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ProblemsByVin File / 2014-GMC-TERRAIN NHTSA data synced 1 day ago
GMC

2014 GMC Terrain problems

The 2014 GMC Terrain has 296 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

The 2014 GMC Terrain has 296 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 93 complaints, typically surfacing around 93,720 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

GMC Terrain owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2011 Terrain 386 4
2012 Terrain 364 4
2013 Terrain 363 3
2014 Terrain (this page) 296 2
2015 Terrain 297 3
2016 Terrain 150 2
2017 Terrain 133 1
2014 GMC Terrain
Photo: Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the GMC Terrain
0 5 10
Reliability score
6.8 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2014 Terrain?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall

Overall 4/5
Frontal crash 4/5
Side crash 5/5
Rollover 4/5

Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2014 GMC Terrain SUV AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.

Buying a used 2014 GMC Terrain? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: lighting is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 62,463 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 6.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2014 GMC Terrain

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2014-gmc-terrain/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2014 GMC Terrain reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2014-gmc-terrain/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2014 GMC Terrain reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
93 reports · fails ~93,720 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
visibility
74 reports · fails ~82,395 mi · avg $350
moderate
powertrain
33 reports · fails ~70,444 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
27 reports · fails ~50,120 mi · avg $850
moderate
lighting
17 reports · fails ~62,463 mi · avg $250
severe
airbags
11 reports · fails ~66,574 mi · avg $1,100
severe
steering
5 reports · fails ~79,308 mi · avg $700
severe
body
4 reports · fails ~60,126 mi · avg $1,500
moderate

Your road ahead on this 2014 GMC Terrain

When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.

  1. ~40,000 mielectrical~$850
  2. ~79,000 mivisibility~$350
  3. ~81,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
  4. ~95,000 miengine~$3,100

"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.

Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2014 Terrain's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2014 Terrain?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2014 Terrain · visibility
Wipers stopped working in the middle of functioning properly on the expressway in the middle of a rain storm. Checked fuse & relay - all have power. Regulator broken.
12/30/2019 · at 55,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11291993.0 · see visibility pattern →
2014 Terrain · airbags Crash
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 GMC terrain. While driving 40 MPH, the contact swerved to avoid a deer. As a result, she drove off the road into a tall grass area and struck a concealed cable box. The passenger side grill was damaged and there was a small dent on the hood. The air…
12/30/2019 · at 96,423 mi · NHTSA ODI #11292060.0 · see airbags pattern →
2014 Terrain · engine
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, there was oil leaking from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the PCV valve was…
12/29/2022 · at 79,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11499400.0 · see engine pattern →
2014 Terrain · visibility
28 dec 2018 my wife was driving home during rain storm on rt 80 west bound apx exit 12 nj drivers side wiper assembly / linkage fell apart . Visibility was zero, was able to pull off of highway. Local repair station verified linkage failed, was unable to repair due to lack of…
12/29/2018 · at 88,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11163922.0 · see visibility pattern →
View all 296 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2014 GMC Terrain? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 22V165000 March 17, 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles

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

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 22V137000 March 8, 2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles

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

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2014 GMC Terrain reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 296 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 GMC Terrain has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

Should you avoid the 2014 GMC Terrain?

The 2014 GMC Terrain is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2014 GMC Terrain?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 93 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,720 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2014 GMC Terrain a good used car to buy?

It scores 6.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 296 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 93,720 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2014 GMC Terrain?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 93 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,720 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 93,720 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my GMC Terrain has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2014 GMC Terrain?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 296 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/GMC/Terrain. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with GMC. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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