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
2013 GMC Terrain electrical problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 16 electrical complaints filed for the 2013 GMC Terrain, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 GMC Terrain has widespread electrical system failures affecting the center console, instrument panel, radio/touchscreen, fuse box, and warning systems. Owners report repeated repair attempts that don't hold, safety hazards from stalling and failed warning lights, and at least one fire caused by faulty wiring—look hard at any used example and get a thorough electrical diagnostic before buying.
Owners of the 2013 GMC Terrain describe a pattern of electrical failures that recur even after repair. The center console and climate control frequently lose power, with some owners making three or more dealer trips for radio module, display, and HVAC assembly replacements—yet the same failures return. The instrument panel darkens or shorts out while driving, killing gauges and warning lights; one owner reported all dash indicators illuminating at once at highway speed, and another experienced a similar event at 55 mph.
Radio and touchscreen screens power off without warning while driving or fail to turn on at startup, sometimes coming back on miles later on their own. Control panel lights malfunction intermittently—too bright, too dim, or unlit—with the brightness knob becoming unresponsive. One owner cited over 20 such incidents in a year but couldn't get a dealer to replace the panel due to intermittent nature.
Engine stalling and hesitation appear linked to electrical system issues, with owners reporting the vehicle shuts down at traffic lights, on corners, and at highway speeds. A critical failure: the oil pressure warning and information display does not alert owners to dangerously low or zero oil levels, showing false remaining oil life while the engine seizes. One vehicle also caught fire at the driver-side taillight while parked, with fire department determining the cause to be faulty electrical wiring. Front collision sensors have activated falsely, causing unwanted braking.
Same GMC Terrain electrical reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Center Console and HVAC Control Module Failure
The radio control module, display, and HVAC control assembly fail intermittently or completely, disabling climate control, radio, navigation, and panel illumination. Owners report repeated dealer visits for replacement of the radio control module, display/info screen, radio control assembly, and HVAC module, with persistent recurrence of the same failures.
When: 33,956 miles; began August 2018
Symptoms owners cite: Center console loses power while driving; Radio controls unresponsive; cannot turn off, adjust volume, or change station; Climate control (heating, air conditioning, defrost) becomes inoperative; Navigation system fails; Panel illumination fails; Failures occur intermittently and persist after multiple repair attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers replaced radio control module, radio control display/info screen, radio control assembly, and programmed HVAC module. Vehicle remained inoperative despite multiple repairs over three dealer visits (August-September 2018).
Instrument Panel Electrical Shorts and Gauge/Warning Light Failure
The instrument panel shorts out or goes dark, causing all gauges, warning indicators, and display functions to stop working. Owners report the panel darkens while driving and returns to normal only after vehicle restart. Some complaints describe all instrument panel indicators illuminating simultaneously, preventing radio and fuel gauge operation.
When: 48,000–55,000 miles; various dates
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel darkens or shorts out without warning; All gauges and warning indicators become inoperative; Fuel gauge stops working; Service engine light illuminates; All dashboard indicators light up simultaneously in some cases; Panel returns to normal only after vehicle restart
Codes mentioned: P0496, P0171, P0174
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealers found diagnostic codes related to EVAP system pressure but stated more testing would be needed. No repairs were completed in the narratives provided.
Radio and Touchscreen Screen Power Loss
The radio and touchscreen display power off without warning while driving or shut off unexpectedly. The screen may remain off for several miles before powering back on without user input, or fail to power on at all. Issues occur intermittently.
When: Various mileages; recurring over extended periods
Symptoms owners cite: Radio screen powers off without warning while driving; Touchscreen does not come on after vehicle startup; Screen powers on spontaneously after being off for several miles; Backup camera screen fails to operate; Failures recur numerous times
Control Panel Illumination and Brightness Malfunction
The control panel below the radio and the odometer/radio panel lights malfunction intermittently, failing to illuminate or becoming too bright or too dim. The brightness control knob does not respond when the panel is in these abnormal states. Seat heater button light fails to illuminate, and the A/C engages unexpectedly.
When: Multiple incidents over one-year period (specific mileage unknown)
Symptoms owners cite: Control panel below radio not illuminated at times; Odometer/radio panel lights too bright or too dim; Brightness control knob does not work; Seat heater light does not illuminate when button pressed; Cannot turn seat heater off; A/C kicks on unexpectedly when automatic climate control not in use; Control panel spontaneously lights up after vehicle parked for hours
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealers refuse to replace control panel due to intermittent nature of failures.
Engine Stalling and Fuel System Electrical Issues
The engine stalls while driving at various speeds or at traffic lights. Owners report hesitation and failure to engage gear properly. One owner reported water-in-fuel symptoms, but dealer replacement of fuel sensors did not resolve the stalling. Engine diagnostic computer shows no codes, making diagnosis difficult. Heater and radio also fail to work in these cases.
When: Various mileages; some issues began at 53,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving, turning corners, or at stop lights; Vehicle shuts off unexpectedly; Hesitation and stumbling, simulating water in gas; Failure to engage gear properly at stops; Radio freezes or becomes non-functioning; Heater does not work; Engine light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $1,000 for timing chain repair; heater and radio required separate attention. Fuel sensors were replaced in one case without resolving stalling.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner reported opening at least 7 cases with GM regarding engine stalling.
Front Collision Alert Sensor False Activation
The front collision alert sensor illuminates and causes the vehicle to decrease speed without the driver triggering the feature or an actual collision threat being present. Failures occur repeatedly while driving at highway speeds.
When: As early as 500 miles; recurred by 8,033 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front collision alert sensor illuminates unexpectedly; Vehicle decreases in speed without driver input; Failure recurs on several occasions
Repairs/costs cited: Private mechanic stated vehicle was working properly; no repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer was contacted.
Fuse Box/Circuit Board Failure in Engine Compartment
The circuit board in the fuse box under the hood fails, which controls multiple vehicle features including the A/C system. Replacement is difficult and costly.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: A/C stops working; Multiple vehicle features controlled by this circuit board fail
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic replaced the circuit board in the fuse box. Repair cost was $461.00. Owner noted difficulty in locating replacement part.
Faulty Electrical Wiring—Vehicle Fire
The vehicle caught fire while parked, determined by police and fire department to be caused by faulty electrical wiring at the driver-side taillight.
When: After 30 minutes of parking (unknown mileage)
Symptoms owners cite: Fire at driver-side taillight
Repairs/costs cited: Fire occurred; cause confirmed as faulty electrical wiring.
Oil Pressure Warning System Failure
The oil pressure alert and information screen fail to warn the driver that the engine oil level is critically low or completely depleted, showing false oil life remaining instead. Owner discovered the engine seized or was bone dry with no oil, and the system had been showing 25% oil life remaining.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Oil pressure warning alert does not activate when oil is critically low or absent; Information screen shows 25% oil life remaining when vehicle has no oil; Engine seized
Repairs/costs cited: Engine required replacement. GM paid for 50% of engine replacement costs; owner states they should have paid 100%.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM paid for partial engine replacement (50%) despite no recall issued.
Shift Interlock and Key Removal System Failure
The key can be removed from the ignition even when the vehicle is not in Park (P), without any warning light or message indicating the shift position. The vehicle can only be started in Park, creating a mismatch between actual shift position and the interlock system.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Key removable from ignition in R, N, D, and M positions; No warning indicator or message that vehicle is not in Park; After key removal, no indication displayed showing vehicle is not in Park
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner contacted GMC; was told their VIN is not included in the recall for this known issue.
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had electrical 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 electrical problem on the 2013 GMC Terrain?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 33,956 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 48,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,956; a quarter make it past 55,000. 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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.