Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 GMC TerrainRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 370 owner complaints for the 2013 GMC Terrain. Most complaints involve engine (198) and visibility/wiper (50). The EPA rates it 19–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–26mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Mar 2022
Owner complaints
370
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Mar 8, 2022NHTSA 22V137000

Visibility: windshield wiper

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Aug 4, 2016NHTSA 16V582000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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."

Electrical systemReported Jul 5, 2016NHTSA 16V502000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

370 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2013 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine198
  2. Visibility/wiper50
  3. Power train44
  4. Electrical system23
  5. Air bags22
  6. Fuel/propulsion system21
  7. Steering15
  8. Structure14
  9. Engine and engine cooling11

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Terrain model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2010295
2011397
2012370
2013370
2014302
2015317
2016153
2017135
2018226
2019187
2020197
202136
202288
202341
202455
202513
202633
20271
Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
25
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

198 reports1 crash
“The exhaust and emissions system appears to have failed or is malfunctioning, including the catalytic converter and potentially the exhaust manifold or upstream exhaust components. The engine and fuel/propulsion system are also affected, as evidenced by sputtering and drivability issues. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. Exhaust and/or fuel fumes enter the passenger cabin, particularly when the heater or air conditioning is operating. This creates a risk of exposure to harmful exhaust gases, including potential carbon monoxide, which poses a serious health and safety risk to vehicle occupants. The vehicle also sputters and hesitates, which could lead to unsafe driving conditions, especially in traffic or at highway speeds. Yes. The issue has been confirmed through diagnostic trouble codes indicating catalytic converter efficiency failure. Despite replacement of spark plugs and sensors, the problem continues to recur, indicating an underlying exhaust or emissions system defect rather than routine maintenance. The vehicle has been inspected by service professionals for diagnostic purposes. The manufacturer has not…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 7, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11709455

Visibility/wiper

50 reports
“My 2013 engine blew out, I did an oil change around February and a month later took my vehicle to aamco and they found a gallon of coolant in the engine. None of the warning lights came on prior to this happening at all whatsoever. The oil life was still at 32% with no oil in my engine. All 3 of my windshield wipers as well rotted within the year that I purchased the vehicle. Now I do not have a working vehicle at all whatsoever due to the engine and car not wanting to start. When I put the code reader in when it first happened it told me it was the camshaft sensor so I changed both sensors and all the spark plugs and even bought the crankshaft sensor and it was none of the above until later I found out it was the engine that blew. I have spent so much money on this vehicle it’s ridiculous.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2022Engine, Visibility/wiperODI 11471689

Power train

44 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the transmission failed to shift as needed. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stopped and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a transmission center, which determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and filed a claim. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11663347
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Terrain FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; · Front-Wheel Drive
223126$2,450347
Terrain FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
223126$2,450347
Terrain AWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800381
Terrain AWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV · All-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800381
Terrain FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200457
Terrain FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200454
Terrain AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400481
Terrain AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400481
  • Terrain FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI;
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI;
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI;
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
GMC Terrain SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
4 / 5
GMC Terrain SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 7367Vehicle 7366
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Terrain questions

How many recalls does the 2013 GMC Terrain have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 GMC Terrain problems?

Owners filed 370 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (198), visibility/wiper (50), power train (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 GMC Terrain get?

The EPA rates the 2013 GMC Terrain at 19–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 GMC Terrain?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 GMC Terrain 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026