YearToAvoid

2016 GMC Terrain Visibility & Wipers Problems

Visibility & Wipers complaints account for 48 of 152 total complaints (32%) on the 2016 GMC Terrain, mostly wiper motor and linkage failures during rain or snow at a median 56,000 miles. No related recall is listed in this data.

Visibility & Wipers complaints
48
32% of 152
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
56,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical visibility and wiper symptoms owners report

  • Wipers suddenly stop mid-stroke or in the extended/up position during heavy rain or snowstorms, blocking forward visibility.
  • Owners report the wiper motor runs but the blades themselves stop moving, later diagnosed as a failed wiper transmission or linkage.
  • A corroded ball joint in the wiper linkage detaches from its socket, disabling both wiper blades at once.
  • Some owners report the windshield washer fluid pump stops spraying fluid even though the wipers still move.
  • One owner reported the windshield fogging up unexpectedly while driving, with air conditioning appearing to blow cold air onto the glass despite defrost settings, reducing visibility at night.

When 2016 GMC Terrain visibility and wiper complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 6, 2018, latest May 17, 2026.

2016 GMC Terrain visibility & wipers complaints: complaints filed per month4Nov 2018Sep 2019May 2020Apr 2021Feb 2022Sep 2022Dec 2023Jul 2025
48 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2018 to May 2026; peak May 2022 (4).

Visibility & Wipers recalls for the 2016 GMC Terrain

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Visibility & Wipers complaints by Terrain model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201045 (16%)
  2. 201135 (9%)
  3. 201280 (22%)
  4. 201353 (15%)
  5. 201489 (30%)
  6. 2015120 (40%)
  7. 201648 (32%)
  8. 20174 (3%)
  9. 20185 (2%)
  10. 20193 (2%)
  11. 20204 (2%)
  12. 20211 (3%)
  13. 20221 (2%)
  14. 20231 (3%)
  15. 20240 (0%)
  16. 20251 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are visibility and wiper complaints on the 2016 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA lists 48 complaints in this category for the 2016 Terrain, which is 32% of the 152 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2016 GMC Terrain wiper problem?
The data provided lists no related recalls for the 2016 Terrain's Visibility & Wipers complaints.
At what mileage do wiper failures typically happen on the 2016 Terrain?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 56,000 miles at the time owners reported wiper-related failures.
What usually fails first, the wiper motor or the linkage?
Sample complaints describe both wiper motor failures and wiper linkage or ball-joint failures, with owners often reporting the motor runs but the blades stop moving.
Did any 2016 Terrain wiper failures cause crashes or injuries?
NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported among these Visibility & Wipers complaints.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.