2017 GMC Terrain Engine Problems
Owners have filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2017 GMC Terrain, 59% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 79,750 miles. The words owners use most often: “main seal” (37% of reports).
- 79engine complaints
- 79,750median miles at failure
- 0mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $9,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 48%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Main seal: mentioned in 29 of 79 complaints (37%)
- Causing oil: mentioned in 8 of 79 complaints (10%)
- Pcv valve: mentioned in 7 of 79 complaints (9%)
- Pressure build: mentioned in 5 of 79 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2017 GMC Terrain at $9,000, and half of them between $7,200 and $10,500.
Based on 6 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2021–2025), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 10 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 79 complaints, 1 a fire.
GMC Terrain engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Terrain | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2025 Terrain | 2 | 15% | 1,126 |
| 2024 Terrain | 11 | 21% | 6,766 |
| 2023 Terrain | 15 | 38% | 41,000 |
| 2022 Terrain | 10 | 17% | 66,000 |
| 2021 Terrain | 10 | 28% | 61,000 |
| 2020 Terrain | 58 | 29% | 67,000 |
| 2019 Terrain | 70 | 38% | 72,000 |
| 2018 Terrain | 55 | 25% | 18,000 |
| 2017 Terrain | 79 | 59% | 79,750 |
| 2016 Terrain | 46 | 30% | 70,000 |
| 2015 Terrain | 80 | 27% | 83,000 |
| 2014 Terrain | 123 | 41% | 91,000 |
| 2013 Terrain | 197 | 54% | 91,000 |
| 2012 Terrain | 169 | 46% | 85,000 |
| 2011 Terrain | 178 | 46% | 85,500 |
| 2010 Terrain | 107 | 37% | 79,839 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists engine for the 2017 GMC Terrain. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Timing Chain driving, clanging noise while driving on I-475 expressway near Perrysburg exit
I bought this 2017 used on XXX I have had to put 1 quart of oil in the car every 500 miles. 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. GMC…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2017 GMC Terrains have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 79 owner complaints about engine for the 2017 GMC Terrain (59% of the 135 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2017 GMC Terrain engine?
No recall currently lists engine for this vehicle.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 79,750 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2017 GMC Terrain?
Owners report a typical cost of $9,000 (half paid between $7,200 and $10,500), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2017 GMC Terrain?
The most frequent phrase is “main seal”, in 29 of 79 complaints, followed by “causing oil” (8).
See all 2017 GMC Terrain problems or engine problems across all Terrain years.