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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2017 GMC Terrain has 1 NHTSA safety recall on file, 133 owner complaints, and gets about 25 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2017 GMC Terrain

  • Engine 4-cyl 2.4L
  • Drive Front-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

1 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

7 injuries reported

7 of 133 reports (~5%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

4 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2017.

  • 20153recalls
  • 20162recalls
  • 2017 · this car1recall
  • 20185recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 3, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
4 / 5 stars
Frontal
4 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Optional
Lane-departure warning
Optional

Tested as: 2017 GMC Terrain SUV FWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

1 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Exterior Lighting

    08/03/2022

    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."

    How they fix it: 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.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 3, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2017.

  • 2015315reports
  • 2016150reports
  • 2017 · this car133reports
  • 2018214reports

133 owner reports on file

11 crash mentions 2 fire mentions 7 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 133 total reports.

  • ENGINE 55 of 133

    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 started with: going fro

  • POWER TRAIN 23 of 133

    I am filing this complaint to report a catastrophic engine failure involving my 2017 GMC Terrain equipped with the 2.4L Ecotec engine, which I believe is the result of a known manufacturing defect related to excessive oil consumption and pr

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14 of 133

    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 driveway I then felt the ca

  • AIR BAGS 11 of 133

    I was driving back home when I suddenly heard a loud pop and my car seat belt immediately tightened up. I saw smoke inside the car and the screen in my dashboard said "airbag service" There was no air bag physical deployed in the car so I

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7 of 133

    I looked up my recall on my vehicle about my headlights being recall. Never received any information there was a recall.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 of 133

    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 well. For the most p

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 3, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the FWD version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2017.

  • 201519mpg
  • 201623mpg
  • 2017 · this car25mpg
  • 201832mpg

$2,450

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 21 mpg
Highway driving 31 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 25 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $1,250 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more
Passenger space
100 cubic feet
Cargo space
28 cubic feet

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 3, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

4-cyl 2.4L

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic 6-spd

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
4-cyl 2.4L
Cylinders
4
Displacement
2.4 L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 6-spd
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 3, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recall was fixed

This model has 1 open NHTSA recall (including the exterior lighting). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the engine

Owners report problems with the engine more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2017 GMC Terrain listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2017 GMC Terrain? +

    NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2017 GMC Terrain, including the exterior lighting. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2017 GMC Terrain get? +

    The EPA rates the 2017 GMC Terrain at 25 mpg combined (21 city / 31 highway), about $2,450 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2017 GMC Terrain? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2017 GMC Terrain 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2017 GMC Terrain? +

    Owners have filed 133 complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 GMC Terrain, including 11 involving a crash. The most-reported area is engine.

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