Crankcase (pcv) problems of the 2017 GMC Terrain

On January 31, 2026, while driving on the highway, my 2017 GMC Terrain suddenly began shaking as if it was going to stall. Thankfully, I managed to exit the interstate before the vehicle lost power. Luckily, when this happened, it "only" blocked traffic on a side road. The Terrain was towed to my garage. The mechanic called to inform me that the vehicle was out of oil -even though it was not due for servicing, nor did a “check oil" warning appear. He noted that this was not the first time he had seen this problem occur with this particular make and model: the pcv valve had frozen due to recent cold weather, which led to the rear main seal fracturing, causing oil leaking. In addition, the manifold had also cracked. He explained that repairs would be costly given the labor needed to remove the transmission and perform other related tasks. He recommended that I "google" the problem to gain an understanding of the time involved to complete this repair. My research corroborated that this was a very labor-intensive undertaking. More concerning was discovering an abundance of cases documenting this failure -as well as class action lawsuits- which underscores the fact that gm knows about this issue but refuses to address it. I am not sure why there hasn't been a recall—though perhaps that's a question for people much smarter than I am. Now, after spending thousands of dollars, I have a vehicle with an oil life monitoring system that doesn't function as intended—and worse, I know this could happen again.

The pcv valve froze which caused pressure to build up in the rear main seal to fail. Causing oil to leak out of the motor. Hence the motor won't hold oil.

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.

[xxx], our 2017 Terrain denali displayed code: “low oil/shut engine off” so had it towed to laura Buick/GMC colllinsville, IL. Laura confirmed the issue was blown rear seal due to design of intake cover and pcv. They checked with aftermarket warranty for VIN [xxx] , warranty contract number [xxx] who said it was not a covered issue. We called warranty folks also and were told it was an “external issue” and not covered. Appealed to gm customer service who said VIN was not covered. The vehicle has approximately 83,000 miles and we referenced pip5093b and special coverage program number sb-10057977, and special coverage adjustment 16118 excessive engine oil consumption. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Details: frozen/clogged pcv in the intake manifold caused the rear main seal to burst due to crankcase pressure, leading to complete engine failure. The 2. 4 ecotech engine must be entirely replaced. GMC refuses to act despite being well aware of this consistent issue. There is a class action lawsuit, service bulletins and multiple examples of this scenario all over the internet. Resolution needed ASAP. - 1/20/while driving home from my night shift at highway speeds, exhaust fumes entered the cabin, followed by a loud pop and sudden engine failure. The check engine light never came on and the vehicle would not restart. After towing to the dealership, they confirmed what occurred and noted that it happened on the coldest night of the year, consistent with the well-documented defect in the 2. 4l ecotech engine. They estimated replacement cost can run up to $10,000 and is my responsibility, advising that gm takes no liability for this known issue. This is not an isolated incident for this engine. Gm is fully aware of this defect evidenced by multiple service bulletins, including TSB GMC 19-na-021, which explicitly states this issue is known for all 2010-2017 GMC Terrains. Despite this when I called gm for a resolution, I was told my VIN is somehow excluded, making me ineligible for assistance. Instead of taking responsibility, gm directed me to NHTSA, claiming they alone can update affected vins. This is NHTSA and gm’s failure, not mine. - this situation is completely unacceptable. Gm must immediately resolve this issue in one of the following ways: 1. Full engine replacement at no cost to me. 2. Complete payoff of my remaining loan balance. Additionally, NHTSA must provide an explanation for why my VIN is not included in their list of affected vehicles and correct this oversight immediately. - I will not accept further delays, deflection, or excuses. Gm must take full responsibility for this failure and respond immediately with a resolution.

While driving home from work in single digit temperatures on Monday 01/20/25 the engine of my 2017 GMC Terrain stalled without warning at a traffic light. I was able to restart the vehicle and drive it the 1. 5 miles home. When I exited the vehicle I noticed a trail of oil leading up the driveway into the garage. Oil continued to leak from the vehicle in the garage, and we had it towed the next day. Righter’s auto repair found the rear main seal had blown due to a frozen pcv system that GMC is well aware of and subject to TSB 5093c. The vehicle only has 64,856 miles.

