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2017 GMC Terrain Problems & Owner Complaints

133 NHTSA owner complaints
11 crash 2 fire 7 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~13.3 complaints per year on the road — ranking 13 of 15 GMC Terrain years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2017 GMC Terrain, cited in 77 of 133 filed complaints (58%).

Power Train is next (23 complaints, 17%), followed by Air Bags (12), Electrical System (9), Exterior Lighting (7).

Across all complaints, 11 report a crash, 2 report a fire, 7 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 9 crash, 1 fire, 6 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2017 GMC Terrain, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 133.

Engine 77 1 fire

“The power steering assembly failed and caught on fire. This then caused the engine to malfunction and no longer work. This happened while driving on the interstate at a speed of approximately 80mph. No prior check engine lights were visible”
NHTSA complaint #11698477, 2025 · fire

“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 from a stop position to accelerating at low speeds the vehicle stalls and dies. I want GM to take accountability and fix this issue as it is a safety issue to myself and everyone on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11727804, 2026

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after the vehicle was taken to a local car wash, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the residence; however, the next day, the vehicle hesitated while starting. The message "Stabilizer - Power to Engine Reduced" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the engine possibly needed to be replaced because the engine failed to turn over. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it wa…”
NHTSA complaint #11720905, 2026

Power Train 23

“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 premature internal engine wear. At approximately 88,000 miles, my vehicle experienced severe engine failure, including excessive oil consumption, timing chain failure, and complete engine failure, which has been confirmed in writing by a licensed repair facility. The shop determined that the engine failure was caused by oil starvation resulting from excessive…”
NHTSA complaint #11712537, 2025

“We have been keeping up with all maintenance and oil changes. We have only driven the car for less than a year. At time of oil change; the oil has been low, resulting in OVER oil consumption; Requiring an extra quart of oil to be added between oil changes. When we purchased the vehicle, there was an strong exhaust smell; The shop that we bought the vehicle stated there were no issues and we have taken it to them multiple times an hour away from our home. The car completely shut off while my minor son and I were driving. Placing both of our lives at risk! It would never start back up. Now the…”
NHTSA complaint #11688652, 2025

“Throttle position system all of a sudden went bad. My 2017 Terrain started shaking. I was holding up traffic. The sun couldn't go over 5mph. I've read online where this is happening alot in 2010'2017 GMC Terrains.”
NHTSA complaint #11667967, 2025

Unknown Or Other 20 3 crash 2 injury

“PURCHASED GMC 2017 TERRAIN 1 MONTH AGO TODAY. THE FIRST WEEK I HAD IT THE ENGINE KEPT STALLING WHILE IDLING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO FIX. I GOT IT BACK AND IT SEEMED TO RUN HARD. 3 DAYS LATER I FOUND THAT NOT ONE BUT BOTH KEY FOBS WOULD NOT WORK. THE BATTERY IS BRAND NEW. WHEN I SPOKE TO SERVICE MAN AT DEALERSHIP, HE STATED THAT ONE FOB WAS FAULTY AND THEY WOULD ORDER A NEW ONE. I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM THEM...TODAY I GOT INTO A FRONT END COLLISION WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME INJURY. ONLY AFTER THE FACT DID THE ALARM SOUND AND DASH MESSAGE CAME ON STATING SERV…”
NHTSA complaint #11397678, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN DURING A GREEN LIGHT MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. A WHITE VAN WAS SPEEDING TOWARDS ME FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE GOING STRAIGHT AT ME AT HIGH SPEED WITH A RED LIGHT. THEY HIT THE FRONT DRIVERS END OF MY CAR WHICH MADE MY CAR SPIN OUT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS RUINED.”
NHTSA complaint #11320468, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING. REACHED OVER FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT AND TURNED THE MOTOR OFF. VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. WAS ABLE TO TURN VEHICLE BUT UNFORTUNATELY BACKED INTO THE DOOR OF A PARKED TRUCK TURNING THE IGNITION OFF SHOULDN'T START THE VEHICLE TO MOVE.”
NHTSA complaint #11079902, 2018 · crash

