2021 GMC Terrain Problems
Compared with other GMC Terrain years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
2/100 0.3× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.3× that of a typical GMC Terrain year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 13 of its 36 complaints were filed by the end of 2023.
- Most reported part: Engine (10 complaints, median 61,000 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 36filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 57,422miles, 4 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 27 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 25 city / 30 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 GMC Terrain (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2021 GMC Terrain. The part named most often is engine, with 10 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes (8) and transmission and drivetrain (8). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 57,422 miles. Of all complaints, 4 involved a crash, 4 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 696 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 64 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 23 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 13 GMC Terrain model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 2 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine10 28%
- Brakes8 22%
- Electrical system7 19%
- Fuel system4 11%
- Other or unknown4 11%
- Engine cooling2 5.6%
- Lane departure2 5.6%
- Suspension2 5.6%
Also reported: Air bags (1), Steering (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “I have had my check engine light come on for P0299. I've lost power while on the road. Had my turbo replaced and now the same issue is starting again. I'm afraid of my car stalling out again with my child in the car. This is a definite safety issue especially since this is happening again months after getting the new turbo put in.”
NHTSA complaint #11767928, filed 2026-09Brakes: “Formal Safety Complaint – 2021 GMC Terrain Brake Failure Vehicle: 2021 GMC Terrain Incident Location: Garden State Parkway (NJ) Speed: Approximately 65 mph Incident Description While driving northbound at highway speed, I attempted to change lanes and apply my brakes. When I pressed the brake pedal, it became completely rigid (rock hard) and failed to function. I had no ability to slow the vehicle using normal braking. …”
NHTSA complaint #11747608, filed 2026-07Transmission and drivetrain: “My 2021 gmc terrain with 6000 miles on odometer. When driving up hill or going around corner transmission shudders so bad that it feels like front tires are coming off. I contacted the dealer and gm and was told there is a tsb for this complaint. GM and dealer acknowledged there was a problem but they didn't have a fix or known cause of problem”
NHTSA complaint #11434563, filed 2021-09Electrical system: “While driving my vehicle and talking on the phone, the radio screen went black. Bluetooth or nothing in connection to it was working. After about 2 hours it came back on. I was told to bring to dealership to be checkout, but it came back on. I'm going to take it to the dealership. My vehicle has 13,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #11447976, filed 2022-01Mileage when problems were reported
50% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 36,000 and 78,843 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 GMC Terrain. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain · SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 16.4% risk |
| Terrain · SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 · 18.5% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning standard, automatic emergency braking standard.
Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2021 GMC Terrain version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrain AWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 9-speed automatic | 25 | 28 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Terrain FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 9-speed automatic | 25 | 30 | 27 | $2,500 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 23V339000May 11, 2023Child seat › Vehicle latch anchorCovers: GMC Terrain 2020–2023, Chevrolet Equinox 2020–2023
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…
- 21V612000Aug 5, 2021Tires › Tread/beltCovers: GMC Terrain 2021, Chevrolet Equinox 2021–2022, GMC Terrain NA 2022
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.
Recall details for the 2021 GMC Terrain → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 696 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11036392Aug 20, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11034769Jun 23, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still displayed after an OTA event and how to reset/clear the message.
- 11032764May 11, 2026Other or unknown. Pi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection issue
- 11032763May 11, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
- 11031282Apr 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information announces the end of an engineering investigation into a brake pad noise.
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030360Mar 27, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information discusses a condition that may arise from the drivers window switch sending an errant message causing the vehicle to enter manual fob learn mode.
Other model years of the GMC Terrain
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 33 | 3,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 13 | 1,126 | 0 | — | 27 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 53 | 8,383 | 1 | 5 | 26 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 41 | 25,500 | 2 | 5 | 26 | 11 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 60 | 49,000 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 0 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2021 | 36 | 57,422 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 2 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 197 | 47,734 | 2 | 5 | 27 | 58 · Typical | Rising |
| 2019 | 187 | 19,500 | 3 | 5 | 28 | 69 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 226 | 18,750 | 5 | 4–5 | 28 | 87 · More | Rising |
| 2017 | 135 | 48,850 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 9 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2016 | 153 | 51,000 | 2 | 4 | 26 | 19 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2015 | 299 | 65,000 | 3 | 4 | 26 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 297 | 79,000 | 2 | 4 | 26 | 39 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 365 | 77,550 | 3 | 4 | 26 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 364 | 81,320 | 4 | 4 | 26 | 58 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 386 | 79,000 | 4 | 4 | 20 | 83 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 290 | 73,925 | 3 | — | 26 | 59 · Typical | Falling |
All GMC Terrain model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 GMC Terrain have?
NHTSA recorded 36 consumer complaints for the 2021 GMC Terrain as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2021 GMC Terrain is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 10 complaints (28% of the total), followed by brakes with 8.
Has the 2021 GMC Terrain been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2021 GMC Terrain do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 GMC Terrain 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2021 GMC Terrain get?
The EPA rates the 2021 GMC Terrain (Terrain FWD, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 27 mpg combined, 25 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,500 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2021 GMC Terrain reported?
Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 57,422 miles and the middle half falls between 36,000 and 78,843 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.