Check a VIN

2012 GMC Terrain: windshield wiper failure

77 of the 364 complaints about the 2012 GMC Terrain describe windshield wiper failure.

owner complaints
77
of this car's complaints
21%
typical repair cost reported
$302
typical mileage
91,225
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 72 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Windshield wiper failure by model year

What owners say

Filed Sep 18, 2023 · Visibility · GA

I was driving while it was raining. The wipers stopped working. The driverside wiper jumped partially off the windshield. I had my mechanic inspect it. The fuses, relay, and wiper motor are operational. The bushing on the wiper transmission failed. I found the following recall. Special Coverage Adjustment N192266181 Wiper Transmission Arm Linkage Failure – USA Only Release Date: July 2022. However, my VIN does not have this as an applicable recall.

Filed Aug 14, 2023 · Visibility · IL

Wiper motor went out on me no warning

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Visibility · 152,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2012 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH in rain weather, the front windshield wipers stopped functioning. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to deactivate and activate the windshield wipers however, the wiper blades failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2023 · Visibility · WI

Windshield wipers quit working. I can hear something, but blades don't move. I see the 2014-15 have a recall.

Filed Mar 14, 2023 · Visibility · PA

Ball joint for wiper assembly just "pops off" while in use causing wipers to stop working. I have taken vehicle apart, fixed the issue ( reconnecting the ball joint) and issue happens again. I understand the vehicle is from 2012, but uses same part 2010-2017, which is currently a recall on 2013-2015 models. First occurrence of this issue was July 02, 2019. I brought to GMC dealer, they said they were out of the part. Since then I've not had the issue until today March 14, 2023 where I almost hit another car, due to it popping off and stopped working while in motion.

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Visibility · PA

I was driving in the dark at 5 am with my 2 year old son in the down pour rain and my wipers stopped working but the motor was still running

Filed Dec 9, 2022 · Visibility · WA

Driving in heavy rain south on the I-5 at 545p. In peak traffic and wipers suddenly just stopped while going 60mph in the carpool lane. As we past the exit for I-405 There was no shoulder to pull off of on my left. I had to cross over 5 lanes until I could safely get off the freeway. Then drive another 5 miles on side streets getting out an manually moving the wipers every few blocks so i could see. I'm female and over 50 yrs old. There was not a place I felt safe to just pull over at night. I stopped at a friend's. I can hear the motor moving but the wipers are not. I do not recall ever seeing the recall on the ball bearings and nor the wiper linkage but found one. However I'm have 72k miles and have owned it for 10 yrs.6 months. So it may not be covered, which I believe is not fair. I almost died and could have caused other deaths just trying to safely maneuver off the freeway, which I felt was safer than sitting on the side of a very dangerous section of the freeway. I know people with cars over 40 yr old that were left outside with over 200k miles and the wipers have never just died. I am the original owner and my car has been garaged for over 95% of the time when not in use. I will call the dealership in the morning but trying to get ahead of this since articles are saying there are no parts. Scared and frustrated.

Filed Jun 9, 2022 · Visibility · MI

very serious failure ... traveling at night, in a rainstorm, doing 70mph on a highway and the wiper regulator connecting the wiper arms to the wiper motor fails ... no warning what so ever ... no intermittent operation or noises, nothing ... looking into this problem I see that GM has issued a safety recall for 2014 and up versions of this vehicle but not my specific model year ... what are the chances that the hardware used in my particular vehicle model year are any different than those listed in (22V‑165) this safety recall.

Filed Mar 8, 2022 · Visibility · PA

I was driving on the highway and it was raining hard so I had my windshield wipers on and they just stopped working and I almost got in accident because I couldn't see.

Filed Aug 16, 2021 · Visibility · LA

I was getting on the Interstate when a really bad rain storm came up. I turned my windshield wipers on and they got stuck in the upright position. I tried many times to get the wipers to work, but they would not move. I had NO VISIBILITY and I was on an elevated ramp getting on the interstate. I could not see anything so I had to roll my window down, drive 5 miles an hour and use the white line on the road as a guide. I got soaking wet as did my car. I had to drive about a mile before I could safely stop the car. There was no warning and I am reading now there is an issue with this on Terrains. This was an EXTREMELY dangerous, I could have severely hurt myself or someone else. I am getting really tired of all the recalls on the Terrain. So far there have been six (6) for my car and a few more that don't seem to apply YET!!

Filed Jun 4, 2021 · Visibility · ME

Wiper system failed, without notice or warning, while in use during travel on the highway, severely limiting visibility and creating significant safety event. No accident was reported as other vehicle passengers were able to assist the driver in safely maneuvering the vehicle to a safe stopping location.

Filed Apr 2, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 120,000 miles · MO

During a bad storm the windshield wipers went past the windshield and the motor froze up motor started humming then locked up.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2012 GMC Terrain wipers

Is windshield wiper failure a common problem on the 2012 GMC Terrain?

77 of 364 owner complaints about the 2012 GMC Terrain (21%) mention windshield wiper failure. The model year with the most reports is 2015.

How much does it cost to fix windshield wiper failure on the 2012 GMC Terrain?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $302 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2012 GMC Terrain?

There are 0 recalls and 72 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2012 GMC Terrain

Oil consumption 75Check engine light 48Stalling 47Engine failure 24Loss of power 21No deployment 15Jerking 12Knocking 11Won't start 11Fire or smoke 8Headlights 8Misfire 7Seat belt 7Ball joint 6Screen failure 5Key fob 5

All model years of the GMC Terrain

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2012 GMC Terrain?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history