This Preliminary information communication provides information to the technician with diagnostic tips for diagnosing reduced or low engine power with no Driver Information Center messages, that may be caused by an inaccurate brake pedal position sensor.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 GMC Terrain airbags problems
severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
10crashes
12injuries
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Special Coverage (Revised Warranty). Some vehicles equipped with a 2.4L engine (RPO LEA) may exhibit excessive engine oil consumption (less than 2,000 miles [3,200 km] per quart [0.946 L] of engine oil), due to piston ring wear. If this condition is present, an audible rattle or knock from the engine may be heard. The engine oil pressure telltale may illuminate on the instrument panel or the following message may appear in the Driver Information Center: "Oil Pressure Low ? Stop Engine". Dealers are to perform an oil consumption test and install new pistons and piston rings if excessive consumption is found. In addition, dealers are to repair or replace any engine components that require repa
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides information on Passenger Presence System (PPS) May Command Seat Belt Reminder Chime and Passenger Airbag Indicator On or Set DTC B101D When Electronic Devices or Conductive Objects are Placed on Front Passenger Seat
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin provides Information on Passenger Presence Sensing System (PPS or PSS) Concerns with Custom Upholstery, Accessory Seat Heaters or Other Comfort Enhancing Devices
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2013 GMC Terrain describe two main airbag problems.
The first is outright failure to deploy during collisions. Owners report impact speeds ranging from 10 mph (vehicle reversing into a tree) to 60 mph (head-on frontal collision), where airbags either did not deploy at all or deployed partially. One owner involved in a head-on collision at 50 mph sustained injuries serious enough to require hospitalization; another hit from behind at 45 mph reported that the dashboard indicated deployment but the bags never actually inflated. In one rear-impact incident, the curtain side airbags deployed while the driver and passenger frontal bags failed.
The second pattern is an illuminated airbag warning light unrelated to crashes. Owners report the airbag light staying on without any accident involvement, sometimes accompanied by a "Service Airbag" message appearing after minor impacts (such as a deer strike at 45-50 mph that caused radiator damage but no crash). When the warning light comes on, some owners also experience secondary electrical issues—check engine lights, theft indicator problems, transmission hesitation, or starter issues—suggesting possible sensor or wiring faults in the safety system.
Several complaints mention that the dashboard displayed a deployment indicator even when airbags visibly did not inflate, raising questions about sensor accuracy.
Same GMC Terrain airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag non-deployment during frontal collision
Airbags failed to deploy during head-on and frontal-impact crashes at speeds of 40–60 mph, resulting in injury to occupants. In some cases, the dashboard indicated deployment but bags did not actually inflate.
When: During collisions at 40–60 mph; mileage not specified in most narratives
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag inflation despite severe front-end damage; Dashboard may show 'airbags deployed' message despite non-deployment; Occupant injuries from unprotected impact
Codes mentioned: B0001, B0010, B0011
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed total loss in some cases; no repair attempted in others. Dealer was unable to diagnose failure in at least one complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Takata recall mentioned in one narrative (#3) but unclear if applied to this specific failure mode. Manufacturer retained EDR (Event Data Recorder) access in one complaint.
Airbag non-deployment during rear impact
Rear-impact collisions at 40–45 mph resulted in partial deployment (curtain side bags deployed, but frontal bags on driver and passenger sides did not) or complete non-deployment.
When: During rear impacts at 40–45 mph; one incident at approximately 52,396 miles; another vehicle reversed at low speed (10 mph) into tree with non-deployment
Symptoms owners cite: Curtain side airbags deployed while driver and passenger frontal bags failed; Complete airbag non-deployment in low-speed rear impact (10 mph); Occupant injuries (neck and back strain in one case)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled in at least one case; dealer unable to diagnose failure; one vehicle destroyed and towed to body shop without repair attempt.
Airbag warning light illumination without accident
Airbag or 'Service Airbag' warning light illuminates without any collision or accident involvement. Light remains on persistently and does not clear.
When: Varies; one instance after minor deer strike at 45–50 mph (damage limited to grille/radiator, not crash impact)
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light stays on continuously; Service Airbag warning message displayed; No actual collision occurred
Codes mentioned: B0001
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; Firestone work included battery replacement and spark plug changes but did not resolve airbag indicator.
Dashboard false deployment indication
Dashboard displays an airbag deployment message or indicator (illuminated deploy sign or 'airbags deployed' statement) when airbags have not actually inflated.
When: During collisions at 40–60 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard shows 'airbags deployed' or deployment warning despite no actual inflation; Occupants unaware that protection has failed until after impact
Codes mentioned: B0009, B0010
Repairs/costs cited: Indicates sensor or wiring fault; no repair method documented in narratives.
Secondary electrical issues following airbag warning light
After airbag warning light illuminates, owners report secondary electrical faults: check engine light, theft indicator malfunction, transmission hesitation, and failure to start.
When: Not specified; follows airbag light illumination
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminates after airbag light appears; Theft indicator light comes on; Engine hesitation on acceleration; Transmission gets stuck in Drive; requires shift to Park and back to Drive to move; Vehicle does not turn on
Codes mentioned: P0xxx (engine-related, unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement and spark plug changes did not resolve the cascade of problems.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 GMC Terrain?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 GMC Terrain?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 36,000 and 77,550 miles, with the median around 45,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 77,550. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/GMC/Terrain.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.