EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
2017 GMC Terrain
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 133 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2017 GMC Terrain, most frequently naming the engine, powertrain (other) and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1,061 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 2 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 3 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 4 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 5 |
| Mar 2018 | 2 | 7 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 8 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 9 |
| Jan 2019 | 2 | 11 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 12 |
| Aug 2019 | 3 | 15 |
| Nov 2019 | 2 | 17 |
| Apr 2020 | 2 | 19 |
| Sep 2020 | 1 | 20 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 21 |
| Jan 2021 | 1 | 22 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 23 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 24 |
| Aug 2021 | 3 | 27 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 28 |
| Jan 2022 | 5 | 33 |
| Feb 2022 | 4 | 37 |
| Mar 2022 | 3 | 40 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 41 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 42 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 43 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 44 |
| Oct 2022 | 2 | 46 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 47 |
| Dec 2022 | 4 | 51 |
| Jan 2023 | 9 | 60 |
| Feb 2023 | 4 | 64 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 65 |
| May 2023 | 2 | 67 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 68 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 69 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 71 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 72 |
| Dec 2023 | 3 | 75 |
| Jan 2024 | 9 | 84 |
| Feb 2024 | 5 | 89 |
| Mar 2024 | 1 | 90 |
| Apr 2024 | 5 | 95 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 96 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 97 |
| Oct 2024 | 2 | 99 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 100 |
| Jan 2025 | 4 | 104 |
| Feb 2025 | 4 | 108 |
| Mar 2025 | 2 | 110 |
| Apr 2025 | 3 | 113 |
| May 2025 | 2 | 115 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 116 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 117 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | 118 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 119 |
| Dec 2025 | 2 | 121 |
| Jan 2026 | 4 | 125 |
| Feb 2026 | 5 | 130 |
| Mar 2026 | 2 | 132 |
| Apr 2026 | 1 | 133 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine7949.4%
- Powertrain (other)2314.4%
- Airbags127.5%
- Electrical116.9%
- Exterior lighting74.4%
- Body & structure74.4%
- Visibility42.5%
- Driver assistance42.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The head unit quit working around 98k. 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. For the most part the head unit doesn't work but once in a while, once a month, it comes on but shows the Chevy logo on the screen which is odd because it is a GMC. Once you turn the car off, it will be gone again until it decides to come back. We took it into a dealer who tried to hook up to it and reprogram or update it, but he had no luck. Now we are without a backup camera that is a safety issue. I do not know why this isn't a recall as it is well known about issue.
- NHTSA ID
- 11733049
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2025
Have had to replace the VVT solenoids several times within a year spam. 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. I want GM to take accountability and fix this issue as it is a safety issue to myself and everyone on the road.
- NHTSA ID
- 11727804
- Incident
- Mar 25, 2026
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11725197
- Incident
- Mar 15, 2026
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to a local car wash, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence; however, the next day, the vehicle hesitated while starting. The message "Stabilizer - Power to Engine Reduced" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine possibly needed to be replaced because the engine failed to turn over. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine was blown. The contact was informed that the engine and the starter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost and remained with the local dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,750. The VIN was not available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11720905
- Incident
- Feb 16, 2026
- Mileage
- 104,750 mi
I had a message flash that said the power to the engine was reduce. Next message said check stabilink ( or something similar).. it said drive with caution. I live 2 mins from my job I drove home and pulled in the driveway I then felt the car act like it wanted to shake. This was on 2-10-26 I contacted onstar asked them to run a diagnostic. The codes that came back P0016 p0089 p228D are very well known codes with many people with the same vehicle/engine that have had to replace the engine. The engines have known issues had I known that maybe I could have replaced a part or two or three or four to have a stable vehicle now my vehicle is currently at GMC DEALER since Tuesday morning actually had it towed there monday night. I called Wednesday evening they still wasn't sure the "issue". Thursday I wait until about 1pm spoke with John he said well we are pretty sure you need a new engine the mechanic is checking a few more things the car has no pressure. About a hr later I get a email and a call saying the timing chain skipped and something about the pistons and the valves and I need a new engine . John called me and said well.Ill tell you what we will offer you a brand new Engine for the same price as a rebuild plus you get 3yrs 300 thousand warranty for 10,944. Give or take a few dollars. We'll first I paid like 15,500 for the car that I just litetally paid off like Jan 12026. I really feel like had GMC Made buyers aware that the vehicle has defective parts/engines buyers could replace parts or GMC should be held accountable. I started googling the engine and found out that there is a class action lawsuit and a recall on " certain" 2017 terrains depending on the vin. Same issues my car is having but its saying my car has no recall.
- NHTSA ID
- 11719289
- Incident
- Feb 10, 2026
Rear main seal blow out
- NHTSA ID
- 11715861
- Incident
- Jan 28, 2026
Traveling on the expressway, engine made wearing noise, reduced engine power and complete engine failure while driving. Rear main seal blowout due to a defective PCV system freezing. It is a known issue for GM2.4L engine especially in cold weather leading to massive oil loss and catastrophic engine damage. This has been confirmed by a GM authorized dealer.
- NHTSA ID
- 11715695
- Incident
- Jan 19, 2026
On January 31, 2026, while driving on the highway, my 2017 GMC Terrain suddenly began shaking as if it was going to stall. Thankfully, I managed to exit the interstate before the vehicle lost power. Luckily, when this happened, it "only" blocked traffic on a side road. The Terrain was towed to my garage. The mechanic called to inform me that the vehicle was out of oil -even though it was not due for servicing, nor did a “check oil" warning appear. He noted that this was not the first time he had seen this problem occur with this particular make and model: the PCV valve had frozen due to recent cold weather, which led to the rear main seal fracturing, causing oil leaking. In addition, the manifold had also cracked. He explained that repairs would be costly given the labor needed to remove the transmission and perform other related tasks. He recommended that I "Google" the problem to gain an understanding of the time involved to complete this repair. My research corroborated that this was a very labor-intensive undertaking. More concerning was discovering an abundance of cases documenting this failure -as well as class action lawsuits- which underscores the fact that GM knows about this issue but refuses to address it. I am not sure why there hasn't been a recall—though perhaps that's a question for people much smarter than I am. Now, after spending thousands of dollars, I have a vehicle with an oil life monitoring system that doesn't function as intended—and worse, I know this could happen again.
- NHTSA ID
- 11715646
- Incident
- Jan 31, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
PI to help diagnose A/C concern
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 body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. If it is not an original manufacture part, they should install one and evaluate the vehicle.
This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
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 preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 24 | 1 | 0 | 50.9 |
| 2025 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 48.4 |
| 2024 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 48.0 |
| 2023 | 37 | 2 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 2022 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 55.4 |
| 2021 | 34 | 2 | 0 | 59.9 |
| 2020 | 188 | 2 | 0 | 58.7 |
| 2019 | 178 | 3 | 0 | 57.5 |
| 2018 | 216 | 5 | 0 | 58.0 |
| 2017Viewing | 133 | 1 | 0 | 52.5 |
| 2016 | 151 | 2 | 2 | 60.6 |
| 2015 | 297 | 3 | 2 | 55.1 |
| 2014 | 296 | 2 | 2 | 50.7 |
| 2013 | 363 | 3 | 0 | 49.8 |
| 2012 | 364 | 4 | 3 | 59.9 |
| 2011 | 386 | 4 | 3 | 57.9 |
| 2010 | 290 | 3 | 3 | 56.3 |
| 2009 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.