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ProblemsByVin File / 2017-GMC-TERRAIN NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2017 · GMC

GMC Terrain problems

133 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2017 Terrain?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 7 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
57 reports · fails ~89,282 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
powertrain
23 reports · fails ~56,116 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
airbags
11 reports · fails ~36,093 mi · avg $1,100
severe
lighting
7 reports · fails ~37,000 mi · avg $250
moderate
electrical
6 reports · fails ~52,125 mi · avg $850
severe
body
3 reports · fails ~43,500 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
visibility
3 reports · fails ~22,000 mi · avg $350
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2017 Terrain's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2017 Terrain?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2017 Terrain · engine
This car burns 1 quart of 5w-30 synthetic blend oil every 200 miles! The pcv valve has been cleaned numerous times and this does not affect the burning oil issue and yes this can be inspected upon request. Safety put at risk you ask, this is a ticking timebomb ready to ruin…
2017 Terrain · engine
In very cold weather the 2.4 engines will blow the rear main seal out and cause rapid oil loss causing engine failure. This is the second time it has happened. First time was February 2022 and the dealer said they havent seen this problem before
2017 Terrain · body
The latch for the rear hatch/door does not release every time. There have been instances when itmes have been in the cargo area and when the button is pressed, it will not release the latch. This causes someone to have to crawl over the back seat to retrieve the items from the…
2017 Terrain · engine
It was Christmas weekend, the coldest days our area had seen this time of year in decades. Temperatures were around 0 degrees, with wind chills that were -25 below. The check engine light had come on the day before. My husband was literally driving to the mechanic to have it…
View all 133 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2017 GMC Terrain? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 22V137000 March 8, 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles

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

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2017 GMC Terrain reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 133 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 GMC Terrain is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2017 GMC Terrain?

The 2017 GMC Terrain is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2017 GMC Terrain?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 57 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 89,282 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 89,282 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my GMC Terrain has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 GMC Terrain?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 133 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/GMC/Terrain. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with GMC. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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