The 2013 GMC Terrain only lasts around 150,000 miles with a lot of serious engine and transfer case problems. At $11,581 to $15,088, it’s cheap, but not worth buying when you’ll spend thousands repairing the engine.
Is the 2013 GMC Terrain a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 6/10 – 2013 is a bad year for the Terrain. Owner reviews complain about oil issues, high ownership costs, and spending a lot of time broken down.
- Interior Quality 7/10 – There are some luxurious leather options available, room for up to 5 people, and the stereo has good features for its age.
- Reliability 5/10 – There are a lot of engine problems on the 2013 model. We recommend avoiding models from 2010–2015 which all have mechanical issues, and going with a 2016–2020 which are better.
- Performance 6/10 – Performance is poor from the 4-cylinder engine, while the V6 offers good power.
- Safety 7/10 – The Terrain is safe with an overall rating of 4-stars in government crash tests, along with a 4-star rating in frontal crash tests and the rollover assessment. Optional safety features include lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and collision assist.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is average at 26 MPG, giving owners about 468 miles of range out of the 18 gallon gas tank. Fuel costs are $24 lower than other compact SUVs at $189 per month.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the GMC Terrain?
- Consumer Reports says the GMC Terrain is sluggish compared to the competition, and has very low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the Terrain a 2.9/5 and likes the premium interior, but doesn’t like the numb steering feel.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the Terrain 4/5 and enjoy the larger V6 engine, and owners don’t like the bad all-wheel-drive system.
What Common Problems Does the 2013 GMC Terrain Have?
The most common problems found on the 2013 GMC Terrain include blown engine seals, a broken transfer case, and Bluetooth system issues. Overall, these problems are more severe than other compact SUVs from 2013 and repair costs are higher as well.
A blown main seal on the engine is the most widespread complaint from owners at around 100,000 miles. If the rear main seal on your engine breaks you will need to have it replaced for over $2,000. If debris gets into the engine after it breaks, then you may need a new engine for over $4,000.
Broken transfer cases are another serious issue mentioned by owners at around 75,000 miles. The transfer case components wear down as the vehicle ages, and the only way to fix it is to change it out. A new transfer case costs around $3,500 to install, depending on local labor rates.
Bluetooth issues also show up in the first 10,000 miles. The stereo system has connectivity and software issues which make it buggy. Some people have managed to fix the stereo by having a dealership update the software, and others have replaced the entire stereo for around $600.
There are 3 recalls, which is better than other compact SUVs from 2013. The most serious recall is for the key, which can be removed while the vehicle is not in park, and allow the SUV to roll away. GMC will replace the key cylinder to fix the problem. The other recalls are for the windshield wipers and headlights, which are less serious.
How Long Will the 2013 GMC Terrain Last?
A well-maintained 2013 GMC Terrain will last around 150,000 miles, which is half as long as top-rated competitors like the Toyota RAV4. Regular annual maintenance costs are higher than other compact SUVs as well, according to data from Repair Pal, at $515 per year.
Since most 2013 GMC Terrain models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the oil pan for $550, the transmission oil cooler line costing $240, and the oxygen sensor, which costs $235.
I have not experienced any problems I had it for 2 years now as I bought it used. I have not had any issues within the 2 year period.
It is a very reliable car. Feels very safe. No problems besides the screen going out. I am sure improvements have been made with newer models.
No problems it was bought new in 2013 has had very few problems and I have been completely satisfied with this purchase.
Very reliable. We have not had any problems with it. Would recommend to anyone looking for an SUV to buy.
I have had very few problems with this vehicle. It has held up under harsh weather conditions better than I ever thought it would.
The 6 cylinder engine is a bit too slow for me, but it is reliable. Since the vehicle was purchased I have not had any issues and I hope that will continue.
My GMC Terrain has been a very reliable vehicle. I bought to used and in the two years I have owned it, I've only had one issue. But I took it to the GMC dealer I purchased it from and it was an easy fixed - replaced a couple of screens
Two blind spots One on each side of the windshield that on more than one occasion could have easily caused an accident
Is the 2013 GMC Terrain a Good Value?
