TireKick

Verdict

2013 GMC Terrain: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2013 GMC Terrain — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

More reported complaints than most SUV.

Owners filed 363 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 78% of 2013 SUVs. Engine leads the reports (39%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2013 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

363

Reports to NHTSA, 2013

Safety recalls

3

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

21.5

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

More complaints than 78% of 2013 SUVs

The bar is this car's percentile among 2013 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Engine issues lead owner complaints (39% of 363 reports), followed by visibility/wiper (13%).

Engine39% · 143 reports
Visibility/Wiper13% · 47 reports
Power Train12% · 42 reports
Air Bags5% · 17 reports
Electrical System4% · 16 reports
Unknown Or Other4% · 16 reports
Steering4% · 14 reports
Structure3% · 11 reports

+ 16 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 363 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11422003, ODI 11704787, ODI 11694674, ODI 11687954, ODI 11643011.

Recalls(3)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Exterior LightingAug 2022 · 22V137000Details +

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.

Electrical SystemMay 2016 · 16V502000Details +

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.

VisibilityApr 2016 · 16V582000Details +

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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2013 GMC Terrain SUV FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2013 GMC Terrain SUV AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Terrain FWD2.4L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive223126
Terrain FWD2.4L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive223126
Terrain AWD2.4L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive202823
Terrain AWD2.4L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive202823
Terrain FWD3.6L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive172420
Terrain FWD3.6L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive172420
Terrain AWD3.6L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive162319
Terrain AWD3.6L 6-cylAll-Wheel Drive162319

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

These are affiliate links. TireKick may earn a fee if you use one.

Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2013 GMC Terrain: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2013 GMC Terrain?

Owners filed 363 NHTSA complaints about the 2013 GMC Terrain — more complaints than 78% of comparable 2013 SUVs, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2013 GMC Terrain?

The most-reported problem areas are Engine (39% of complaints) and visibility/wiper (13%).

How many recalls does the 2013 GMC Terrain have?

3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2013 GMC Terrain, covering components such as exterior lighting. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2013 GMC Terrain get?

The EPA rates the 2013 GMC Terrain between 19 and 26 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.