IllustrationWINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR QUIT WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN DOWN THE HIGHWAY. DANGEROUS.
2015 Chevrolet Equinox
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Equinox do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 382.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Equinox years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
430–25K
5025–50K
11950–75K
10675–100K
88100–150K
20150K+
426 reports with mileage · 253 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 250 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 227 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 63 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
24 crash reports6 fire reports13 injury reports
What owners actually said
679 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS OPERABLE; HOWEVER, THE BUSHINGS ON THE WIPER MOTOR ARMS FAILED AND THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR SEIZED IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REP…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WAS OPERABLE; HOWEVER, THE BUSHINGS ON THE WIPER MOTOR ARMS FAILED AND THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR SEIZED IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WHEELER CHEVROLET BUICK (11401 N STRAITS HWY, CHEBOYGAN, MI 49721, (231) 333-5022) TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 95551109568. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET RETURNING HOME FROM PICKING UP MY CHILD AND HIS FRIEND. I TURNED IN MY WINSHIELD WIPERS DUE TO A SERVERE HEAVY RAINSTORM IN MY AREA. AFTER CUTTING THE WIPERS ON THEY STARTED WIPING AT A VERY FAST PACE AND JUST ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN THE UP POSITION. I TRIED CUTTING THEM OFF AND BACK ON BUT THE WIPERS…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET RETURNING HOME FROM PICKING UP MY CHILD AND HIS FRIEND. I TURNED IN MY WINSHIELD WIPERS DUE TO A SERVERE HEAVY RAINSTORM IN MY AREA. AFTER CUTTING THE WIPERS ON THEY STARTED WIPING AT A VERY FAST PACE AND JUST ABRUPTLY STOPPED IN THE UP POSITION. I TRIED CUTTING THEM OFF AND BACK ON BUT THE WIPERS DID NOT MOVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE I COULD NO LONGER SEE. UPON MAKING IT HOME I PULLED INTO THE GARAGE AND ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE WIPERS ON AGAIN. I COULD HEAR THE MOTOR FOR THE WIPERS HOWEVER THEY WOULD NOT MOVE. I BELIEVE THE WINSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED. AFTER GOOGLING THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM I WAS HAVING I REALIZED THAT WAS THE PART I NEEDED. I CALLED A CHEVY DEALERSHIP IN HOMEWOOD, IL AND AN EMPLOYEE STATED THAT THEY REPAIR THIS PART OFTEN IN CHEVY VEHICLES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION TO HAVE ON A VEHICLE. I HOPE A RECALL IS ISSUED SOON BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.
2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX INTERMITTENTLY SPUTTERED AND STALLED AT STOP SIGNS AND STOPLIGHTS. AFTER STALLING NEED TO PUT CAR N 'PARK' BEFORE RESTARTING. CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER INITIAL STALL. CAR ALSO SPUTTERED AND ALMOST DIED SEVERAL TIMES DURING FREEWAY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. I HAD TO PUT THE CA…
Read full complaint
2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX INTERMITTENTLY SPUTTERED AND STALLED AT STOP SIGNS AND STOPLIGHTS. AFTER STALLING NEED TO PUT CAR N 'PARK' BEFORE RESTARTING. CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AFTER INITIAL STALL. CAR ALSO SPUTTERED AND ALMOST DIED SEVERAL TIMES DURING FREEWAY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN 'NEUTRAL' AND REVVED THE ENGINE TO ENSURE THE ENGINE KEPT RUNNING. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ISSUE SHOULD I BEEN FORCED TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. MECHANIC REPLACED THE VVT INTAKE AND EXHAUST SOLENOIDS.
OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. CHEVROLET'S DEFINITION OF OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE IS USING A QUART (OR MORE) WITHIN 2000 MILES (OR LESS) . OTHER COMPANIES WOULD DEFINE THIS AS AN ISSUE BUT CHEVROLET DOES NOT SEE THIS AS AN ISSUE. MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON A MAIN ROAD 7-9 TIMES. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN PARKING LOTS. I HAVE TO A…
Read full complaint
OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE. CHEVROLET'S DEFINITION OF OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE IS USING A QUART (OR MORE) WITHIN 2000 MILES (OR LESS) . OTHER COMPANIES WOULD DEFINE THIS AS AN ISSUE BUT CHEVROLET DOES NOT SEE THIS AS AN ISSUE. MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE IN MOTION ON A MAIN ROAD 7-9 TIMES. IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN PARKING LOTS. I HAVE TO ATTEMPT MULTIPLE TIMES FOR MY CAR TO STAY ON TO GET OFF OF THE ROADWAY. IT HAPPENS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT SEIZED. ANOTHER MOTORIST HELPED JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ORDERED A NEW BATTERY; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT SEIZED. ANOTHER MOTORIST HELPED JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ORDERED A NEW BATTERY; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY AAA TO AUTONATION CHEVROLET NORTH RICHLAND HILLS (7769 BOULEVARD 26, NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TX 76180, (817) 264-7753) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED FOUR TIMES WITHIN FOUR YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000.
