This service bulletin provides information on proper use of floor mats.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 GMC Terrain body problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 GMC Terrain have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the body at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Terrain | 6 |
| 2011 Terrain | 7 |
| 2012 Terrain | 9 |
| 2013 Terrain (this page) | 11 |
| 2014 Terrain | 4 |
| 2015 Terrain | 9 |
| 2016 Terrain | 3 |
| 2017 Terrain | 3 |
What stands out
Of the 8 model years of GMC Terrain we track for body problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body 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 bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Concerns or Questions Regarding Installation of Dealer Installed Accessories.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel which may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on Paintless Dent Repair Process.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 GMC Terrain shows patterns of multiple body and structural failures. The most dangerous issue is the liftgate: hydraulic struts fail and no longer hold it open, causing it to close unexpectedly or collapse while someone is leaning into the cargo area. The mechanism also lacks an automatic safety reversal feature if a child or object is in the path—owners report having to pull hard to stop it from closing on them. One owner noted this started around 86,000 miles; another at 12 months of ownership.
Corrosion is pervasive and aggressive. Owners report extreme rust on the frame, rocker panels, rear bumper support, and subframe—bad enough at 91,000 and 141,000 miles to fail vehicle inspections and require part replacement. The rear hatch itself develops perforating corrosion, and GM refused warranty repair on one vehicle.
Water intrusion is another common complaint. Taillight access hole sealing tape fails, allowing water into the trunk and rear floorboards. Road salt accumulates inside door cavities, raising rust concerns. One owner also reported a windshield that makes popcorn-like cracking sounds in cold weather, though the dealer could not reproduce it.
Failure modes owners describe
Liftgate hydraulic strut failure
Rear liftgate hydraulic cylinders lose pressure and fail to hold the gate open, causing it to close unexpectedly or gradually collapse while in use. This creates a pinch/strike hazard for anyone leaning into the cargo area.
When: Starts after approximately 12 months of ownership; failure around 86,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate closes unexpectedly after opening; Gate closes gradually or slowly when held open; Gate will close on occupants/children if not actively held; No warning lamps
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired in any of the narratives provided
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case (narrative #6); no recall or TSB mentioned
Frame and structural corrosion
Frame, rocker panels, rear bumper support, and e-brake cable mounting bracket develop severe corrosion, rendering the vehicle unable to pass inspection. Rust also appears on rear hatch and subframe.
When: At approximately 91,276 miles and 141,388 miles; widespread in vehicle lifetime
Symptoms owners cite: Extreme corrosion on frame; Rocker panel corrosion; Rear bumper support corrosion; E-brake cable mounting bracket corrosion; Subframe rust requiring replacement; Rear hatch perforating corrosion; Vehicle fails inspection due to rust severity
Repairs/costs cited: Frame/rocker/bumper support replacement needed; subframe replacement needed; hatch repair refused by dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls or TSBs mentioned; GM refused warranty repair on hatch corrosion despite vehicle being under warranty
Water intrusion into cargo area and doors
Water enters the rear cargo area and accumulates inside door cavities and trunk well due to failed taillight access hole sealing tape and possible door seal degradation.
When: Ongoing issue; observed during routine inspection and in winter months
Symptoms owners cite: Rear floorboards and trunk well full of water; Water running down rear pillars; Snow, mud, and road dirt accumulating inside door bottoms up to interior panel; Access hole tape failure at taillights
Repairs/costs cited: Taillight access hole tape replacement needed
Windshield popping/cracking noise in cold
Windshield produces audible popcorn-like cracking sounds in cold temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, continuing until the vehicle warms up.
When: Started right after purchase in January 2013; recurs every winter
Symptoms owners cite: Popcorn-like cracking sounds from windshield; Occurs when outside temperature falls below 40 degrees; Continues while driving until interior heats up
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to reproduce or diagnose; no repair attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner sent video to GMC; no documented response
Liftgate automatic close feature hazard
Rear liftgate remote opening function will close unexpectedly, and the liftgate lacks an anti-pinch safety feature to reverse or stop closing if an object or child is in the closing path. Manual intervention is required to force it open.
When: At approximately 86,000 miles; occurred repeatedly for four months
Symptoms owners cite: Liftgate opens remotely then closes unexpectedly; No automatic reversal if object/child in closing path; Requires manual pulling force to stop and reverse closure; Pinch/strike hazard to children
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no documented response or recall
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body 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 body problem on the 2013 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 91,611 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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.