CarBrief

NHTSA lists 135 owner complaints for the 2017 GMC Terrain, and 81 of them name the engine group[1][2]. The one recall in our data covers headlight glare, and dealers fix it for free[3].

135owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
18–25MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on file for the 2017 GMC Terrain[1]. Of those, 11 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 7 injuries, and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several components. Here is how they split up.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 81
Power train[7] 24
Unknown or other[8] 20
Air bags[9] 12
Electrical system[10] 9
Exterior lighting[11] 7
Structure[12] 7
Seat belts[13] 4

Engine. This is the biggest group, with 81 complaints, a median mileage at failure of 82,500 and 1 fire[2]. In a sample of 12 engine complaint texts we read, 8 describe a failed rear main seal that let oil leak out[2]. Three of those owners say a frozen PCV valve in cold weather caused it, and 3 say there was no low-oil warning before it happened[2]. Four texts in the sample describe a loss of power or stalling while driving[2]. These are owner accounts, not confirmed causes.

Power train. There are 24 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 46,580[7]. In a sample of 12 texts, 7 describe hesitation, jerking, shuddering, delayed shifting or lost power, and 4 of them say the transmission needed to be replaced or rebuilt[7]. Another 4 describe the same oil loss and seal failure seen in the engine group[7].

Air bags. The group is small at 12 complaints, but 9 mention a crash and 6 an injury[9]. The median mileage at failure is 39,500[9]. In a sample of 12 texts, 8 say the air bags did not deploy, or did not deploy properly, in a crash[9]. Three describe an air bag warning light or sensor fault with no crash[9]. The reports alone do not tell us whether the air bags should have deployed in each crash.

Other groups. The unknown or other group has 20 complaints, including 3 crashes and 2 injuries[8]. In the electrical group, 3 of 9 sample texts describe a radio, screen or back-up camera that stopped working[10].

Recalls

Our data lists 1 recall for the 2017 Terrain[4].

Fuel economy

All versions in the EPA data have a 6-speed automatic and run on regular gasoline, except one front-wheel-drive listing that also takes E85[14][15].

Engine and drive City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl, front-wheel drive[5] 21 / 31 / 25 $2,700
2.4L 4-cyl, front-wheel drive, gasoline or E85[15] 21 / 31 / 25 $2,700
2.4L 4-cyl, all-wheel drive[14] 20 / 28 / 23 $2,900
3.6L 6-cyl, front-wheel drive[16] 17 / 24 / 20 $3,350
3.6L 6-cyl, all-wheel drive[17] 16 / 23 / 18 $3,700

The 2.4L front-wheel-drive version is the most efficient at 25 combined MPG[5]. The 3.6L all-wheel-drive version is the thirstiest at 18 combined MPG[17]. EPA's annual cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

The all-wheel-drive Terrain earned 4 stars overall from NHTSA, with 4 stars in frontal, 5 in side and 4 in rollover tests, and a rollover risk of 17.4%[6]. The front-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 19.1%[18].

Engine and size

The EPA data lists two engines: a 2.4L 4-cylinder and a 3.6L 6-cylinder[14][16]. The size figures below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[19].

All-wheel drive Front-wheel drive
Length[19][20] 185 in 185 in
Width[19][20] 73 in 73 in
Height[19][20] 67 in 67 in
Wheelbase[19][20] 113 in 113 in
Curb weight[19][20] 4,019 lb 3,854 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

2010: 290 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 386 complaints, 4 recalls2012: 364 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 364 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 297 complaints, 2 recalls20142015: 298 complaints, 3 recalls2016: 153 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 135 complaints, 1 recalls13520172018: 225 complaints, 5 recalls20182019: 186 complaints, 3 recalls2020: 197 complaints, 2 recalls20202021: 36 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 88 complaints, 4 recalls20222023: 41 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 52 complaints, 1 recalls20242025: 13 complaints, 0 recalls2026: 33 complaints, 1 recalls20262027: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Terrain model year. The 2017 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20102903
20113864
20123644
20133643
20142972
20152983
20161532
20171351
20182255
20191863
20201972
2021362
2022884
2023412
2024521
2025130
2026331
202710

The 2017 Terrain has 135 complaints and 1 recall on file[4]. Every model year from 2010 to 2016 has more complaints, and so do 2018, 2019 and 2020[4]. Only 2021 through 2027 have fewer[4]. On recalls, only 2025 and 2027 show none, 2024 and 2026 also show 1, and every other year shows between 2 and 5[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the comparison as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2017 Terrain?

Within its own model family, the 2017 Terrain has fewer complaints than 2010 to 2016 and 2018 to 2020, and only 1 recall[4]. The engine group still accounts for 81 of its 135 complaints, and the sample we read shows owners describing oil loss from a failed rear main seal[2]. Complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so they cannot tell you how likely any problem is[1]. Ask for service records, ask whether the headlight recall work was done, and have a shop check for oil leaks and transmission behavior before you commit[3].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 GMC Terrain?
The engine group has the most NHTSA complaints, 81 of 135[1][2]. In a sample of engine complaint texts, owners describe oil leaking from a failed rear main seal[2]. Power train has 24 complaints[7].
Does the 2017 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Our data lists 1 recall[4]. It is 22V137, for headlight glare, and dealers install headlamp appliques for free[3].
What gas mileage does the 2017 GMC Terrain get?
EPA combined ratings run from 18 MPG for the 3.6L all-wheel-drive version to 25 MPG for the 2.4L front-wheel-drive version[17][5].
How safe is the 2017 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall and 5 stars for side protection, in both all-wheel-drive and front-wheel-drive form[6][18].
Is 2017 a good year for the GMC Terrain?
It has 135 complaints and 1 recall, fewer complaints than 2010 to 2016 and 2018 to 2020[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 135 owner complaints on file for the 2017 GMC Terrain (11 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 81 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 22V137, filed March 8, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Terrain model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 24 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 46,580). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 20 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 12 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 7 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 31 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TERRAIN 4DR SUV AWD: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,019 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TERRAIN 4DR SUV FWD: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,854 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.