Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 75 MPH, an abnormal popping sound was coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. As the noise continued, the vehicle began to hesitate and jerk upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. Despite the failures, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer where they diagnosed the vehicle with a catastrophic transmission failure. The contact was provided an estimate for a new transmission. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered financial assistance for the cost of a new transmission. The contact then spoke with a service director who offered no financial assistance and informed him that he was unaware of when the parts for a new transmission would be available. The vehicle remained in the possession of the dealer and was not repaired. …
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the timing chain was faulty. The failure caused the engine to consume an excessive amount of engine oil. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
On October 13, 2023, I was driving on the highway when my 2014 GMC Terrain power was reduced. Suddenly, the engine light came on and car began throttling. Second, an error message appeared on my dashboard indicating " engine power is reduced." Then it stopped in the middle of the highway. I was able to restart my vehicle and drove it to a nearby mechanic shop. The mechanic said the problem was my timing chain and that my vehicle was not drivable. I left my vehicle at the mechanic shop because it was the weekend and It needed it to be towed to the dealership. On Monday, October 16, 2023, I had my vehicle towed to Buick Classic Service Center. After waiting for two days, I received a call from the service center stating that my 2014 GMC Terrain timing chain and pressure gas pump was the cause of the problem - with my vehicle. …
Have a 2014 GMC Terrain SLT AWD. Just rolled 81,000 miles. Heard some catching in what I thought was front left tire while turning right. Almost sounded like wire wrapped up. Looked under car didn't see anything. Continued to drive and began to hear really loud grinding noise. Could smell the car getting hot. Get it to body shop and they have identified the transfer case was blown out for unknown reason. No fluid and gears are just walking around. Caught it before it locked up. Needs new transfer case, when we can even get one. Looking at about $2500 in repairs. Of course just out of extended warranty. This appears to be a common problem and needs to be addressed by GM!
I have a 2014 GMC Terrain with less than 70k miles on the vehicle. I took the truck to the mechanic and was advised the power belts were no good. Why is this? The truck has no mileage on it basically for a 2014, I have a 2011 Chevy with more miles than this truck and its power belts are fine. The Mechanic also advised me within the last 3 years, his shop in Cecil County MD has changed over 125 Power Belts on the 2014 GMC Terrain AWD (V6), same vehicle that I have.
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.
Car is burning oil excessively and the timing chain is loose putting the vehicle is reduced power mode. The timing chain was replaced at 40,000 miles and now it needs to be replaced again and the car only has 87,000 miles. I bought it with 70,000 miles on it. Someone needs to do a recall on these engines
on line it said that this vehicle was having problems with the timing chain which could break when driving causing damage to motor or worse yet loss of control. I had it to garage and they said the ticking noise is the timing chain. Is gmc recalling the vehicles for this?
Around 76k miles the vehicle started to stall, the engine completely stopped while in drive. The vehicle was burning oil and had terrible gas milage prior to stalling incidents. The first time it stalled was at an intersection with a traffic light, when we went to slow down the engine completely shut down. My infant daughter was in the car with me and it was terrifying. We would have been hit had the light not been turning red. After that we recognized that it typically stalled after starting the car and attempting to accelerate. At times it happened when pulling out of a parking lot onto a busy street and I would loose engine power. This was extremely scary due to not being able to get out of the way of oncoming traffic. I had to put my flashers on and roll to the side of the road where I could restart the car. …
Driver had stopped at stop sign on the exit ramp and as she began to accelerate to crossover to appropriate lane the car stalled in the middle of the road, reduced engine light came on, and check stability light lit. This was in a very dangerous location as the side road the driver was located was at the bottom of a hill, so oncoming traffic would not have been able to stop and it would have been a t-bone hit for the driver and head on for the oncoming vehicle. The car slowly (very, very slowly) moved forward enough to finally get across street and to a safe place. Although no accidents or injuries occurred, it was by the grace of god that no traffic was coming over the hill. This had the potential and has the potential of being a deadly problem if it occurs again or if another vehicle has the same issue. Immediately had tow truck pick up car and take to GMC dealership. …
Transmission complaints in other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 GMC Terrain, 11% of the model year's 297 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 GMC Terrain transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 25% 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.