The Lemon Index

All cars · GMC Terrain · 2013

2013 GMC Terrain. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index55100 = average car
Complaints68NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold99,525U.S. model year
Per 100K sold68complaints
Year rank#8 of 13#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spdFWD22 / 31 / 26Regular$2,400
2.4L 4-cylAuto 6-spdAWD20 / 28 / 23Regular$2,700
3.6L 6-cylAuto 6-spdFWD17 / 24 / 20Regular$3,100
3.6L 6-cylAuto 6-spdAWD16 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,000 and 102,600 miles. Median 77,600, from 241 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine91,00064,800–113,500133
Wipers & visibility60,00048,000–79,50029
Transmission & drivetrain94,80063,000–117,20032
Electrical47,50033,500–57,50014
Fuel or ev drive system35,80014,800–80,20010

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Wipers & visibility34%
Airbags12%
Engine10%
Fuel or ev drive system9%
Brakes7%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
36414214127

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 22V137000 Mar 2022 Exterior Lighting / Headlights

    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."

    Risk. 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.

  • 16V582000 Aug 2016 Visibility / Windshield Wiper/Washer / Motor

    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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 16V502000 Jul 2016 Electrical System / Ignition

    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 Sta

    Risk. 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.

Manufacturer communications 1936

GMC filed 1936 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Engine shudder upon stopping
  • The engine may be leaking from the front cover or oil filter adapter
  • Cadillac/buick/saturn/pontiac/chevrolet/ gmc: due to an abnormal engine noise or internal by…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
GMC Terrain SUV AWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
GMC Terrain SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2010755060,519Engine
2011878483,179Transmission & drivetrain
2012363897,786Airbags
2013556899,525Wipers & visibility
20144248105,016Electrical
20154852112,030Wipers & visibility
2016323187,925Wipers & visibility

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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