Air Bags 12 9 crash 1 fire 6 injury

“Driver side head curtain airbags failed to properly deploy during rollover accident Not my vehicle, this is vehicle accident I responded to, Captain Fire Dept”
NHTSA complaint #11444837, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“PURCHASED GMC 2017 TERRAIN 1 MONTH AGO TODAY. THE FIRST WEEK I HAD IT THE ENGINE KEPT STALLING WHILE IDLING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO FIX. I GOT IT BACK AND IT SEEMED TO RUN HARD. 3 DAYS LATER I FOUND THAT NOT ONE BUT BOTH KEY FOBS WOULD NOT WORK. THE BATTERY IS BRAND NEW. WHEN I SPOKE TO SERVICE MAN AT DEALERSHIP, HE STATED THAT ONE FOB WAS FAULTY AND THEY WOULD ORDER A NEW ONE. I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM THEM...TODAY I GOT INTO A FRONT END COLLISION WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME INJURY. ONLY AFTER THE FACT DID THE ALARM SOUND AND DASH MESSAGE CAME ON STATING SERV…”
NHTSA complaint #11397678, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WAS UNEXPECTEDLY REAR ENDED WHICH FORCED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE FORWARD UNTO THE HIGHWAY, THE IMPACT CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO NOT PROPERLY DEPLOY WITH THE SERVICE AIRBAGS LIGHT ILLUMINATING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION, A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP WHERE THE VEHICLE DAMAGE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, HOWEVER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS…”
NHTSA complaint #11321771, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

Electrical System 9 1 crash 1 fire

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH WHEN A DEER RAN OUT AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. IT BOUNCED AND ROLLED OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL OF THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE ON. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THE CONSOLE WAS LOCKED UP. I PUSHED THE BUTTONS, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN THAT SAY SERVICE AIRBAG (BUT THEY HADN'T DEPLOYED). I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AND I COULD HEAR SOMETHING POPPING, I…”
NHTSA complaint #11243159, 2019 · crash · fire

“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 part the head unit doesn't work but once in a while, once a month, it comes on but shows the Chevy logo on the screen which is odd because it is a GMC. Once you turn the car off, it will be gone again until it decides to come back. We took it into a dealer who tried to hook up to it and reprogram or update it, but he had no luck. Now we are without a backup c…”
NHTSA complaint #11733049, 2025

“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 premature internal engine wear. At approximately 88,000 miles, my vehicle experienced severe engine failure, including excessive oil consumption, timing chain failure, and complete engine failure, which has been confirmed in writing by a licensed repair facility. The shop determined that the engine failure was caused by oil starvation resulting from excessive…”
NHTSA complaint #11712537, 2025

Exterior Lighting 7

“I looked up my recall on my vehicle about my headlights being recall. Never received any information there was a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11663027, 2025

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting). After the recall repair was performed, the contact discovered that while driving at night, the low-beam headlights illumination was extremely low, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who indicated that no failure was found, and that the headlights operated as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11503333, 2023

“Driver's side taillight & reverse light fills with water. This unsealed light issue has caused electrical wire corrosion.”
NHTSA complaint #11492476, 2022

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Structure 7 4 crash 2 injury

