Oil consumption rate was too high, roughly 2qts every 1500miles. Caused timing chain to break. Second time with the oil consumption. First fix under 100k mile warranty checked off as recall. It was done before a recall came out. Paying for timing chain to get fixed but recommended a new engine. Prefer GMC to replace engine since it's an ongoing issue. 307373 miles strong and now this.
2013 GMC Terrain: engine failure
41 of the 365 complaints about the 2013 GMC Terrain describe engine failure.
- owner complaints
- 41
- of this car's complaints
- 11%
- typical repair cost reported
- $5,307
- typical mileage
- 103,000
- recalls
- 0
Engine failure by model year
What owners say
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.
Bought my 2013 GMC Terrain SLT in 2017 from Carvana. I did not know there had been low oil issues or catalytic convertor issues that GM had put out a letter to get replaced in 2020. I always had to put oil in it. It just burnt right out. I also replaced 3 catalytic convertors. Fast forward to now 2023, I'm driving and my engine starts knocking loud. It has oil in it at this point. It finally died half way home 52 miles out. I had it towed home and then to a dealer. I find out from them that there was metal intermix with the oil and that this had a warranty for this issue. But... now my vehicle is 10 years old and over 120,000 miles. Now I can't get the warranty because it expired. that's crap! This should be a recall by now considering this has happened to numerous people with this year make and model. I can't spend $9,698.00 on a new engine.
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%
I have almost been in 3 accidents. My 2013 Terrain has stalled while driving..Cut off at lights. Engine reduced while driving and massive oil leak that gas caused timing chain and engine failure. I have read other complaints, and this is sad GMC has been allowed to get away with this. These engines are dangerous and need to be replaced before someone looses their life.
Vehicle burns excessive amounts of oil. I need to add oil almost every time I drive. This could result in catastrophic engine failure. GMC and Chevrolet know about this problem, but refuse to issue a recall for this engine.
Excessive oil consumption, on average this vehicle is burning off 2 or more quarts of oil over approximately 1,000 miles. The vehicle is also hard idling, jerky and lunging forward at a stop. The entire engine shakes until it sounds like it stalls out. The Check engine light turns on and off when it has been over 2500 miles after an oil change and when the gas gauge reads 1/4 of a tank or less. The diagnostic tool plug does not register anything; does not even turn the diagnostic tool on when plugged in. This vehicle has stalled while driving with no warning lights or indicators. I called GMC on 10/11/22 to inquiry about these issues the called me back on 10/12/22 and was told that they could not find a recall. I then mentioned the class action lawsuit and they said they found something. They then tried to tell me that recalls are ONLY VIN specific, which is a lie. I already got the recall notice but when I went to get it done they tried to tell me that I had to get services done with them for 6months before they would do the recall fix. And Now I have a car sitting in the shop that I can’t use because it needs a new engine.
My 2013 GMC Terrain is currently burning oil and requires an engine replacement. This is a known issue with this engine and needs to be addressed for those not notified of the class action lawsuit, or where GMC CLAIMS it is not impacted.
My 2013 engine blew out, I did an oil change around February and a month later took my vehicle to aamco and they found a gallon of coolant in the engine. None of the warning lights came on prior to this happening at all whatsoever. The oil life was still at 32% with no oil in my engine. All 3 of my windshield wipers as well rotted within the year that I purchased the vehicle. Now I do not have a working vehicle at all whatsoever due to the engine and car not wanting to start. When I put the code reader in when it first happened it told me it was the camshaft sensor so I changed both sensors and all the spark plugs and even bought the crankshaft sensor and it was none of the above until later I found out it was the engine that blew. I have spent so much money on this vehicle it’s ridiculous.
2013 gmc terrain. Consumer writes in regard to engine failure. The consumer stated the rear main seal failed due to a frozen and blocked pcv line at the airbox. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repairs.
Bought my 2013 Gmc Terrain with 84,000 miles for $16,000. At 97,774 miles had to have it serviced for excessive oil consumption with timing cover and front crank seal cleaned and timing cover gasket replaced. Cost over $700. Then at 100333 miles had to have a new timing chain put in and water pump also the camshaft and cam phasers cost over $2,000. Now it is around 121000 miles and the lights on dash light up while driving to service stability track and I can not go faster then about 30 miles an hour. It then goes off and randomly comes back on while driving at any speed. Also there is a HUGE OIL PROBLEM with oil not just dripping like a small leak but spewing basically from underneath vehicle. I have to literally put oil in my car before I drive it anywhere because it all leaks out while I drive. Was told by a macanic I have a leak where the engine meets the transmission and my options for fixing it are to totally replace the engine hahaha or get a new vehicle. Wtf GMC this is not ok!
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that he noticed oil spots on his driveway that were coming from his vehicle. The contact called the dealer and was informed that the next appointment would not be available until six weeks. One day as the contact's wife was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealer where after a few weeks in their possession, they diagnosed the vehicle with engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and gave him the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 89,000.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle...
- This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in...
- This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
- This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified...
- This service bulletin provides guidelines and diagnostic/repair information to technicians regarding...
- This service bulletin provides information for maintenance cleaning of the fuel injectors and gasoline...
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2013 GMC Terrain engine failure
Is engine failure a common problem on the 2013 GMC Terrain?
41 of 365 owner complaints about the 2013 GMC Terrain (11%) mention engine failure. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
How much does it cost to fix engine failure on the 2013 GMC Terrain?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $5,307 (median of 8 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 46Check engine light 45Wipers 35Knocking 20Hesitation 13Jerking 12Loss of power 11Won't start 10Ball joint 9No deployment 7Fire or smoke 7Fuel pump 7Fuel smell 7Headlights 5Transmission failure 5
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