The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 81 of 135 complaints (60%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 153 in 2016 to 135 in 2017.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 135
- Recall campaigns
- 1
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,500–$3,450
- Combined MPG
- 18–25
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–3,300 | 2,400–3,450 | 2,500–3,450 | 2,200–3,350 | 2,200–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–26 | 18–26 | 18–25 | 23–32 | 23–32 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–22 / 23–31 | 16–21 / 23–31 | 21–28 / 26–39 | 21–28 / 26–39 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 347–481 | 347–482 | 355–489 | 316–386 | 317–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 299 | 153 | 135 | 226 | 187 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 10 | 7 | 12 | 12 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2017 GMC Terrain have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2017 GMC Terrain?
Engine: 81 of 135 NHTSA complaints (60%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates it 18–25 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 GMC Terrain?
EPA estimates $2,500–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 381 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 6-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 25 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 355 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 489 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 81 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 14 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 22 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- 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.