2021 GMC Terrain: problems, recalls and what it’s worth
2 recall campaigns to confirm with a dealer. Few owner complaints for this year.
Ask for the VIN and check it, then get a pre-purchase inspection.
Known problems on the 2021 GMC Terrain
No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.
2021 GMC Terrain recalls
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2021 GMC Terrain. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.
- Child seats
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.
Details 23V339000
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."
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 & wheels
Tread separation can result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Details 21V612000
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.
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.
2021 GMC Terrain safety investigations and free repairs
No open safety investigations.
Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):
- Transmission: Certain vehicles, equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission, may contain transmissions that could shift harshly.
A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.
Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.
2021 GMC Terrain safety and fuel
From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.
What owners complain about
35 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is few.
Share of complaints that mention each area. One complaint can mention several.
Other GMC Terrain years
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022 2023 2024
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