No, the 2013 GMC Terrain is not worth the money. Blue book values range from $11,581 to $15,088, making the Terrain cheaper than other compact SUVs including the Honda CR-V or Subaru Forester. When new, the price range was $26,305 to $36,745. Depreciation is worse than average, losing about 15% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the GMC Terrain?
There three models of the GMC Terrain offered in 2013, including the entry-level SLE, a step up to the SLT, or the luxurious Denali.
SLE is the entry-level model with:
- 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Heated Side Mirrors
- Rearview Camera
- Cruise Control
- OnStar
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- 6-Speaker Stereo With 3.5mm AUX, USB, & Bluetooth
SLT is a step up, adding:
- 18-Inch Wheels
- Leather Seating
- Power Driver’s Seat
- 8-Speaker Pioneer Stereo System
- Lane Departure Warning & Forward Collision Alert
Denali is the luxury model which adds:
- 18-Inch Chrome Wheels
- Rear Cross-Traffic & Blind Spot Monitoring
- Premium Leather Seating
- Dual-Screen Rear DVD Player
What Engines Come In the GMC Terrain?
- The base engine is a weak 2.4L 4-cylinder which only makes 182 horsepower and gets up to 26 MPG.
- An available upgrade is the stronger 3.6L V6, which generates 301 horsepower while getting up to 19 MPG. Performance is good, taking 6.7 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the GMC Terrain Come In?
How Comfortable Is the GMC Terrain?
The 2013 GMC Terrain is reasonably comfortable for a compact SUV. The seats are supportive and well cushioned, and there’s enough space for up to 5 passengers. The Terrain is similar in size to other small SUVs including the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V.
There’s slightly less passenger room than some rivals, with limited legroom in the backseats for taller adults.
How Is the Storage In the GMC Terrain?
Cargo space is worse than average, there’s only enough space for 4-6 suitcases behind the backseats and 8-10 with the seats folded flat.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The first generation of the Terrain was introduced in 2010 and replaced by the second generation in 2018.
2010: Launch of the first generation of the GMC Terrain.
2011: OnStar updates with better voice recognition.
2012: Standard touchscreen stereo system, optional lane departure warning added.
2013: Stronger V6 engine added, and Intellilink App integration.
2014: New wheel options available.
2015: 4G Wi-Fi hotspot added to stereo system.
How Does the GMC Terrain Compare to the Competition?
The GMC Terrain is one of the worst compact SUVs. GMC focused too heavily on making it luxurious and wound up building a very unreliable SUV. We recommend going with a model from 2016–2020 which are all more reliable.
The Chevrolet Equinox is another compact SUV that’s about $800 less. Both the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain are built on the same platform and share the same engines, but the GMC Terrain is more luxurious. We recommend avoiding both the Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain for 2013, since they have serious mechanical problems.
The GMC Acadia is another SUV from GMC which costs about $3,500 more. Passenger room is much better in the GMC Acadia, but the GMC Terrain has more responsive steering. We recommend the GMC Acadia since it’s more reliable for the 2013 model year.
Do Owners Recommend the GMC Terrain?
Yes it is a very good vehicle. It is great on gas mileage and is very roomy. It seats 5 adults very comfortably.
The GMC terrain slt is a great vehicle. The only issue I have had in the past seven years is the radio/screen going out. I am sure with the more recent models they have made improvements.
It is an excellent sturdy vehicle, seems pretty soundproof and very comfortable ride. The car's box design is really. Impressive and stylish.
Yes it is a good one, the GMC Terrain is a good vehicle. We have had it for 4 years now. We love driving it.
Yes it is a very good vehicle. It has been great on gas mileage throughout the years of ownership. The only problem I have had with it has been a problem with the windshield wiper motor, which was addressed by the manufacturer.
It is a great vehicle... very reliable. It has a great sound system, it could be a little peppier though.
Yes! It gets pretty good gas mileage and it drives very well. It is a great “in-town” vehicle for daily life as well as a great “out-of-town” vehicle for travel.
Yes except for two blind spots Love all the other features Great gas mileage Very dependable Very roomy Easy to get in and out of