AUGUST 2019 DURING HURRICANE DORIAN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THREE LANE TRAFFIC I WAS UNABLE TO SEE FOR THREE BLOCKS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CASTATROPHIC LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY, I COULDN'T CHANGE LANES I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE MIDDLE LANE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS TOTALLY STOPPED WORKING. MY FAMILY WA…
Read full complaint
AUGUST 2019 DURING HURRICANE DORIAN WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THREE LANE TRAFFIC I WAS UNABLE TO SEE FOR THREE BLOCKS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A CASTATROPHIC LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY, I COULDN'T CHANGE LANES I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE MIDDLE LANE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS TOTALLY STOPPED WORKING. MY FAMILY WAS TRAUMATIZED. BECAUSE OF THE DOWNPOUR OF RAIN WE WERE TRAVELING AT A SLOW SPEED BUT IF IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AND BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO MANEUVER THROUGH THE STORM THERE WAS LIKE A LOT OF UNUSUAL TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD IF THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN BACKUPS IN TRAFFIC IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DEVASTATING ACCIDENT. I HAVE GOOGLED THIS MALFUNCTION AND IT SEEMS LIKE EVEN AT THE PEOPLE GOT THE PROBLEM REPAIRED THEIR WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE GONE OUT AGAIN I BEG YOU TO RECALL THESE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BEFORE THERE ARE MULTIPLE DEATHS IF THERE HAVEN'T ALREADY BEEN HOMICIDES
FOR A FEW DAYS MY CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH THEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 45 MPH IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND REALLY BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. IT STILL WAS RUNNING ROUGH. AT THIS POINT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAG…
Read full complaint
FOR A FEW DAYS MY CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH THEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 45 MPH IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND REALLY BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOTHING. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. IT STILL WAS RUNNING ROUGH. AT THIS POINT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE POPPED SAYING THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AT REDUCED POWER. I DROVE 1/2 MILE AT ~ 15 MPH TO DROP MY DAUGHTER AT SCHOOL. AT THAT POINT THE CAR TOTALLY DIED. WHEN IT WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE NO OIL. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT MY CAR WAS OUT OF OIL OR RUNNING LOW ON OIL AND IT PROBABLY HAD ABOUT 3500 MILES SINCE LAST OIL CHANGE. MY ENGINE WAS RUINED AND NOW I HAVE TO PURCHASE ANOTHER MOTOR! NOT HAPPY AS THE CAR HAD ABOUT ~100K MILES AND THAT'S LOW TO ME. AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THESE ENGINES SO I AM PROBABLY JUST PAYING TO PUT ANOTHER BAD ENGINE IN!
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A RAIN STORM NEARLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A FREQUENT SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE YEARS 2010-2016 THOUGH THE 2013 MODEL IS THE ONLY ONE WITH A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE BALL JOINT HAS GIVEN WAY WHILE IN USE RESULTING IN BOTH WIPERS TO B…
Read full complaint
WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DURING A RAIN STORM NEARLY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A FREQUENT SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE YEARS 2010-2016 THOUGH THE 2013 MODEL IS THE ONLY ONE WITH A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. THE BALL JOINT HAS GIVEN WAY WHILE IN USE RESULTING IN BOTH WIPERS TO BE INOPERABLE.
I'VE HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHERE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTOR WORKS FINE YOU CAN HEAR IT WHEN YOU TURN ON WIPERS BUT IT'S THE PLASTIC BUSHELS ON THE WINDSHIELD LINKAGE THAT KEEP COMING OFF CAUSING MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO EITHER NOT COME UP AT ALL, MAKE AWFUL NOISE AND COME UP SLIGHTLY, AND STOP IN MID WIPE …
Read full complaint
I'VE HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHERE MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE STOPPED WORKING. THE MOTOR WORKS FINE YOU CAN HEAR IT WHEN YOU TURN ON WIPERS BUT IT'S THE PLASTIC BUSHELS ON THE WINDSHIELD LINKAGE THAT KEEP COMING OFF CAUSING MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO EITHER NOT COME UP AT ALL, MAKE AWFUL NOISE AND COME UP SLIGHTLY, AND STOP IN MID WIPE AND FALL OFF TO THE SIDE OF WINDSHIELD. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN THREE TIMES AND IF YOU LOOK ONLINE YOUTUBE HAS MANY VIDEOS OF PEOPLE FIXING THERE EQUINOX WHERE IT HAS HAPPENED HE FIRST TIME MY UNCLE FIXED IT THE SECOND TIME I TOOK IT TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP AND THE THIRD TIME THAT HAPPENED TUESDAY AUGUST 20,2019 I TOOK TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO SEE OUR OPTIONS AND WHAT TO DO NEXT.
Official recalls
222V165000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Mar 17, 2022
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The ball joints in the windshield wiper module may corrode, causing one or both windshield wipers to fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper module, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed on April 21, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212352530.
15V666000 · Air Bags:side/window
Oct 16, 2015
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac XTS, Chevrolet Camaro, Equinox, Malibu, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The affected vehicles have front seat-mounted side impact air bags whose inflator may rupture upon its deployment.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of one or both of the side impact air bags, the air bag's inflator may rupture and the air bag may not properly inflate. The rupture could cause metal fragments to strike the vehicle occupants, potentially resulting in serious injury or death. Additionally, if the air bag does not properly inflate, the driver or passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side impact air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began on October 19, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 01320.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA19005 · Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
Opened Dec 13, 2019 · Closed Nov 28, 2022
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility; Visibility/wiper; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Visibility
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.
Visibility/wiper
On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.
RQ18002 · Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
Opened Nov 2, 2018 · Closed Dec 19, 2019
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility; Visibility/wiper; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages; Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Visibility
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.
Visibility/wiper
On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.