What 368 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 GMC Terrain

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 physically inspected the vehicle, and no inspections have been performed by police or insurance representatives to date. The check engine light illuminated prior to and during the issue. Additional symptoms included engine sputtering, loss of smooth acceleration, and a strong exhaust or fuel odor inside the cabin when the HVAC system is in use. These symptoms have recurred over time despite repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11709455

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. Towed it home removed oil pan and engine parts laying shattered in bottom. Never got a low oil alert . Had codes misfire and knock sensor.

NHTSA ODI 11704787

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop or shifting into reverse, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park(P) to regain motive power. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA ODI 11694674

My 2013 GMC Terrain suddenly began to jerk as I was heading to run an errand in town. I pulled my truck back in the drive way at [XXX] where it is parked now. I had a mechanic to come and tell me the engine will need to be replaced and an estimate of the cost to repair it. I could have been rear ended by another vehicle since this suddenly occurred with no prior warning which could result in my death. I have contacted GMC due to a recall on the engine. GMC is declining to honor my request repair my vehicle based on the estimate I provided. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11687954

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.

NHTSA ODI 11663347

Oil consumption rate was too high, roughly 2qts every 1500miles. Caused timing chain to break. Second time with the oil consumption. First fix under 100k mile warranty checked off as recall. It was done before a recall came out. Paying for timing chain to get fixed but recommended a new engine. Prefer GMC to replace engine since it's an ongoing issue. 307373 miles strong and now this.

NHTSA ODI 11643011

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that prior to the vehicle stalling, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The contact stated that one quart of oil was being added every week. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer who added engine oil and was conducting an oil consumption test. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11630895

Excessive oil consumption before first oil change due, bought vehicle used less then month before service due. Vehicle has 102,102 miles oil dipstick showed no oil on dipstick. Bought oil and filled to recommended level 2 days before 1st oil change. Made dealership aware and scheduled a appointment for oil consumption issue.

NHTSA ODI 11618166

I hit a pot hole and a stabilitrack error popped up. Also reduced engine power I was miles from home and could have easily caused a major accident on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11599815

Excessive oil consumption, and had to change out timing belt at 50,000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11595847

The engine locked up due to oil leaking into it. This is a known issue with GM on these model cars but instead of issuing a recall they issued a special warranty that expired leaving consumers with these vehicles to be responsible for this repair which cost over $8,000.

NHTSA ODI 11595939

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that there was compression failure in each cylinder, causing the timing belt to jump timing, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,514.

NHTSA ODI 11593439

2013 GMC Terrain with 109000 miles. Check engine light came on. Drove to local independent repair shop to have codes checked and to have oil changed. Oil was due to be changed at 109000 miles. Repair shop showed oil was down over 3 quarts even though they found no leaks. All engine codes had been set by low oil. They changed oil and filter (twice) and performed complete oil system cleaning and ran diagnostics. They asked my to watch oil consumption and bring it back in 500 miles. The next day, the check engine symbol came back on so I took vehicle back to repair shop. Error codes now all pointed to timing chain problem. It would be $1500 to $2000 to replace timing chain. Vehicle not repaired since I recently had suspension work and also replaced exhaust system.

NHTSA ODI 11585224

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was not able to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and then to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced due to a lack of engine oil. The vehicle was not prepared. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,106.

NHTSA ODI 11563833

When driving vehicle loses power, upon pushing accelerator there is no acceleration and vehicle keeps losing speed. This happens at any given time.

NHTSA ODI 11556635

Catalytic Converter - Available for inspection Safety Risk - Toxic Exhaust gasses and engine failure Problem was diagnosed by independent service center. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance rep...only mechanic that made decision from a diagnostic test Warning Signs: O2 sensors replaced, excessive oil consumption, leaks, fuel pump replaced, check engine light keeps appearing even after cleared, poor acceleration Started seeing signs in 2019 I can provide additional receipts for past repairs once located. The receipt attached from HCS Auto performed a diagnostic on 9/25/23 and again today on 10/2/23. Please contact them to confirm that vehicle will need catalytic convertor.

NHTSA ODI 11547717

My PCV failed the winter of 2021. It blew the rear main. My Terrain has been parked since then.

NHTSA ODI 11541432

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming 1 to 3 quarts of oil for every few miles. The contact stated that the cross member was covered in oil. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the timing chain had jumped and there was no compression in the engine. The contact was informed that the rod bearings were damaged. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.

NHTSA ODI 11540014

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 the theft indicator and the vehicle does not turn on. Several problems have come up since the airbag indicator lit up.

NHTSA ODI 11538197

Massive oil consumption

NHTSA ODI 11530477

Bought my 2013 GMC Terrain SLT in 2017 from Carvana. I did not know there had been low oil issues or catalytic convertor issues that GM had put out a letter to get replaced in 2020. I always had to put oil in it. It just burnt right out. I also replaced 3 catalytic convertors. Fast forward to now 2023, I'm driving and my engine starts knocking loud. It has oil in it at this point. It finally died half way home 52 miles out. I had it towed home and then to a dealer. I find out from them that there was metal intermix with the oil and that this had a warranty for this issue. But... now my vehicle is 10 years old and over 120,000 miles. Now I can't get the warranty because it expired. that's crap! This should be a recall by now considering this has happened to numerous people with this year make and model. I can't spend $9,698.00 on a new engine.

NHTSA ODI 11521378

This vehicle is burning/losing oil. It is full, it will have a greasy substance on the dipstick and oil cap. Then after 1k-12k miles the oil is almost empty. I have had almost 5k in repairs at McLaughlin and they state nothing is wrong, yet I keep having the same issue. I went to key Auto mall and oil looked fine and now it is almost empty again. No oil all over the engine or on the ground. I don't want the engine to blow or have excessive oil changes. What is the remedy to fix this?

NHTSA ODI 11518112

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor throughout the vehicle then the vehicle started to hesitate. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall nor covered under Warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

NHTSA ODI 11515557

Experienced two separate problems with the engine. The first is oil consumption. We have had to add oil almost every month for the past 2-3 years. The second is that the rear main seal blew after an extreme cold snap. While attempting to repair the vehicle we found metal shavings in the oil filter. The vehicle is no longer worth the cost of the repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11515123

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 no oil. FYI - GM paid for 50% on costs of a replaced repurposed engine. And yet there is/was no recall? They should have paid 100%

NHTSA ODI 11511232