Is the 2014 GMC Terrain a bad year?
297 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 129, 2.8× a quiet Terrain year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2014 GMC Terrain were filed between 66k and 109k miles. You're at 92,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2014 Terrain owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 92,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 129 (43%) | 66k–109k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Visibility and wipersSTANDS OUT | 89 (30%) | 68k–96k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 33 (11%) | 39k–102k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Fuel system | 15 (5%) | 36k–104k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 31 (10%) | 18k–83k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 17 (6%) | 4k–72k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Air bags | 11 (4%) | 38k–88k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 8 (3%) | 45k–87k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Body structure | 5 (2%) | 30k–80k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Brakes | 9 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 5 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 92,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 297 complaints: 7 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 5 report an injury · 19 say the car was towed.
2 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Car is experiencing oil consumption at a high rate. I looked into his and I guess is very common. And I guess GM won't do anything about it.
I was on my way to work. All of a sudden my car stopped abruptly, with no warning lights or signals. Immediately after the car shut off, the engine light came on.
Driving between 40-45MGH and stabilitrak failure service and ABS failure light comes on. At every bump the service lights goes on and off.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 92,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2014 GMC Terrain: 2
The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail. Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from GMC: 517
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2014 GMC Terrain. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172
Normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
Internal Engine Noise or Damage After Oil Filter Replacement
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
Neighbouring years
2013 Terrain: 365 complaints, consider selling · 2015 Terrain: 299 complaints, keep it.
Every GMC Terrain year
2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Terrain years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2014 GMC Terrain a bad year?
297 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 129, 2.8× a quiet Terrain year. At 92,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2014 GMC Terrain were filed between 66k and 109k miles. You're at 92,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 GMC Terrain?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (129), visibility and wipers (89), transmission and drivetrain (33), fuel system (15), electrical system (31). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 66k–109k miles.
How many recalls does the 2014 GMC Terrain have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Visibility and wipers (NHTSA 22V-165), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 22V-137). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.