2017 GMC Terrain: fire, smoke or burning smell

6 of the 135 complaints about the 2017 GMC Terrain describe fire, smoke or burning smell.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 153 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year

2026
1
2022
1
2020
4
2019
1
2018
3
2017
6
2016
1
2015
1
2013
7
2012
8
2011
11
2010
1

What owners say

Filed Nov 10, 2025 · Engine, Steering · SD · 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

Filed Feb 7, 2024 · TN

In September of 2022 my gmc automatically shut off right in the middle of traffic on a Friday night. No warring, no lights to indicate that something was wrong with my vehicle. I took it to a mechanic shop and they said nothing was wrong and they did a diagnostic test on the car and no codes popped up. A week later my engine light came on. And my car died again. Thankfully, I had an extended warranty on my car and took to another mechanic shop. It turns out the timing changes on my car needed to be replaced. Fast forward to today Jan 22,2024. I smelled burning oil every time I would drive the vehicle. The rear main seal and PCV was leaking in between my engine and transmission. I lost 5 quarts of oil between Wednesday and Sunday. My oil light never came in. Thankfully, my engine didn’t lock up. It is currently in the shop getting repaired. My car is still under an extended warranty.

Filed Dec 19, 2023 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, she observed white smoke coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle lost motive power. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic, who confirmed the diagnosis. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not assist. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Feb 24, 2021 · Airbags, Body · 37,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 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 service airbag. The four way lights would not stay on and the interior lights would not turn off. And there was a smell of something burning.. No return call from gmc.

Filed Nov 1, 2019 · Transmission, Visibility · 63,000 miles · MA

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 car did not drive right. I was told it was not safe to drive. I brought it back to the dealership and was told that they couldn't find anything. They tightened the bolts on the transfer case and charged me a $60 diagnostic fee (for their error). Issue #2-at 63,000 miles my wipers stopped working while I was driving at about 30mph on a busy street in the pouring rain (very scary). I brought it to the dealership and was told I needed a new wiper transmission and would cost $318 because my car was not part of the recall. I expressed concern that my 2yo. Car has now had two serious safety issues and was told 'cars have so many moving parts and pieces that it's a wonder more things weren't wrong with it'. I do not feel safe driving this car and the service manager was condescending and couldn't care less. Gmc needs to do something before somebody gets seriously hurt or worse.

Filed Aug 11, 2019 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 42,000 miles · SC · crash · 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 got out to assess the damage and my vehicle was on fire. The vehicle ended up being a total loss.. This is happened in ga and the state patrol did the police report.