Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 GMC Terrain owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
When driving my Terrain, my traction control light came on, then a message on the display saying service stabilitrack and engine power is reduced. I couldn't go over a certain speed. I've taken it to Autozone to be put on the computer and it shows up stabilitrack. The car stops running and it takes a few minutes to get it running again. I just bought the car and I'm having problems with these lights and controls. I have read online about this same issue. Is this a recall or does it have to be more complaints about this first? I love my car but these issues are too much. The car has 211k miles on it. Please help me
While pulling out of my driveway the car stalled and the stabilitrak light came on. Car would not start again. Had it towed to dealership because it seemed something electrical was the issue and now they say it needs a complete new engine because it lost oil compression. No oil light has ever come on, no other lights and no oil leaking on our driveway or anywhere else that we've noticed. Dealership says they can't tell us exactly why the engine failed. The car only has 53000 mikes on it. We bought it in august of 2014 and maintain it appropriately
The key can be removed from the ignition in P, R, N, D, and M after the vehicle has been shut off. The vehicle does not provide any warning that the vehicle is not in park prior to allowing you to remove the key. The vehicle does not indicate the vehicle is not in park after the key has been removed. You are not able to start the vehicle if the vehicle is in anything other than park. I contacted GMC to inquiry about this issue and was told my vehicle's VIN is not included in the recall for this known issue.
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%
Vehicle stopped while driving three different times. Whenever alarm is turned on, car sometimes does not start next day. I've had to jump start it over 7 times in 9 months. Vehicle scheduled for review by dealer in three weeks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. While driving 45 MPH, the center console lost power independently. The vehicle was taken to ig burton lewes automall (17861 coastal hwy, lewes, de 19958), but the failure could not be duplicated. The cause of the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the radio module assembly was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 33,956. * consumer stated took vehicle to I.g., burton 8/15/2018 vehicle's controls and displays were not working causing the heating, air conditioning,defrost, navigation system, radio controls as well as the panel illumination to become inoperative. This would happen intermittently. …
I have called GM on numerous occasions regarding my engine failing while driving. Stalling in the middle of busy intersections. They opened at least 7 cases involving this same situation and knowing my fear of getting killed when this vehicle just shuts off while driving or just turning a corner or waiting at a stop light!! My heater did not work, my radio will freeze up and is non functioning sometimes..I'm afraid to drive with my grandchildren. As I write this my engine light came on again after a $1,000 repair of the timing chain. This happened while I was driving home from work at 1:30 in the morning on a country road and a sheriff deputy happened to be patrolling snd helped me by calling a towing service because my SUV would not start.. The deputy even got my manual out to see if he could figure out the problem.. …
Intermittent electrical problems while driving or stopped 1. When the car is running radio controls do not work. Cannot turn off, adjust volume or change station. 2. If the radio is turned off when you start the car, sometimes you cannot turn it on. 3. Control panel below radio is not illuminated at times. 4. Seat heater light on control panel did not turn on when button was pressed. Couldn't turn seat heater off 4. Tire pressure diagram is incorrect. Shows the wrong underinflated tire. 5. Lights on odometer/radio panel will sometimes change to very bright or very dim. The knob to control the brightness does not work when this happens. 6. A few times the A/C kicked on when driving and we weren't using the automatic climate control feature. 7. After the car has been parked in the garage for hours, the control panel will spontaneously light up for no reason. …
My car since day one steering wheels locks up constantly, the brakes do not stop you the worst is the engines battery which is located under the seat constantly says I have no power it will turn on several codes and the start idling the rpms go up like your press g the gas but you not then you stall you can be going 70 or 20 MPH and it will just stall with no warning. The steering wheel will and I lose traction in regular roads in perfect weather. I can't seem to locate my airbags I have had my vehicle services a million times they always say nothing is wrong also when the rpms or going up.and down I lose all headlights and dash lights. This has happened to me at night so many times. This vehicle has almost killed me so many times I lost count I take it to service there is never an issue. …
I bought the vechile in feb. 2016 ran fine. In June of 2016. The vechile started acting like it had water in the gas hesitateing stalling and the radio and touch screen don't work took it to a dealer and he said had ater in fuel put I a new senors. But still doing the same thing stalling when coming to stop signs hesitates not going into to gear took it to GM dealer in new richmond and they hook up to a computer said nothing wrong when vechile dose it again bring it in don't turn it off thats hard to do because you have to start it up again to drive it their know today the radio is off and touchscreen don't come on I am just scared because we take our son to rochester three days a week for therpy help
Related recalls
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
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.
Electrical complaints in other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2013 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the electrical system of the 2013 GMC Terrain, 6% of the model year's 364 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 GMC Terrain electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 16V-502 (ignition, Jul 5, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2013 GMC Terrain electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.