Reliable Auto DB

2021 GMC Terrain reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 GMC Terrain has 35 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 4 per year. That is the fewest complaints per year among the 13 Terrain years on this site. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Vehicle latch anchor and Tires.

2012 GMC Terrain
Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain
Complaints

35

Per year

4

Recalls

2

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (9 of 35), then Powertrain (8) and Service brakes (8). Those filings include 4 that report a crash and 4 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Terrain has 196 complaints, 13 per year, and the 2022 has 88 complaints, 12 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 GMC Terrain. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall child seat, vehicle latch anchor 2023-05-11 · NHTSA campaign 23V339000
Summary 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."
Remedy Owners are advised to install child seats using the vehicle's rear seat belts until the remedy is complete. Dealers will inspect the latch anchorage bars, and remove and replace the finish, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232403240.
Recall Tires 2021-08-05 · NHTSA campaign 21V612000
Summary 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.
Remedy Dealers will inspect the tire DOT numbers, and replace any affected tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on August 31, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782; and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212343560.

Complaints by component (35 total)

Engine
9
Powertrain
8
Service brakes
8
Electrical system
7
Forward collision avoidance
3
Engine and engine cooling
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Fuel system, gasoline
2
Lane departure
2
Suspension
2
Air bags
1
Child seat
1
Speed control
1
Steering
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 7 more Show less
Crash-flagged

4

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

4

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

420214202252023420249202592026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Vehicle Information:Year/Make/Model: 2021 GMC TerrainEngine Type: 1.5L Turbocharged EngineCurrent Mileage: 155,000 miles [1]Description of Safety Defect:I am writing to report a severe, sudden engine and turbocharger…"
    Engine · filed 2026-09-11
  • "Vacuum pump failure caused my brakes to lock up and almost caused me to wreck into another vehicle"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-07-12
  • "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,…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-07-01
  • "Driving on the Garden state parkway on Sunday night June 28, 2026 I proceed to cross over the ratitan bridge. There was traffic as I was going down the bridge at 70 miles an hour. When I applied the brakes the car would…"
    Service brakes · filed 2026-07-01
  • "Automatic transmission solenoid control valve body got stuck open and ruined the whole transmission. This has been a reoccurring problem with these vehicles. Image is from a code read. Issue was confirmed by Gastorf…"
    Powertrain · filed 2026-04-29

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 GMC Terrain SUV AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 GMC Terrain SUV FWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Terrain all-wheel drive 1.5L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed All-wheel drive 25 28 26 MPG $2500
Terrain front-wheel drive 1.5L, 4-cyl Automatic 9-speed Front-wheel drive 25 30 27 MPG $2400

Specs and fitment

2nd generation, 2018–present
Body styles SUV
Oil dexos1 5W-30 or 0W-20 (engine per manual) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 235/50R19, 225/65R17 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 3,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA safety recall 23V869000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024 Chevrolet Blazer, Blazer EV, Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The door strikers may fracture, resulting in the door opening unexpectedly. A door opening while the vehicle is being driven can increasing the risk of injury or a crash. Remedy: Dealers will replace all four door strikers and attaching bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. 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 N232429911. When NHTSA lists multiple GM nameplates in one campaign, the published unit count is shared across them.

Compare

Previous year 2020 GMC Terrain Next year 2022 GMC Terrain See every GMC Terrain model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 GMC Terrain reliable?

The 2021 GMC Terrain has 35 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 4 per year. That is the fewest complaints per year among the 13 Terrain years on this site. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Vehicle latch anchor and Tires.

What are common problems with a 2021 GMC Terrain?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (9 of 35), then Powertrain (8) and Service brakes (8). Those filings include 4 that report a crash and 4 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 GMC Terrain more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Terrain has 196 complaints, 13 per year, and the 2022 has 88 complaints, 12 per year. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has fewer complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 GMC Terrain been recalled?

The 2021 GMC Terrain has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 GMC Terrain?

Owners have filed 35 complaints about the 2021 GMC Terrain with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 GMC Terrain get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 GMC Terrain is 26.5 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a GMC Terrain use?

US Terrain manuals specify dexos-approved oil for your four-cylinder engine.

What does NHTSA recall 22V-137 cover on the GMC Terrain?

NHTSA safety recall 22V137000 covers affected vehicles after the agency found that general Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles.

What generation is the 2013 GMC Terrain?

1st generation (2012-2017).