10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,786 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 GMC Terrain engine problems

engine problem

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2013 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 2 of 10)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #169

Jan 162023

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have almost been in 3 accidents. My 2013 Terrain has stalled while driving..Cut off at lights. Engine reduced while driving and massive oil leak that gas caused timing chain and engine failure. I have read other complaints, and this is sad GMC has been allowed to get away with this. These engines are dangerous and need to be replaced before someone looses their life.

- Columbus , OH, USA

problem #168

Dec 152022

Terrain

  • miles
Vehicle stopped running due to timing chain issues at 106,000 miles. Dealer stated the 3.6L V6 is known to not last past 100k miles and they can't do anything. This needs to be a recall as it's a very prevalent problem.

- Greenwood , IN, USA

problem #167

Dec 272022

Terrain

  • miles
I was driving my 2013 GMC Terrain to a friends house, I stopped at a stop light, when I picked up speed, the car stalled and wouldn't get up to speed. Eventually, it did pick up speed. I went to turn into her neighborhood and the same thing happened. Trying to get to the destination, I continued into the neighborhood. I stopped at a stop sign, and when I tried to accelerate, the car died. No indicator lights were engaged. I turned the car off and waited a minute or so and turned it back on. I got to her house, and charged my battery and drove home without issue. The next day, I went to have my battery checked and they alerted me to a horrible oil leak. I had the car towed to the dealership. The next day, the dealership told me that GMC would specifically have to look at the vehicle to diagnose. I had the car towed to my trusted mechanic and he told me the rear main oil seal blew out and found a service bulletin regarding this issue #14882. I made an appointment with the dealership only to find out that this isn't covered under the bulletin, because it expired in November of 2022, and it's not covered under my warranty. The warranty company stated, "if there isn't evidence of moisture in the PCV it would be covered, but since it's a known issue and a consistent problem with the vehicle, it's not covered." So, my only choice is to pay out of pocket for a defective part that will continue to break and cause the rear main oil seal to blow out of the car, potentially putting me and my 9 year old daughter at risk, because GMC isn't acknowledging this issue and recalling the faulty part that is the ROOT of the problem and has been widely reported. There is also a class action lawsuit that is currently open and ongoing (Case 2:22-cv-10785-MAG-JJCG) which is trying to hold GMC responsible for not recalling the part sooner - when they were made aware of it - putting thousands of consumers at risk. It's also fraudulent for this information to not be disclosed at point of sale.

- Chatham, IL, USA

problem #166

Dec 272022

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Was driving vehicle all of a sudden reduce low power engine mode. Sign came on and something about stabilization traction. Not sure exactly what vehicle stalled out will not restart. Also have used too much oil constantly putting oil in one to 2 quarts every two weeks or more.

- New Philadelphia, OH, USA

problem #165

Oct 242022

Terrain

  • miles
While driving on the highway at speed limit 75mph, the vehicle (without warning -???) suddenly went into (Reduced Power Engine Mode/ Service Stabilitrack) jerked and slowed down to 35mp almost causing a pile up as cars behind and next to me where still driving above 70mph. If not for my quick reaction to turn on emergency lights cars behind me would have hit me. Immediately after I got off the highway I drove the car (at 35mph as fast as it went) to my nearest Pepboys. Here the vehicle was serviced for nearly a month until the problem was fixed. The cost was almost $6500 GMC has failed to notify customers if this potential issue which not only risks the lives of the drivers and passengers of the 2013 Terrain but those driving alongside it. This is not a new issue as I found the testimonies of many other GMC owners tell a similar dangerous experience. Please help! I have detailed invoices of the repairs.

- Clint, TX, USA

problem #164

Nov 132022

Terrain

  • miles
Timing chain broke, No check engine line! Please get a recall going on this motor! I've read hundreds of RECENT posted complaints about this. This is not the trust of an American made supplier. Do the right thing. Please.

- Lanark, IL, USA

problem #163

Sep 242022

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I've been having same issues Occurring since I Signed my purchase agreement. The constant rattle at about 1500 RPM, The oil leaves At such a rapid rate That I have to monitor it every day As to make sure the level doesn't go too low. I've only had the vehicle since September 2022 and here it is Halloween 2022 and I'm down over $2000 maintenance costs and maintenance costs trying to prevent catastrophic failure with the engine that I know is coming! OBDII code reads P0171

- Milwaukee , WI, USA

problem #162

Jan 102022

Terrain

  • miles
We purchased the car in September of 2021, had the oil changed about two months after we bought it, no mention of any issues. In January, half of dashboard lights and the digital speedometer went out. The check engine light came on. We took the car to a mechanic and there was no oil registering on the dipstick. They put several quarts of oil in, the check engine light went off, and the dashboard lights/digital speedometer returned. If the engine had failed it could have caused a serious, possibly fatal accident with other vehicles. Upon research, GMC had issued a special coverage for excessive oil consumption. This appears to be the problem with our vehicle as we need to add oil at least once a week, and the car is not driven over 500 miles in a month. Because the special coverage expired even before we purchased the car, GMC will do nothing to honor the warranty. So what happens to all of the new GMC owners that are inheriting a serious problem they had no control over having remedied?

- Waterloo, IA, USA

problem #161

Aug 012021

Terrain

  • miles
Vehicle burns excessive amounts of oil. I need to add oil almost every time I drive. This could result in catastrophic engine failure. GMC and Chevrolet know about this problem, but refuse to issue a recall for this engine.

