7.1

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
8,332 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2017 GMC Terrain engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2017 GMC Terrain:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2017 GMC Terrain Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #48

Jun 252024

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle repeatedly stalled while on highway, there were no warning lights on dash or anything indicating of an issue prior. Took vehicle to repair shop and after thorough investigation they reported that there was no oil in engine despite dashboard monitor registering oil life was fine. Oil changes are always completed regularly and on time for vehicle. Mechanic said that this is a known issue with GMC for this specific model where oil is consumed at an irregular rate. There is a lawsuit against gmc for oil consumption that includes years 2010-2014 where gmc was at fault however the lawsuit was filed before the 2017 model came out. It was later discovered that years,2014-2017 also have this known defect however a recall has yet to be placed. Being a common symptom of this issue is frequent vehicle stall this really should be a recall. After speaking with a couple of other gmc dealerships they were aware it was a frequent issue as well but are uncooperative when it comes to the cost of repairs, an entirely new motor is needed to be replaced now for the vehicle being driven without oil. After several calls with a GMC representative I was advised to file a complaint with NHTSA to have you guys complete an investigation into the issie

- Sherburne , NY, USA

problem #47

Feb 292024

Terrain

  • miles
The 2.4-liter engine contains a defect that causes them to improperly burn off and consume abnormally high amounts of oil. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. Excessive oil consumption cannot be reasonably anticipated or predicted and causes the engine to run while low on engine oil, putting me and other drivers at risk due to engine fire, unexpected engine failure, vehicle jerking, power loss, etc. Yes, both certified dealers, independent service centers, and myself have observed and noted the low levels of engine oil as soon as 500 miles after an oil change. I have spoken with GM representatives via phone about the issue, but they are not interested in inspecting the vehicle or offering driver support. They have consistently denied awareness of an issue despite hundreds of documented complaints and a pending class action lawsuit in the state of Missouri. There are no warnings, messages, or symptoms prior to discovering low engine oil levels. This issue requires drivers to self-monitor the issue every 500-1000 miles and requires an excessive number of oil changes to keep the vehicle at a safe level of engine oil for operation.

- Williamston, MI, USA

problem #46

Apr 152024

Terrain

  • miles
Car stalls out suddenly after stopping. The engine oil was changed as required and there were no warning lights on the dash. Took the car to a mechanic and the mechanic said there was no oil and metal shavings in the engine, and that the engine would need to be replaced for $10,000. The car is out of its warranty and slightly over 100,000 miles.

- New Albany, OH, USA

problem #45

Apr 162024

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Oil goes back into motor blowing motor so causing you to get a new motor

- New Glarus, WI, USA

problem #44

Apr 032024

Terrain

  • miles
4/3/2024 picked my car up from the mechanics at 5pm and when driving home going 35 mph the engine shut off. This incident is is tied to my previous incident.

- Cleveland , OH, USA

problem #43

Apr 022024

Terrain

  • miles
2.4L Ecotec engines contain a defect that consumes excessive engine oil leading to: unanticipated engine shutdowns, engine stalls, engine knocking, unexpected loss of power, and vehicle jerking. The first instance I was still in a parking lot, the second on was on a local street traveling at 25 mph. During the third instance, My son and I have driven our car on 4 separate occasions and while driving on the freeway at 70 mph just after rush yesterday when the engine shut off. I took the car to my mechanic who informed me that my vehicle that has less than 88k miles is burning up the oil and soon will need the engine replaced.

- Cleveland , OH, USA

problem #42

Mar 132024

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My car was driving without issue until I stopped at a street light. My car started rocking front to back while sitting at the light and every other time I had to make a stop. The engine light came on. I had the vehicle towed to an auto shop where they confirmed that the timing chain broke. Due to this my engine was damaged to no repair. I would need to replace it. My gmc terrain is a 2017 with only 99,000 miles. I further learned that GM is aware of this issue but failed to recall this issue or warn owners that we were at risk. This can cause a vehicle to stop in the middle of driving which could cause a death if in the wrong place.

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #41

Feb 012024

Terrain

  • miles
Broken rear main seal broke which causes oil leak. Almost all GM vehicles around my year have the same issue resulting in blow engine. $2000 to repair and GM told me they know of this being an issue but won-??t do anything to resolve.

- Homewood, IL, USA

problem #40

Jan 182024

Terrain

  • miles
The air bags will show that they are shut off while we are driving down the road with my wife sitting in the seat and they will also does it if we are just sitting in the drive way. Also they had a recall in the older models of this car for the pvc valve getting clogged and building pressure and causing the lower seal to bust and that happed to my car but they never gave a low oil light when it happed. All that happed was my wife was driving and the lower engine power came on while she was driving in traffic causing her to freak out and feel unsafe with my kids in the car as well. I contacted them about and they said there is no recall for the car at all about it. They clearly still had the same issues in my car because the pvc valve was clogged and then now I-??m loosing all of the oil from my motor. When I went to out oil in it after work I had to add 4.5 quarts of oil to it and it only holds 5 quarts. It still never had a low oil light when I went to start it to get it to level ground so I could check it. Clearly this is a safety issue and I don-??t want it to happen to someone while they are on the Interstate during heavy traffic and potentially cause an accident.

- Georgetown, KY, USA

problem #39

Jan 212024

Terrain

  • miles
main seal blew is in dealership now. it was not running right as i drove it was afraid it would die in the middle of the road. just inspected at the dealership. i got the engine light about a mile from my home where it sat till it went to the dealership.was over 4 quarts low with oil but never had oil light or anything else before it showed engine light.