“PURCHASED GMC 2017 TERRAIN 1 MONTH AGO TODAY. THE FIRST WEEK I HAD IT THE ENGINE KEPT STALLING WHILE IDLING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO FIX. I GOT IT BACK AND IT SEEMED TO RUN HARD. 3 DAYS LATER I FOUND THAT NOT ONE BUT BOTH KEY FOBS WOULD NOT WORK. THE BATTERY IS BRAND NEW. WHEN I SPOKE TO SERVICE MAN AT DEALERSHIP, HE STATED THAT ONE FOB WAS FAULTY AND THEY WOULD ORDER A NEW ONE. I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK FROM THEM...TODAY I GOT INTO A FRONT END COLLISION WHERE THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING ME INJURY. ONLY AFTER THE FACT DID THE ALARM SOUND AND DASH MESSAGE CAME ON STATING SERV…”
NHTSA complaint #11397678, 2021 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN DURING A GREEN LIGHT MY CAR WAS IN MOTION. A WHITE VAN WAS SPEEDING TOWARDS ME FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE GOING STRAIGHT AT ME AT HIGH SPEED WITH A RED LIGHT. THEY HIT THE FRONT DRIVERS END OF MY CAR WHICH MADE MY CAR SPIN OUT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE WHOLE FRONT END OF MY CAR WAS RUINED.”
NHTSA complaint #11320468, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“WHILE CHECKING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR A 1998 CHEVY TRUCK CAME TP A SUDDEN STOP ON THE HIGHWAY, AND I COULD NOT MISS THE TRUCK THE DRIVER CLAIMED HE THOUGHT HE HAD MISSED HIS TURN, WHEN MY SUV COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK. THE POWDER CAME OUT BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DID COME OUT,AND THE PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKED.”
NHTSA complaint #11241899, 2019 · crash

Fuel/Propulsion System 4

“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 car act like it wanted to shake. This was on 2-10-26 I contacted onstar asked them to run a diagnostic. The codes that came back P0016 p0089 p228D are very well known codes with many people with the same vehicle/engine that have had to replace the engine. The engines have known issues had I known that maybe I could have replaced a part or two or three or four…”
NHTSA complaint #11719289, 2026

“Throttle position system all of a sudden went bad. My 2017 Terrain started shaking. I was holding up traffic. The sun couldn't go over 5mph. I've read online where this is happening alot in 2010'2017 GMC Terrains.”
NHTSA complaint #11667967, 2025

“1st time - rear main seal blew out & engine lost all of its oil causing rocker arm to break & chains to slip-vehicle sputtered & DIED while driving down busy street & would not restart - my safety & safety of others driving behind me were at risk for causing a rear end accident and/or pile up crash - no warning lights or sounds alerted me - dealership told us General Motors is aware this is/has been a problem with 2017 Terrain vehicles especially those driven in Midwest states due to colder temperatures - the intake manifold vent hole is not large enough to let air out, so it plugs up & causes…”
NHTSA complaint #11657081, 2025

Seat Belts 4 1 crash

“WHILE CHECKING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR A 1998 CHEVY TRUCK CAME TP A SUDDEN STOP ON THE HIGHWAY, AND I COULD NOT MISS THE TRUCK THE DRIVER CLAIMED HE THOUGHT HE HAD MISSED HIS TURN, WHEN MY SUV COLLIDED WITH THE TRUCK. THE POWDER CAME OUT BUT THE AIRBAGS NEVER DID COME OUT,AND THE PASSENGER SEATBELT LOCKED.”
NHTSA complaint #11241899, 2019 · crash

“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 believe it happened internally. Now my driver seatbelt will not retract and the front passenger seatbelt will not come out.”
NHTSA complaint #11617757, 2024

“The front passenger seat belt locks on passenger and will not release unless it is completely unbuckled. It keeps doing this for no reason. This was brought to dealer’s attention one to two years ago and they said I would have to pay cost of repair since warranty was off even though I purchased an extended warranty with this vehicle. The service department claims to have taken it apart and cleaned it but could not find problem. The problem is bad since passenger has to unbuckle belt multiple times during a trip.”
NHTSA complaint #11501036, 2023

Visibility/Wiper 3

“Wiper blades transmission plastic parts keep popping or breaking this is the THIRD time this has happened at a cost of $350. Why would you use plastic parts for this knowing that it will break easily? Who can afford to keep replacing this? 12”
NHTSA complaint #11725197, 2026

