YearToAvoid

2021 GMC Terrain Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

0/100

#16 most-complained of 16 Terrain years

The 2021 GMC Terrain ranks 16th of 16 model years, meaning it has fewer reported problems than every other Terrain year, with a Complaint Index of 0 and a "Best" verdict. NHTSA lists 35 complaints, 2 recalls, and 4 crashes with no fires or deaths for this year.

Complaints
35
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
26.5
25 city / 29 hwy

Top 2021 GMC Terrain problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine11 (31%)
  2. Brakes8 (23%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain8 (23%)
  4. Electrical System7 (20%)
  5. Fuel System4 (11%)
  6. Other4 (11%)
  7. Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (9%)
  8. Lane Departure2 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (6%)
  10. Airbags1 (3%)

What owners report

  • Brake pedal has failed to respond during steep downhill driving, with drivers pumping the pedal without effect.
  • Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration after releasing the brake pedal, leading to forward collisions.
  • Transmission shudders or shakes noticeably when accelerating between 45 and 60 mph or when driving uphill or around corners, with dealers acknowledging the issue but offering no fix.
  • Gear shift selector has reportedly stuck in park while the instrument panel displayed a different gear, or the vehicle moved in reverse unexpectedly after starting.
  • Infotainment or information screen has gone black for varying lengths of time while driving.
  • Vehicle was reportedly driven several miles without the key fob present and without any warning alert.
2021 GMC Terrain complaints: complaints filed per month4Jul 2021Mar 2022May 2023Jan 2024Jan 2025Aug 2025Mar 2026
52 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2021 to Sep 2026; peak Apr 2025 (4).

2021 GMC Terrain recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V339000May 11, 2023Other668,187 vehicles

    Child seat:vehicle latch anchor

    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."

    Risk: The inability to install a child seat with the LATCH anchorage bars could result in an unsecured child seat, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 21V612000Aug 5, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires9,597 vehicles

    Tires

    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.

    Risk: Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

2021 GMC Terrain fuel economy and fuel cost

City
25 MPG
Highway
29 MPG
Combined
26.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,450
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2021 compared with other Terrain years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2019Good47185327
2020Caution53196225
2021Best035226.5
2022Best760226.5
2023Best2039226

All GMC Terrain years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 GMC Terrain reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 Terrain ranks best among all 16 model years covered, with a Complaint Index of 0 and only 35 complaints logged.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA data shows the top problem area is the Engine, accounting for 31% of complaints, followed by Brakes and Transmission & Powertrain, each at 23%.
Does the 2021 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 Terrain: one for a suspension/tire issue involving certain Hankook tires, and another involving rear-seat LATCH anchorage bars, neither marked do-not-drive.
Should I avoid the 2021 GMC Terrain?
No. Compared to other Terrain model years, 2021 is rated "Best," with the lowest Complaint Index (0) and far fewer complaints than years like 2011 (386 complaints, index 100).
At what mileage do 2021 GMC Terrain problems typically appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 57,421.5 miles overall, with engine and brake complaints reported at a median of 78,843 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.