9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
71,100 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
2013 GMC Terrain engine problems

engine problem

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2013 GMC Terrain Owner Comments

problem #8

Dec 122022

Terrain SLE 2.4L V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,000 miles

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

Should have read the complaints on this site before buying my used 2013 GMC Terrain. Ran fine for 8 months, now stalls after pressing the accelerator, especially in reverse. I've taken it to 4 different mechanics and replaced the intake/exhaust solenoids and fuel pumps, but nothing works. Simply a money pit.

- paconbizza, Newark, Ohio, US

problem #7

Aug 232019

Terrain

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

Stalling when coming to a stop or going to reverse and back to drive. Not the first time it's happening, seems now a ongoing issue. What a piece of crap for a SUV. The nerve of the dealer to sell these cars to the public is disgraceful. Seems like hundreds of GMCs are having the same issue.

- Gregory K., Las Cruces, NM, US

problem #6

Oct 282018

Terrain SLT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,273 miles

I purchased my 2013 GMC Terrian in Oct of 2018 with 62,273 miles on it. In less than a month the check engine light came on and back to the dealer she went. I was told that the computer was not reading the fuel pump, which caused her to stall briefly and then the light came on. They couldn't understand how this could have happened. The tech turned the light off and reset computer to read for the fuel pump and said bring it back if it happens again!

Fast forward 8 months later and here I sit with a truck that stalls out after about 10 mins. We have to replace the throttle body because that was the latest check engine light. I got about a day and half of drive time out of her and now we're stalling again! I now have to drive with both feet one on brake one on accelerator at intersection!

I have the car fax on this vehicle and It has had one owner but it looks to be a laundry list of replacements parts. Cam shaft sensor replaced 2017, engine power train computer module replaced 2017, fuel pump replaced 2018, water pump and timing chain replaced 2018 and now throttle body replaced 2019.

I'm beyond frustrated and I feel unsafe!

- Denise B., Chester, GA, US

problem #5

May 012019

Terrain LT 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,127 miles

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

Engine dies when I start to go. Scary when I'm turning left in traffic. I do not have the finances to take it to the dealer, last time it cost $150.00 for them to diagnose the problem. I'm single, on SS trying to make it on $1312.00 so $150.00 is big money to me. I'm looking on the internet for a clear cut solution. Right now I'm a two-foot drive, holding the gas pedal down some at a red light. Anyone with an answer, please post it.

- John S., Tulsa, OK, US

problem #4

Apr 192018

Terrain LXT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

After starting the ignition, the car will stall after placed in reverse or drive. Sometimes- it may allow you to get out of a parking space or up to a stop sign and just die out - there will be no power when this happens so you have no control of the vehicle. I actually have to stop wherever I am and put the car in park and try to start again - maybe go about 2 feet and it will stall out again. sometimes when this happens the engine light comes on and sometimes it may be days before the engine light comes on. It does not happen every day. I first thought that it may be the gasoline as the vehicle is flex fuel and E85 is hard to find in my area without having to drive 20 miles one way so I have been using Exxon 87 grade. I have done some research and see that this is a common issue with this model and I can't understand why there is no recall. This type of issue is life threatening to the driver - looking to get hit at anytime when pulling out onto the highway because in today's age - there are no considerate drivers - everyone is in such a hurry to go nowhere.

- Kimberly H., Gaston, SC, US

problem #3

Apr 132018

Terrain SLT 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,000 miles

My 2013 GMC Terrain SLT, which never gave me any problems, stalled 2 times on my way to work. I went to the GMC dealer, even though my car has less than 35,000 miles, it is not protected under the warranty. Diagnostic will cost me $165.00. I was wondering if there was any recall on this problem, but so far nothing.

Update from Apr 18, 2018: Good news from the dealer. Thank god the car was protected under the power train transmission warranty since it was under 39,000 miles. I didn't pay anything. Haven't felt this lucky in a long time. So it's always a good idea to take it back to the dealer than your local mechanic.

- Rogelio H., New York City, NY, US

problem #2

Jun 302016

Terrain SLE 2.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles

I have a 2013 GMC Terrain that I loved until recently. This is my second GMC Terrain. I have 77k miles on it and the vehicle just started stalling. When the engine initially gets started, it drives fine until about 5-10 minutes later. This is when the problem starts happening. When I come to a stop or yield and then start to accelerate the engine starts to stutter and then kills. I must restart the engine and slowly accelerate in order to get the car to accept the gas and go. But, if I give it too much gas, it kills again.

Of course this is a great concern, because when you are in traffic, who knows what can happen. I am waiting to get rear-ended or something worse.

I have taken it to the dealer, who stated the diagnosis would be $110. They call to let me know it was computer related and also carbon build up, so they did an entire 60k mile service (checking and flushing everything and reprogrammed ECM and TCM with updated calibration.

I picked up my vehicle the next morning and it drove fine for 10 min and exact same issues reappeared. I want to know, if the tech even bothered driving the car or did they just DUPE me out of an expensive service? Anyway, I immediately drove the car back and they have it over night. Has anyone had similar issues? I am about to trade this car in for anything but a GMC...I am losing faith in what use to be my favorite model..

- cdelery, Covington, LA, US

problem #1

Apr 162015

Terrain SLE2 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,003 miles

I've had my 2013 Terrain for 1 1/2 years, love it, until the day I was driving to work, It started acting like I was driving with the parking brake on, I had already driven 2 miles when this started, dash message came on saying the Stabili-track System needed serviced, then it died on top of an active railroad track. I was able to turn the key on to turn the steering wheel, because the front right tire was over the 2nd track I got it to coast off the tracks, I actually had 10 minutes before the next train came by. Had it towed to the local dealership, it's covered under warranty. Was informed when they opened up the engine that there was anti freeze in the spark plugs. That was 4/16/15, it's 5/13/15 today, they said they needed to keep the old engine in the car so they could diagnose the problem so they could report it to the manufacture - the saga continues with the replacement vehicle.

Update from May 14, 2015: I received a call today from dealership stating that there was water in my gasoline & that it might not be covered by warranty, that I might need to file a claim under my auto insurance policy for vandalism due to the amount of water (80%) in the gasoline. So we've gone from message of Stabili-track system needing serviced, to anti freeze in the spark plugs & now saying water in the gas tank. This is going to get interesting before it's over.

- debbiegal, Helena, AL, US

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