While driving straight on a highway in the rain, the windshield wipers stopped working. Investigation revealed that the wiper transmission had come apart and needed to be replaced. This first occurred in june 2016 when my vehicle had 71048 miles on it. The same issue occurred a second time in august 2018 with 111446 miles on my vehicle.
2012 GMC Terrain visibility complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 81, newest first, as owners wrote them.
On 11/13/2018 on a highway in heavy rain the windshield wipers just stopped. Investigation revealed a failure of the windshield wiper transmission linkage which I discovered to be a common problem. This is being repaired at the dealership today 11/15/2018. Fortunately there were no injuries or collision as my trip was nearly complete and traffic was low. This is being repaired and all documents will be retained and available on request
While on the highway and while it was raining outside the windshield wipers stopped working. The wipers no longer work on the vehicle and the car cannot be driven in the rain. My wife was able to pull the car over safely. Windshield wipers will not work after restarting the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. While driving approximately 50 MPH during a thunderstorm and hail, the windshield wiper motor failed. The contact pulled the vehicle over and noticed that the windshield wipers were completely inoperative. The contact waited for the storm to stop and then drove to an independent mechanic who determined that the windshield wiper motor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was temporarily repaired until the wiper motor was officially replaced. A dealer and the manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Turned wipers on to the low setting. The wiper blade arms moved to the up position and stopped. I turn the switch to off, waited a few seconds and turned them back on. Wipers blade arms did not move, but I could hear the motor run like it would if I were to turn them on. It's almost like the arms became dislocated from the joint the should be connected too! I was parked in my lot at work, pouring down rain. I got out and tried giving the arms a little push to maybe get them to move . Nothing. I was able to manually move them to down position and waited for the rain to stop so I could drive home. I've already had this car to the dealership a few times and is currently under the oil consumtion recall. Replaced the timing chain, new pistons and rings.
While driving to work this morning in the pouring rain the wipers just stopped. No issue or warnings prior to not working anymore. You can hear the motor trying to move the wipers but the wipers just sit there.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. While driving approximately 35 MPH in heavy rain, the windshield wipers stopped working. The contact had to pull the vehcle over to the side of the road until the rain stopped. The following day, the vehicle was taken to courtesy buick/gmc lafayette (4750 johnston street, lafayette, la, 70506) where it was diagnosed that the windshield wiper motor failed and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and case number: 8-4506862182 was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000. *tt updated 11/19/18
Excessive engine oil consumption. Timing chain failure. Pistons, rings, exhaust manifold, muffler, door regulator, wiper motor, transmission failure. Vehicle cannot be driven
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. While driving approximately 40 MPH in the rain, the windshield wipers stopped working without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over and waited for the rain to stop. The vehicle was taken to hank graff chevrolet davison (800 n state rd, davison, mi 48421, 810‑653‑4111) where it was diagnosed that the wiper transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000. *tt
Driving in the pouring rain with my family (my husband, my 10 daughter and 3 year old son) at 58 miles per hour when we hit a downpour of rain. I turned my wipers from low to high. They made about 3 or 4 swipes then stuck in the vertical position. I lost all visual of the road, slowed down, found a place to safely turn off. My husband checked the wipers from outside the car but couldn't regain any function. Luckily we were about 3 miles from home, headed on a day trip approximately 100 miles away. We turned back and traded for my husband's truck for the trip. We tested the wipers again at home, you can hear the motor running, then a thunk sound and nothing. I haven't taken the vehicle for repair yet, as this just happened about an hour ago.
Driving on I-85 @ 65 MPH in morning rush hour traffic when extremely heavy downpours began. I turned on wipers to full speed they swiped 3 times then stopped working. The driver side blade went beyond the window edge and stopped, with both blades in a vertical position. I immediately lost all visibility. I was able to pull off to the shoulder of the hwy, waited 30 minutes for the rain to stop. Drove to a aaa car care center where they diagnosed a blown wiper transmission (motor). Cost $501 to repair. The 2013 has a recall for the wipers in the u.s., canada has a recall for 2010-2017 for the wipers. Gmc claims my vehicle is not part of the recall because it was not made in the same factory with the same parts as the vehicles part of the recall (even though there are stickers on the inside door touting its canadian lineage). They also claim that because I had it fixed by an independent mechanic, there is no way to say for sure the failure was due to a defect...I guess they expected me to take my chances and try to beat the rain to a gmc dealer rather than the closest shop. The aaa mechanic himself said this was extremely rare to have a wiper motor failure unless I lived up north and frequently cleared the weight of snow and ice off my windshield with the wipers. I have found multiple complaints online in the u.s. For wiper malfunctions on the 2012 gmc terrain. I could have been involved in a serious accident on a major hwy during rush hour traffic in the pouring rain. This is an extremely dangerous defect that needs to be recalled in the u.s. And those who have already had repairs need to be reimbursed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. The contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to function. The vehicle was not inspected or diagnosed by an independent mechanic or dealer. Monument chevrolet (3940 pasadena fwy, pasadena, tx 77503, (713) 473-7601) was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recall campaigns to replace the part. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. The contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to function properly. The part was replaced by an independent mechanic; but, the failure continued with the driver's side wiper failing to function and impacted the contact's visibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer issued 26 tsbs for the visibility and was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 73,465.
