buick Verano and 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, not the 2013 Terrain specifically.
- At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2013 Terrain?
- The median mileage at failure for electrical system complaints on the 2013 Terrain is 47,500 miles.
- Did the 2013 Terrain's electrical problems cause any fires or injuries?
- NHTSA records one fire and three injuries among the electrical system complaints for the 2013 Terrain, with no crashes reported.
- How does the 2013 Terrain compare to other years for electrical complaints?
- The 2013 Terrain's 31 electrical complaints and 9% share are lower than years like 2010 (53 complaints, 18%) and 2015 (50 complaints, 17%), based on NHTSA data.