2013 GMC Terrain Reliability
The 2013 GMC Terrain has 370 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and visibility / wipers. Compared with nearby Terrain model years (2011–2015), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Terrain's typical year, while the 2014 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
370
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
14
Complaints citing a crash
2
Complaints citing a fire
2013 GMC Terrain complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 model year, filed between 2013 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 198 | 54% |
| Visibility / wipers | 54 | 15% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 44 | 12% |
| Unknown or other | 28 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 6% |
| Air bags | 22 | 6% |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 21 | 6% |
| Steering | 15 | 4% |
2013 GMC Terrain recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2013 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16V502000 | Jul 5, 2016 | 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… |
| 16V582000 | Aug 4, 2016 | Visibility / wipers — 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… |
| 22V137000 | Mar 8, 2022 | 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… |
How the 2013 compares with nearby Terrain years
Verdicts compare these Terrain model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 397 | 4 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2012 | 370 | 4 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2013 (this page) | 370 | 3 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2014 | 302 | 2 | Engine | Solid |
| 2015 | 317 | 3 | Visibility / wipers | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
The 2013 GMC Terrain on the used market
- 27 of 413 2013 GMC Terrain listings in CarWhere's lifespan study showed 200,000 miles or more.
What to check on a used 2013 GMC Terrain
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Visibility: test the wipers at every speed, washers, defrosters and the climate system (fogging is a common complaint).
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2013 GMC Terrain can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2013 GMC Terrain reliability FAQ
Is the 2013 GMC Terrain reliable?
The 2013 GMC Terrain has 370 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and visibility / wipers. Compared with nearby Terrain model years (2011–2015), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Terrain's typical year, while the 2014 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2013 GMC Terrain problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 GMC Terrain are engine (198), visibility / wipers (54), powertrain / transmission (44), unknown or other (28). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2013 GMC Terrain have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2013 GMC Terrain, including 16V502000 (electrical system — ignition) and 16V582000 (visibility / wipers — windshield wiper/washer / motor). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2013 GMC Terrain compare with the 2012 and 2014 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2012 has 370 complaints and 4 recalls (avoid); the 2014 has 302 complaints and 2 recalls (solid). The 2013 has 370 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2013 GMC Terrain?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More GMC Terrain research
Other GMC Terrain model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2013 Terrain, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.