CSR

GMC · NHTSA safety record

2013 GMC Terrain

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 364 safety complaints about the 2013 GMC Terrain with the US government. Of those, 14 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire, 25 people were injured and 1 death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 197 complaints, 54% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 77,550 miles, the median across the 241 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers March 2013 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

364 complaints on file

364

Complaints

14

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

25

People injured

1

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints fell 40% year on year: 6 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 10 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 197 · 54%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 50 · 14%
POWER TRAIN 44 · 12%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 25 · 7%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 22 · 6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 21 · 6%
AIR BAGS 19 · 5%
STEERING 14 · 4%
STRUCTURE 13 · 4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11 · 3%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 10 · 3%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 8 · 2%
0 81 162

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 364.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 68.

72 54 36 18
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2013 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2013 GMC TERRAIN, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 17.4% 19.1%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

22V137000 · March 8, 2022

The 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."
The risk
The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

General Motors, LLC · up to 740,581 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

16V582000 · August 4, 2016

The 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.
The risk
Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 367,808 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

16V502000 · July 5, 2016

The 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."
The risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 8,367 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness

1 death · 2 injured · crash · towed

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 longer attached to the car seat. Child sustained fatal injuries from this crash.

NHTSA complaint 11624467. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

3 injured

THE HATCH BACK DOOR THAT LEFTS UP BY A TOUCH OF A BUTTON CAME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD WHILE PUTTING IN THE GROCERIES. THE NEXT TIME IT CAME DOWN ON MY FINGERS. ALSO CAME DOWN ON MY DAUGHTERS BACK. ALL THE TIME WITHOUT WARNING. IT LEFTS UP JUST FINE BUT IT COMES CRASHING DOWN AT ANY TIME. I TOOK IT TO GMC DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE OIL WAS LIKING FROM THE LEFT SIDE TERRAIN LIFT GATE TAILGATE HATCH-ACTUATOR 23432304. PART NUMBER 23432304 FOR 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THIS COULD SERIOUSLY HURT SOMEONE. I HAVE TURN MINE TO OFF AND HAVE TO LIFT IT MANUALLY. NO FUN. IT'S HEAVY.

NHTSA complaint 10928900. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

3 injured · 45,000 miles

MY CAR SINCE DAY ONE STEERING WHEELS LOCKS UP CONSTANTLY, THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP YOU THE WORST IS THE ENGINES BATTERY WHICH IS LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT CONSTANTLY SAYS I HAVE NO POWER IT WILL TURN ON SEVERAL CODES AND THE START IDLING THE RPMS GO UP LIKE YOUR PRESS G THE GAS BUT YOU NOT THEN YOU STALL YOU CAN BE GOING 70 OR 20 MPH AND IT WILL JUST STALL WITH NO WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL AND I LOSE TRACTION IN REGULAR ROADS IN PERFECT WEATHER. I CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE MY AIRBAGS I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE SERVICES A MILLION TIMES THEY ALWAYS SAY NOTHING IS WRONG ALSO WHEN THE RPMS OR GOING UP.AND DOWN I LOSE ALL HEADLIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME AT NIGHT SO MANY TIMES. THIS

NHTSA complaint 11165320, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

3 injured · 60,771 miles

AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE TWO WEEKS LATER I DEVELOPED A VERY SERIOUS SKIN RASH ON MY FACE AND NECK AND SEVERE HEALTH ISSUES CAUSING ME TO HAVE CARDIAC ARREST SYMPTOMS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL FOR THE PAST 11 MONTHS MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL AND MY DOG IS ALSO DYING FROM THE SAME SYMPTOMS. MY SITUATION IS LIFE OR DEATH AT THIS MOMENT AND MY CONDITION IS UNKNOWN AND I'M NOT SURE IF I WILL SURVIVE

NHTSA complaint 11308401. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY
The paint on top of these kind of vehicles is peeling off tremendously, I've seen several vehicles like the same model& make in my neighborhood that have the same issues like mine with the paint coming off from the top of the vehicle. It's so badd to where it's corroding from the paint coming off!!!

NHTSA complaint 11758788. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS

177,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the metal base of the seatbelt of the driver side has become exposed. The contact stated area looks frayed and deteriorated. The contact stated that is coming apart and has affected the seatbelt function. The local dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

NHTSA complaint 11745090. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
The exhaust and emissions system appears to have failed or is malfunctioning, including the catalytic converter and potentially the exhaust manifold or upstream exhaust components. The engine and fuel/propulsion system are also affected, as evidenced by sputtering and drivability issues. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. Exhaust and/or fuel fumes enter the passenger cabin, particularly when the heater or air conditioning is operating. This creates a risk of exposure to harmful exhaust gases, including potential carbon monoxide, which poses a serious health and safety risk to vehicle occupants. The vehicle also sputters and hesitates, which could

NHTSA complaint 11709455, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Was driving my terrain and suddenly it started to shake and then check engine Light came on. Upon getting out I checked the dipstick and no oil was on dipstick. Start to put oil in and it's running out of the oil pan underneath the vehicle. Towed it home removed oil pan and engine parts laying shattered in bottom. Never got a low oil alert . Had codes misfire and knock sensor.

NHTSA complaint 11704787. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

200,000 miles

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop or shifting into reverse, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park(P) to regain motive power. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA complaint 11694674. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
My 2013 GMC Terrain suddenly began to jerk as I was heading to run an errand in town. I pulled my truck back in the drive way at [XXX] where it is parked now. I had a mechanic to come and tell me the engine will need to be replaced and an estimate of the cost to repair it. I could have been rear ended by another vehicle since this suddenly occurred with no prior warning which could result in my death. I have contacted GMC due to a recall on the engine. GMC is declining to honor my request repair my vehicle based on the estimate I provided. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11687954. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the GMC Terrain

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2026 33 1 —
2024 49 1 —
2023 39 2 —
2022 60 2 —
2021 36 2 —
2020 197 2 —
2019 185 3 —
2018 223 5 —
2017 134 1 —
2016 152 2 —
2015 297 3 —
2014 296 2 —
2012 364 4 —
2011 386 4 —
2010 290 3 —

Other 2013 GMC models

Every GMC on this site — 149 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst