Makes›GMC›Terrain›2013

2013 GMC Terrain

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

GMC Terrain
Pictured: 2019 GMC Terrain Denali, front 2.29.20. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
Sle/Slt 4dr SUV AWD, Sle/Slt 4dr SUV FWD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
26 combined · 22 city / 31 hwy
Length
185.4 in
Curb weight
3,854–4,019 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 25 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2013 GMC Terrain is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.4L 4-cyl and 3.6L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 185 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,019 lb (Sle/Slt 4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 26 MPG combined (22 city / 31 highway), 13% better than the 2013 small SUV average of 23 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 338 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2013

  • Engine added: 3.6L 6-cyl
  • Engine dropped: 3.0L 6-cyl

Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Terrain →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Sle/Slt 4dr SUV AWD185.4 in72.8 in66.5 in112.6 in62.2 / 61.8 in4,019 lb56/44
Sle/Slt 4dr SUV FWD185.4 in72.8 in66.5 in112.6 in62.2 / 61.8 in3,854 lb57/43

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Terrain FWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+13%$2,600347
Terrain FWD FFV2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive22 / 31 / 26+13%$2,600347
Terrain AWD2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+7%$2,900381
Terrain AWD FFV2.4L 4-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive20 / 28 / 23+7%$2,900381
Terrain FWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20-13%$3,350457
Terrain FWD FFV3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive17 / 24 / 20-13%$3,350454
Terrain AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-11%$3,550481
Terrain AWD FFV3.6L 6-cylAutomatic 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-11%$3,550481
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23 MPG2013 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 GMC Terrain.

Similar 2013 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2013 GMC Terrain (this car)26 MPGNot rated3
2013 Toyota RAV426 MPGNot rated5
2013 Honda CR-V26 MPGNot rated2
2013 Toyota 4Runner19 MPGNot rated6
2013 Subaru Forester23 MPGNot rated12
2013 Mazda CX-529 MPGNot rated1
2013 Toyota Highlander28 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (3)

Exterior Lighting › Headlights · Mar 8, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V137000 · 740,581 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor · Aug 4, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V582000 · 367,808 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Inoperative windshield wipers may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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 › Ignition · Jul 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V502000 · 8,367 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
If the key is removed without the transmission in PARK, the vehicle may rollaway as occupants are exiting, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2013 GMC Terrain is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

338Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
9Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
22Injuries reported
85,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine193
Visibility/Wiper49
Power Train40
Unknown Or Other24
Fuel/Propulsion System20
Electrical System18
Air Bags15
Steering12
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/08: 423/09: 223/10: 323/11: 123/12: 124/01: 124/02: 224/04: 224/06: 324/07: 224/10: 124/11: 224/12: 225/01: 125/02: 125/05: 125/08: 125/09: 125/10: 125/12: 126/01: 126/06: 126/08: 126/10: 123/0823/1124/0224/0724/1225/0525/1026/06max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2013 GMC Terrain buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 193 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Visibility/Wiper — 49 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
  4. Power Train — 40 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 85,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 GMC Terrain. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Terrain years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Terrain26–Not rated01
2026 Terrain27181.1 inNot rated133
2025 Terrain27181.1 inNot rated013
2024 Terrain26183.1 in★★★★★153
2023 Terrain26183.1 in★★★★★241
2022 Terrain27183.1 in★★★★★488
2021 Terrain27183.1 in★★★★★236
2020 Terrain27183.1 in★★★★★2197
2019 Terrain32183.1 in★★★★★3187
2018 Terrain32183.1 in★★★★★5226
2017 Terrain25185.4 inNot rated1135
2016 Terrain26185.4 inNot rated2153

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or GMC. How we calculate this →