2021 GMC Terrain

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2021 GMC Terrain has faced significant reliability challenges, particularly concerning tire safety and child seat installation. These issues highlight potential risks for passenger safety, especially for young children in the back seat.

Key Factor:Tire and child seat defects

πŸ“‹Why This Matters

The recalls involving tires are particularly alarming due to the risk of tread separation. This could lead to loss of control while driving, posing a severe threat to all passengers in the vehicle. Additionally, the issues with child seat LATCH anchorage could prevent proper installation, which is critical for safeguarding children during an accident. These defects underscore the importance of thorough inspections and proper installation to ensure children's safety in this model.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
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Expert Analysis

  • πŸ“ˆ
    Recall Trend:No Change in recalls
  • ⚠️
    Primary Risk Area:Acceleration Issues
  • βš–οΈ
    Vs Brand: Worse than avg (1.6)
    πŸ“
    Summary: Overall, the safety profile of the 2021 GMC Terrain raises red flags that cannot be ignored. The presence of multiple recalls indicates a worrying trend where fundamental safety features may not function as intended, especially affecting vulnerable passengers such as children.

Safety & Reliability Score

83/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-1.3
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 GMC Terrain

Model Year2021
MakeGMC
ModelTerrain
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan21
NEWProduction
May21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jul21
ISSUEFirst Report
Nov23
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

7 complaints (27% of total)
➑️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data
βœ…

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 26 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟑Medium
9(35%)
🟒Low
17(65%)
βœ…Good News: No critical or high-severity complaints reported for this vehicle.

Mileage Failure Analysis

βš™οΈEngineering Insight

The peak failure range of 0-20k miles suggests that these issues could manifest early in a vehicle's life cycle. This is particularly concerning as it implies that owners may face significant safety risks soon after purchasing their vehicle, highlighting a need for vigilant monitoring and prompt action to address these defects.

πŸ“Š Mileage data extracted from 9 of 26 complaints (35% coverage)
0-20k
3 reports (33%)
20k-40k
2 reports (22%)
40k-60k
1 reports (11%)
60k-80k
2 reports (22%)
80k-100k
1 reports (11%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

πŸ› οΈ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

TIRESCHILD SEAT

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Tires

Issue: Potential tread separation due to manufacturing errors.

βœ…

Regularly inspect tire condition and tread wear; replace if any signs of damage are present.

πŸ”

Verify tire condition and recall status before purchase; consult dealer for any necessary repairs.

2

Child Seat LATCH Anchors

Issue: Excessive powder coating preventing proper child seat installation.

βœ…

Ensure child seats are securely installed; consider alternative methods if issues arise with anchors.

πŸ”

Check LATCH anchor functionality before buying; confirm compliance with safety standards.

πŸ’‘Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your GMC dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (2)

Campaign: 21V612000

TIRES

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.

Consequence

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC

Campaign: 23V339000

CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR

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."

Consequence

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations
βœ“

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

26 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Terrain.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Acceleration Issues27%
Warning23%
Accident19%
Check Engine Light12%
Shake12%
Display12%
Leak8%
Noise8%
Stall8%
Stuck8%
Body/InteriorπŸ”΅ Low
CHILD SEAT

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V339000 (Child Seat); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle would not be inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure had occurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving approximately 15-20 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond for approximately 1 minute. The vehicle was taken to the Nissan dealer it was purchased several times. The dealer retrieved diagnostic trouble codes: P057C and P057E, and the brake pedal position sensor was replaced twice; however, the failure persisted. The Nissan dealer took the vehicle to a GM dealer, where the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TSB Number: PIT5994 (Diagnostic Tip for Reduced or Low Engine Power on Acceleration). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 78,843.

OtherπŸ”΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Constantly have water leaking into spare tire compartment, back seat floors and passenger floor. Mold/mildew smell coming through vents. Have had drains lines cleaned out, and still recurring having this issue. Unknown where leak is coming from. This is a serious health risk.

ElectricalπŸ”Ά Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Driving my vehicle with no warnings, messages, or symptoms on adaptive cruise control Sunday [XXX] on [XXX] in Michigan. I changed lanes into the right lane when the vehicle abruptly, without notification, and with force, caused braking that unexpectedly and dangerously slowed the vehicle then released braking before doing the same a moment later. Vehicle was pulled off the road onto the shoulder without an accident, thankfully nobody was behind because they would not have been able to stop in time before hitting my vehicle and I assume the brake lights weren't activated since I did not press the brake pedal either time the vehicle was abruptly slowed causing audible noise of traction loss due to skidding. Vehicle engine would function but parking brake remained active leaving vehicle unable to change gears and transmission warning showed on instrument panel. Vehicle towed to a Chevrolet dealer in Grayling, Michigan where it remains and would be available for inspection. Dealer shows transmission as the cause and in need of replacement. Vehicle has been maintained at GM shops since original ownership. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN

