The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she observed white smoke coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired.…
2017 GMC Terrain powertrain problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 23 powertrain complaints filed for the 2017 GMC Terrain, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated after stopping and shifting into park(P), the ignition switch could not be turned off and the key could not be removed from the ignition switch. While the contact was inspecting the rear of the vehicle, the vehicle started to roll backwards, almost injuring the contact. The vehicle was later driven to the local dealer who diagnosed that the…
I have to replace my rear drive shaft.
At around 20 miles per hour, while accelerating, all torque is lost and the vehicle engine revs high. It takes a few seconds, then the transmission finally shifts into the next gear. This causes a big jolt. It is dangerous, all power is lost, then suddenly too much power is applied. This has happened since I purchased the vehicle. I have taken it to the dealership. They won't do anything about…
My vehicle only has 78,000 miles on it and the timing chain needs to be replaced?! This is no longer under warranty because it’s been over 5 years but this should last a life time. Now I have a car that doesn’t start or run that I have to make payments on and no one wants to do the work on my car! I looked online and a bunch of people are having the same issue with the same exact car at similar…
I had my 2017 GMC terrain denali for two years and have already experienced two serious issues. Issue #1-I noticed a burning smell, grinding noise, and hesitation when driving. I brought it to the dealership where I bought it and was told that there was a factory defect which caused something inside my transfer to bore a hole through it. Dealer could not get the part for 2 weeks. It was covered…
Engine shut off while doing 70 mph on interstate. There was no warning signs or nothing.
We have had 4 transmissions since we bought the vehicle. It slows down to almost a stop after it hits 30 mph and makes weird noises all throughout the vehicle. The back right tire sticks to the pavement and jerks when i start to drive. The key ignition has been fixed several times and still sometimes won't turn with the key or come out. Yes Warranty told the repaid service company to fix…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2017 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 23 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 56,116 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.