2014 GMC Terrain

Above average

Owners filed 296 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the engine. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

193 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,00090,000 miles; the median is 79,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Engine106
000
Visibility/Wiper67
000
Electrical System25
000
Power Train12
000
Air Bags11
514
Visibility10
000
Exterior Lighting10
010
Unknown or Other8
001
Fuel/Propulsion System8
000
Service Brakes7
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor22V165000
Filed Mar 17, 2022681,509 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.

Risk. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights22V137000
Filed Mar 8, 2022740,581 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk. The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Feb 18, 2026MI

My husband just did an at home oil change on the car not long before the incident. Unfortunately my car was barely under 3,000 miles since the oil change and we were going to change the oil again when my engine died mid drive on the way home. There was no oil in the car due to high oil consumption and no coolant either. High oil consumption was not reported and not disclosed to me before and a broken guide for my timing chain leading to total engine failure just after I started to exit the highway. Had my car died any sooner I would have crashed. Or wrecked with another vehicle. GMC and the dealership I got the car from did not properly disclose this safety risk to me when I purchased the car and no recall information was ever sent out. The high oil consumption causing engine failure has been a part of a class action lawsuit for these vehicles before and THAT was not disclosed to me either at any point. No notifications of low oil or other issues aside from a check engine light came on for my vehicle when I was driving. I dont know how fast I was going as I was applying the brakes to my car for a traffic light.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 21, 2025TN

ABS Brake problem and have tried to get it repaired for over 3 months and cannot seem to be able to get the part and call GM with no help. Can not tell me when or where to buy the part. Nobody seems to be able to get a new part and no help from GM. If there is this many problems that there is no part left available it should be a national recall.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 21, 2025MO

I purchased this in March of 2025. 2 or 3 weeks after I bought this I took it to an oil lube shop and they said there was not any oil on the.dip stick. Also I started noticing the car being jerky while driving and when shutting it off it sputters. I took it to Max motors, a GMC dealer for a diagnostic check because it uses a quart of oil a week. They told me the high pressure fuel pump is bad and the piston rings were no good. This was on the 18th of June. I had taken it to the dealer I bought it from and complained about the problems, but he wouldn't do anything about it . The warranty was good at that time. Max motors told me it would cost me about $5000 to fix it which I don't have. I read that there was a recall on these cars with a 2.4L engine for these problems.

Engine
Filed Jul 15, 2025130,000 milesMO

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started jerking and hesitating abnormally. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the piston rings were damaged, the high-pressure fuel pump had failed, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 8, 2025125,000 milesMN

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormal odor coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine failed due to excessive oil consumption. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 1, 2025IN

Tensioner issues keeps breaking the timing chain. . Replaced twice at own cost. Fuel pump/ loss of power while driving. Back up camera doesn't work sometimes. Screen goes black. If key is left in the ignition it starts itself. If you try to use a car charger for a phone the AC shuts off and a "systems error" message pops up. This happens alot. It's an ongoing issue since I bought the car in Feburary this year.

Engine
Filed May 15, 202571,000 milesNY

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil; however, there were no oil leaks evident. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who informed the contact that the frame near the rear wheel on the driver's side was completely rusted. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the oil consumption failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 1, 202550,000 milesNC

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was adding approximately 3-4 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles. The contact was informed by a mechanic that the failure might be related to a defective oil sending unit or piston oil ring. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2025IL

It has nothing to do with the headlights. I was told by a couple different technicians that there's an issue with there being a slow oil leak with the GMC Terrains causing the motor/engine to lock up. I get my oil changed religiously! I even have files/reports showing so. It was NOT time for an oil change and my motor locked up. I still have 3 years to pay on my vehicle and it's my primary ride. So after having it towed 4 times...I have to get it towed 1 more time back to the shop to get a used motor/engine installed for $6700 (that's what they estimated me). On top of not having a vehicle for 3 months and making payments on top of it.

Power Train
Filed Mar 28, 2025CA

Vehicle is consuming excessive amount of oil in short drive time up to 3qt in less than 1000 miles. With no oil leaks. Vehicle only has 139840 miles. Has regular oil changes and services done.

Engine
Filed Feb 3, 2025OH

My motor blew out of nowhere. I took it to a shop and there was no explanation as to why. I barely drive my car and keep up with oil changes. Please help asap!

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 10, 2025160,000 milesPA

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the oil reservoir was constantly needing to be refilled. The contact stated that he had to have the oil changed and added every 4 weeks. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed due to engine oil deposits and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, he saw the check engine warning light was illuminated and was again having to add oil due to excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic who advised that the catalytic converter was going to fail again due to oil deposits. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 11, 2024149,680 milesMI

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH in a snowstorm, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V165000 (Visibility). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed due to a Salvage Title. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the repair could be covered because the Salvage Title was not related to the windshield wipers; however, the manufacturer called the contact and informed the contact that the repair could no longer be covered due to the Salvage Title. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 149,680.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Dec 10, 2024MI

Wipers stop working In snow storm

Engine
Filed Oct 24, 2024TX

Oil consumption issue caused timing chain to go causing catastrophic damage to the engine resulting in over 3000$ in repairs the oil light does not come on nor does it have a low oil pressure warning

Steering
Filed Oct 23, 2024159,500 milesTX

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while at a complete stop at a red light, the doors were making locking and unlocking sounds. The contact stated upon depressing the accelerator pedal to resume driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 25 MPH. The messages "Service Stabili-trak" and "Service Power Steering" were displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,500.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Sep 4, 2024105,000 milesVA

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his wife was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that his wife was unable to restart the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact called an independent mechanic to the residence who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was oil leaking into the engine block and cylinders. The mechanic determined that the positive crankcase valve (PCV) had failed and needed to be replaced and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Engine
Filed Aug 7, 2024MO

On May 10, 2024 while driving my 2014 GMC Terrain driving at about 65mph my car cut off while driving to the point that the car started slowing down which had med confused as to what was going on but thankfully I was able to safely move over to the side of the of the highway in order to be in safer position to start the car back up. There was no warrant signs that the car had cut off but I had the air conditioning on do it stop blowing. At this point I knew the car was not safe to drive but I had to get off the highway. So I was about 5 miles from my exit which I was able to get to the exit without the car cutting off again on the highway but the car cut off once again on the exit as my speed was decelerating. I took my car to Meineke Car Care a few days later and was told that my car needed to have the solenoid replaced and the timing chain kit which was what the diagnostic was showing. Once they were able to fully inspect the car I was told that the timing chain kit was broken and I had medal in my oil which was suggested that I replace my engine. This put me at risk of being in an accident that could have injured myself or someone. There were no warning indications. My check engine light was not on. I had to pay to have the engine replaced which before I had it replaced I took my car to another shop just to get a second opinion in which I had the engine replaced.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Aug 4, 2024MS

I was driving my suv while it was raining heavily and my driver side wipers just stop working out of no where the passenger side still operates. I have not been to see if a dealer can fix it because I was unaware it was under recall so now I’m trying to find someone to fix it while under the recall.

Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2024147,623 milesSC

The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking and vibrating and then stalled. The vehicle was examined by a local mechanic, who determined that the engine was damaged due to a lack of engine oil. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,623.

20 of 296 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2011
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202629120Routine
202513000Routine
202449110Routine
202338210Routine
202259200Routine
202135200Routine
2020195220Routine
2019183330Routine
2018220510Above average
2017133120Routine
2016152200Routine
2015297310Above average
2014 — this page296220Above average
2013364321Fatalities reported
2012364450Above average
2011386480Above average
2010290300Above average

Compare every Terrain year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 17, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.