Reliable Auto DB

2017 GMC Terrain reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 GMC Terrain holds 133 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 6 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Terrain years here — under the median of the other years, which is 12. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Headlights.

2012 GMC Terrain
Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain
Complaints

133

Per year

6

Recalls

1

Years on the road

10

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (77 of 133), then Powertrain (23) and Air bags (12). Those filings include 11 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Next to 2016 and 2018

The 2016 Terrain has 152 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2018 has 220 complaints, 22 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2017 GMC Terrain. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall exterior lighting, headlights 2022-03-08 · NHTSA campaign 22V137000
Summary General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.

Complaints by component (133 total)

Engine
77
Powertrain
23
Air bags
12
Electrical system
9
Exterior lighting
7
Structure
7
Fuel and propulsion system
4
Seat belts
4
Visibility and wipers
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Equipment
2
Service brakes
2
Speed control
2
Steering
2
Back-over prevention
1
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Visibility
1
Wheels
1
Show 10 more Show less
Crash-flagged

11

Fire-flagged

2

Injury reports

7

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

4201752018820194202072021232022242023252024212025122026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Electrical system, Back-over prevention · filed 2026-04-22
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-03-29
  • "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…"
    Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-03-18
  • "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…"
    Engine · filed 2026-02-27
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-02-20

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2017 GMC Terrain SUV AWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2017 GMC Terrain SUV FWD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Terrain all-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed All-wheel drive 20 28 23 MPG $2800
Terrain all-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed All-wheel drive 16 23 18 MPG $3600
Terrain front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 21 31 25 MPG $2600
Terrain front-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 17 24 20 MPG $3250
Terrain front-wheel drive 2.4L, 4-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 21 31 25 MPG $2600

Specs and fitment

1st generation, 2012–2017
Body styles SUV
Oil dexos1 5W-30 (4-cylinder per manual) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/55R18, 235/55R19, 235/60R17 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 3,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 22V137000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.". The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740. When NHTSA lists multiple GM nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.

Compare

Previous year 2016 GMC Terrain Next year 2018 GMC Terrain See every GMC Terrain model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 GMC Terrain reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2017 GMC Terrain holds 133 complaints after 10 years, a rate of 6 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Terrain years here — under the median of the other years, which is 12. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Headlights.

What are common problems with a 2017 GMC Terrain?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (77 of 133), then Powertrain (23) and Air bags (12). Those filings include 11 that report a crash, 2 that report a fire, and 7 that report an injury.

Is the 2017 GMC Terrain more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2016 Terrain has 152 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2018 has 220 complaints, 22 per year. The 2017 has more complaints per year than the 2016. The 2017 has fewer complaints per year than the 2018.

Has the 2017 GMC Terrain been recalled?

The 2017 GMC Terrain has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2017 GMC Terrain?

Owners have filed 133 complaints about the 2017 GMC Terrain with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2017 GMC Terrain get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2017 GMC Terrain is 22.2 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a GMC Terrain use?

US Terrain manuals specify dexos-approved oil for your four-cylinder engine.

What does NHTSA recall 22V-137 cover on the GMC Terrain?

NHTSA safety recall 22V137000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles.

What generation is the 2013 GMC Terrain?

1st generation (2012-2017).