2014 GMC Terrain Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2014 GMC Terrain has a complaint index of 47, ranking 9th of 16 model years and earning a Good verdict relative to other Terrain years. It has 296 complaints, 2 recalls, and the top problem area is the Engine at 44% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 47/100
- #9 of 16 Terrain years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 296
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 18.5 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2014 GMC Terrain problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine130 (44%)
- Visibility & Wipers89 (30%)
- Electrical System48 (16%)
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (11%)
- Other16 (5%)
- Brakes15 (5%)
- Fuel System15 (5%)
- Airbags11 (4%)
- Structure & Body9 (3%)
- Steering5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes, sometimes leaving a burning odor afterward.
- The steering wheel reportedly seized during a low-speed turn, leading to a collision.
- A dark shadow or blackout appeared across the upper windshield when low-beam headlights were on.
- Headlight wiring reportedly melted and caused visible smoke and fire damage near the headlamp assemblies.
- Windshield wipers stopped working during rain, matching a pattern addressed in a later recall.
- Seat belts reportedly failed to lock during a crash, allowing excessive occupant movement.
2014 GMC Terrain recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- 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
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 GMC Terrain reliable?
- Relative to other Terrain model years, the 2014 rates Good with a complaint index of 47, ranking 9th out of 16 years tracked.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 GMC Terrain?
- NHTSA complaints show Engine issues are the top problem area at 44% of complaints, followed by Visibility & Wipers at 30% and Electrical System at 16%.
- Does the 2014 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2014 Terrain: one for wiper module ball joints that can corrode and cause wiper failure, and one for headlight housings that can create glare outside the driver's view.
- At what mileage do 2014 GMC Terrain problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 79,000, though engine complaints trend higher at a median of 91,000 miles.
- Which GMC Terrain years should be avoided instead of 2014?
- NHTSA complaint data rates the 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2020 Terrain as Avoid, all with higher complaint indexes than the 2014's 47.