This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 GMC Terrain engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 GMC Terrain have filed 57 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 85,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
57
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Terrain | 152 |
| 2014 Terrain | 93 |
| 2015 Terrain | 62 |
| 2016 Terrain | 34 |
| 2017 Terrain (this page) | 57 |
| 2018 Terrain | 18 |
| 2019 Terrain | 17 |
| 2020 Terrain | 18 |
| 2021 Terrain | 4 |
What stands out
Engine accounts for 43% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 7 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 57 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be entitled to the 7 year, 70,000-mile Emission Select State Component Limited Warranty.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2017 GMC Terrain 2.4L EcoTech describe two interconnected failure patterns. First, the PCV valve or intake manifold system becomes clogged or frozen during cold weather, trapping pressure in the crankcase until the rear main seal ruptures catastrophically. Oil drains within minutes, the engine seizes, and the vehicle dies at highway speed, idle, or in traffic—with no oil pressure warning until after the seal blows. Second, the engine burns oil at an alarming rate: some owners add 1 quart per 500–1,000 miles despite no external leaks and regular maintenance. The oil monitoring system does not alert drivers to low levels; they discover the problem only when checking the dipstick manually or when the engine loses oil pressure and stalls. Timing chains snap from running low, metal debris appears in the oil, and complete engine replacement becomes necessary at 48,000 to 130,000 miles. Owners cite Technical Service Bulletins 19-NA-021 and 5093c and reference a class action lawsuit and GM's awareness of the defect across 2010–2017 model years. Some dealerships offer 13–25% of repair costs; GM has extended special coverage programs to earlier model years but often excludes 2017 VINs, telling owners the vehicle is not on the covered list.
Same GMC Terrain engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Frozen/Clogged PCV System causing Rear Main Seal Failure and Oil Loss
In cold weather, the PCV valve or system freezes or becomes clogged, creating excessive crankcase pressure that ruptures the rear main seal. Oil drains rapidly, causing sudden engine shutdown, loud noises, and catastrophic internal damage. Owners report no warning lights until after the seal fails.
When: Typically in subzero or extreme cold temperatures; mileage ranges 48,000–115,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of power while driving; Loud popping or knocking sounds; Oil pooling/leaking underneath the engine; Check engine light illuminates after damage occurs; Oil pressure warning light, if it appears; Exhaust fumes entering cabin; Vehicle stalls without warning at idle or traffic light
Codes mentioned: Low Oil Pressure - Shut Engine Off message, Service StabiliTrak, Reduced Engine Power
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement typically $7,000–$11,000; some owners cite $4,000–$6,200 for partial internal repairs. Repair requires removal of transmission and extensive labor. TSB GMC 19-NA-021 (2010–2017 models) and TSB 5093c referenced by owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM references TSB 19-NA-021 for 2010–2013 models; some owners cite Technical Service Bulletins 14882, PIP5093B, and Special Coverage Program SB-10057977 for excessive oil consumption. GM has denied coverage for some VINs, claiming they are excluded from bulletins, or offered partial payment (13–25% of repair cost). Class action lawsuits documented by owners.
Excessive Oil Consumption (Burning Oil)
The 2.4L EcoTech engine consumes oil at abnormally high rates, sometimes 1 quart per 500–1,000 miles or faster. Owners must check oil weekly or daily and add oil between scheduled service intervals. The root cause appears related to faulty piston rings or combustion design, not external leaks.
When: Begins as early as 48,000–90,000 miles; accelerates over time
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly between service intervals; No visible oil leak underneath vehicle; Burnt oil smell inside cabin; No warning lights for low oil until engine damage occurs; Engine knocking or ticking on cold mornings; Oil company or dealership notes low level after routine oil change
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light (may not appear until damage is severe)
Repairs/costs cited: Piston ring replacement cited at $2,202 by one owner; complete engine replacement $7,000–$11,000. GM offered partial warranty coverage for some owners after prolonged dispute. One owner cited the oil consumption test but was denied initial coverage; another stated GM is waiting for 10% production failure threshold before issuing 100% coverage recall.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has issued Special Coverage Adjustment 16118 and programs for earlier 2010–2013 model years but has extended this to some 2014–2017 models only after dispute. Dealerships acknowledge the issue as 'known' but initially deny coverage; some offer partial reimbursement (13–25%) after complaint escalation. Class action lawsuit filed (Missouri and others cited); GM denies awareness in some cases despite documented complaints.
Timing Chain Failure
Timing chain breaks or becomes damaged, typically secondary to low-oil events caused by PCV failure or excessive consumption. Broken timing chain prevents engine operation and requires engine replacement.
When: Mileage 79,000–130,000 miles; often coincides with oil loss episodes
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls or loses power while driving; Rocking/shuddering motion at stops or low speeds; Check engine light illuminates; Engine will not turn over or restart; No oil detected during inspection
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; cost $7,000–$11,000. One owner reported engine replacement and subsequent abnormal oil consumption persisting after new engine installed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response cited for timing chain failures; treated as consequence of primary oil loss/PCV defect.
VVT Solenoid Failure
Variable Valve Timing solenoids malfunction, requiring replacement. One owner reported multiple replacements within a one-year span.
When: Mileage unknown; one complaint cited repeated failures within 12 months
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal engine noise, especially on cold mornings; Stalling at low speeds or during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple replacement cycles required by one owner within one year.
Engine Knock/Metal Debris
Engine produces knocking sounds or metal shavings appear in oil, indicating internal damage. One complaint references a GM recall for over 500,000 engines with knocking issues and metal in the engine.
When: Mileage variable
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking or ticking sound from engine; Metal shavings found in engine oil or oil pan during inspection; Engine may eventually seize
Repairs/costs cited: One owner found chunks of metal in the engine; engine replacement recommended to prevent catastrophic failure while driving.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner noted a recent GM recall for 500,000+ engines with knocking and requested 2017 Terrain inclusion; no response documented.
Synthesized from 57 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
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 the engine due to burning oil, leaves me stranded in my rural town for fear of mechanical breakdown, need to carry two 5…
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
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 looked at, when the vehicle completely broke down across the street from his destination. Thank God he was approaching an…
For a year we have had to check to the oil weekly and add oil due to the vehicle burning oil so quickly. The past month we have had to check it daily and add oil. We do regular routine oil changes and have had to get them before the next one is due. Recently when driving the “oil pressure low stop engine” light has been coming on almost daily. The oil change company has reported to us that it is…
Had engine trouble with your 2017 GMC Terrain?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2017 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 57 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 79,000 and 104,750 miles, with the median around 85,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 79,000; a quarter make it past 104,750. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2017/GMC/Terrain.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.