2017 GMC Terrain · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 31owner reports
- 88,000median miles
- $10,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Mar 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
80 of the 134 complaints on this car are about the engine. 31 of those describe engine failure, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Terrain.
Tick what matches of 31 reports
Engine failure on other Terrain years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (27 reports) and the timing chain (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
5 of the 31 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $7,000 to $10,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 64,856 and 104,750 miles, from the 11 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 5 service bulletins or notices for the 2017 GMC Terrain that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic aid information/procedures to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic aid procedure to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information on a rattle, tick, or knock type noise. Any drivability concerns they should be addressed prior to the following diagnostic progression.
1 more on the 2017 GMC Terrain page.
What owners wrote
“Traveling on the expressway, engine made wearing noise, reduced engine power and complete engine failure while driving. Rear main seal blowout due to a defective PCV system freezing. It is a known issue for GM2.4L engine especially in cold weather leading to massive oil loss and catastrophic engine damage. This has been confirmed by a GM authorized dealer.”
Filed Feb 4, 2026
“Car stalls out suddenly after stopping. The engine oil was changed as required and there were no warning lights on the dash. Took the car to a mechanic and the mechanic said there was no oil and metal shavings in the engine, and that the engine would need to be replaced for $10,000. The car is out of its warranty and slightly over 100,000 miles.”
Filed Apr 19, 2024 · 100,000 miles
“main seal blew is in dealership now. it was not running right as i drove it was afraid it would die in the middle of the road. just inspected at the dealership. i got the engine light about a mile from my home where it sat till it went to the dealership.was over 4 quarts low with oil but never had oil light or anything else before it showed engine light.”
Filed Jan 30, 2024
“I purchased this Vehicle in February of 2023, I had a problem shortly after with the oil always being low. I was adding oil to it all the time. 7 months later the engine blew. This is a very faulty problem with this engine that I am NOW finding out. This problem needs to be addressed and fixed. Now I am stuck with a vehicle that I still owe money on that will cost me 6 to 9 thousand to replace the engine.”
Filed Jan 5, 2024
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 31 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found