2017 GMC Terrain Electrical Problems

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

I am filing this complaint to report a catastrophic engine failure involving my 2017 GMC Terrain equipped with the 2.4L Ecotec engine, which I believe is the result of a known manufacturing defect related to excessive oil consumption and premature internal engine wear. At approximately 88,000 miles, my vehicle experienced severe engine failure, including excessive oil consumption, timing chain failure, and complete engine failure, which has been confirmed in writing by a licensed repair facility. The shop determined that the engine failure was caused by oil starvation resulting from excessive oil consumption, leading to internal engine damage and timing chain failure. This failure occurred without warning and rendered the vehicle unsafe to operate. Sudden engine failure creates a serious safety risk, including loss of power while driving, inability to accelerate, and increased risk of collision. This engine failure matches a well-documented defect pattern involving General Motors’ 2.4L Ecotec engines, which have been the subject of class-action lawsuits, settlements, and jury verdicts related to premature piston ring wear, excessive oil consumption, and resulting engine damage or failure. These issues have been widely reported in Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles within my model year range. My vehicle was properly maintained, and this failure was not the result of neglect, misuse, or normal wear and tear, but rather a latent manufacturing defect that manifested after the warranty period but well within the reasonable life expectancy of the engine. I am requesting that NHTSA formally document and investigate this defect, as it presents a significant safety concern for drivers operating vehicles equipped with this engine. I also request that General Motors be required to address this defect to prevent additional engine failures and potential safety incidents.

NHTSA ID

11712537

Incident

Dec 20, 2025

We have been keeping up with all maintenance and oil changes. We have only driven the car for less than a year. At time of oil change; the oil has been low, resulting in OVER oil consumption; Requiring an extra quart of oil to be added between oil changes. When we purchased the vehicle, there was an strong exhaust smell; The shop that we bought the vehicle stated there were no issues and we have taken it to them multiple times an hour away from our home. The car completely shut off while my minor son and I were driving. Placing both of our lives at risk! It would never start back up. Now the car has seized and requires an engine replacement. It is sitting at a local garage while we wait for the dealership to help us, to no avail.

NHTSA ID

11688652

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

Today is [XXX]. 3 days ago my infotainment system my plug-in lighter charger all of them that's in the vehicle and my rear windshield wiper and my blinkers all went out at the same time. I had a licensed mechanic that has the fuse Checker tool, checked every fuse that he can see under the hood and on the inside of the vehicle and all the fuses lit up. I then went to O'Reilly's Auto Parts here in Highland Park Michigan bought the Savannah long life two pack bulbs for the rear blinkers and they still did not work they would not come on the brake lights would not come on nothing comes on. I then told a gentleman named Frank at that O'Reilly's about the issue about how all those components went out at the same time and he said there was currently a recall about those issues on my year making model of my GMC Terrain which is a 2017 I cannot locate that recall. The only recall I can locate is the one that describes the high beam on the headlights and that is it. So I don't know where that recall is he's talking about I don't know anything about fixing cars I just need some answers. I'm hoping someone will be able to locate the recall that he's talking about so I can have my vehicle looked at and get the issue resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11646997

Incident

Mar 4, 2025

Roughly every 8 months Sirius XM "radio" runs an automatically triggered free subscription period that includes "weather alerts". These alerts BLOCK part of the car's normal navigational (map) system, requiring UNNECESSARY MOVEMENTS to dismiss the prompts so one can see map details. These movements RISK DRIVING MISTAKES. The weather alerts are unhelpful and unwanted: trivial events that don't affect me. And they keep repeating the same alert multiple times per day. I once called Sirius tech support to have them shut that feature off, but they claimed they couldn't, and to just wait out the promotion period. Sirius XM comes with the car and I can't remove it. I suspect the prompts are a marketing gimmick to trick people into sampling their music channels when they fiddle in the Sirius menus trying to turn off the alerts. Others on social media have reported similar problems in different car models. (PS: I bought the car used in 2019.)

NHTSA ID

11590495

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

2017 gmc Terrain. vin -[XXX] on 12-26-2023 milage - 80694 Catastrophic failure involving PCV Valve and blown seal that destroyed the motor. So ...why or even how are we discussing rear main Seal. This is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTA,BLE. I have 2 kids starting to drive the repair estimate is $8.000 to $10.000 INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID

11499925

Incident

Dec 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that on two separate occasions, the ignition key became stuck inside the ignition switch. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11488181

Incident

Nov 6, 2021

Mileage

110,000 mi

WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE THE RADIO DID NOT POWER ON. THE REVERSE CAMERA IS NOT WORKING NOR THE BLUETOOTH OR ANY OTHER FUNCTION WITH THE RADIO.

NHTSA ID

11251849

Incident

Aug 27, 2019

Mileage

49,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH WHEN A DEER RAN OUT AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. IT BOUNCED AND ROLLED OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL OF THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE ON. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THE CONSOLE WAS LOCKED UP. I PUSHED THE BUTTONS, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. 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.. THIS IS HAPPENED IN GA AND THE STATE PATROL DID THE POLICE REPORT.

NHTSA ID

11243159

Incident

Jul 18, 2019

Mileage

42,000 mi

GMC TERRAIN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE RADIO. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASH DISPLAY NO LONGER OPERATES. THE SCREEN DISPLAY IS BLACK. DUE TO THE FAILURE THE BACKUP CAMERA, HANDS FREE PHONE, ON STAR, AND THE RADIO ARE INOPERABLE. *JS

NHTSA ID

11209871

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

BLIND SIDE ALERT ACTIVATES WHEN IT IS RAINING AND THERE ARE NO CARS NEARBY. THIS ONLY OCCURS WHEN RAINING. NO CODES ARE THROWN SO DEALER SERVICE WON'T TROUBLESHOOT. THIS CAN ONLY BE REPRODUCED ON A HIGHWAY OR PARKWAY, WHEN IT IS RAINING AND NO OTHER CARS ARE NEARBY. CANNOT BE REPRODUCED ON REGULAR STREETS WITH OTHER CARS AROUND. I'VE HAD MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER SERVICE 3 TIMES, ALL WITH THE SAME RESULTS. NO CODES IN THE COMPUTER AND CANNOT REPRODUCE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ONLY TESTS ON THE LOCAL STREETS. THERE ARE OTHER CARS AROUND, SO HOW CAN THIS BE AN ACCURATE TEST???

NHTSA ID

11000349

Incident

Jun 19, 2017

Mileage

7,500 mi