2017 Gmc Terrain Safety Report

The 2017 GMC Terrain presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved strong crash test ratings from NHTSA, including 5 stars for side impact and 4 stars for overall, frontal, and rollover safety, its complaint data reveals significant underlying mechanical concerns. With 131 total complaints, 11 crashes, 2 fires, and 7 injuries reported, there's a clear pattern of issues that could compromise safety. The most prominent concern is the engine, accounting for 54 complaints, often related to catastrophic failures, oil consumption, and stalling, which can lead to dangerous situations on the road. The single recall for exterior lighting, specifically headlights causing glare, also highlights a potential safety defect that could increase crash risk for other drivers. The dominant complaint pattern revolves around the 2.4L Ecotec engine, with numerous reports of excessive oil consumption, PCV valve freezing, rear main seal blowouts, and subsequent complete engine failure. These issues are not merely inconveniences; they frequently result in the vehicle stalling or losing power while driving, as evidenced by complaints describing sudden stops on highways and being stranded in dangerous conditions. The severity of these engine problems, coupled with their high frequency in the complaint data, suggests a significant reliability and safety risk. While the vehicle performs well in controlled crash tests, the real-world data indicates a propensity for critical mechanical failures that could lead to accidents or leave occupants in vulnerable situations. In addition to the engine issues, power train complaints are also notable with 10 reports, and exterior lighting has 7 complaints, aligning with the single recall issued for headlight glare. The recall, 'EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS,' addresses a reflection issue that could reduce visibility for other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash. This recall affects 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles, indicating a long-standing design flaw. The combination of strong crash test performance with a high volume of severe engine-related complaints and a recall for a visibility-impairing defect paints a picture of a vehicle that, while structurally sound in a crash, may be prone to unexpected breakdowns that could lead to dangerous scenarios.

Our recommendation: Despite good crash test ratings, the 2017 GMC Terrain's high volume of severe engine-related complaints, including catastrophic failures and excessive oil consumption, indicates significant reliability and potential safety risks; proceed with extreme caution and a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on the engine.