IllustrationTHE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER BROKE OFF THE BEARINGS AND BECAME COMPLETELY UNFUNCTIONAL WHILE DRIVING IN A RAIN STORM. THE WIPERS WERE GOING AT MEDIUM SPEED.
2015 GMC Terrain
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2015 GMC Terrain do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Terrain 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
210–25K
2625–50K
6150–75K
2675–100K
30100–150K
7150K+
171 reports with mileage · 126 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 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
297 reportsIN MOTION DURING A THUNDERSTORM, THE WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS PREGNANT AND I HAD IT REPAIRED. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS AGO WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR, SAME SITUATION DURING A THUNDERSTORM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM NOT THE ONLY O…
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IN MOTION DURING A THUNDERSTORM, THE WIPERS MALFUNCTIONED ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HAVE A CAR ACCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY. THIS HAPPENED LAST YEAR WHEN I WAS PREGNANT AND I HAD IT REPAIRED. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS AGO WITH MY BABY IN THE CAR, SAME SITUATION DURING A THUNDERSTORM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS. YOU CAN HEAR THE WIPER MOTOR RUNNING BUT SOMETHING APPARENTLY HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED PREVENTING THEM FROM MOVING.
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED AND WON'T WORK. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I PUT THE WIPER SPEED ON HIGH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO SECOND VEHICLE CAUSING SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. DURING THE CRASH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALTHOUGH THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL MESSAGE HAD INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO SECOND VEHICLE CAUSING SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. DURING THE CRASH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ALTHOUGH THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL MESSAGE HAD INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A BRUISED CHEST WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
I OWN A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE RADIO AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS RELATED TO THE TOUCH SCREEN HAVE FAILED RESULTING IN A BLACK SCREEN. THIS INCLUDES THE BACK UP CAMERA. THIS HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO A MINOR ACCIDENT WHERE I BACK INTO A UTILITY POLE. GM STATES A NEW RADIO IS NECESSARY AT A COST OF $1287. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VITA…
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I OWN A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE RADIO AND ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS RELATED TO THE TOUCH SCREEN HAVE FAILED RESULTING IN A BLACK SCREEN. THIS INCLUDES THE BACK UP CAMERA. THIS HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO A MINOR ACCIDENT WHERE I BACK INTO A UTILITY POLE. GM STATES A NEW RADIO IS NECESSARY AT A COST OF $1287. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A VITAL PART OF THE VEHICLES OPERATION. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR GM TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? SOMEONE BACKING OVER A CHILD IN A DRIVEWAY? *TR
MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. WHILE DRIVING. IN THE RAIN. I JUST DROVE 20 MILES HOME HAVING TO PULL OVER WHEN I COULDN'T SEE ENOUGH OF THE ROAD, INCLUDING A 12 MILE TREK DOWN THE NJ TURNPIKE "DRIVING" BY FOLLOWING THE 2 WHITE LANE LINES IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT, AND A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH…
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MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. WHILE DRIVING. IN THE RAIN. I JUST DROVE 20 MILES HOME HAVING TO PULL OVER WHEN I COULDN'T SEE ENOUGH OF THE ROAD, INCLUDING A 12 MILE TREK DOWN THE NJ TURNPIKE "DRIVING" BY FOLLOWING THE 2 WHITE LANE LINES IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT, AND A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH CONFIRMS THE NUMBER OF CONSUMERS HAVING EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE CLEARLY INDICATES THIS IS NOT A RANDOM FLUKE, IT IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. INTERNET SEARCH ALSO INDICATES CANADA FORCED GMC TO ISSUE A RECALL--WHY HASN'T THE NHTSA FORCED GMC TO RECALL IN THE USA??? EXACTLY HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE YOU WAITING FOR TO DIE BEFORE TAKING ACTION? WE ALL KNOW GM, THE BILLION DOLLAR CORPORATION THAT TAXPAYERS BAILED OUT, WILL NEVER REACH INTO ITS BOTTOM LINE TO PROTECT CONSUMERS. AND IS SPECIFICALLY WHY A FEDERAL AGENCY SUCH AS THE NHTSA EXISTS--TO PROTECT CITIZENS WHEN CORPORATIONS FAIL TO. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO ACT NOW AND FORCE GMC TO ISSUE A PUBLIC RECALL. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE! *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON A CROWDED FREEWAY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE AND UNEXPECTED TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR. TRAFFIC SLOWED TO ABOUT 60 AND I PUT MY WIPERS ON HIGHEST SPEED. VISIBILITY WAS STILL TERRIBLE. AS I DROVE, THE WIPERS MADE A SUDDEN MOVE TO THE LEFT AND STOPPED. I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING, BUT WAS STILL TRAVEL…
