Photo: Kevauto / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2021 GMC Terrain: common problems and reliability
One of the better Terrain years.
The best GMC Terrain year. All Terrain years
35 owner complaints, most about engine. 2 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Terrain?The 2021 GMC Terrain has 35 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and service brakes.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 GMC Terrain vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Terrain years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Terrain?
Across the 17 Terrain model years we track, complaint volume runs from 35 (2021) to 397 (2011). With 35 complaints, the 2021 Terrain sits below the model's median of 185.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2021 Terrain
tires
Campaign 21V612000General 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.
child seat:vehicle latch anchor
Campaign 23V339000General 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."
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and powertrain. Owners of newer models (2022+) report positive experiences with basic maintenance and no major issues up to 70,000 miles, describing the vehicle as comfortable and feature-rich.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Terrain. See the full Terrain owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Terrain listings typically run $15,277–$25,712.
Other Terrain model years
Compare every Terrain year side by side to see how 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Terrain against its rivals
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