2017 GMC Terrain Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine problems, especially oil loss linked to a failed rear main seal and, in some cases, a broken timing chain that led to engine replacement. Transmission complaints and reports of stalls, reduced-power messages and electrical or lighting issues also appear, with many of the engine reports arriving between about 60,000 and 120,000 miles.

1. 1
   Engine

   Rear main seal failure and major oil loss

   • 57 complaints (42%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 5.4 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • owner-quoted repair $6,200 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2021–2026

   Owners describe sudden heavy oil loss, sometimes with the low oil pressure message, an oil puddle under the vehicle, or white smoke and exhaust smell. Several reports say a mechanic found the rear main seal had failed after the PCV system in the intake manifold clogged or froze, and that the engine was ruined or needed replacement. Complaints mention that dealers and the manufacturer declined assistance in some cases, including when the vehicle was said to fall outside a related service bulletin. Reported from roughly 60,000 to 125,000 miles, with several complaints describing cold weather or winter driving.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for oil residue or fresh leaks under the engine and around the rear of the engine block, and ask whether the PCV/intake manifold has been serviced. Ask for oil change records and whether oil consumption was ever tested.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #11450934, filed 2022-02

   “While driving on the highway with my child, vehicle suddenly went into reduced power mode. 5 minutes later after exiting the highway, the low oil pressure Alert came on. The vehicle was parked two minutes later then towed home. After towing it to my local certified dealership, it was determined the pcv was clogged with ice resulting in a blown rear main seal. There was a recall for a defect in earlier terrains for this same issue (See SB 14882). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11450711, filed 2022-02
2. 2
   Engine

   Timing chain failure and engine stalling

   • 47 complaints (35%)
   • median 79,500 mi at 6.3 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2019–2026

   Complaints describe the engine stalling or quitting while driving, sometimes with rocking or shuddering at a stop, and a check engine light. In several cases a mechanic diagnosed a broken or fractured timing chain and told the owner the engine needed replacement. Some owners also report the engine using excessive oil between changes and unusual noise on cold starts. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 100,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for rattling or whining from the engine on a cold start and ask whether the timing chain has ever been replaced. Ask about oil consumption history and any prior stalling or no-start incidents.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2017 GMC Terrain motors consume oil at an excessive rate (1 quart per 1,000 miles). Getting an oil change every 5,000 miles, even consistently, puts the engine at risk for major internal failure and safety risks to the passengers. My engine in my 2017 GMC Terrain has a broken timing chain and internal damage due to the excessive oil consumption issue. The engine will have to be replaced. GM has known about this issue for years. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11543407, filed 2023-09

   “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 mileage and the same issue! GMC needs to do a recall on this issue, many people are losing money and it’s a financial crisis.”

   NHTSA complaint #11624318, filed 2024-11
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a crash

   • 11 complaints (8%)
   • median 39,500 mi at 2.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2018–2024

   Several owners describe collisions, including front-end and rear impacts, in which the airbags did not deploy even though a service airbag message appeared afterward. Some reports mention a powder-like smell, and some note injuries. In a related report, a seat belt locked or failed to retract after a loud pop and an airbag service message. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 58,000 miles, typically at the time of a collision.

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light cycles normally on startup and stays off, and ask whether the vehicle has any unrepaired collision damage or airbag system repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was making a left turn during a green light my car was in motion. A white van was speeding towards me from the drivers side going straight at me at high speed with a red light. They hit the front drivers end of my car which made my car spin out. The airbags did not deploy. The whole front end of my car was ruined.”

   NHTSA complaint #11320468, filed 2020-04, 45,000 miles

   “While checking the rear view mirror a 1998 chevy truck came tp a sudden stop on the highway, and I could not miss the truck the driver claimed he thought he had missed his turn, when my SUV collided with the truck. The powder came out but the airbags never did come out,and the passenger seatbelt locked.”

   NHTSA complaint #11241899, filed 2019-08, 58,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, delayed or harsh shifting

   • 14 complaints (10%)
   • median 43,790 mi at 3.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2017–2026

   Owners describe shuddering at various speeds, delayed engagement, a hesitation followed by a hard jolt when accelerating, and an abrupt loss of power. Some report the transmission needed rebuilding, and others say a dealer could not duplicate the concern or found no fault codes. One complaint describes a loud noise and loss of acceleration on the interstate with a flashing drive indicator. Spread from very low mileage up to about 80,000 miles, with many reports under 50,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive at steady highway speed and during gentle acceleration to feel for shudder or delayed shifts, and ask whether transmission fluid was changed and whether any repair work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 under my warranty. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11277638, filed 2019-11, 63,000 miles

   “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 it. The vehicle now has 40,502 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #11282165, filed 2019-11, 5,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Weak or inadequate headlight output

   • 6 complaints (4%)
   • median 37,000 mi at 3.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2025

   Owners describe headlights that seem too dim for night driving, especially in rain, and some report that low-beam visibility was still poor after the headlight recall repair was performed. Others say they never received notice of the recall. A dealer response described in one complaint was that the lights operated as designed. Reported from around 20,000 to 54,000 miles, most often noted during night or wet-weather driving.

   Recall 22V137000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 22V137000 was performed and check the headlights yourself on an unlit road; look for clouded or hazed housings.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Headlights, high and low beans are almost useless, they are not bright enough, barely can see to drive it at night, especially if raining, totally almost like being blind.”

   NHTSA complaint #11088766, filed 2018-04, 20,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting). After the recall repair was performed, the contact discovered that while driving at night, the low-beam headlights illumination was extremely low, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who indicated that no failure was found, and that the headlights operated as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11503333, filed 2023-01, 54,000 miles

Buying note. Have a pre-purchase inspection focused on oil leaks, oil consumption and the timing chain, and get the service history for oil changes and any transmission work. Also confirm whether the headlight recall was completed and check that the airbag warning light behaves normally.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.