In certain makes of general motor vehicles there is a defect with the pcv system in which the system can freeze in cold temperatures which in turns causes excessive crankcase pressure in the engine, and can lead to a dangerous loss of motor power due to this defect. The dangers of this defect can be catastrophic to myself and others on the roadway as the loss of motor power can happen suddenly and can happen while the vehicle is being driven. General motors has released many service bulletins regarding this specific defect. The most recent service bulletin that was issued was gm January 2019 bulletin pip5093c, so they are aware of this dangerous problem in these vehicles. For my vehicle I have had a certified GMC dealership diagnosis the problem, and submit their findings to general motors. There were not any warning lamps, messages, lights, or symptoms signaling that there was a problem prior to the occurrence on January 15th, 2024.

I was driving our 2017 GMC Terrain in subzero temperatures when my vehicle started making sounds and loosing power. With in seconds I heard a pop, and then my dash went crazy with alarms. I had it towed to my local mechanic who determined that the vehicle's engine was seized do to a frozen pcv valve that caused the engines real seal to give away. If need be, the the vehicle is currently available to be examined. My family's safety was in danger because of the location and frigid temperatures that were present at the time of the breakage. The vehicle has not been examine by a GMC dealer, just an independent mechanic. There was no warning what so ever of a possible problem. The vehicle started making sounds and loosing power. With in seconds, I heard a pop and all the lights on the dash light up. We had no other issues with this vehicle leading up to the breakage.

2017 GMC Terrain. VIN -2gkalmek3h6320983 on 12-26-2023 milage - 80694 catastrophic failure involving pcv valve and blown seal that destroyed the motor. So . . . Why or even how are we discussing rear main seal. This is completely unaccepta,ble. I have 2 kids starting to drive the repair estimate is $8. 000 to $10. 000.

It was christmas weekend, the coldest days our area had seen this time of year in decades. Temperatures were around 0 degrees, with wind chills that were -25 below. The check engine light had come on the day before. My husband was literally driving to the mechanic to have it looked at, when the vehicle completely broke down across the street from his destination. Thank god he was approaching an intersection when it died, and not traveling at a higher rate of speed, where he could have been injured, or others on the roadway around him could have been injured. We had the vehicle towed to our GMC dealership where we purchased it just three years prior. Upon inspection from the mechanic, it was determined that the pcv valve was plugged causing pressure on the rear main seal, which then blew out, bending the valve covers, breaking the timing chain, the water pump chain, and damaging the head gasket. The whole bottom of the motor was covered in oil. Absolute catastrophic damage!! I’m told the cost to replace these parts to essentially rebuild the engine, would start at approximately $4000. A brand new engine would be about $11,000! this entire situation to me is just unbelievable! a five year old gm vehicle, with just 46,000 miles on it! this should not have happened. In researching, I’ve been made aware that this is a common issue with GMC Terrains. In fact there was technical service bulletin made by gm for 2010-2013 models whose pcv valve would clog causing rear main seal blow outs. The holes were so small in diameter, technicians would use a 1/16 drill head to clean it out. This is an obvious manufacturer defect that apparently hasn’t been resolved in the newer model Terrains. How has this not been a safety recall yet?? shame on you gm! this will be the last GMC vehicle I will own!.

Due to cold weather the pcv froze which caused pressure to build up in the vehicle’s crankcase which caused the rear main engine seal to pop out. Results in losing all engine oil without and warning driving down the highway. I was lucky enough to get off the highway but currently without a vehicle due to possible engine damage.

Car died out of nowhere. Towed to dealership. Upon inspection we were told that the engine needs to be replaced. Had a 3rd party come to investigate and gave a diagnostic report. Gm has notices and there are articles outlining the defect/failure of the engine due to excessive oil consumption and issues with pcv and rear main seal.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after his wife had parked the vehicle, the oil light appeared on the instrument panel. Upon exiting the vehicle, she discovered that oil had leaked onto the ground from underneath the vehicle. The contact was called to the scene and placed oil into the vehicle; however, the oil leaked out after restarting the vehicle. The contact then called a friend who was a mechanic and he discovered that the pcv valve had frozen which caused the rear main seal to fracture. The contact also discovered that oil spilled all over the bottom of the engine. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed him that there were no recalls. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred him to NHTSA. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.