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WHILE DRIVING ON A CROWDED FREEWAY AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE AND UNEXPECTED TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR. TRAFFIC SLOWED TO ABOUT 60 AND I PUT MY WIPERS ON HIGHEST SPEED. VISIBILITY WAS STILL TERRIBLE. AS I DROVE, THE WIPERS MADE A SUDDEN MOVE TO THE LEFT AND STOPPED. I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING, BUT WAS STILL TRAVELING WITH A PACK OF TRAFFIC. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY, BUT DID NOT HAVE MUCH SPACE BETWEEN ME AND THE TRUCKS WHO WERE PASSING CLOSE TO ME, PROBABLY BECAUSE MY CAR COULDN'T BE SEEN BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY RAIN AND BECAUSE I WAS AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL. I SAT THERE, HAVING THE CAR SHAKE AND MOVE WHILE BEING PASSED BY TRUCKS. WHEN THE RAIN SLOWED, I KNEW I NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THAT SPOT AND OFF THE FREEWAY. I DROVE A FEW MILES IN THE RAIN, WHILE HOLDING MY LEFT HAND OUT THE WINDOW AND MANUALLY MOVING THE WIPERS BACK AND FORTH FOR THE FEW INCHES THAT I COULD REACH. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND TRAVELED VERY SLOWLY TO THE NEXT EXIT. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WIPER ASSEMBLY HAD BROKEN APART. I CHECKED INTO THIS AND SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING. I FEEL IT IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO PEOPLE NUMEROUS TIMES, EVEN AFTER REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT. I CAN'T BEGIN TO DESCRIBE THE HELPLESS FEELING OF BEING IN A PACK OF TRAFFIC THAT IS TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED AND NOT BEING ABLE TO EVEN SEE THE FRONT OF MY OWN CAR. THIS COULD HAVE HAD A TERRIBLE OUTCOME. *TR
WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE CAME LOSE IN A HARD RAIN ON I-55 CAUSING A NEAR ACCIDENT. STOPPED AT THE NEXT AUTO PARTS STORE (AUTO ZONE) AND BOUGHT THE PART AND REPLACED IT ON THE SPOT. *TR
ON MAY 17TH, 2020 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 60+ MILES PER HOUR AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON AS IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE WHEN THEN JUST STOPPED WORKING. THE WIPER BLADES STAYED UP IN THE VERTICAL POSITION AND RAIN WAS BUILDING ON MY WINDSHIELD. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND DID NOT CRASH MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE …
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ON MAY 17TH, 2020 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 60+ MILES PER HOUR AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE ON AS IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE WHEN THEN JUST STOPPED WORKING. THE WIPER BLADES STAYED UP IN THE VERTICAL POSITION AND RAIN WAS BUILDING ON MY WINDSHIELD. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND DID NOT CRASH MY VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO EASILY PUSH THE BLADES DOWN HOWEVER COULD NOT DRIVE AGAIN UNTIL THE RAIN SUBSIDED AS THE WIPERS WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I CHECKED THE FUSE FOR THE FRONT WIPER BLADES AND IT WAS IN TACT AND WAS NOT BLOWN. IN READING ABOUT WHAT THE ISSUE COULD BE WITH THE VEHICLE IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS VEHICLE WITH IT BEING AN ISSUE WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE SYSTEM NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS, THANKFULLY IT WAS ONLY ME IN THE CAR BUT HAD I HAD AN ACCIDENT, IT COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY HURT OTHERS IN A CAR. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE WHEN IT CLEARLY COULD KILL SOMEONE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROYAL BUICK GMC (3010 COLUMBIANA RD A, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35216) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 GMC TERRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60-70 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROYAL BUICK GMC (3010 COLUMBIANA RD A, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35216) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,070. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Official recalls
322V165000 · 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.
22V137000 · Exterior Lighting:headlights
Mar 8, 2022
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2010-2017 GMC Terrain vehicles. A reflection caused by the headlight housings may illuminate areas above the vehicle and outside of the driver's view with excessively bright light. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The bright reflection may cause a glare for other drivers, reducing their visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install headlamp appliques, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2022. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222363740.
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.