2014 GMC Terrain Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe engine-related trouble, especially the 4-cylinder engine using oil between changes and, in more severe cases, timing chain noise and engine replacement. Windshield wiper failure is the second broad theme, and both are covered by later safety recalls. Reports cluster in the 70,000-120,000 mile range, with several oil-seal failures described in cold weather.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield wipers stop working

   • 81 complaints (27%)
   • median 79,000 mi at 5.9 yrs old (59 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2024

   Owners describe wipers quitting mid-stroke, often in rain, sleet or snow, while the wiper motor can still be heard running. Some find the linkage has separated or is rusted, and several had the wiper motor or assembly replaced. Complaints frequently note the vehicle was included in a wiper recall but the part was not yet available. Reported from about 35,000 to 160,000 miles, mostly during wet or snowy driving.

   Recall 22V165000

   What to check: Run the wipers at every speed and check that both arms sweep evenly; look for rust at the linkage under the cowl. Ask whether recall 22V165000 has been completed and keep the paperwork.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving on the highway i75 yesterday october 29th 2020 during heavy rain the wipers were on and working, as soon as I turn the wiper speed to a faster rotation all of the sudden the wipers just stopped working and was hard to see anything. The next morning I checked all fuses and motor, when I turn the wiper on the motor still made noise. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11372469, filed 2020-10, 68,000 miles

   “I received a document dated dec 2019 regarding a condition where a link ball socket in the wiper transmission may separate causing a complete loss of wiper function. It is not being handled as a recall which I think it should be. Only vehicles which experience this failure will be repaired. This appears to be more of a safety issue than an advisory and should be considered a recall or be done for free at the owners request. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11309796, filed 2020-02, 75,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Excessive engine oil consumption

   Mentioned in 12 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe adding oil between changes and sometimes finding the level very low with no warning light on the dash. Several say a sensor or the timing chain was damaged as oil ran low, and some were told a rear main seal had failed. Complaints mention the dealer performing an oil consumption check and, in some cases, the engine being replaced. Most reports fall between roughly 45,000 and 130,000 miles, with several mentioning cold mornings or winter driving.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for a fuel or burnt smell on the dipstick, and ask for oil-change records showing how much oil was added between services. A compression or leak-down check before purchase is worth the cost.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car is experiencing oil consumption at a high rate. I looked into his and I guess is very common. And I guess GM won't do anything about it. What do I do now? Do I junk it and take a loss as the motor is now making noise . There has got to be something to do.”

   NHTSA complaint #11397588, filed 2021-02, 90,000 miles

   “I been changing my oil every 2000 miles however engine oil stays low; several sensor malfunctioned stating that the throttle position sensor, camshaft sensor, and crankshaft sensor was bad but in fact it was the engine. While at the repair shop to replace the camshaft sensor because the vehicle wouldn't start I learned that the engine locked and had to be replaced the engine due to low to no oil in the engine but in fact I got the oil change 2-3 months ago”

   NHTSA complaint #11298572, filed 2020-01, 166,000 miles
3. 3
   Engine

   Cold-weather oil seal failure (PCV related)

   • 46 complaints (15%)
   • median 103,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (29 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2015–2025

   In cold weather owners describe a loud clattering noise, low oil pressure or a reduced-power message, followed by oil leaking heavily underneath. Several were told the PCV valve froze or failed, building crankcase pressure that pushed out the rear main seal; some had the seal replaced and the leak returned. Complaints mention the repair was not covered under warranty. Described mostly below about 15°F, typically between 65,000 and 110,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect under the engine for fresh oil residue and ask whether the PCV system or rear main seal has been serviced. Check the oil level cold before starting and again after a short drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Earlier this month while driving, our Gmc Terrain began shuddering while in line at a drive-through. A few days later while driving, it died at a stoplight, and when restarted, immediately displayed a warning that there was reduced power due to an oil issue. We were not due for an oil change. We had the vehicle towed to a body shop who informed us that it was leaking oil drastically and had a leak in the rear main seal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11403668, filed 2021-03, 110,000 miles

   “Left my house on a very cold morning (below 10 degrees) and while I was driving and my engine started making a very loud clattering noise. Low power message displayed on the dash and several lights displayed. Nothing prior to the noise. Immediately pulled in and parked my vehicle. I had the codes ran, checked the oil and it had none! The vehicle was checked out and the pcv valve failed/froze causing combustion in the engine and blew out the rear main seal. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11397601, filed 2021-02, 103,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Timing chain noise and engine stall

   • 79 complaints (27%)
   • median 89,500 mi at 6.4 yrs old (52 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe a rattling or clattering from the engine, rough running or stalling at low speed, and a check engine light. Several were told the timing chain had stretched or broken and that the engine needed replacement; others link the chain wear to oil that ran low. Some complaints describe the engine seizing with no warning light beforehand. Typically reported between about 80,000 and 160,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for chain rattle at cold start and steady idle, and ask whether the timing chain has been replaced. A scan for stored codes during a pre-purchase inspection is useful.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was on my way to work. All of a sudden my car stopped abruptly, with no warning lights or signals. Immediately after the car shut off, the engine light came on. The car was towed to Gmc. I was contacted on saturday, august 30th, by the service tech for an update. Apparently, the spark plug moved out of place, and the piston pushed it into the engine. The technician mentioned that he had never seen any like this before. The vehicle is only 6 years old. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11352128, filed 2020-08, 110,000 miles

   “. In october 2019 my car needed to have extensive work done on its timing chains, variable valve timing solenoids, intake variable engine variable timing solenoid, variable valve timing sprocket, heated oxygen sensor, timing cover gasket set, valve cover gasket set, iridium spark plugs, water pump, engine oil filters, synthetic dexos motor oil, coolant. Then in july 2020 the timing chains collapsed on me while I was on my way home from work. The entire engine had to be replaced. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11372992, filed 2020-11, 134,000 miles
5. 5
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights dim or inoperable

   • 10 complaints (3%)
   • median 42,678 mi at 4.3 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2024

   Owners describe headlights that are dim or give poor illumination at night, with some using high beams to see, and a few reporting a headlight stopped working. One complaint notes the vehicle was repaired under the headlight recall but the problem came back. Reported across a wide mileage range, including as low as about 25,000 miles.

   Recall 22V137000

   What to check: Check both headlights at night against a wall and ask whether recall 22V137000 has been performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V165000 (Visibility) and 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the parts to do the recall repair were unavailable. The contact had experienced a windshield wiper failure while driving at approximately 35 MPH in a rainstorm. The contact also stated that recently the passenger’s side headlight stopped functioning. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11506218, filed 2023-02, 133,000 miles

   “The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting) and 22V165000 (Visibility). The contact stated that while her daughter was driving in the rain the windshield wipers became inoperable. Additionally, the headlights were dim. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the wiper motor and motor assembly were replaced. The contact called the local dealer but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11459650, filed 2022-04, 73,101 miles

Buying note. Have a mechanic check oil consumption, the PCV system and timing chain condition before buying, since these are the reports owners describe most. Confirm both the wiper and headlight recalls have been completed and keep the service records.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.