FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
2013 GMC Terrain AWD
The 2013 GMC Terrain AWD has 3 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 368 owner complaints, and gets about 23 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
SPECS
2013 GMC Terrain AWD at a glance
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.4L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.4 L
- Drivetrain
- All-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic 6-spd
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Fuel
- Regular
Source: EPA / NHTSA vPIC, as of July 10, 2026.
SAFETY RECALLS · NHTSA
3 openVisibility
04/08/2016
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.
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.
Electrical System
05/07/2016
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."
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.
Exterior Lighting
08/03/2022
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."
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.
NHTSA has opened one or more investigations covering this model. Recalls can follow an investigation, so check NHTSA for the latest before you buy.
Open safety recalls are free to fix at any franchised dealer. What recalls mean → Source: NHTSA recalls, as of July 10, 2026. Recalls can be issued any time, confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
OWNER COMPLAINTS · NHTSA
368 filed- 143
ENGINE
Was driving my terrain and suddenly it started to shake and then check engine Light came on. Upon getting out I checked the dipstick and no oil was on dipstick. Start to put oil in and it's running out of the oil pan underneath the vehicle
- 47
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TOOK MY CAR FOR A GMC RECALL AND AFTER WAITING FOR 5 HOURS THEY DIDN'T FIX MY CAR
- 42
POWER TRAIN
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
- 20
AIR BAGS
My airbag indicator lit up and I was not involved in any accident or even a fender bender. After this the engine indicator lit up as well, I had to replace the battery, change spark plugs at the local Firestone. Now I have a problem with th
- 17
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle emissions issue, catalytic converter and engine light. Vehicle is burning oil
- 17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sudden Excessive Oil Consumption, Engine Seized, Oil Pressure Alert Warning Failed to alert driver that the car was bone dry with no oil, and the Information Screen indicated that 25% Oil Life was Remaining, when the car was bone dry with n
Problems owners reported to the government, useful for spotting patterns, not proof any one car has them. What complaints mean → Source: NHTSA complaints, as of July 10, 2026. Owner-submitted reports, not verified diagnoses.
CRASH-TEST RATINGS · NHTSA NCAP
- Overall
- ★★★★☆
- Frontal
- ★★★★☆
- Side
- ★★★★★
- Rollover
- ★★★★☆
Government crash tests of this model; not every trim or year is tested. Source: NHTSA NCAP, as of July 10, 2026.
FUEL & RUNNING COST · U.S. EPA
- Combined
- 23 mpg
- City / Hwy
- 20 / 28
- Est. fuel / yr
- $2,700
- CO₂ / mi
- 381 g
EPA lab estimates; real mpg varies by how you drive. Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov, as of July 10, 2026. Annual cost assumes 15,000 mi/yr at EPA's reference price.
All figures above come from free U.S. government sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, investigations, crash tests) and the EPA (fuel economy and specs). We don't show market price, insurance cost, or proprietary reliability scores, because there's no free, reliable public source for them. For a verdict on a specific listing, with a fair-offer number and what to ask the seller, that's the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Confirm the recalls were fixed
This model has 3 open NHTSA recalls (including the visibility). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
Have a mechanic check the engine
Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
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Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
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Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
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Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
Quick answers
What is recalled on the 2013 GMC Terrain AWD? +
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2013 GMC Terrain AWD, including the visibility. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.
What gas mileage does the 2013 GMC Terrain AWD get? +
The EPA rates the 2013 GMC Terrain AWD at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 28 highway), about $2,700 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2013 GMC Terrain AWD? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2013 GMC Terrain AWD 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2013 GMC Terrain AWD? +
Owners have filed 368 complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 GMC Terrain AWD, including 14 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.
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