- Breckenridge, MN, USA

problem #160

Oct 202022

Terrain

  • miles
Unknown

- Bedford, VA, USA

problem #159

Oct 102022

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Excessive oil consumption, on average this vehicle is burning off 2 or more quarts of oil over approximately 1,000 miles. The vehicle is also hard idling, jerky and lunging forward at a stop. The entire engine shakes until it sounds like it stalls out. The Check engine light turns on and off when it has been over 2500 miles after an oil change and when the gas gauge reads 1/4 of a tank or less. The diagnostic tool plug does not register anything; does not even turn the diagnostic tool on when plugged in. This vehicle has stalled while driving with no warning lights or indicators. I called GMC on 10/11/22 to inquiry about these issues the called me back on 10/12/22 and was told that they could not find a recall. I then mentioned the class action lawsuit and they said they found something. They then tried to tell me that recalls are ONLY VIN specific, which is a lie. I already got the recall notice but when I went to get it done they tried to tell me that I had to get services done with them for 6months before they would do the recall fix. And Now I have a car sitting in the shop that I can-??t use because it needs a new engine.

- Hollister, CA, USA

problem #158

Sep 122022

Terrain

  • miles
My 2013 GMC Terrain is currently burning oil and requires an engine replacement. This is a known issue with this engine and needs to be addressed for those not notified of the class action lawsuit, or where GMC CLAIMS it is not impacted.

- Richland, WA, USA

problem #157

Sep 302020

Terrain

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that shortly after having the engine oil changed, the oil percentage information indicated that the engine oil level was quickly decreasing. The contact stated that while checking the oil dip stick, it was discovered that there was very little oil in the oil pan. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who performed an oil consumption test. The result of the test was not yet available. Additionally, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

- Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

problem #156

Aug 092022

Terrain

  • miles
Excessive oil consumption, on average this vehicle is burning off 2 or more quarts of oil over approximately 1,000 miles. The vehicle is also hard idling, jerky and lunging forward at a stop, hard shutoff where the engine does not immediately shut off when the key is turned off and the entire engine shakes until it sounds like it stalls out. The vehicle also accelerates slowly with high RPMs, approximately 3500 RPMs before shifting gears. Check engine light turns on and off when it has been over 2500 miles after an oil change and when the gas gauge reads 1/4 of a tank or less. The diagnostic tool plug does not register anything; does not even turn the diagnostic tool on when plugged in. This vehicle has also stalled out while driving with no warning lights or indicators. I called GMC on 8/9/22 to inquiry about these issues and was informed my VIN is not included in any recalls or special conditions related to these known issues.

- Carrollton, OH, USA

problem #155

May 072022

Terrain

  • miles
My 2013 engine blew out, I did an oil change around February and a month later took my vehicle to aamco and they found a gallon of coolant in the engine. None of the warning lights came on prior to this happening at all whatsoever. The oil life was still at 32% with no oil in my engine. All 3 of my windshield wipers as well rotted within the year that I purchased the vehicle. Now I do not have a working vehicle at all whatsoever due to the engine and car not wanting to start. When I put the code reader in when it first happened it told me it was the camshaft sensor so I changed both sensors and all the spark plugs and even bought the crankshaft sensor and it was none of the above until later I found out it was the engine that blew. I have spent so much money on this vehicle it-??s ridiculous.

- Stroudsburg, PA, USA

problem #154

Jun 012022

Terrain 4-cyl

  • miles
2013 GMC Terrain. Consumer writes in regard to engine failure. The consumer stated the rear main seal failed due to a frozen and blocked PCV line at the airbox. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repairs.

- Fostoria, OH, USA

problem #153

Apr 112022

Terrain

  • 138,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle inadvertently stalled without warning. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that timing chain pretensioner and rear main seal had failed causing the engine to lose engine oil and cause severe damage to the engine. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 138,000.

- Davisville, WV, USA

problem #152

Jan 312022

Terrain 4-cyl Diesel

  • miles
The vehicle lost sudden speed and stalled in the road and had to be pushed off the road to a safe location so I wouldn't get hit and be towed. The mechanic done an assessment to find out my timing chain broke and damaged my head and pistons. I was also advised by the mechanics that this goes along with the engine consumption issue that my Terrain had that GMC has refused to look at and take blame for. My car now needs a new motor. Consumer stated she has 5,000 worth of damages.

- Gate City, VA, USA

problem #151

Feb 242022

Terrain

  • miles
Bought my 2013 Gmc Terrain with 84,000 miles for $16,000. At 97,774 miles had to have it serviced for excessive oil consumption with timing cover and front crank seal cleaned and timing cover gasket replaced. Cost over $700. Then at 100333 miles had to have a new timing chain put in and water pump also the camshaft and cam phasers cost over $2,000. Now it is around 121000 miles and the lights on dash light up while driving to service stability track and I can not go faster then about 30 miles an hour. It then goes off and randomly comes back on while driving at any speed. Also there is a HUGE OIL PROBLEM with oil not just dripping like a small leak but spewing basically from underneath vehicle. I have to literally put oil in my car before I drive it anywhere because it all leaks out while I drive. Was told by a macanic I have a leak where the engine meets the transmission and my options for fixing it are to totally replace the engine hahaha or get a new vehicle. Wtf GMC this is not ok!

- St. Paul, MN, USA

problem #150

Dec 172021

Terrain

  • 67,800 miles
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop sign, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted however, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine. The contact exited the vehicle to inspect the vehicle but found no issues. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The Extended Warranty company notified the dealer of a possible recall however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the repair would be an out-of-pocket expense. The failure mileage was 67,800.

- Austin, MN, USA

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