2014 GMC Terrain · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 29owner reports
- 105,000median miles
- $3,000median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Feb 18, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
127 of the 283 complaints on this car are about the engine. 29 of those describe engine failure.
Tick what matches of 29 reports
Engine failure on other Terrain years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2026.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (27 reports) and the timing chain (6 reports).
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the engine covers the 2014 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
What owners paid
5 of the 29 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $3,000 to $5,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 92,000 and 118,500 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2014 GMC Terrain that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic aid information/procedures to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
This service bulletin provides diagnostic aid procedure to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
This technical bulletin provides a procedure to perform inspections to determine if the engine needs to be replaced as opposed to just internal parts for knocking, rattle, squeak and/or squeal type noises from engine.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information on a rattle, tick, or knock type noise. Any drivability concerns they should be addressed prior to the following diagnostic progression.
4 more on the 2014 GMC Terrain page.
What owners wrote
“My motor blew out of nowhere. I took it to a shop and there was no explanation as to why. I barely drive my car and keep up with oil changes. Please help asap!”
Filed Feb 3, 2025
“While driving oil blew out of engine of 2.4 eco tech. Single digit temperatures. Very little warning caused engine to lock up cost over 5,000 to replace engine.”
Filed Jan 25, 2024
“2 and a 1/2 months after I bought my 2014 GMC Terrain used. It had no oil in it. I had to put pretty much a whole new engine in that cost me $5000”
Filed Jan 3, 2024
“Rear main seal failed when car sat outside for several hours at work at cold temperatures. Possible frozen or clogged PVC valve. Blew oil all over Highway. Before found and causing hazardous road conditions.”
Filed Feb 1, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 29 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Windshield wipers stop working 72 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 49 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 49 reports
- Burns oil or oil level rises 39 reports
- Timing chain or cam phaser rattles 31 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 27 reports