YearToAvoid

2014 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

73/100

#5 most-complained of 16 Terrain years

The 2014 GMC Terrain has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine complaints lead at 44% of the total, with a median failure mileage of 91,000 miles.

Complaints
296
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
7 / 2
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
21.5
18.5 city / 26 hwy

Top 2014 GMC Terrain problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine130 (44%)
  2. Visibility & Wipers89 (30%)
  3. Electrical System48 (16%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain33 (11%)
  5. Other16 (5%)
  6. Brakes15 (5%)
  7. Fuel System15 (5%)
  8. Airbags11 (4%)
  9. Structure & Body9 (3%)
  10. Steering5 (2%)

What owners report

  • Frontal airbags failed to deploy in multiple crashes, including head-on and rear impacts, despite visible vehicle damage.
  • A passenger airbag activated with smoke and a burning smell but did not fully deploy during a front-end collision.
  • The steering wheel seized while turning at low speed, leading to a collision.
  • Low-beam headlights created a dark shadow across the upper windshield, obscuring the driver's view.
  • A melted headlight plug caused wiring damage and a smoke smell, later followed by wiper failure during rain.
  • A seat belt failed to lock during a crash, allowing the occupant to move freely inside the vehicle.
2014 GMC Terrain complaints: complaints filed per quarter212014 Q22015 Q42017 Q32019 Q12020 Q32022 Q12023 Q32025 Q1
378 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q2 to 2026 Q1; peak 2020 Q1 (21).

2014 GMC Terrain recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 22V165000Mar 17, 2022Visibility & Wipers681,509 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor

    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.

  2. NHTSA 22V137000Mar 8, 2022Electrical System740,581 vehicles

    Exterior lighting:headlights

    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.

2014 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
21.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,025
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other Terrain years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2012Avoid87364421.5
2013Avoid93364321.5
2014Caution73296221.5
2015Caution60297323
2016Good40152223

All GMC Terrain years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 GMC Terrain reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2014 Terrain a Complaint Index of 73, ranking it 5th worst among 16 model years and earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems make up 44% of complaints, with failures typically reported around 91,000 miles.
What are the most common problems on the 2014 GMC Terrain?
Engine issues account for 44% of complaints, followed by visibility and wiper problems at 30% and electrical system issues at 16%. Engine-related failures had a median mileage of 91,000 miles.
Does the 2014 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
NHTSA lists two recalls: one for corroding wiper module ball joints that can cause wiper failure, and one for headlight housings that can produce excessively bright glare. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
Is the 2014 Terrain better or worse than other model years?
The 2014 Terrain's Complaint Index of 73 is better than 2010-2013 (all rated Avoid, indexes 80-100) but worse than 2015-2025 years, most of which rate Caution, Good, or Best.
How much does the 2014 GMC Terrain cost to fuel?
EPA rates the 2014 Terrain at 21.5 mpg combined (18.5 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,025.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.