“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 INSIDE MY TRANSFER TO BORE A HOLE THROUGH IT. DEALER COULD NOT GET THE PART FOR 2 WEEKS. IT WAS COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. A MONTH LATER WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE AT A DIFFERENT AUTO SHOP, I WAS ASKED IF I RECENTLY HAD WORK DONE ONLY TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE ENTIRE THING WAS LOOSE AND MOVING, AND THE C…”
NHTSA complaint #11277638, 2019

“THE VEHICLE'S CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE AIR IS NOT PROPERLY DISTRIBUTED OUT OF THE AVAILABLE VENTS. AT TIMES, AIR IS ONLY DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD VENTS. OTHER TIMES IT WILL ONLY BE DISTRIBUTED VIA THE DEFROSTER VENTS. RECENTLY, THE CAR WINDOWS BECAME COMPLETELY FOGGED UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT NIGHT. I ATTEMPTED TO USE THE DEFROSTER, BUT ALL AIR WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THE FLOORBOARD, WHICH HAD NO IMPACT ON THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD ZERO VISIBILITY AND HAD TO PULL OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. UP UNTIL THIS INCIDENT, THE PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESTRI…”
NHTSA complaint #11170493, 2018

Engine And Engine Cooling 2

“The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road, and the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart after several attempts. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption after the engine replacement. The contact stated…”
NHTSA complaint #11563572, 2023

“The contact's wife owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while his wife was driving 40 MPH, the vehicle started to stall, and shuddered inadvertently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact met his wife at the scene and noticed that oil was leaking from underneath the front end of the vehicle onto the ground. The contact refilled the engine oil and his wife was able to drive the vehicle to their residence; however, oil continued to leak while she was driving. The contact refilled the engine oil and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the…”
NHTSA complaint #11455588, 2022

Equipment 2

“Roughly every 8 months Sirius XM "radio" runs an automatically triggered free subscription period that includes "weather alerts". These alerts BLOCK part of the car's normal navigational (map) system, requiring UNNECESSARY MOVEMENTS to dismiss the prompts so one can see map details. These movements RISK DRIVING MISTAKES. The weather alerts are unhelpful and unwanted: trivial events that don't affect me. And they keep repeating the same alert multiple times per day. I once called Sirius tech support to have them shut that feature off, but they claimed they couldn't, and to just wait out the pro…”
NHTSA complaint #11590495, 2021

“GMC TERRAIN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUES WITH THE RADIO. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASH DISPLAY NO LONGER OPERATES. THE SCREEN DISPLAY IS BLACK. DUE TO THE FAILURE THE BACKUP CAMERA, HANDS FREE PHONE, ON STAR, AND THE RADIO ARE INOPERABLE. *JS”
NHTSA complaint #11209871, 2019

Service Brakes 2 1 crash 1 injury

“I AM THE OWNER OF A 2017 GMC TERRAIN. YESTERDAY, I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN THIS VEHICLE. SOME PERSON PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID A CAR ACCIDENT. HIS VEHICLE CONTINUED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION IN WHICH HE DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT AWAY CAUSING ME TO HIT THE FRONT END OF HIS TRUCK. AS THE DRIVER STATES HE DID NOT SEE ME, I CAN CONFIRM I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES, WHICH ACTED AS THEY COULDN'T STOP. IT FELT AS THE BRAKES WERE NONEXISTENT. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY TERRIFYING MOMENT, AS I WAS GOING 45MPH (PER THE SPEED LIMIT). AS I HAD READ EARLIER, THE 2018 TERRAINS…”
NHTSA complaint #11362597, 2020 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“On Friday, January 19, 2024, I was driving home from school at night in my 2017 GMC Terrain when suddenly my car was chugging and quit. my steering and brakes froze. Other cars were passing me and it was snowing. I was scared someone was going to hit me. I was able to start it up again and to get it to a Walmart parking lot just down the road, but before, it would chug and quit again. My steering was hard. There was no warning light or service light on dashboard telling me something was wrong. I called my sister to come get me. The car would start, but would keep quitting. I called a tow truc…”
NHTSA complaint #11567946, 2024

