2013 GMC Terrain
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 205 of 364 complaints (56%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed held steady at 364 in both 2012 and 2013.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | vs. 2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | 19–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–468 | 342–468 | 347–481 | 347–476 | 347–481 | |
| Complaints filed | 386 | 364 | 364 | 296 | 297 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 17 | 14 | 7 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 24 | 19 | 25 | 8 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2013 GMC Terrain have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2013 GMC Terrain?
Engine: 205 of 364 NHTSA complaints (56%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2013 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates it 19–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 GMC Terrain?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 381 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 381 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 347 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 457 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 347 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 454 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 481 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 481 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 205 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 23 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 22 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Brakes | 13 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 14 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 22 | 11 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 63 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 28 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 22V137000 · Mar 8, 2022
Defect: 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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR · Campaign 16V582000 · Aug 4, 2016
Defect: 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 windshield wipers becoming inoperative.
Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, dealers will repair the AIP-hole, inspect and, if necessary, replace the front wiper module, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2017. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 25302.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION · Campaign 16V502000 · Jul 5, 2016
Defect: 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 Buick Regal, 2013-2014 Buick Verano, 2011-2016 Chevrolet Cruze, 2010-2013 Chevrolet Equinox 2013-2015 Chevrolet Malibu, and 2011-2013 GMC Terrain vehicles may have been serviced with similar defective replacement electronic park lock levers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention."
Consequence: If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and if necessary replace the key cylinder lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Buick 1-800-521-7300, and GMC 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 50490 and 50491.