2016 GMC Terrain visibility & wipers problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

42 owners have reported visibility & wipers problems with the 2016 GMC Terrain, 35% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 91,000 mi.

Visibility & Wipers complaints
42
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
91,000 mi

Specific components reported

Visibility & Wipers covers: Windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors and windows.

ComponentComplaints
Visibility/wiper39
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer2
Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system1

Visibility & Wipers complaints across GMC Terrain years

11201012201123201252013552014762015422016220172201832019420201202112022120231202512026
Visibility & Wipers complaints by model year. The 2016 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

Under 10k10k–30k430k–60k460k–100k2100k–150k2150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed May 17, 2026WIVisibility & Wipers
    Windshield wiper mechanism broke while driving in heavy heavy rain near [XXX] . Extremely dangerous situation and almost resulted in a crash but I was able to make my way off of the interstate safely. Huge inconvenience because we had to wait out the rain! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
    NHTSA complaint #11738415 · source
  2. Filed Apr 29, 2026MIVisibility & Wipers
    During heavy rainfall in the mountains at dawn, my windshield wipers suddenly have stopped working. We can manually move the wipers with ease and can hear the motor engaging but both front wipers suddenly stopped. We were 1200 miles from home on what was supposed to be a vacation. Carvana reports 2 recalls for my reports but the dealerships have no recalls for my year of vehicle.
    NHTSA complaint #11734710 · source
  3. Filed Sep 10, 2025KSVisibility & Wipers
    The windshield wipers quit working while driving during a down pour; some piece to the motor broke. This can cause severe injuries and even death due to the fact that it caused me to not be able to see where I was going and what was around me and could have driven off a high ramp. It hasn’t been inspected by anyone yet. There were no signs, warnings, or messages stating a failure may occur. This issue is available for review if requested until I get the car in for repairs.…
    NHTSA complaint #11686230 · source
  4. Filed Aug 20, 202593,000 miOHVisibility & Wipers
    The contact owns a 2016 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield became foggy. The driver rolled down the windows to clear the windshield and the glass; however, the windshield became foggier. The driver was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway and clear the windshield by hand. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The vehicle was taken to…
    NHTSA complaint #11681961 · source
  5. Filed Jul 28, 2025NCVisibility & Wipers
    The windshield wipers became inoperable due to a ball joint failure within the wipers. The parts are available for inspection. The safety of myself and others were put at risk as it was raining heavily after sundown and I could no longer see through my windshield due to the rain not being cleared off by windshield wipers. The visibility issue could have caused an accident, especially if the car in front of me had slammed on breaks. The problem has not been addressed by a…
    NHTSA complaint #11676629 · source
  6. Filed Jun 24, 2025IAVisibility & Wipers
    I was driving on an interstate highway. I entered a construction zone restricted to two lanes.(one each way). It began to rain very hard, after a short time of starting the front windshield wipers; both stopped. There was a total failure of both wipers with out any warning and a total loss of vision due to a rain covered windshield. Due to the restricted traffic lanes in the interstate construction zone there was no shoulder on either side to pull off onto and no way to exit…
    NHTSA complaint #11669047 · source
  7. Filed Jun 14, 2025KYVisibility & Wipers
    Windshield wipers stopped working during a downpour. Lucky I was able to make it home safely but took time. Checked fuses, nothing wrong there. Can hear something running so assume motor is OK, but linkage may have broken. Will have to take to mechanic
    NHTSA complaint #11666948 · source
  8. Filed Jun 8, 2025MNVisibility & Wipers
    The front windshield wipers suddenly stopped working while I was driving on the freeway in moderate rainfall on [XXX]. I wasn't able to see through the windshield. I will call GMC in Roseville MN on Monday, June 9, 2025 to request a service date. I waited until the rain was lighter, so I could drive from Willow River Rest Area to Moose Lake, 19 miles. It was inspected at the repair shop, Federated Co-Ops Moose Lake 017, 100 Arrowhead Ln, Moose Lake, MN 55767. [phone…
    NHTSA complaint #11665624 · source
  9. Filed May 22, 2025MIVisibility & Wipers
    WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN IN A CONSTUCTION ZONE, WIPER QUIT WORKING. Never notified vehicle had a wiper linkage failure issue. Paid for repairs out of pocket and GM won't compensate because a GM Dealer didn't perform repair. See Service Bulletin N192266180-01, thank you!
    NHTSA complaint #11662508 · source
  10. Filed Apr 6, 2024OHVisibility & Wipers
    When driving in a rainstorm, there was a loud pop, and the driver side windshield wiper stopped moving. After I finally got home I checked the pivot point of the wiper arm and the nut was still tight. I ordered a new wiper motor module, and replaced it. On the old module I discovered one of the arms had disconnected at a pivot point. I understand NOW that GM has an extended warranty for the part so I will be pursuing reimbursement.
    NHTSA complaint #11581491 · source
  11. Filed Dec 29, 2023MAVisibility & Wipers
    My wife was driving on the highway to work when it was raining. Both of the wipers stopped working all of a sudden causing her to not be able to see out of the windshield. When she got home that night I could see that the linkage arm had came off the ball joint.
    NHTSA complaint #11562559 · source
  12. Filed Oct 28, 2023ILVisibility & Wipers
    I have a 2016 GMC Terrain, garage kept and seldom driven, with ONLY 53,260 miles on it. Last night while leaving the movie Theatre in the RAIN my WIPERS stopped working while in motion. I had to drive home in the rain unable to see!!! Looked on NHTSA.gov site and saw where recalls were issued for 2015’s but not 2016’s, although I’m reading numerous complaints for the same occurring on my model suv. Can GMC provide some insight into this?
    NHTSA complaint #11552377 · source

Other 2016 GMC Terrain problem areas

  • Engine (40)
  • Other / Unknown (10)
  • Lighting (10)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (8)
  • Airbags (7)
  • Steering (5)
  • Electrical System (4)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (4)
  • Brakes (3)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (3)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (3)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (3)
  • Body & Structure (2)

Back to all 2016 GMC Terrain problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology