2021 GMC Terrain Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 GMC Terrain.

20202022
Complaints
49
Crashes
6
Fires
0
Injuries
4
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2021 GMC Terrain Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#18 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:61,000 mi
#27 complaints

Electrical Faults

#37 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:57,422 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 GMC Terrain.

Engine Problems
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
61,000
Electrical Faults
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
57,422
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
78,843
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Child Seat
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Engine Control Module (Ecu/Ecm)
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel Pump
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 GMC Terrain. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 GMC Terrain

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~677,784 vehicles.

23V339000Child Seat:vehicle Latch Anchor
~668,187 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The four rear-seat lower child seat LATCH anchorage bars may have excessive powder coating, which could prevent a child seat from being installed with the anchorage bars. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

21V612000Tires:tread/belt · Tires
~9,597 affected

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles equipped with certain Hankook tires. The tires may have been manufactured with an insufficient amount of curative agent, which could cause tread separation.

Other GMC Terrain Years

2021 GMC Terrain — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 GMC Terrain reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2021 GMC Terrain has 49 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine Problems with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 GMC Terrain?
Top reported problems: Engine Problems (8 complaints, avg 61,000 mi); Electrical Faults (7 complaints); Transmission / Drivetrain (7 complaints, avg 57,422 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 GMC Terrain?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 64,208 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 GMC Terrain include 6 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 4 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 677,784 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 GMC Terrain?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Terrain reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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