Steering 2 1 fire

“The power steering assembly failed and caught on fire. This then caused the engine to malfunction and no longer work. This happened while driving on the interstate at a speed of approximately 80mph. No prior check engine lights were visible”
NHTSA complaint #11698477, 2025 · fire

“On Friday, January 19, 2024, I was driving home from school at night in my 2017 GMC Terrain when suddenly my car was chugging and quit. my steering and brakes froze. Other cars were passing me and it was snowing. I was scared someone was going to hit me. I was able to start it up again and to get it to a Walmart parking lot just down the road, but before, it would chug and quit again. My steering was hard. There was no warning light or service light on dashboard telling me something was wrong. I called my sister to come get me. The car would start, but would keep quitting. I called a tow truc…”
NHTSA complaint #11567946, 2024

Vehicle Speed Control 2

“timing chain issues resulting in a loss of power of the vehicle while driving. The vehicle stalls out and shuts off. Or it will go into power saving mode and slow down to only 20mph. It did this to me one a MAJOR HIGHWAY and I almost was in an accident. Way to many issues with gmc owners and the timing chain on their vehicles”
NHTSA complaint #11498874, 2022

“We have had 4 transmissions since we bought the vehicle. It slows down to almost a stop after it hits 30 mph and makes weird noises all throughout the vehicle. The back right tire sticks to the pavement and jerks when i start to drive. The key ignition has been fixed several times and still sometimes won't turn with the key or come out. Yes Warranty told the repaid service company to fix whatever, and they did but it still after 2 more transmission hasn't fixed the issues. Engine light and not sure what else.”
NHTSA complaint #11617850, 2021

Back Over Prevention 1

“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 part the head unit doesn't work but once in a while, once a month, it comes on but shows the Chevy logo on the screen which is odd because it is a GMC. Once you turn the car off, it will be gone again until it decides to come back. We took it into a dealer who tried to hook up to it and reprogram or update it, but he had no luck. Now we are without a backup c…”
NHTSA complaint #11733049, 2025

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1 1 crash 1 fire

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH WHEN A DEER RAN OUT AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. IT BOUNCED AND ROLLED OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE. I PULLED THE VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ALL OF THE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE WERE ON. THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE ON, THE HAZARD LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND THE CONSOLE WAS LOCKED UP. I PUSHED THE BUTTONS, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON THE SCREEN THAT SAY SERVICE AIRBAG (BUT THEY HADN'T DEPLOYED). I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING, THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AND I COULD HEAR SOMETHING POPPING, I…”
NHTSA complaint #11243159, 2019 · crash · fire

Visibility 1

“On5/3/2022 we were driving on I65 around Shepherdsville KY. It was pouring down rain and our windshield wipers stopped working and stuck in the up position. We had a semi on each side of us. This made it even more difficult to see due to the rain coming off of their tires and spraying onto our window. We had to slow down to a dangerous low speed on the interstate due to the difficulty seeing. We made it to the shoulder after almost being hit by a semi We had to sit there until the rain stopped. This was extremely dangerous in itself being that it was on an interstate with high speed limits.…”
NHTSA complaint #11463330, 2022

Wheels 1

“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 REVEALS THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH GMC MODES AT LEAST AS LONG AS 2011. THE DURATION FOR WHICH THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH GMC MODELS, AND THE FACT THAT STABILITREK IS AN INTEGRAL SAFETY FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE IN AVOIDING ACCIDENTS SEEMS TO MERIT A RECALL. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTE…”
NHTSA complaint #11390694, 2021

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2017 GMC Terrain draws about 13.3 complaints per year on the road, ranking 13 of 15 among the GMC Terrain model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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