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U.S. public vehicle records

2013 Gmc TERRAIN problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

364 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

77,550 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 241 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 197 of 364 complaints (54.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation4612.6%
Transmission and shifting226.0%
Braking behavior154.1%
Electrical and battery issues154.1%
Steering behavior154.1%
Fuel system concerns71.9%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
197
Visibility/Wiper
50
Power Train
42
Unknown Or Other
25
Electrical System
21
Fuel/Propulsion System
21
Air Bags
19
Steering
14
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine197
Visibility/Wiper50
Power Train42
Unknown Or Other25
Electrical System21
Fuel/Propulsion System21
Air Bags19
Steering14

Engine: 197; Visibility/Wiper: 50; Power Train: 42; Unknown Or Other: 25; Electrical System: 21; Fuel/Propulsion System: 21; Air Bags: 19; Steering: 14

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
31
25,000 to 49,999
29
50,000 to 74,999
57
75,000 to 99,999
55
100,000 to 149,999
57
150,000 and above
12
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00031
25,000 to 49,99929
50,000 to 74,99957
75,000 to 99,99955
100,000 to 149,99957
150,000 and above12

Under 25,000: 31; 25,000 to 49,999: 29; 50,000 to 74,999: 57; 75,000 to 99,999: 55; 100,000 to 149,999: 57; 150,000 and above: 12

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (57). 123 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2013
10
2014
17
2015
7
2016
34
2017
34
2018
37
2019
68
2020
36
2021
37
2022
33
2023
26
2024
15
2025
7
2026
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
201310
201417
20157
201634
201734
201837
201968
202036
202137
202233
202326
202415
20257
20263

2013: 10; 2014: 17; 2015: 7; 2016: 34; 2017: 34; 2018: 37; 2019: 68; 2020: 36; 2021: 37; 2022: 33; 2023: 26; 2024: 15; 2025: 7; 2026: 3

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 46 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 22 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10595500 · 2014-06-02 (June 2, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE STOPPED ON AN INCLINE AND PRESSURE WAS RELEASED FROM THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,945.

Owner-reported narrative. 14,945 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595500 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10808391 · 2015-12-04 (December 4, 2015)

GMC TERRAIN HESITATES IN SHIFTING BETWEEN GEARS. TACHOMETER SHOWS ENGINE SPEEDS UP BETWEEN SHIFTS, CAUSING A STALL/ LEARCH FORWARD BETWEEN SHIFTING HAPPENS MORE WHEN WARM THEN WHEN COLD. HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY AFTER TRANSMISSION IS WARMED UP.

Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10808391 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10650621 · 2014-10-28 (October 28, 2014)

I NOTICE MY CAR WAS JERKING A LITTLE SO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, THE SERVICE GUY TOLD ME I NEED MY AIR INDUCTION CLEAN (COST WILL BE OVER $200), THIS CLEANING HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE ONLY HAD MY VEHICLE FOR A YEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS CLEANING, REALLY. SHOULD THIS BE COVERED ON WARRANTY. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING A RECALL ON VEHICLE WITH E85 FUEL SYSTEM, SO CALL THE NEAREST DEALER AND SEE IF MY VEHICLE IS COVER. MY QUESTION IS: DOES THE E85 HAVE ANY…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10650621 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10662902 · 2014-12-08 (December 8, 2014)

I HAD JUST PURCHASED THE 2013 GMC TERRAIN DENALI AND NOTICED THAT IT HAS A BOGGING SENSATION IN THE STEERING AT IDLE WHEN TURNING. IT FEELS LIKE THE STEERING IS GOING TO CUT OUT - ALMOST LIKE NOT FULLY ENGAGING THE CLUTCH ON A MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN THE ENGINE IS ABOUT TO DIE. VERY NOISY AND ANNOYING IN THE TIGHT PARKING GARAGE WHEN YOU HAVE TO TURN THE STEERING AT A STANDSTILL DURING IDLE. THERE IS A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH THAT SOUNDS LIKE A CONSTRUCTION WORKER JACKHAMMERING ABOUT 1 BLOCK AWAY WITH THE WINDOWS UP. IT CA…

