I've had plenty of GMC in the bay over the years, and the visibility complaints on these don't surprise me. 713 on the NHTSA record across 49 model-year entries (2005–2025) is not a fluke. The 2015 GMC Terrain leads the list but the pattern shows up across multiple years and models. Not a one-off. 8 fire reports on the federal record — not common in this category but documented and worth weight. Repair cost runs around $350 on average — relatively low for an aggregated category. Across the 409 complaints reporting odometer mileage, the median failure lands at about 77,350 miles. Wipers, washers, backup camera, defroster — exercise all of them on the test drive. None of these failures are emergencies but they add up.
ProblemsByVin GMC / VISIBILITY
49 model-year entries · 2005–2025
GMC visibility problems
713 owner complaints filed with NHTSA against GMC vehicles for visibility issues. 1 active recall campaign. See visibility across all makes →
Complaints
713
Recalls
1
Year-models
49
Avg fix
$350
2crashes
8fires
10injuries
Worst-affected GMC model-years for visibility Top 25 by complaint volume
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
2015 GMC Terrain
103 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2012 GMC Terrain
78 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2014 GMC Terrain
74 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2013 GMC Terrain
50 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2016 GMC Terrain
48 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2010 GMC Terrain
41 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2011 GMC Terrain
34 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2006 GMC Envoy
24 complaints · ~$350 severe
2005 GMC Envoy
20 complaints · ~$350 severe
2008 GMC Acadia
19 complaints · 1 recall · ~$350 moderate
2007 GMC Envoy
19 complaints · ~$350 severe
2007 GMC Acadia
15 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2015 GMC Sierra
14 complaints · ~$350 severe
2007 GMC Yukon
14 complaints · ~$350 severe
2014 GMC Sierra
11 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2012 GMC Acadia
11 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2020 GMC Sierra
8 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2005 GMC Canyon
8 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2018 GMC Sierra
6 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2017 GMC Sierra
6 complaints · ~$350 severe
2015 GMC Acadia
6 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2011 GMC Acadia
6 complaints · ~$350 severe
2023 GMC Yukon XL
5 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2021 GMC Yukon XL
5 complaints · ~$350 moderate
2005 GMC Sierra
5 complaints · ~$350 moderate
Active recalls — GMC visibility 1 on file
Gm is recalling 88,809 my 2008 Buick enclave, and my 2007-2008 GMC acadia and Saturn outlook vehicles currently or previously registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, wyoming, and the district of columbia
If this were to occur, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a new wiper crank arm, driver's side link, and a crank arm nut. The recall began o october 13, 2008. Owners may contact Buick at 1-866-608-8080, GMC at 1-866-996-9463, Saturn at 1-800-972-8876, or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Common questions
How many GMC visibility complaints are on file with NHTSA?
713 complaints across 49 model-year entries from 2005 to 2025. 1 active recall campaigns cover visibility issues across the GMC lineup.
Which GMC model has the most visibility complaints?
The 2015 GMC Terrain leads with 103 complaints in this category. Next: 2012 Terrain (78) and 2014 Terrain (74).
What does it cost to fix GMC visibility problems?
Independent shops average $350 for visibility repairs across the GMC lineup. Dealer pricing tends to run twenty to forty percent higher. Specific cost depends on the failure mode and parts availability.
Are there GMC visibility recalls?
Yes — 1 active recall campaign covers visibility on GMC vehicles. Recall fixes are free regardless of mileage or warranty status. The list below shows current campaigns with their NHTSA numbers.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database.
Editorial commentary written by Mark Driver, an independent contributor to ProblemsByVin
and not affiliated with GMC.
Severity ratings derive from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities on the NHTSA complaint and recall record.
Repair cost averages reflect independent-shop pricing and may differ in your area.