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2013 GMC Terrain: check engine light

45 of the 365 complaints about the 2013 GMC Terrain describe check engine light.

owner complaints
45
of this car's complaints
12%
typical repair cost reported
$3,000
typical mileage
93,600
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 282 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

The exhaust and emissions system appears to have failed or is malfunctioning, including the catalytic converter and potentially the exhaust manifold or upstream exhaust components. The engine and fuel/propulsion system are also affected, as evidenced by sputtering and drivability issues. The vehicle and affected components are available for inspection upon request. Exhaust and/or fuel fumes enter the passenger cabin, particularly when the heater or air conditioning is operating. This creates a risk of exposure to harmful exhaust gases, including potential carbon monoxide, which poses a serious health and safety risk to vehicle occupants. The vehicle also sputters and hesitates, which could lead to unsafe driving conditions, especially in traffic or at highway speeds. Yes. The issue has been confirmed through diagnostic trouble codes indicating catalytic converter efficiency failure. Despite replacement of spark plugs and sensors, the problem continues to recur, indicating an underlying exhaust or emissions system defect rather than routine maintenance. The vehicle has been inspected by service professionals for diagnostic purposes. The manufacturer has not physically inspected the vehicle, and no inspections have been performed by police or insurance representatives to date. The check engine light illuminated prior to and during the issue. Additional symptoms included engine sputtering, loss of smooth acceleration, and a strong exhaust or fuel odor inside the cabin when the HVAC system is in use. These symptoms have recurred over time despite repairs.

Filed Dec 12, 2025 · Engine · MN

Was driving my terrain and suddenly it started to shake and then check engine Light came on. Upon getting out I checked the dipstick and no oil was on dipstick. Start to put oil in and it's running out of the oil pan underneath the vehicle. Towed it home removed oil pan and engine parts laying shattered in bottom. Never got a low oil alert . Had codes misfire and knock sensor.

Filed Oct 21, 2025 · Engine · 200,000 miles · MS

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while coming to a complete stop or shifting into reverse, the vehicle lost automotive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park(P) to regain motive power. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2025 · Engine · 88,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while coming to a stop, the vehicle lost automotive power. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine had failed due to the engine consuming oil. The mechanic informed the contact that the engine could be repaired and suggested that the engine needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.

Filed Jan 28, 2025 · Engine · VA

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that when slowing down to come to a stop, the vehicle was jumping and hesitating, causing the contact to shift into neutral(N) to stop the vehicle and prevent the vehicle from shaking. There was a fuel odor that smelled like rotten eggs. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated at first but became a constant failure. The vehicle was previously included in the emissions recall N192268180; the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10183214 (Engine and Engine Cooling); with DTC: P0420 and the vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the repair was performed had not matched the repair in the Emissions recall. The contact stated that the dealer had replaced the oxygen sensor instead of the catalytic converter and oxygen sensors as stated in the remedy. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10183214 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, since the repair was marked completed, there were no additional repairs available due to the mileage. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Dec 5, 2024 · FL

Vehicle emissions issue, catalytic converter and engine light. Vehicle is burning oil

Filed Nov 9, 2024 · Fuel system · IN

vehicle started running rough when driven, mechanic found fuel pump putting fuel into oil. could have caught fire! pump replaced and trashed. check engine light was only warning other then rought running engine.

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Engine · 153,514 miles · CT

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start up with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that there was compression failure in each cylinder, causing the timing belt to jump timing, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 153,514.

Filed Apr 25, 2024 · Engine · OH

2013 GMC Terrain with 109000 miles. Check engine light came on. Drove to local independent repair shop to have codes checked and to have oil changed. Oil was due to be changed at 109000 miles. Repair shop showed oil was down over 3 quarts even though they found no leaks. All engine codes had been set by low oil. They changed oil and filter (twice) and performed complete oil system cleaning and ran diagnostics. They asked my to watch oil consumption and bring it back in 500 miles. The next day, the check engine symbol came back on so I took vehicle back to repair shop. Error codes now all pointed to timing chain problem. It would be $1500 to $2000 to replace timing chain. Vehicle not repaired since I recently had suspension work and also replaced exhaust system.

Filed Oct 2, 2023 · Engine · AR

Catalytic Converter - Available for inspection Safety Risk - Toxic Exhaust gasses and engine failure Problem was diagnosed by independent service center. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance rep...only mechanic that made decision from a diagnostic test Warning Signs: O2 sensors replaced, excessive oil consumption, leaks, fuel pump replaced, check engine light keeps appearing even after cleared, poor acceleration Started seeing signs in 2019 I can provide additional receipts for past repairs once located. The receipt attached from HCS Auto performed a diagnostic on 9/25/23 and again today on 10/2/23. Please contact them to confirm that vehicle will need catalytic convertor.

Filed Mar 2, 2023 · Engine · 100,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Filed Feb 27, 2023 · Transmission · 143,083 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the check the engine warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and pulled over in a parking lot, where the vehicle again lost motive power and would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and the dealer stated that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 143,083.

Questions about the 2013 GMC Terrain check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2013 GMC Terrain?

45 of 365 owner complaints about the 2013 GMC Terrain (12%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2012.

How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the 2013 GMC Terrain?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $3,000 (median of 10 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2013 GMC Terrain?

There are 0 recalls and 282 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2013 GMC Terrain

Oil consumption 87Stalling 46Engine failure 41Wipers 35Knocking 20Hesitation 13Jerking 12Loss of power 11Won't start 10Ball joint 9No deployment 7Fire or smoke 7Fuel pump 7Fuel smell 7Headlights 5Transmission failure 5

All model years of the GMC Terrain

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