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2014 GMC Terrain Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2014 GMC Terrain carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering headlights and motor. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Excessive oil consumption leading to engine failure.” GMC trucks and SUVs use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — the same algorithm as Chevrolet. Because GMC's lineup is exclusively trucks and SUVs, severe-service intervals apply to most owners (towing, hauling, off-roading). The schedule below surfaces the items most relevant to GMC's truck-focused buyer.

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2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Campaign #22V137000 · Aug 3, 2022

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Campaign #22V165000 · Mar 17, 2022

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 GMC Terrain.

Reported to NHTSA

Excessive oil consumption leading to engine failure

ENGINE

75 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2026-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11671932
“The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was adding approximately 3-4 quarts of oil every 1,000 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11658263
“Vehicle's 3.6L engine is consuming excessive amounts of oil. Over 2 QT oil every 2,000 miles. Issue confirmed by GMC certified dealer and independent mechanic”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533419

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear main seal leak from frozen PCV valve

ENGINE

15 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2024-09

“THE SHOP SAID THE PCV SYSTEM FROZE AND CAUSED THE REAR MAIN SEAL TO BLOW OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11403668
“THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED OUT AND THE PCV VALVE FAILED/FROZE CAUSING COMBUSTION IN THE ENGINE AND BLEW OUT THE REAR MAIN SEAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11397601
“THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR MAIN SEAL WAS BLOWN DUE TO EXCESSIVE CRANKCASE PRESSURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11386773

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield wiper failure during rain

VISIBILITY/WIPER

50 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2024-12

“During a rainstorm the wiper blades became stuck after regular use. It was then discovered by a technician the transmission/linkage arm (plastic) broke off and possible windshield wiper motor failure. No warning signs were given to anticipate this failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11433446
“I WAS DRIVING HOME IN THE RAIN/SLEET WHEN MY WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING. WAS VERY SCARY AS I WAS ON A HIGHWAY AND COULDN'T SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11396548
“WIPERS FOR MY GMC TERRAIN 2014 STOP WORKING IN MIDDLE OF HEAVY RAIN IN HIGHWAY. MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND WAIT FOR RAIN TO STOP. YOU CAN HEAR MOTOR RUNNING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11254454

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Inadequate headlight illumination

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

15 NHTSA complaints · 2022-04 → 2024-07

“The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds at night, the headlight illumination was inadequate. The contact used the high-beam headlights while driving at night”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11600806
“I went in yesterday, 10/6/22, for a fix to recall #N222363740. All they did was put an applique on the outside of both my headlights which came off at the car wash today”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11488371
“I took the car in for a recall regarding the headlights. The recall number is N222363740. The dealer placed a sticker”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11494809

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in frontal and rear crashes

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-12 → 2023-08

“The contact owned a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while stopped at a red light a vehicle one rear-ended the vehicle. This caused the contact to crash into in front of her. The air bags did not deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11541344
“None of the Airbags deployed in my 2014 GMC TERRIAN when I was in an accident.was struck very hard on rear passenger side spun around and hit a tree head one”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11463700
“The front passenger airbag activated but did not deploy during a front end crash. There was a puff of smoke and it smelled like the airbag deployed but it did not”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11429548

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when OLS reaches 0% or every 12 months. dexos1-approved synthetic required on Sierra 1500 5.3L/6.2L; dexos2 specified on Duramax diesel.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Sierra and Yukon owners running 4x4 should rotate every 5,000-7,500 miles to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Towing accelerates pad wear by 30-50%; check more often if towing regularly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

DOT 3 brake fluid: test annually, replace when moisture exceeds 3% or fluid is darker than copper.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

Long-life cellulose filter rated 45,000 miles. Trucks driven on unpaved roads or construction sites should inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (towing 5,000+ lbs regularly, heavy stop-and-go): every 45,000 miles. Normal: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI for 6L80/6L90, Mobil 1 LV ATF HP for 10L80/10L1000.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace every 45,000 miles. Use GM Auto-Trak II for active 4WD; GM 9986115 for selectable 4WD.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Differential Fluid (front + rear)

Every 50,000 mi

Replace front and rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. G80 limited-slip rear axles require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

Iridium spark plugs on the L83/L84 5.3L and L86/L87 6.2L V8 are rated 100,000 miles. AFM/DFM cylinder deactivation can cause uneven plug wear — check at 75,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000. Duramax diesel uses ELC (red) — different chemistry, do not mix.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Sierra HD and Yukon XL owners in dusty work environments should replace at 15,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

48 crashes 1990–2024

How the 48 occupant deaths break down

34

driver deaths

14

passenger deaths

48

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2014 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 GMC Terrain reflects GMC's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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