Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 GMC Terrain owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed to overtake another vehicle in the right lane and the RPM raised up 8,000 RPM. The contact stated that there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that smoke started coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine and check oil warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power and the contact pulled off the roadway and turned off the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that a rod bearing had fractured and pierced the cylinder into the engine block. The contact was advised by the mechanic that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the oil reservoir was constantly needing to be refilled. The contact stated that he had to have the oil changed and added every 4 weeks. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter had failed due to engine oil deposits and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred, he saw the check engine warning light was illuminated and was again having to add oil due to excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was taken back to the same independent mechanic who advised that the catalytic converter was going to fail again due to oil deposits. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred to the NHTSA Hotline. …
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the exhaust manifold was previously replaced due to an exhaust leak and the vehicle was towed. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption, and a quart of oil was added every 500 to 1,000 miles, causing an abnormal engine ticking sound and timing chain sound. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact retrieved DTC: P0420. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the timing chain and catalytic converter were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the engine ran rough and experienced reduced power, and the vehicle was idling rough and the vehicle hesitated while accelerating. The contact became aware of an abnormal oil odor during the failure. Additional trouble codes P0017 and P0420 were retrieved. …
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the oil gauge failed to display when the oil level was low. The contact heard a rattling noise coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that oil had to be added between 800 - 1,000 miles. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who replaced the PCV valve however, the failure persisted. The vehicle then displayed a timing chain code. The contact took the vehicle to two different dealers who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the piston rings had failed. The contact was informed that the timing chain, pistons, and pistons rings needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 68,500.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that his wife was not aware of any warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that his wife was unable to restart the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact called an independent mechanic to the residence who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was oil leaking into the engine block and cylinders. The mechanic determined that the positive crankcase valve (PCV) had failed and needed to be replaced and that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while at a complete stop at a red light, the doors were making locking and unlocking sounds. The contact stated upon depressing the accelerator pedal to resume driving, the vehicle failed to exceed 25 MPH. The messages "Service Stabili-trak" and "Service Power Steering" were displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 159,500.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to several independent mechanics and was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The contact then took the vehicle to the dealer and it was confirmed that the catalytic converter was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil; however, there were no oil leaks evident. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who informed the contact that the frame near the rear wheel on the driver's side was completely rusted. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed for the oil consumption failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact became aware of an abnormal odor coming from the engine compartment, with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine failed due to excessive oil consumption. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started shaking and vibrating and then stalled. The vehicle was examined by a local mechanic, who determined that the engine was damaged due to a lack of engine oil. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 147,623.
Engine complaints in other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2014 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA has 130 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 GMC Terrain, 44% of the model year's 297 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 GMC Terrain engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2014 GMC Terrain, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 GMC Terrain engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 91,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.