The same oil and timing chain problems
The 2013 Terrain has the same high complaint rate as 2012, led by oil consumption and wiper recalls.
Updated November 2026 · based on 370 owner complaints and 3 recalls
375 1.7x the Terrain average
3 free to fix at a dealer
Every Terrain year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2013 Terrain
Top problems and what they cost
Oil consumption
Excessive oil use and engine damage.
Fix: Free under special coverage if eligible
Engine
Wiper recall
Wiper failures covered by recall on some cars.
Fix: Free under recall
Visibility and wipers
Recalls
Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2013 GMC Terrain
- Check the oil level.Some engines burn or thin their oil. A low or high level, a gas smell on the dipstick or blue smoke are warning signs, and regular oil changes show the engine was looked after.Owners filed 75 complaints about oil consumption on the 2013 Terrain, one of the worst years for it.
- Confirm wiper recalls by VIN.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2013 Terrain has 3 recalls on record, listed below.
Questions
Is the 2013 GMC Terrain reliable?
The same oil and timing chain problems. The 2013 Terrain has the same high complaint rate as 2012, led by oil consumption and wiper recalls.
How many recalls does the 2013 GMC Terrain have?
3 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2013 GMC Terrain problems?
Oil consumption; Wiper recall.
Crash rating shown for the 2013 GMC Terrain SUV AWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.