CarBrief

The 2014 GMC Terrain has 297 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and engine problems make up the biggest group[1][2]. It also has two recalls, one for windshield wipers and one for headlight glare[3][4].

297owner complaints[1]
2recalls[5]
19–26MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 297 owner complaints for the 2014 Terrain[1]. Seven mention a crash, 2 a fire and 8 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Here are the largest groups by number of complaints:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[2] 130 90,500
Visibility/wiper[8] 74 77,465
Power train[9] 33 55,124
Electrical system[10] 31 35,000
Exterior lighting[11] 17 33,839
Unknown or other[12] 16 58,000
Visibility[13] 15 103,000
Fuel/propulsion system[14] 15 66,500

Engine. None of the 130 engine complaints report a crash, fire or injury[2]. In the sample of engine complaints we read, 7 of 12 describe the engine stalling or shutting off[2].

Wipers. The visibility/wiper group has 74 complaints and 1 of them mentions a fire[8]. In the sample we read, 11 of 12 describe the front wipers suddenly stopping, often in rain, so the driver had to pull over[8]. The wiper recall below is about corroded ball joints that can make wipers fail[3].

Power train. In the power train sample, 6 of 12 describe stalling or shutting off, 3 describe burning or losing oil and 2 mention a rusted drive shaft[9].

Electrical. In the electrical sample, 4 of 12 describe ignition key trouble, such as a key stuck in the ignition or a key that got hot, and 4 of 12 describe stalling[10].

The samples are small. They show what owners describe, not how often each problem happens.

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year[5]. Both repairs are free at a dealer[3][4].

To see whether a specific vehicle is included, Owners may contact GMC customer service about these recalls[3][4].

Fuel economy

EPA lists ratings by engine and drive type. All use an automatic 6-speed[15][6][16][17]. The estimated annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Engine and drive City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl, front-wheel drive[6] 22 / 31 / 26 $2,600
2.4L 4-cyl, all-wheel drive[17] 20 / 28 / 23 $2,900
3.6L 6-cyl, front-wheel drive[15] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550
3.6L 6-cyl, all-wheel drive[16] 16 / 23 / 19 $3,550

In these ratings the 2.4L engine uses less fuel than the 3.6L. The front-wheel drive 2.4L is the most efficient at 26 combined MPG[6]. EPA also lists versions that can run on gasoline or E85[18][19]. The 3.6L front-wheel drive version is rated 20 combined MPG and $3,350 a year[18]. The 2.4L all-wheel drive version matches the regular-fuel numbers at 23 combined MPG[19].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel drive Terrain 4 stars overall, 4 stars for frontal crash, 5 stars for side crash and 4 stars for rollover[7]. Its rollover risk is 17.4%[7]. The front-wheel drive version has the same star ratings[20] with a rollover risk of 19.1%[20].

Engine and size

Our data lists a rating of 264 hp for a 2014 Terrain test car with a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine[21]. The EPA fuel economy ratings above list 2.4L and 3.6L engines, and we have no horsepower figure for those[15][6].

The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[22][23].

Measure All-wheel drive Front-wheel drive
Length[22][23] 185 in 185 in
Width[22][23] 73 in 73 in
Height[22][23] 67 in 67 in
Wheelbase[22][23] 113 in 113 in
Curb weight[22][23] 4,019 lb 3,854 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2010: 290 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 386 complaints, 4 recalls2012: 364 complaints, 4 recalls20122013: 364 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 297 complaints, 2 recalls29720142015: 298 complaints, 3 recalls2016: 153 complaints, 2 recalls20162017: 135 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 225 complaints, 5 recalls20182019: 186 complaints, 3 recalls2020: 197 complaints, 2 recalls20202021: 36 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 88 complaints, 4 recalls20222023: 41 complaints, 2 recalls2024: 52 complaints, 1 recalls20242025: 13 complaints, 0 recalls2026: 33 complaints, 1 recalls20262027: 1 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Terrain model year. The 2014 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20102903
20113864
20123644
20133643
20142972
20152983
20161532
20171351
20182255
20191863
20201972
2021362
2022884
2023412
2024521
2025130
2026331
202710

NHTSA's counts for each Terrain model year show 297 complaints and 2 recalls for 2014[5].

These counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so use them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2014 Terrain?

The record is mixed. Engine complaints are the largest group at 130 of 297, and in the sample we read, 7 of 12 texts describe stalling or shutting off[1][2]. The two recalls are for wipers and headlights, and each has a free dealer repair[3][4]. Before buying, ask for service records and proof that both recall repairs were done. If fuel cost matters, the 2.4L versions are rated well above the 3.6L versions[6][15], and safety ratings are 4 stars overall[7][20].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 GMC Terrain?
Engine complaints lead with 130 of 297 on file with NHTSA, followed by 74 for visibility/wipers[1][2][8]. In the samples we read, owners describe engine stalling and wipers that stop working[2][8].
Does the 2014 GMC Terrain have recalls?
Yes, two. Recall 22V165 covers corroding wiper module ball joints and 22V137 covers headlight glare. Both have free dealer repairs[3][4].
What gas mileage does the 2014 GMC Terrain get?
EPA rates the 2.4L front-wheel drive at 26 combined MPG[6] and the 3.6L front-wheel drive at 19[15]. The all-wheel drive versions are rated 23 for the 2.4L[17] and 19 for the 3.6L[16].
How safe is the 2014 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA rates it 4 stars overall, with 5 stars for side crash[7][20].
Is 2014 a good year for the GMC Terrain?
It has 297 complaints[5]. That is fewer than 2011 through 2013 and 2015, and more than 2016 and later years[5]. It has 2 recalls[5].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 297 owner complaints on file for the 2014 GMC Terrain (7 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 130 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 22V165, filed March 17, 2022: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 22V137, filed March 8, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every GMC Terrain model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 31 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 74 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 77,465). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 33 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,124). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 31 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 17 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 33,839). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 16 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 15 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 15 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Terrain FWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Terrain AWD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2014 GMC Terrain with 3.0L 6-cylinder: rated 264 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TERRAIN SLE/SLT/DENALI 4DR SUV AWD: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,019 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TERRAIN SLE/SLT/DENALI 4DR SUV FWD: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,854 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.