GMC Terrain problems
362 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
When driving in the rain going through puddles power steering will intermittently stop working.
Driving my 2013 GMC terrein (2.4l) it was about 20 degrees out, a warning light came on that oil pressure is low "stop engine immediately. I pulled over at a gas station and as got out of the car I could see a oil spilling from below the engine. I had it towed to my mechanic and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 GMC terrain. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following day the vehicle would not start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine oil pressure was low and the timing chain had failed. The…
The electrical system has failed to work on a number of occasions. During this time, I have had the user interface screen freeze, not power off and lose services during usage. The electrical panel issues will lead to further complications moving forward. *tr
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 GMC Terrain reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 362 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 GMC Terrain is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 GMC Terrain?
The 2013 GMC Terrain is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 GMC Terrain?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 152 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 95,472 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 95,472 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my GMC Terrain has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 GMC Terrain?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 362 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.