- Galion, OH, USA

problem #38

Jan 142024

Terrain

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving our 2017 GMC Terrain in subzero temperatures when my vehicle started making sounds and loosing power. With in seconds I heard a pop, and then my dash went crazy with alarms. I had it towed to my local mechanic who determined that the vehicle's engine was seized do to a frozen PCV valve that caused the engines real seal to give away. If need be, the the vehicle is currently available to be examined. My family's safety was in danger because of the location and frigid temperatures that were present at the time of the breakage. The vehicle has not been examine by a GMC dealer, just an independent mechanic. There was no warning what so ever of a possible problem. The vehicle started making sounds and loosing power. With in seconds, I heard a pop and all the lights on the dash light up. We had no other issues with this vehicle leading up to the breakage.

- Claypool, IN, USA

problem #37

Jan 192024

Terrain

  • miles
On Friday, January 19, 2024, I was driving home from school at night in my 2017 GMC Terrain when suddenly my car was chugging and quit. my steering and brakes froze. Other cars were passing me and it was snowing. I was scared someone was going to hit me. I was able to start it up again and to get it to a Walmart parking lot just down the road, but before, it would chug and quit again. My steering was hard. There was no warning light or service light on dashboard telling me something was wrong. I called my sister to come get me. The car would start, but would keep quitting. I called a tow truck and had it towed to the condo. The next day, I went out to start it and it would start and oil light came on. It smelled. I turned it off. I called another tow truck and had it towed to a Mechanic at a shop. He informed me on Monday that the engine was no good due to lack of oil. Even though he said there was 15% left on the gauge. He said these cars have had problems of using excessive oil and he has had to replace and fix them. He also said others had same issue and no warning light as well. I have to replace my engine. He said the cost would be between $5000-$6000. I can't afford that going to school. I'm afraid that if someone else has this problem they could get hurt. I am going to contact General Motors about this, but I'm sure they won't help. Any Suggestions?

- Geneva , IL, USA

problem #36

Jan 152024

Terrain

  • miles
In certain makes of General Motor vehicles there is a defect with the PCV system in which the system can freeze in cold temperatures which in turns causes excessive crankcase pressure in the engine, and can lead to a dangerous loss of motor power due to this defect. The dangers of this defect can be catastrophic to myself and others on the roadway as the loss of motor power can happen suddenly and can happen while the vehicle is being driven. General Motors has released many service bulletins regarding this specific defect. The most recent service bulletin that was issued was GM January 2019 Bulletin PIP5093C, so they are aware of this dangerous problem in these vehicles. For my vehicle I have had a certified GMC dealership diagnosis the problem, and submit their findings to General Motors. There were not any warning lamps, messages, lights, or symptoms signaling that there was a problem prior to the occurrence on January 15th, 2024.

- Saint Charles, MO, USA

problem #35

Jan 212024

Terrain

  • miles
Rear oil seal failed resulting in engine oil pressure loss and vehicle was stopped in middle of roadway

- Drums, PA, USA

problem #34

Jan 172024

Terrain

  • miles
It's a known problem with gmc with a lawsuit for the PVC pipes clogging and blowing the main rear oil seal causing the vehicle to quit running

- Lindsay, TX, USA

problem #33

Jan 172024

Terrain

  • miles
I just had an oil change in late December of 2023. As I was driving to work on [XXX]. My engine locked up. There were no warning lights. By the time I was able to pull over, a rod had gone thru the engine. Apparently there was an oil leak but no warning lights. This has not only caused me to have to purchase a new engine but could have resulted in a collision while driving. After doing some research this is a known defect by GM and a class action lawsuit. GM has failed to recall these vehicles for a known defect. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Mayfield , KY, USA

problem #32

Aug 082023

Terrain

  • miles
I purchased this Vehicle in February of 2023, I had a problem shortly after with the oil always being low. I was adding oil to it all the time. 7 months later the engine blew. This is a very faulty problem with this engine that I am NOW finding out. This problem needs to be addressed and fixed. Now I am stuck with a vehicle that I still owe money on that will cost me 6 to 9 thousand to replace the engine.

- Plymouth, IN, USA

problem #31

Sep 262023

Terrain

  • miles
Engine shut off while doing 70 mph on interstate. There was no warning signs or nothing.

- New Orleans , LA, USA

problem #30

Sep 092023

Terrain

  • miles
1. The car started making a noise then started surging and jerking. I'm not a mechanic, so I don't know what happened but it will not crank now. Yes, someone can come inspect the vehicle, by appointment only. 2. I was afraid that the car was going to blow up or the brakes would not hold. 3. No, the problem has not been reproduced or inspected. 4. No, the vehicle or component has not been inspected. 5. NO, there were no warning lights to let me know there was a problem.

- Anniston, AL, USA

problem #29

Aug 292023

Terrain

  • miles
2017 GMC Terrain motors consume oil at an excessive rate (1 quart per 1,000 miles). Getting an oil change every 5,000 miles, even consistently, puts the engine at risk for major internal failure and safety risks to the passengers. My engine in my 2017 GMC Terrain has a broken timing chain and internal damage due to the excessive oil consumption issue. The engine will have to be replaced. GM has known about this issue for years. GM is in several lawsuits for this issue, but GM has failed to recall the parts of the motor that are excessively consuming oil. They refuse to help cover repair costs even though the costs are due to their poorly designed motor.

- Broken Arrow, OK, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?