AI Damage2017 GMC Terrain: common problems
Owners of the 2017 GMC Terrain filed 135 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and powertrain. The maker issued 739 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 135
- involving a crash
- 11
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 739
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 59% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 18% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 6 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- Engine: 79 complaints (59% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 74.
- Powertrain: 24 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 61.
- Air bags: 12 complaints (9% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 134.
- Structure: 7 complaints (5% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 5 complaints
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 135 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 79 | 0 | 74 |
| Powertrain | 24 | 0 | 61 |
| Air bags | 12 | 9 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 1 | 134 |
| Structure | 7 | 4 | 29 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 22 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 277 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 94 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 20 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 17 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The first week I had it the engine kept stalling while idling. I took it to the dealership for them to fix. I got it back and it seemed to run hard. 3 days later I found that not one but both key fobs would not work. The battery is brand new.
I am the owner of a 2017 gmc terrain. Yesterday, I was involved in a car accident in this vehicle. Some person pulled out in front of me and I slammed on my brakes to avoid a car accident.
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.
The airbags did not deploy there was a message on the screen that say service airbag (but they hadn't deployed). I could smell something burning, the vehicle was smoking and I could hear something popping, I got out to assess the damage and my vehicle was on fire. The vehicle ended up being a total loss..
Because it burns oil like crazy. And now at this point, the transmission has just quit. I believe they call it the drive train. I am taking it to D and D auto repair in [XXX] on Thursday of this week.
The head unit is the radio, and screen which includes the back up camera. From what we have been told and find online, this is a known problem with them and affects other models as well.
Had to replace the rear main seal because it blew out due to carbon build up. Having issues with excessive oil consumption. Now the vehicle just started with: going from a stop position to accelerating at low speeds the vehicle stalls and dies.
Wiper blades transmission plastic parts keep popping or breaking this is the THIRD time this has happened at a cost of $350. Why would you use plastic parts for this knowing that it will break easily? Who can afford to keep replacing this? 12
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 466 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Terrain has 94 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 135, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic…
This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump…
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
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.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
NHTSA lists 739 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 GMC Terrain?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, powertrain, air bags. Total complaints: 135. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (24%), warning lights, check engine (23%), stalls while driving (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA lists 739 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 GMC Terrain from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.