The 2017 GMC Terrain has 133 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag severe engine problems — includes rapid oil consumption (burning a full reservoir within 50 miles), cylinder misfires, piston damage, and complete engine failure requiring replacement, often under 100,000 miles. linked to the 2.4l engine (2010-2017) and 1.5l turbo engine in later models. frequency: very frequent.
Safety record for the 2017 model year
133
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
11
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2017 GMC Terrain vehicles (US, public record).
Where owners report problems
engine
77
power train
23
air bags
12
electrical system
9
exterior lighting
7
Recalls affecting the 2017 Terrain
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 22V137000
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 …
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain. Owners of newer models (2022+) report positive experiences with basic maintenance and no major issues up to 70,000 miles, describing the vehicle as comfortable and feature-rich. H
Severe engine problems — Includes rapid oil consumption (burning a full reservoir within 50 miles), cylinder misfires, piston damage, and complete engine failure requiring replacement, often under 100,000 miles. Linked to the 2.4L engine (2010-2017) and 1.5L turbo engine in later models. Frequency: very frequent.
Transmission issues — Includes stalling, failure to shift into 2nd or 3rd gear, violent jerking, and complete failure limiting speed to 20 mph (32 km/h). Reported across model years including 2016, 2020, and 2024. Frequency: very frequent.
Electrical system failures — Includes vehicles dying completely while stopped, losing all power, battery saver mode errors, and problematic auto-start/stop systems. Difficulty diagnosing root cause (alternator, starter, battery). Frequency: very frequent.
Check Engine Light / Emission System Faults — Recurrent codes including P0411 (secondary air injection), P0011 (camshaft timing), P305DF, and P305E. Often leads to expensive repairs like EGR cooler, exhaust manifold, and solenoid replacements. Frequency: recurrent.
Diesel-specific failures — For the diesel variant, reports of failed EGR coolers, catalytic converters burning through, and long parts wait times. Frequency: isolated but severe.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Terrain.
Typical used price
Used Terrain listings typically run $16,788–$31,239 across 2011 to 2026 model years.