2016 GMC Terrain Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 32%of 153 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 GMC Terrain, 32% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On january 25, 2021, my 16-year-old daughter was driving my Terrain down the main road in our town, it was dark and it was starting to rain. She turned on the windshield wipers and after making one pass they stopped in the upright position. This scared her to death, she was able to pull over and call me and wait till the rain stopped but had either one of us been driving on the highway at 70mph this could have ended differently. This is very dangerous and needs to be addressed.”
NHTSA complaint #11389913, filed 2021-01, 112,000 miles“When driving 65mph in an intense rainstorm, windshield wipers suddenly stopped in the up position, almost causing an accident. I had to quickly turn on my 4 ways and try to find the side of the road to pull over (without being able to see out of my windshield) on a very busy roadway. This is while 7 months pregnant with another baby in the car. The motor runs but the wipers are completely dead so I know it isn't a fuse. This could have been very serious!”
NHTSA complaint #11219936, filed 2019-06, 49,242 miles“While driving windshield suddenly fogs up with or without defrost/defog on. When it's dark out its very dangerous! Tried every combination to resolve issue with no luck. Seems the air conditioner is blowing cold air on the windshield even with the temperature turned up. Twice ran off road onto shoulder because of this issue! Luckily didn't hit anything or anyone! ... It happens every morning on my way to work. It's been happening since I bought the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11254044, filed 2019-09, 20,000 miles“While traveling home from out of town during a downpour, the wipers just stopped. After waiting out the storm, my husband was able to locate the wiper assembly and found that the arm(held on by a small, plastic piece) had popped off on one side. He was able to reattach it, and it was fine for a few days until again, while traveling during a rainstorm, they stopped again. I was driving both times and at a high rate of speed. I was unable to see anything in front of me and had to stop in traffic(we were on a country road with no shoulder). …”
NHTSA complaint #11331552, filed 2020-06, 48,000 miles“While driving on a illinois interstate highway during heavy rain the wipers suddenly stopped in the extended positiion partically blocking my view of the highway. I pulled over and could only return the wiper blades to the home position and they would not work at this point. Took to my dealer and it was found that the wiper transmission had failed. Gmc has issued a recall on earlier model years of the same make and model vehicle. Dealer confirmed that the failure was same as being reported on recalled vehicles. …”
NHTSA complaint #11149800, filed 2018-11, 51,000 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…
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 2016 GMC Terrain
46 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
11 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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