First time I had problems with my 2021 Terrain I took it to victory GMC on 9/20/24. At the it had 45,000 miles. Every time I would drive and accelerate it would shake extremely bad in the floorboard. There was also transmission fluid leaking. I picked the car up on 9/27/2024 and was advised that both front axles were replaced, which corrected the shaking and the driver side axle seal was replaced, which was where the leak was coming from. this was covered under warranty but at 45,000 miles I should not have been already having axle problems or any type of leak. I dropped my car off again on May 5, 2025. When I called them the day I made the appointment I let them know I had a service transmission message show up and then go away, I told them it’s taking longer to kick into gear when I’m on the highway, I told them it revs up past 4 1/2 RPMS at times when it had not previously done this and it just sounded like the engine is working harder. I also told them I had a check engine line come on and go off and it was code P2271 which was an oxygen sensor code. I also told them when I had the oil changed. They told me there was a slight oil cooler leak starting. All this was supposedly addressed when I dropped it off to be serviced on 5/5/25. I was called on five 625 to pick up my vehicle notifying me that they found no issues. They were unable to verify concern concerning my check engine light. They said there was no oil cooler leaking, it was just slightly seeping, so not considered a leak. And they said no transmission concern operated as designed. Fast forward to May 9, 2025… I got in my car in the morning and once again the check engine light was on. I drove it straight to GMC and had them put the reader on it. The oxygen sensor code came on. The same code I told them about on the 5th that they said was fine on the 6th. I made an appointment once again to get this check engine light looked at although the check engine light is not on at the moment again.

OtherπŸ”΅ Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Drive shaft on my GMC Terrain needs to be repaired according to my repair shop. I brought it in as it was vibrating on acceleration and other times frequently. I was told it was the β€œdrive shaft” and the mechanic states they have had Equinox and GMC Terrains coming in for same issue. (Specifically my year Terrain) I looked up and found this recall # for this issue: N212343560. I was never notified and now have a very expensive repair bill which may or may not fix the issue.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”΅ Low
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission erroneously shifted to the neutral, causing the vehicle to decelerate. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. During the failure, the message " Power Reduced" was displayed. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 36,000.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”Ά Medium
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE

The contact owns a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was like GM Product Safety Recall: N222372310 (Inadequate Fuel Pump Flow). The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the fuel pump had malfunctioned and damaged the camshaft. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

Engine/PowertrainπŸ”Ά Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I purchased the car August 2024, I have had it for 4 months and while driving down the road a large fuel tank pops up stating low fuel and the car comes to an abrupt stop.The 3x the gas tank was never low. Parking brake comes on and car doesn't not move. All lights on dash come one. It has done it 4 times and thankful each time I was in a 30 mph zone. If I was going 55 I am sure the result would have been bad. The car last did it on December 29, 2024 and has been in the dealership for 3 weeks now and they cannot fix it. I told them 3 days into my purchase I wanted a full refund and they denied me. ?? I had that right I am still fighting with them to take it back because one of these times I am going to get in a bad accident. I don't feel safe in the car and I told them each time.

BrakesπŸ”Ά Medium
SERVICE BRAKES

The contact owned a 2021 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while the brake pedal was depressed, it was released and the vehicle suddenly accelerated aggressively. The contact attempted to avoid crashing into the vehicle in front and swerved however the front of the vehicle still impacted the vehicle in front. The air bags deployed upon impact. A police report was filed. The contact stated no medical attention was provided, but did suffer bruises from the air bag and seat belt. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main safety concerns regarding the 2021 GMC Terrain?

The primary concerns include potential tire tread separation which can lead to loss of vehicle control, and problems with child seat LATCH anchors that may prevent safe installation. Both issues pose serious risks for passenger safety, particularly for children seated in the back.

How do recalls impact my decision to buy a used GMC Terrain?

'Recalls should heavily influence your decision-making process when considering a used GMC Terrain. It’s crucial to ensure that any outstanding recalls have been addressed before purchase. Inspecting service records and discussing recall fixes with the dealer will help you assess the vehicle's reliability and overall fitness for family use.'

πŸ“ŠYear-over-Year Context

➑️Stable Pattern

Compared to earlier years, the 2021 model shows stable reliability patterns. No meaningful structural change detected in recall frequency between adjacent model years.

🧭What This Means for You

Both current owners and prospective buyers benefit from reviewing this safety analysis before making decisions.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified GMC service centerβ€”repairs are performed at no cost to you.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in GMC's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
  • This specific Terrain year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.