2011 GMC Terrain Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 9%of 386 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the visibility of the 2011 GMC Terrain, 9% of the 386 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“During a driving rain, going 65 MPH on the highway, when I put my wipers on high, they stopped working altogether. I had been in the passing lane, had to avoid crashing, and get over 2 lanes and get myself to the nearest exit. A white knuckle experience, to say the least. We had to replace the entire wiper motor at our expense and inconvenience.”
NHTSA complaint #11149768, filed 2018-11, 98,000 miles“Driving on a busy highway during a rainstorm and the windshield wipers stopped in the up position. I had to slow down quickly and find my way onto the shoulder since visibility went to zero and there was traffic all around me. You could still hear the wiper motor turning but the wipers wouldn't move from the up position. I had to wait over an hour and a half for the rain to stop before I was able to drive home. …”
NHTSA complaint #11220984, filed 2019-06, 115,575 miles“Sudden downpours, when I activated the wipers there was a mechanical noise and both wipers stopped working, while in motion on freeway. Forced to drive with near zero visibility until next safe stopping point with my kids in the car. Stopped, checked fuse which was ok, checked wipers and found the transmission must have failed at the motor or drive as both wipes were connected to each other but otherwise free to move by hand.”
NHTSA complaint #11229506, filed 2019-07, 88,300 miles“Last summer (july 2019) our wipers stopped in the up position during a heavy thunderstorm on the highway while we traveling over 60 MPH. It was very scary and we are lucky we did not crash. We replaced the wiper blade transmission. Now during an ice storm the blades quit again. I find that there are several complaints regarding issues with the wiper blades and that canada has a recall on them due to the safety issue. Why do we not have recall for this in the us?”
NHTSA complaint #11298825, filed 2020-01, 170,000 miles“I was on my way home on the interstate driving 55 in the pouring rain when my windshield wipers stopped working!! My boyfriend got my vehicle home and determined what the problem is. Easy fix. But that is not the point! I was put in an extremely hazardous situation. From the research I have done this happens all the time! I called GM and they said well at least no one was injured which, yes I am thankful no one was injured.. However, this is an ongoing issue that they care nothing about! It needs to be handled...”
NHTSA complaint #11118912, filed 2018-08, 102,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11006511Jul 31, 2024This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
- 10247780Sep 26, 2023This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General…
- 10232660Mar 7, 2023Special Coverage. On certain 2010-2012 model year and 2016-2017 model year Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles, the ball joints in the front windshield wiper modules of…
- 10232283Feb 17, 2023This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
- 10230697Dec 15, 2022This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 1 | 8% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 4 | 2% |
| 2019 | 3 | 2% |
| 2018 | 5 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 49 | 32% |
| 2015 | 120 | 40% |
| 2014 | 89 | 30% |
| 2013 | 54 | 15% |
| 2012 | 81 | 22% |
| 2011 | 35 | 9% |
| 2010 | 54 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2011 GMC Terrain
178 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
76 complaintsFuel system
48 complaintsOther or unknown
34 complaintsElectrical system
29 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsElectronic stability control
21 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSeats
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 GMC Terrain
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology