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VERDICT · THE ENGINE THE V6 PAGE WARNS ABOUT — VERIFY OIL CONSUMPTION

GMC Terrain 2.4L
is it a safe used buy?

The more common four-cylinder Terrain — shares its well-documented oil consumption issue with the Chevrolet Equinox, exactly the concern the V6 version of this model sidesteps.

GENERATION1st gen, 4-cyl (2010–2017)
ENGINE2.4L Ecotec
POWER182 hp
USED PRICE$8,000–15,000

How the engine fits this car

This is the far more common Terrain engine — the V6 page on this site exists specifically because this one has a well-documented, widely discussed oil consumption issue.

Mechanically identical to the engine covered in detail on the Chevrolet Equinox's 2.4L page, since the two models share this platform and drivetrain closely.

GMC Terrain-specific pros and cons

This is about the car itself — for engine-specific failure points, see the dedicated engine page below.

WHAT HOLDS UP WELL

  • Better fuel economy than the V6 option on this same generation
  • Lower purchase price, reflecting both the smaller engine and this issue's notoriety
  • Far more common on the used market than the V6 version
  • A documented, factory-repaired example can be a reasonable buy at the right price

WHAT TO WATCH

  • Oil consumption is a widely documented issue on this engine, detailed in full on the Equinox's 2.4L page
  • Resale demand has softened specifically because of this issue's notoriety
  • Timing chain tensioner wear has also been reported, a secondary concern
  • Some owners report the issue recurring even after a factory repair

Pricing on the used market

Mileage band
Typical price
What to expect
Under 70,000 mi
$12,500–15,000
Still check oil consumption regardless of mileage
70,000–120,000 mi
$10,000–12,500
Sweet spot only with documented, clean oil history
120,000+ mi
$8,000–10,000
Treat with real caution without proof of a factory repair

The engine itself

This Terrain shares its 2.4L engine, and that engine's documented oil consumption issue, with the Chevrolet Equinox. The full checklist lives there.

FULL ENGINE BREAKDOWNChevrolet 2.4L Ecotec — Reliable or Not →

Pre-purchase checklist for this generation

Ask for documented oil consumption history and verify the level yourself if possible.

Check whether any manufacturer extended warranty or goodwill repair was performed.

Watch for blue-tinted exhaust smoke on startup or under load during the test drive.