Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2014 GMC TerrainRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 302 owner complaints for the 2014 GMC Terrain. Most complaints involve engine (124) and visibility/wiper (74). The EPA rates it 19–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–26mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Mar 2022
Owner complaints
302
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Visibility: windshield wiper

Remedy pending

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.

VisibilityReported Mar 17, 2022NHTSA 22V165000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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."

Exterior lightingReported Mar 8, 2022NHTSA 22V137000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

302 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2014 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine124
  2. Visibility/wiper74
  3. Power train33
  4. Electrical system32
  5. Exterior lighting17
  6. Fuel/propulsion system16
  7. Visibility15
  8. Air bags11
  9. Service brakes10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Terrain model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2010295
2011397
2012370
2013370
2014302
2015317
2016153
2017135
2018226
2019187
2020197
202136
202288
202341
202455
202513
202633
20271
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

124 reports
“My husband just did an at home oil change on the car not long before the incident. Unfortunately my car was barely under 3,000 miles since the oil change and we were going to change the oil again when my engine died mid drive on the way home. There was no oil in the car due to high oil consumption and no coolant either. High oil consumption was not reported and not disclosed to me before and a broken guide for my timing chain leading to total engine failure just after I started to exit the highway. Had my car died any sooner I would have crashed. Or wrecked with another vehicle. GMC and the dealership I got the car from did not properly disclose this safety risk to me when I purchased the car and no recall information was ever sent out. The high oil consumption causing engine failure has been a part of a class action lawsuit for these vehicles before and THAT was not disclosed to me either at any point. No notifications of low oil or other issues aside from a check engine light came on for my vehicle when I was driving. I dont know how fast I was going as I was applying the brakes to my car for a traffic light.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2026EngineODI 11718808

Visibility/wiper

74 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 15 MPH in a snowstorm, the windshield wipers became inoperable. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The contact had received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V165000 (Visibility). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair could not be performed due to a Salvage Title. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the repair could be covered because the Salvage Title was not related to the windshield wipers; however, the manufacturer called the contact and informed the contact that the repair could no longer be covered due to the Salvage Title. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 149,680.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2024Visibility/wiperODI 11630036

Power train

33 reports
“Tensioner issues keeps breaking the timing chain. . Replaced twice at own cost. Fuel pump/ loss of power while driving. Back up camera doesn't work sometimes. Screen goes black. If key is left in the ignition it starts itself. If you try to use a car charger for a phone the AC shuts off and a "systems error" message pops up. This happens alot. It's an ongoing issue since I bought the car in Feburary this year.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11670432
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Terrain FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
223126$2,450347
Terrain FWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
223126$2,450347
Terrain AWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800381
Terrain AWD
Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV · All-Wheel Drive
202823$2,800381
Terrain FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV · Front-Wheel Drive
172420$3,200411
Terrain AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400476
Terrain AWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV · All-Wheel Drive
162319$3,400476
Terrain FWD
Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI · Front-Wheel Drive
172419$3,400456
  • Terrain FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, SIDI; FFV
    20 city · 28 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain AWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI; FFV
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Terrain FWD
    Auto 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.6 L, SIDI
    17 city · 24 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
GMC Terrain SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Overall
4 / 5
GMC Terrain SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 8310Vehicle 8309
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Terrain questions

How many recalls does the 2014 GMC Terrain have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 GMC Terrain problems?

Owners filed 302 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (124), visibility/wiper (74), power train (33). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 GMC Terrain get?

The EPA rates the 2014 GMC Terrain at 19–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 GMC Terrain?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 GMC Terrain 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026