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2017 GMC Terrain

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2017 GMC Terrain do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all Terrain years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

37 reports with mileage · 96 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 77 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

11 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

Unknown Or Other complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2026
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I had a message flash that said the power to the engine was reduce. Next message said check stabilink ( or something similar).. it said drive with caution. I live 2 mins from my job I drove home and pulled in the driveway I then felt the car act like it wanted to shake. This was on 2-10-26 I contacted onstar asked them to run a …

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I had a message flash that said the power to the engine was reduce. Next message said check stabilink ( or something similar).. it said drive with caution. I live 2 mins from my job I drove home and pulled in the driveway I then felt the car act like it wanted to shake. This was on 2-10-26 I contacted onstar asked them to run a diagnostic. The codes that came back P0016 p0089 p228D are very well known codes with many people with the same vehicle/engine that have had to replace the engine. The engines have known issues had I known that maybe I could have replaced a part or two or three or four to have a stable vehicle now my vehicle is currently at GMC DEALER since Tuesday morning actually had it towed there monday night. I called Wednesday evening they still wasn't sure the "issue". Thursday I wait until about 1pm spoke with John he said well we are pretty sure you need a new engine the mechanic is checking a few more things the car has no pressure. About a hr later I get a email and a call saying the timing chain skipped and something about the pistons and the valves and I need a new engine . John called me and said well.Ill tell you what we will offer you a brand new Engine for the same price as a rebuild plus you get 3yrs 300 thousand warranty for 10,944. Give or take a few dollars. We'll first I paid like 15,500 for the car that I just litetally paid off like Jan 12026. I really feel like had GMC Made buyers aware that the vehicle has defective parts/engines buyers could replace parts or GMC should be held accountable. I started googling the engine and found out that there is a class action lawsuit and a recall on " certain" 2017 terrains depending on the vin. Same issues my car is having but its saying my car has no recall.

NHTSA ODI #11719289

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2026
EngineUnknown Or Other

The PCV valve froze which caused pressure to build up in the rear main seal to fail. Causing oil to leak out of the motor. Hence the motor won't hold oil.

NHTSA ODI #11714193

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2025
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

1st time - rear main seal blew out & engine lost all of its oil causing rocker arm to break & chains to slip-vehicle sputtered & DIED while driving down busy street & would not restart - my safety & safety of others driving behind me were at risk for causing a rear end accident and/or pile up crash - no warning lights or sounds …

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1st time - rear main seal blew out & engine lost all of its oil causing rocker arm to break & chains to slip-vehicle sputtered & DIED while driving down busy street & would not restart - my safety & safety of others driving behind me were at risk for causing a rear end accident and/or pile up crash - no warning lights or sounds alerted me - dealership told us General Motors is aware this is/has been a problem with 2017 Terrain vehicles especially those driven in Midwest states due to colder temperatures - the intake manifold vent hole is not large enough to let air out, so it plugs up & causes pressure to blow out rear seal, which causes oil to leak out and engine dies. When replaced with a remanufactured engine intake manifold vent hole was not drilled out causing it to happen again 2nd time - when leaving parking spot at work noticed oil puddles underneath my vehicle, I checked my oil, it showed full, I was concerned, drove to nearby last place I got my oil change. They informed me that all the oil had leaked out and showed me the bottom of my vehicle oil covered the front to the back of my vehicle. They also said that I was extremely lucky to get to shop before engine blew and stopped dead. AGAIN my safety and safety of others behind me could have been a rear end accident and/or car pileup crash - again no warning lights or sounds alerted me - shop personal told me General Motors is aware this is/has been a problem with 2017 Terrain vehicles especially those driven in Midwest states due to colder temperatures - even though the repairs where done by a certified dealership the first time they replaced with a remanufactured engine but failed to drill out the intake manifold vent hole bigger so this would not happen again BUT IT DID. General Motors cannot just sell vehicles it has to stand behind what they sell which in my case they have not. Due to GM lack of concern, recalls, reimbursements, lives have been and continue to be at risk

NHTSA ODI #11657081

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2025
EngineUnknown Or Other

Hole for timing chain guide bolt damaged by failed guide bolt

NHTSA ODI #11639733

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

Broken rear main seal broke which causes oil leak. Almost all GM vehicles around my year have the same issue resulting in blow engine. $2000 to repair and GM told me they know of this being an issue but won’t do anything to resolve.

