2016 GMC Terrain: windshield wiper failure

Filed May 17, 2026 · Visibility · WI

Windshield wiper mechanism broke while driving in heavy heavy rain near [XXX] . Extremely dangerous situation and almost resulted in a crash but I was able to make my way off of the interstate safely. Huge inconvenience because we had to wait out the rain! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 29, 2026 · Visibility · MI

During heavy rainfall in the mountains at dawn, my windshield wipers suddenly have stopped working. We can manually move the wipers with ease and can hear the motor engaging but both front wipers suddenly stopped. We were 1200 miles from home on what was supposed to be a vacation. Carvana reports 2 recalls for my reports but the dealerships have no recalls for my year of vehicle.

Filed Sep 10, 2025 · Visibility · KS

The windshield wipers quit working while driving during a down pour; some piece to the motor broke. This can cause severe injuries and even death due to the fact that it caused me to not be able to see where I was going and what was around me and could have driven off a high ramp. It hasn’t been inspected by anyone yet. There were no signs, warnings, or messages stating a failure may occur. This issue is available for review if requested until I get the car in for repairs. Will request to keep the part that is repaired Incase it’s needed for review after the fact.

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Visibility · NC

The windshield wipers became inoperable due to a ball joint failure within the wipers. The parts are available for inspection. The safety of myself and others were put at risk as it was raining heavily after sundown and I could no longer see through my windshield due to the rain not being cleared off by windshield wipers. The visibility issue could have caused an accident, especially if the car in front of me had slammed on breaks. The problem has not been addressed by a dealer but I will be doing that in the following weeks. No one has inspected the component. I did not get any warning lamps or messages. The wipers just immediately stopped.

Filed Jun 24, 2025 · Visibility · IA

I was driving on an interstate highway. I entered a construction zone restricted to two lanes.(one each way). It began to rain very hard, after a short time of starting the front windshield wipers; both stopped. There was a total failure of both wipers with out any warning and a total loss of vision due to a rain covered windshield. Due to the restricted traffic lanes in the interstate construction zone there was no shoulder on either side to pull off onto and no way to exit the interstate traffic flow for several miles. I was able to avoid a crash and exit the interstate after several miles. With a different driver, slightly different circumstances or a little less luck it would have resulted in LOSS of LIFE!!!! The cause was failure of the wiper arm linkage more specifically the ball broke off of the wiper motor arm. THIS APPEARS TO BE THE SAME FAILURE THAT CAUSED A RECALL TO BE ISSUED FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS OF THE GMC TERAIN. The parts are available for inspection.

Filed Jun 14, 2025 · Visibility · KY

Windshield wipers stopped working during a downpour. Lucky I was able to make it home safely but took time. Checked fuses, nothing wrong there. Can hear something running so assume motor is OK, but linkage may have broken. Will have to take to mechanic

Filed Jun 8, 2025 · Visibility · MN

The front windshield wipers suddenly stopped working while I was driving on the freeway in moderate rainfall on [XXX]. I wasn't able to see through the windshield. I will call GMC in Roseville MN on Monday, June 9, 2025 to request a service date. I waited until the rain was lighter, so I could drive from Willow River Rest Area to Moose Lake, 19 miles. It was inspected at the repair shop, Federated Co-Ops Moose Lake 017, 100 Arrowhead Ln, Moose Lake, MN 55767. (218) 485-4409. He didn't have the part to make the repair on June 6, 2025. His note: Removed engine plastic trim and wiper transmission. socket on wiper transmission popped off. reinstalled. recommend new wiper transmission. There were no prior indications or issues with the wipers not functioning properly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed May 22, 2025 · Visibility · MI

WHILE DRIVING IN A HEAVY RAIN IN A CONSTUCTION ZONE, WIPER QUIT WORKING. Never notified vehicle had a wiper linkage failure issue. Paid for repairs out of pocket and GM won't compensate because a GM Dealer didn't perform repair. See Service Bulletin N192266180-01, thank you!

Filed Apr 6, 2024 · Visibility · OH

When driving in a rainstorm, there was a loud pop, and the driver side windshield wiper stopped moving. After I finally got home I checked the pivot point of the wiper arm and the nut was still tight. I ordered a new wiper motor module, and replaced it. On the old module I discovered one of the arms had disconnected at a pivot point. I understand NOW that GM has an extended warranty for the part so I will be pursuing reimbursement.

Filed Dec 29, 2023 · Visibility · MA

My wife was driving on the highway to work when it was raining. Both of the wipers stopped working all of a sudden causing her to not be able to see out of the windshield. When she got home that night I could see that the linkage arm had came off the ball joint.

Filed Oct 28, 2023 · Visibility · IL

I have a 2016 GMC Terrain, garage kept and seldom driven, with ONLY 53,260 miles on it. Last night while leaving the movie Theatre in the RAIN my WIPERS stopped working while in motion. I had to drive home in the rain unable to see!!! Looked on site and saw where recalls were issued for 2015’s but not 2016’s, although I’m reading numerous complaints for the same occurring on my model suv. Can GMC provide some insight into this?

Filed Jul 5, 2023 · Visibility · WI

While driving in the rain, my windshield wipers stopped working. No lights on, nothing showing in my GMC app. I've noticed many others with this same issue, and am aware of the recall on the 2014-2015 models. GMC should extend the recall to cover the 2016 as well since this is a known issue.