Owner-reported narrative. 32,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10662902 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10504074 · 2013-03-22 (March 22, 2013)

WHEN I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AT STOP SIGN I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS VERY BADLY PLACED SO MY FOOT MISSED THE BRAKE AND I WENT THRU THE STOP SIGN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. (FORTUNATELY,I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE OUT OF THE ONCOMING LANE) OVER THE FOLLOWING WEEK, MY FOOT HAD TO RELEARN THE POSITION OF THE PEDAL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THIS WAS A RENTAL CAR. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504074 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10509266 · 2013-04-23 (April 23, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10509266 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10663729 · 2014-12-11 (December 11, 2014)

AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 30 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE DRIVER SIDE TAILLIGHT. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE DETERMINED BY THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS FAULTY ELECTRICAL WIRING. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 32,299 miles reported. Look up ODI 10663729 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10668841 · 2014-12-29 (December 29, 2014)

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

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10668841 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10512577 · 2013-05-17 (May 17, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE ACCELERATED TO PASS A VEHICLE ON THE LEFT WHEN THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRAULIC STEERING, WHICH WAS DESIGNED TO PERFORM IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT DID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANU…

Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512577 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10550068 · 2013-10-29 (October 29, 2013)

WAS DRIVING TOWARDS A ON RAMP TO A HIGHWAY WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. SERVICE LIGHT CAME (SERVICE POWER STEELING). COULD STILL STEER, BUT VERY DIFFICULT. DROVE HOME AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. THEY EXAMINED IT THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. STEERING WAS NOW FINE! TWO WEEKS LATER THE SAME INCIDENCE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH ON A 4 LANE CITY ROAD. VEHICLE IS TO BE TAKEN IN THIS WEEK FOR MORE TESTING OF ELECTRONIC ECM BOARD. EVEN THOUGH VEHICLE IS STILL DRIVABLE, IT STARTLES THE DRIVER AND IS VERY UNSAFE. DO NOT FEEL SAFE LETTIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,871 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550068 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10904880 · 2016-09-09 (September 9, 2016)

WE LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND THE CARB FUEL PUMP NOZZLES ARE CUMBERSOME BEASTS. BUT THE NOZZLE POPS OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER WHEN PLACED ON AUTO-FILL AT 4 OUT OF 5 GAS STATIONS. IT'S DANGEROUS WHEN IT POPS OUT AND FALLS ON THE GROUND SOMETIMES PUMPING GAS ALL OVER. I TOOK THE TERRAIN TO THE DEALER AND OF COURCE THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WHAT GIVES AND WHAT'S THE FIX?

Owner-reported narrative. 44,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10904880 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11053455 · 2017-12-08 (December 8, 2017)

THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH MAKES ME THINK THIS CAR WAS A LEMON, UNREPORTED BY ORIGINAL OWNER, OR IN A FLOOD; 1ST, THE REAR HATCH STRUTS WERE TOTALLY RUSTED OUT AND INOPERABLE (REINFORCING MY FLOOD THOUGHT.) 2ND, THE VEHICLES MPG IS NOWHERE NEAR THE ADVERTISED 22/32 - I MENTIONED MY CONCERN SEVERAL TIMES TO THE SERVICE DEPT, THE SALES MAN, AND THE CERTIFIED SALE MANAGER; THEIR SOLUTION - THEY RESET THE GAUGE ON THE DASHBOARD! 3RD, WITHIN DAYS OF MY PURCHASE, I NOTICED A KNOCK UNDER MY CAR THAT SOUNDED LIKE AN AXLE WAS GOIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 34,572 miles reported. Look up ODI 11053455 at NHTSA ↗