NHTSA ODI #11572235

Mileage unknown · Feb 7, 2024
Unknown Or Other

In September of 2022 my gmc automatically shut off right in the middle of traffic on a Friday night. No warring, no lights to indicate that something was wrong with my vehicle. I took it to a mechanic shop and they said nothing was wrong and they did a diagnostic test on the car and no codes popped up. A week later my engine lig…

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In September of 2022 my gmc automatically shut off right in the middle of traffic on a Friday night. No warring, no lights to indicate that something was wrong with my vehicle. I took it to a mechanic shop and they said nothing was wrong and they did a diagnostic test on the car and no codes popped up. A week later my engine light came on. And my car died again. Thankfully, I had an extended warranty on my car and took to another mechanic shop. It turns out the timing changes on my car needed to be replaced. Fast forward to today Jan 22,2024. I smelled burning oil every time I would drive the vehicle. The rear main seal and PCV was leaking in between my engine and transmission. I lost 5 quarts of oil between Wednesday and Sunday. My oil light never came in. Thankfully, my engine didn’t lock up. It is currently in the shop getting repaired. My car is still under an extended warranty.

NHTSA ODI #11570474

Mileage unknown · Jan 25, 2024
EngineUnknown Or Other

In certain makes of General Motor vehicles there is a defect with the PCV system in which the system can freeze in cold temperatures which in turns causes excessive crankcase pressure in the engine, and can lead to a dangerous loss of motor power due to this defect. The dangers of this defect can be catastrophic to myself and ot…

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In certain makes of General Motor vehicles there is a defect with the PCV system in which the system can freeze in cold temperatures which in turns causes excessive crankcase pressure in the engine, and can lead to a dangerous loss of motor power due to this defect. The dangers of this defect can be catastrophic to myself and others on the roadway as the loss of motor power can happen suddenly and can happen while the vehicle is being driven. General Motors has released many service bulletins regarding this specific defect. The most recent service bulletin that was issued was GM January 2019 Bulletin PIP5093C, so they are aware of this dangerous problem in these vehicles. For my vehicle I have had a certified GMC dealership diagnosis the problem, and submit their findings to General Motors. There were not any warning lamps, messages, lights, or symptoms signaling that there was a problem prior to the occurrence on January 15th, 2024.

NHTSA ODI #11567838

Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2023
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

1. The car started making a noise then started surging and jerking. I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know what happened but it will not crank now. Yes, someone can come inspect the vehicle, by appointment only. 2. I was afraid that the car was going to blow up or the brakes would not hold. 3. No, the problem has not been reprodu…

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1. The car started making a noise then started surging and jerking. I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know what happened but it will not crank now. Yes, someone can come inspect the vehicle, by appointment only. 2. I was afraid that the car was going to blow up or the brakes would not hold. 3. No, the problem has not been reproduced or inspected. 4. No, the vehicle or component has not been inspected. 5. NO, there were no warning lights to let me know there was a problem.

NHTSA ODI #11544332

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2023
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

We have had many GM vehicles my husband worked at GM retired now. Our complaint is we have a GMC Denali 2017 only 79000 miles on it. All upto date changes regularly all. Other like Transmission oil changed all upkeep to date. Transmission needs rebuilt. We are in our 80’s And don’t beat up our cars. Replace or rebuild transm…

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We have had many GM vehicles my husband worked at GM retired now. Our complaint is we have a GMC Denali 2017 only 79000 miles on it. All upto date changes regularly all. Other like Transmission oil changed all upkeep to date. Transmission needs rebuilt. We are in our 80’s And don’t beat up our cars. Replace or rebuild transmission 3500 to 4500 bucks. That is a lot of money for us. No longer covered. It shudders when you drive at any speed and feels so unsafe. Took it to GM garage and they couldn’t find anything wrong. No warning lights came on and we paid over 150 to have it checked out so with the shuddering getting worse and not feeling safe to drive we took it to a Transmission shop and he took it out and said the Shuddering was caused by something in the transmission. I have seen on google where GM is having a lot of problems in this area. We just need help with the repairs. Thank you. A retired GM worker Lordstown, Ohio [XXX]. Retired 1999 [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11529747

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2023
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

The rear main seal is out, which is causing an oil leak. The intake manifold failed because the pvc system has a clog which has caused too much pressure to build up and caused the rear main seal to blow out. (PVC pipe is freezing over in cold temperatures which causes the failure of the main seal to blow out subsequently leading…

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The rear main seal is out, which is causing an oil leak. The intake manifold failed because the pvc system has a clog which has caused too much pressure to build up and caused the rear main seal to blow out. (PVC pipe is freezing over in cold temperatures which causes the failure of the main seal to blow out subsequently leading to additional major issues and parts failure. This issue has occurred in an overwhelming amount of vehicles.)

NHTSA ODI #11500269

Official recalls

1

22V137000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights

Mar 8, 2022

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.