Is the 2017 Gmc TERRAIN reliable?

The 2017 Gmc TERRAIN has 181 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Gmc TERRAIN?

Top problems: ENGINE (79 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (23 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (22 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Gmc TERRAIN?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Contact any Gmc dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Gmc TERRAIN?

The 2017 Gmc TERRAIN gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Gmc TERRAIN?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Gmc TERRAIN is approximately $1,723/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2017 Gmc TERRAIN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Gmc TERRAIN has 181 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 287. The most common issue is engine problems (44% of all complaints), specifically: my check engine light came on along with a a message that states 'reduced engine power' and a message reading 'service stabilitrek when i was driving on the highway at 70 mph. this created suddenly jerking and slow acceleration so that i had to pull off the road. i found a forum at [xxx] that reveal. There is 1 recall issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 17 crash reports 10 injuries

181

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

79 complaints

44%

• MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A A MESSAGE THAT STATES 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND A MESSAGE READING 'SERVICE STABILITREK WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. THIS CREATED SUDDENLY JERKING AND SLOW ACCELERATION SO THAT I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I FOUND A FORUM AT [XXX] THAT REVEAL
• The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle lost electrical and motive power. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed but not repaired. The manuf
• Engine started consuming oil at around 90,000 miles. First noticed after a Oil change with the dealer we bought it from. Questioned them about it once we checked the oil, and noticed it being low after experiencing a engine noise. Dealer had us bring it back , refilled it, and test drove it for 20 m

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A A MESSAGE THAT STATES 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND A MESSAGE READING 'SERVICE STABILITREK WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. THIS CREATED SUDDENLY JERKING AND SLOW ACCELERATION SO THAT I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I FOUND A FORUM AT [XXX] THAT REVEAL”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Gmc TERRAIN

Based on 50 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 47K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 8K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 40K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 47K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Later than typicalmedian 83K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (1)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS08/03/2022

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."

Risk: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Gmc TERRAIN

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2017 Gmc TERRAIN

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,723

Full coverage / month

$144

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1723

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Gmc TERRAIN Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

Uses GM Oil Life System. Full-size trucks may have shorter differential and transfer case intervals if used for towing.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Gmc New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Gmc. If you're buying a used 2017 TERRAIN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Gmc dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 181 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A A MESSAGE THAT STATES 'REDUCED ENGINE POWER' AND A MESSAGE READING 'SERVICE STABILITREK WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH. THIS CREATED SUDDENLY JERKING AND SLOW ACCELERATION SO THAT I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. I FOUND A FORUM AT [XXX] THAT REVEAL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: I HAD MY 2017 GMC TERRAIN DENALI FOR TWO YEARS AND HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED TWO SERIOUS ISSUES. ISSUE #1-I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL, GRINDING NOISE, AND HESITATION WHEN DRIVING. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH CAUSED SOMETHING INSID
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: OUR NEW TERRAIN HAS "VEHICLE IN FRONT" VISUAL WARNING SYSTEMS. WE WERE FOLLOWING A TANKER TYPE SEMI ON THE INTERSTATE AND PULLED ALL THE WAY UP BEHIND THE TANKER SEMI (WITHIN 25 FT) AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. WE TESTED THIS ON ALL TYPES OF CARS AND TRUCKS AS WELL AS STANDARD BOX
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC TERRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 32 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK A PARKED VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND MOUTH, AND SUSTAINED A MILD CONCUSSION. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. IT WAS NOT DETE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Gmc dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)