This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 GMC Terrain visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 GMC Terrain have filed 50 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 61,000 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
50
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Terrain | 41 |
| 2011 Terrain | 34 |
| 2012 Terrain | 78 |
| 2013 Terrain (this page) | 50 |
| 2014 Terrain | 74 |
| 2015 Terrain | 103 |
| 2016 Terrain | 49 |
| 2017 Terrain | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 50 visibility complaints filed for the 2013 GMC Terrain, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 50 visibility complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This PI provides information on Rear and Side Tempered Glass Spots (Quench Marks) and that they are a normal characteristic.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the need to inspect the induction system for potential icing issues in very cold ambient temperatures. To allow the ice to melt so that it can be drained from the related components. That any of the listed DTC's may set with or without poor engine performance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Special Coverage. On some vehicles, a link ball socket in the front wiper transmission may separate. If this were to occur, the driver would experience a sudden loss of front wiper function. Dealers are to replace the front wiper transmission kit or module with the latest version with improved sockets and a new water shield. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint here is windshield wiper failure tied to NHTSA recall 16V582000. Owners describe sudden, complete loss of wiper function—typically while driving in rain or storms. The motor runs but the wipers don't move; sometimes they freeze mid-motion or detach from the glass entirely. A few owners who dismantled the system found a worn nylon bushing or disconnected linkage arm connecting the transmission to the motor. Multiple owners replaced the transmission at costs between $150 and $400, only to see the same failure recur within weeks.
GM issued the recall in September 2016, citing corrosion and wear of ball joints in the wiper module. But here's the catch: the recall carried no remedy. Dealerships told owners the parts weren't available and to either wait indefinitely or pay out-of-pocket and hope for later reimbursement. One owner paid $285 on September 9, 2016—the day after receiving the recall notice—and still hadn't been reimbursed two months later. Others were quoted $400+ by dealers while a GM rep claimed a temporary fix cost $70–$140. Owners on tight budgets faced impossible choices: drive without wipers in a rainstorm or pay hundreds with no guarantee of repayment.
A few outlier complaints mention windshield darkening at night and a spontaneous rear window failure, but the wiper linkage corrosion dominates the data.
Same GMC Terrain visibility reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Wiper Motor Linkage Ball Joint Corrosion and Wear
The ball joints connecting the wiper transmission linkage to the motor corrode and wear over time, causing the linkage to disconnect or seize. Owners report the wipers simply stop moving mid-operation, sometimes freezing in place or detaching entirely from the windshield. In some cases the nylon bushing holding the linkage wears severely and allows the arm to pop out of its socket.
When: Typically occurs without warning; multiple owners report failures during rain or heavy downpours. Failures reported at mileages ranging from approximately 48,000 to 103,000 miles, though no clear mileage threshold emerges. Failures began appearing by mid-2016.
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop working completely while driving; Wipers freeze in mid-motion or upright position; Wipers detach or physically separate from windshield; Motor runs but wipers do not move; One or both front wipers fail simultaneously; Linkage arm visibly disconnected from transmission
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacement wiper transmission costs of $150–$400 depending on source and labor. Some owners replaced just the nylon bushing initially but found the temporary fix lasted only weeks before recurrence. One owner paid $285.21 for transmission replacement; another ordered a new wiper transmission for $175 with one-week delivery wait. Parts stores sell complete linkage assemblies. Dealerships quoted $400+, while the GMC rep mentioned temporary fixes at $70–$140.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign #16V582000 issued September 2016 for 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain (GM #25302). Recall acknowledged defect in ball joints causing corrosion and wear. Interim notice sent September 8, 2016, but remedy remained unavailable for many months afterward. Multiple owners report dealerships stating no remedy parts were available at the time of complaint (through at least February 2017). GM initially told owners the fix would eventually be available but provided no timeline. Some owners were pressured to pay out-of-pocket and wait for reimbursement, which never materialized in the cases documented. One owner paid $285.21 on 9/9/16 and two months later still had not been reimbursed. No second notice with actual remedy was documented in these narratives.
Windshield Darkening at Night (Non-Wiper Visibility Issue)
One owner reported the top 3/4 of the windshield goes dark at night, severely reducing visibility. The owner described it as like driving through overly tinted windows and stated inability to see oncoming cars, road lanes, or side lines. Owner noted this only occurs after dark.
When: Occurs at night
Symptoms owners cite: Top 3/4 of windshield becomes dark/obscured at night; Cannot see oncoming traffic or road lanes; Cannot see side lines or details on unlit roads; Problem described as like driving through overly tinted windows
Rear Window Spontaneous Failure
One owner reported the rear window exploded and shattered while the vehicle was parked in the driveway with no impact or cause identified.
When: While parked in driveway at approximately 100,000 miles; no warning
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window glass spontaneously shattered; Failure occurred without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired per the complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated there was no recall for this failure
Synthesized from 50 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 GMC terrain. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the windshield wipers detached from the vehicle. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v582000 (visibility) however, the remedy was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect. The VIN was not…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 GMC terrain. The contact received a notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v582000 (visibility); however, the part to do the repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 GMC terrain. While driving 35 MPH, the windshield wipers seized without warning. The contact stated that the weather was bad at the time of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v582000 (visibility,wipers). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The…
On 12/15/18 while driving on highway in maryland on a heavy raining night windshield wipers stop working and froze in place. Had to pull off and acquire a ride home, and retrieve vehicle the next day.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 GMC terrain. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 16v582000 (visibility); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. While driving in the rain and using the windshield wipers, the wipers failed without warning. The contact stated…
Had visibility trouble with your 2013 GMC Terrain?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2013 GMC Terrain?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 50 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 48,000 and 82,000 miles, with the median around 61,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 48,000; a quarter make it past 82,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/GMC/Terrain.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.