Headlights
GMC Terrain headlights problems
62 of the 3,141 owner complaints about the GMC Terrain describe headlights failing or too dim, most of them for the 2014 model year.
- owner complaints
- 62
- worst model year
- 2014
- typical mileage
- 35,000
By model year
Often reported together
Wipers 9Stalling 3Oil consumption 2Loss of power 2No deployment 2Transmission failure 1Tire blowout 1Power steering loss 1
What owners say
No warning before headlights gave up
I looked up my recall on my vehicle about my headlights being recall. Never received any information there was a recall.
It has nothing to do with the headlights. I was told by a couple different technicians that there's an issue with there being a slow oil leak with the GMC Terrains causing the motor/engine to lock up. I get my oil changed religiously! I even have files/reports showing so. It was NOT time for an oil change and my motor locked up. I still have 3 years to pay on my vehicle and it's my primary ride. So after having it towed 4 times...I have to get it towed 1 more time back to the shop to get a used motor/engine installed for $6700 (that's what they estimated me). On top of not having a vehicle for 3 months and making payments on top of it.
Today is [XXX]. 3 days ago my infotainment system my plug-in lighter charger all of them that's in the vehicle and my rear windshield wiper and my blinkers all went out at the same time. I had a licensed mechanic that has the fuse Checker tool, checked every fuse that he can see under the hood and on the inside of the vehicle and all the fuses lit up. I then went to O'Reilly's Auto Parts here in Highland Park Michigan bought the Savannah long life two pack bulbs for the rear blinkers and they still did not work they would not come on the brake lights would not come on nothing comes on. I then told a gentleman named Frank at that O'Reilly's about the issue about how all those components went out at the same time and he said there was currently a recall about those issues on my year making model of my GMC Terrain which is a 2017 I cannot locate that recall. The only recall I can locate is the one that describes the high beam on the headlights and that is it. So I don't know where that recall is he's talking about I don't know anything about fixing cars I just need some answers. I'm hoping someone will be able to locate the recall that he's talking about so I can have my vehicle looked at and get the issue resolved. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Headlights flicker when auto stop releases and clicks back on to move the vehicle. This happens when it wants too but usually at the same time service parking brake will pop up, followed by steering is reduced, drive with care.. Lets see what else. Carplay no longer works. No sound. sd card error pops up. Car will not play music through a cord but will via bluetooth, but charges a phone. OnStar light flickering between green and red until I turned off power to the liftgate. (manually clicking over knob to disable) Headlights flickering can cause accidents. Sure hope there's no epileptics out. Yes, orielly. I have documentation, photos, videos, take your pick I'm here to help. Not evaluated at dealer or mechanic, who can afford labor rates? This has been happening for months and I will continue to report till something is done or lives are cared about.
The contact owns a 2014 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds at night, the headlight illumination was inadequate. The contact used the high-beam headlights while driving at night. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V137000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
My 4 cyl. AWD GMC Terrain has had excessive oil use which caused premature failure of the timing chain, loss of power/compression, blown engine, damage to exhaust manifold, cellinoids, and melted the catalytic converter. Its was a road safety, poor emissions due to failed catalytic converter. Headlights are too bright for oncoming traffic at night. Another road & safety hazard. Auto warranty is refusing to cover parts listed above caused by the timing chain and excessive oil consumption problems.
The blower fan for heat In my vehicle was replaced in October 2022, recently the Defroster will not engage and it is vital to winter driving. The mechanism that switches between which vent to blow out air was replaced and the Defroster will still not engage, rather it comes out of the heat and face vents. Shortly after the Defroster stopped engaging, the rpms will start fluctuating from 2 suddenly up to 6-8 without warning or acceleration then go back down and back up as if it's chugging along. Even when applying the brakes, this will continue to happen and there's concern for Rear-ending or crashing when this happens. When driving home 2 nights ago the county police pulled my vehicle over due to burnt out headlight, which was replaced less than 6 months ago. Took the car in to get bulb replaced today and multiple bulbs later, the light is not fixed and it was said to be electrical and need to go to another shop. Beginning to wonder if this is all a bigger problem about to happen with engine/ powertrain.. with commute to work in the dark and electrical problem in the headlight randomly and the acceleration issues there is definitely a concern for safety.
Head on collision with a deer destroying the front head light and severely damaging the drivers side door. No airbags were deployed.
Related recalls
Exterior lighting: headlights
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 22V137000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Terrain headlights
Which GMC Terrain years have headlights failing or too dim problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2014 (15 complaints), 2015 (14 complaints) and 2012 (8 complaints).
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