2017 GMC Terrain problems
Owners have filed 181 complaints about the 2017 GMC Terrain with NHTSA. Engine accounts for 42.5% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of power train at 12.7%.
Complaints181
Crashes20
Fires5
Injuries11
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine 42.5% · 77
Power train 12.7% · 23
Unknown or other 11.0% · 20
Air bags 7.2% · 13
Electrical system 5.0% · 9
Structure 3.9% · 7
Exterior lighting 3.9% · 7
Fuel/propulsion system 2.2% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 11 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 11 model years of the GMC Terrain in this data, 2017 draws comparatively few complaints; 2011 is the outlier year.
Filings are rising — 81 in the last three years against 70 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 46,580 miles.
In owners' own words
I purchased this Vehicle in February of 2023, I had a problem shortly after with the oil always being low. I was adding oil to it all the time. 7 months later the engine blew. This is a very faulty problem with this engine that I am NOW finding out. This problem needs to be addressed and fixed. Now I am stuck with a vehicle that I still owe money on that will cost me 6 to 9 thousand to replace the engine. Engine
I was driving back from out of state and all the sudden the engine just got loud. So I pulled over and check oil levels. Except there is no access to the transmission oil. The only way to check this is to remove the front driverside tire, take a bolt out and see if any oil drips out. This is insane that there is no dip stick. I am taking it to a mechanic on Monday but to not have quick access to this is wild. Engine
Available for inspection upon request. The rear main seal is out, which is causing an oil leak. The intake manifold failed because the pcv system has a clog which has caused too much pressure to build up and caused the rear main seal to blow out. There were no dash lights. My car was completely out of oil from the issue and I had no indicators. This issue has been check and confirmed by a GMC mechanic. Engine
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…