2013 GMC Terrain: hesitation when accelerating

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 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 Apr 5, 2023 · Engine · 108,000 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2013 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor throughout the vehicle then the vehicle started to hesitate. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall nor covered under Warranty. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 108,000.

Filed Feb 20, 2023 · Engine · WI

Vehicle began to hesitate and then became disabled. A large amount of oil was evident under the vehicle and continued to leak. It was apparent that the rear seal had blown out. Vehicle was towed to a GMC dealership and confirmed problem. Another mechanic informed us of a recall on these engines but this has yet to be confirmed with the dealership after nearly 3 weeks of it being there.

Filed Dec 16, 2019 · Engine · 89,500 miles · MN

Purchased car used from gmc dealer 88,706 miles. 1 previous owner thta purchased from gm dealer new, I purchased extra 100,000 warranty in addition. I drive about 10 miles total a day about 3 days a week to work, so I have not put many miles on it. 30 days after purchase when driving home from work got to driveway, car dumped large quantities of oil on driveway. No warning lights ever came on to indicate a problem. Diagnostics should have indicated pressure build-up. Car had hesitated a bit at the last stoplight before my house on the way home but not bad and only one time. Oil all over underside of vehicle. Towed to dealer, gm knows of the issue but my VIN is not on "the list" for the "service adjustment" not a recall but it should be.. Nobody can say why. Will cover part but not all of the damage despite this being the result of a really poor engine design that is a "high oil consumption" vehicle. Is this the 70s? That should not even be a thing in 2019. The oil sludge in engine caused the pcv to freeze up in the cold temps and it blew out the rear main seal for the engine. They want $1300 from me to fix and gm is covering part of the cost. But if it is a design flaw and they knew about it, they should have fixed it before they sold it. Extended warranty will not cover this because they do not include the pcv. Likely will not ever cover anything with the engine since it is a design flaw and those are by definition pre-existing and high oil consumption that is not coming out on the ground is fouling up something. So my first payment is not even due yet and I already owe money to someone else and it is significant money that will not be easy to pay. If this had happened on the highway, I would have lost use of the vehicle at high speed and would likely have caused a crash.

Filed Jul 18, 2019 · Engine · 70,488 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 gmc terrain. While driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle began to hesitate and the contact smelled a burning odor coming from the engine. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. When the contact pulled over, turned off, and restarted the vehicle, it resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to phillips chevrolet of lansing (located at 17730 torrence ave, lansing, il 60438, (708) 474-0000) where it was diagnosed that 75% of the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 70,488. *bf *js 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Nov 10, 2018 · Body, Electrical · 48,000 miles · WI

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

Filed Oct 22, 2018 · Engine, Transmission · 54,820 miles · CA

My vehicle currently has approx. 54k miles and I began experiencing serious, dangerous defects with the vehicle on 9/12/2018 when I was backing out a parking stall my car just completely shut off with no warning. I was able to place it in park then restart it and drive about a mile before it shut off again as I was approaching a stop light. I had to coast the car onto a nearby street out of traffic for my and my son's safety. I waited a few moments and was able to restart the engine once more and drove about 2 blocks before it shut off again in the middle of an intersection. I pulled over and called the gm dealer where I purchased it to determine if there had been any recalls or a warranty. I was told I would have to cover towing and diagnostic fees and was not entitled to any type of warranty coverage. I had a test of the battery performed which came back that the battery was not good. I purchased a new battery and had it installed that night. Although, I had a new battery I had another episode of the car shutting off with no warning after trying to back out a parking stall. It will also periodically jerk and hesitate to accelerate at low speeds or when trying to accelerate after coming to a complete stop. On 10/22/18 as I was entering the on ramp to get on the highway in rush hour traffic, the car engine shut off with no warning nor light indicators. I put it in park and was able to restart it so that I can move it to a safe location. The car again would feel jerky at low idle speeds and when I tried to accelerate after coming to a complete stop as I was in bumper to bumper traffic. This has been a dangerous ordeal as a pregnant woman with kids in the car, while on a freeway or road I can easily be hit from behind. My car is only 6 years old with 54k miles on it and should not have such severe defects.

Filed Apr 6, 2018 · Airbags, Engine · NJ

The airbag light will not go off..the biggest problem is the acceleration issues..when I give the gas to increase speed it hesitate..and sometimes the engine races for no reason..and when I put the car in drive it will not go..it gets stuck..I have to put it in park for a minute the put it back into drive then it will go.

Filed Dec 8, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 34,572 miles · OH

There are several issues with this vehicle which makes me think this car was a lemon, unreported by original owner, or in a flood; 1st, the rear hatch struts were totally rusted out and inoperable (reinforcing my flood thought.) 2nd, the vehicles mpg is nowhere near the advertised 22/32 - I mentioned my concern several times to the service dept, the sales man, and the certified sale manager; their solution - they reset the gauge on the dashboard! 3rd, within days of my purchase, I noticed a knock under my car that sounded like an axle was going to bust through my floorboard it was knocking so hard! After numerous service repair attempts & visits back to the dealer, one visit lasting approximately 7 days, they think they've fixed the problem. Secondary fuel tank fuel pump module - (contributing to fuel consumption issue?) 4th, the windshield wipers stopped working while I was driving to work, in the fast lane, @ 6am one dark, rainy morning, during a torrential down pour almost causing a major pile up! 5th, check engine light, stumbles and misfires on acceleration, shuts off when stopped at a stop sign or traffic light. Repaired/several hundred dollars later. 6th, the continuing issues have been, but not limited to reduced engine power, rough idle, engine sputters, hesitates, poor gas mileage, & excessive oil consumption. 7th, another check engine light, now fuel-injectors need replaced (another contributor to fuel consumption issue?) . After further review of the vehicle's cpo paperwork, this is not the certified vehicle being referred to on the paperwork. There are items checked off on the report that do not apply to this vehicle. I would have never overpaid for a cpo vehicle had I know their "rigorous standards" meant absolutely nothing! I have bought many cars in my life, both new and used cars and never had any of the issues I am having with this vehicle!

Filed Dec 4, 2015 · Transmission · 8,000 miles · IL

Gmc terrain hesitates in shifting between gears. Tachometer shows engine speeds up between shifts, causing a stall/ learch forward between shifting happens more when warm then when cold. Happens consistently after transmission is warmed up.