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2021 GMC Terrain problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 GMC Terrain has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 2safety recalls
- 36owner complaints
- 4crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 4injuries reported
36 complaints, against an average of 177 for the other 14 GMC Terrain model years.
Every GMC Terrain model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2021 GMC Terrain?
The components named most often in the 36 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2021 GMC Terrain owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 36 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2021 GMC Terrain been recalled?
2 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
What do 2021 GMC Terrain owners report?
12 of the 36 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
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.
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 failure on my 2021 GMC Terrain that presents an extreme, life-threatening safety hazard. While operating the vehicle in active traffic, the engine began flashing a severe dashboard warning reading "Stop Now Danger" (accompanied by low oil pressure alerts) before suffering an immediate, catastrophic loss of all motive power. 2-This unexpected stalling leaves the driver completely…
Vacuum pump failure caused my brakes to lock up and almost caused me to wreck into another vehicle
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 not stop. I had two 6 years old in the backseat. I applied 2 feet to the brake pedal and it was like a rock and the car would not slow down. I thought I was going to crash. I had to steer and lane change several times to avoid hitting other cars. This has something to do with the driving assist braking system. I was scared to death. If this isn’t a safety concern nothing is…
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 Chevrolet, and an independent transmission shop.
Vehicle went into reduce engine power mode and check engine light came on. Vehicle has just over 60,000 miles. Code is telling me I need a new turbo and being quoted 1,500-3,000. I have read so many people having the same issue with needing a new turbo just after 60,000 miles
The engine light came on while driving, saying “engine power reduced”. It barely accelerates, RPMs go over 5, it chugs when driving. Taken to an independent service center.
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…
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 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.
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…
Automatic Emergency brakes have unnecessarily or prematurely activated on 2 separate occasions causing my car to stop very abruptly which has resulted in Neck, Shoulder and back pain. I have been very lucky in the recent past and today that a vehicle was not directly behind me. The seat vibrated first when it sensed the car ahead was breaking. When I started to break, the emergency break kicked in. I did not report this the first time because I thought the car was doing what it was supposed to do. Today was unnecessary. No accident and no police report. I do plan on telling the dealership.
2021 GMC Terrain: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 GMC Terrain reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 GMC Terrain; the most common categories were engine (10, 27.8%), power train (8, 22.2%), service brakes (8, 22.2%). There are 2 safety recalls. 4 complaints mention a crash, 4 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 GMC Terrain?
Across 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (27.8% of complaints), power train (22.2% of complaints), service brakes (22.2% of complaints), electrical system (19.4% of complaints), forward collision avoidance (8.3% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 GMC Terrain have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2021 GMC Terrain; the most recent (campaign 23V339000, 2023-05-11) concerns Child Seat: Vehicle Latch Anchor. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2021 GMC Terrain?
7 of the 36 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 GMC Terrain (19.4%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11767928, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2021 GMC Terrain stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
4 of the 36 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2021 GMC Terrain (11.1%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11767928, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Terrain
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2021 only.