2017 GMC Terrain Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2017 GMC Terrain has a complaint index of 33, ranking 11th worst out of 16 model years, and earns a Good verdict. Engine complaints dominate at 59% of reports, with one recall for headlight glare issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #11 of 16 Terrain years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 133
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 11
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 7
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 7 / 0
Top 2017 GMC Terrain problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine79 (59%)
- Transmission & Powertrain23 (17%)
- Other22 (17%)
- Electrical System16 (12%)
- Airbags12 (9%)
- Structure & Body7 (5%)
- Fuel System4 (3%)
- Seat Belts4 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (3%)
- Brakes3 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags sometimes fail to deploy in moderate-speed collisions, including crashes with deer and other vehicles.
- After some crashes, interior electronics lock up, with hazard lights and console buttons becoming unresponsive.
- Headlights are reported as too dim for safe night driving, especially in rain.
- Blind spot alert system triggers false warnings during rain when no other vehicles are nearby.
- Infotainment and radio systems lose power intermittently, disabling the backup camera and Bluetooth.
- Climate control airflow is inconsistent, sometimes only routing through floor or defroster vents, leading to fogged windows.
2017 GMC Terrain recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V137000Mar 8, 2022Electrical System740,581 vehicles
Exterior lighting:headlights
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.
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.
2017 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2017 compared with other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 GMC Terrain reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Terrain a complaint index of 33 and a Good verdict relative to other Terrain model years, ranking 11th worst out of 16 years tracked.
- What is the most common problem with the 2017 GMC Terrain?
- Engine complaints make up 59% of all reports for this year, with a median mileage at failure of 82,500 miles.
- Does the 2017 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (22V137000) covers headlight housings that can create glare above the vehicle outside the driver's view; GM installs headlamp appliques as the remedy.
- How does the 2017 Terrain compare to other model years?
- With a complaint index of 33, the 2017 model ranks better than years like 2011 (index 100, Avoid) and 2012 (index 93, Avoid), but not as clean as 2021-2023 and 2025, which all earn Best verdicts.