Was driving in the middle of a torrential downpour and had my wipers on high when all of a sudden they just stopped working almost causing me to crash and die. Thought maybe it was a fuse problem but came to find out that there was a recall on a plastic piece that breaks off on the 2013 gmc terrain what is not recalled on my vehicle so I had to pay to have this fixed and it was not cheap. Checking online numerous people have had the same exact thing happened to them for the 2012 model terrain and I do not understand why such a safety issue is not addressed immediately so as to not cause anybody to crash and die.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. Whether stationary or driving the vehicle various speeds, the windshield developed a black film that reflected a glare into the contact's eyes. The issue obstructed the contact's view of the road. Greater lowell gmc in lowell, massachusetts was made aware of the failure and initially stated that it was the tint of the vehicle that caused the glare and that it was normal. Upon further inspection, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Windshield wipers failed during a heavy downpour while traveling 60mph on the highway. Without warning wipers stopped in the middle of my windshield I was completely blinded and had to abruptly pull onto the shoulder and wait for the rain to stop before I could drive again. This is a serious safety hazard and clearly a common problem for gmc since they recalled wipers on the 2013 terrain. They should be responsible for the 2012 models as well. It's only a matter of time before this problem kills someone if it hasn't already.
My windshield wipers stopped functioning while driving in a rain storm. I had to pull over until the rain subsided enough for me to have partial but impaired visibility. I had the garage where I get my oil changed look and it and they said a bushing was worn and I need a new wiper assembly. There is a recall #25302 with same complaint for 2013 gmc terrains. I called gmc and was told this repair would be my responsibility.
While traveling under severe rain front wipers stopped working
Windshield wipers stopped working while driving (on highway) in the rain resulting in compromised visibility. I tried turning the wipers off while driving and eventually restarted the car to see if that would help. The wipers remained stuck in a vertical position despite these efforts. Eventually, I manually slid the wipers into the down position.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrian. The contact stated that during inclement weather, the windshield wipers failed. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to sun auto dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiper motor had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall. The failure mileage was 63,578.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. While driving 50 MPH, the windshield wipers failed during a heavy rainstorm. Champion buick of brighton, michigan was contacted and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle, and advised the contact to file a complaint with the federal safety agency. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 253,000.
Driving at 35 miles an hour on a double lane highway in very heavy rain at about 6:00 p.m.. The windshield wipers were on high to clear the water from the windshield. Wipers stopped working during the middle of the storm. I was able to safely navigate my car to a parking lot and wait for the rain to stop. Later upon inspection the ball joint became separated from the socket which rendered the windshield wipers useless. See attachments. This has been reported to gm and is a known problem in canada. "25300-03: safety recall - front wiper transmission corrosion failure (canada only) - 2010-2017 chevrolet equinox & gmc terrain". I notified gm about this and they stated they will notify me if they issue a recall for my VIN.
The windshield wipers stopped working while I was driving on the freeway in the rain on the night of 5/21/2017. I had to pull over to wait for a break in the weather because I had no visibility. I waited for hours before it was clear enough to see. I was told by the mechanic the transmission in the wipers went out. The dealership told me there is a recall for this on the make model and year of my vehicle but I have to file a report to get added to the recall because my VIN is not currently apart of the open recall. I still do not currently have operational wipers
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at about 60 MPH, the wipers stopped functioning without any warning. The vehicle was pulled over to the side and the contact repaired the wipers. The repair performed was unknown. The dealer was informed about the failure and confirmed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
While driving 70 MPH on an interstate highway in the rain the wipers stopped working. The wiper motor works but it is no longer attached to the blades.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. During a heavy storm, the windshield wipers stopped working without warning. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the bushing detached from the wiper blade. The dealer diagnosed that the entire wiper blade would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Windshield wiper are not working, I was driving home in a storm and I could have killed someone and or myself. It all happened with out warning. I had to wait until the storm let up some and drive.
Wipers stopped working on me twice and both times I was driving during heavy rain. Although I could not see, luckily I was able to pull over each times the occurrence happened. I was so scared because I went from visibility to non in seconds and to pull over in an area unfamiliar to me the first time. I have been to hennessy gmc service twice, an on both occasions; I was told about recall and that parts has to come from canada since car origin is from canada. I also was told the wipers are temporarily repaired. No wipers are not. The first time I did not have to sign papers but the 2nd time I did when I went back to the dealership bothin anger and nervousness.
1.) my windows will not defrost. When I'm driving on a curvy highway to and from work at night it dogs up so bad that I can't see anything in front of me. I've almost gotten in a dozen car accident because of this issue. 2.) car smells like mold is coming out of vent 3.) my car makes a terrible sound when I accelerate from 0-30mph.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 gmc terrain. The contact stated that the windshield wiper transmission on the driver side was corroded and failed to work. It was difficult to drive the vehicle safely. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that it was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 16v582000 (visibility). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
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