2016 GMC Terrain

On December 13, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) upgraded RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis (EA19-005) to further assess the MY2010-2016 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain windshield wiper failures. Due to a prior recall, 16V-582, addressing this issue in the MY2013 subject vehicles, MY2013 was not included in the analysis. To date, ODI had received 998 complaints with allegations of the front windshield wiper failing in adverse whether conditions, while the vehicle was in motion.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intruding into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint resulting in loss of windshield wiper function. ODI?s review focused on 2010-2012 and 2014-2016 Equinox and Terrain vehicles. Owners were reporting a high rate of failures of the windshield wiper system. These failures were the same as that addressed by recall 16V-582. ODI's review of data supplied by GM as well as its own confirmed a high failure rate in model years 2014 and 2015. On March 17, 2022, GM filed a defect information report recalling all MY2014-2015 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles to remedy the potential failure of the front windshield wiper transmission assembly.General Motors is also conducting a special coverage program, N192266181, for MY2010-2012 and MY2016-2017 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain vehicles. The special coverage is for a period of 15 years or 200,000 miles, whichever comes first.Both the recall, 22V-165, and the special coverage program, N192266181, address windshield wiper system failures on the subject vehicles. The dealership will inspect the front wiper assembly for ball joint wear. Depending on the degree of wear, the wiper links will be replaced, and a water shield installed or the entire module will be replaced.In view of the recall and special coverage, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). NHTSA reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.nhtsa.gov under the following ODI identification numbers in a separate attachment.

On November 2, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ18-002) to assess the scope of Recall 16V-582.General Motors (GM) initiated Safety Recall 16V-582 on August 3, 2016 to address windshield wiper failure in the Model Year (MY) 2013 Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. Failures were attributed to water and debris intrusion into the windshield wiper assembly ball joints, leading to excessive wear and eventual detachment of the affected ball joint with an attendant loss of windshield wiper function. The recall remedy addressed these conditions with the installation of an improved windshield wiper motor/transmission assembly and the relocation of a drain hole on the Air Inlet Panel at the base of the windshield.RQ18-002 was opened to assess windshield wiper failure rates in the MY 2010-2012 and MY 2014 - 2016 Equinox and Terrain (subject vehicles).During the course of the investigation, ODI received additional consumer complaint traffic bringing its total to 602 concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. In their December 20, 2018 response to ODI's Information Request (IR) Letter, GM reported 1,303 complaints related to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. Together, these bodies of data correspond to 1,905 unique Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).GM stated the recalled vehicles exhibited double the warranty rate and five times the complaint rate of the subject vehicles and that continuing complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles stemmed from publicity surrounding Recall 16V-582.ODI's review of GM's data confirms the stated difference in failure rates between the recalled and subject vehicles. However, ODI believes that the subject vehicle failure rates are nevertheless elevated and that publicity alone cannot account for the continued consumer complaint traffic concerning the alleged defect in the subject vehicles. ODI is upgrading to RQ18-002 to an Engineering Analysis to compare subject vehicle failure rates and engineering practices to those in peer vehicles.The 602 ODI complaints cited can be viewed in a separate attachment.

For an undetermined amount of time- many months for certain, I have been unable to get the key removed from the ignition when the car is shut off and placed in the locked position. I am forced to start and shut off the car for multiple times before I am finally able to remove the key. There is no rhyme no reason as to why the key finally decides to come out. This is obviously caused no accidents, however, it has become a constant source of frustration as it happens constantly. I have taken it to the dealership, and other than charging me for their exam, they had no answers as to the problem or how to resolve it. That was an absolute waste of time, and certainly my money. I have also taken it to a couple of other places without any diagnosis of the problem. I am finally taking it to someone who I know to be reputable, and hope the diagnosis can be made, without tremendous expense on my part.

NHTSA ID

11755777

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

My cousin thought I had a trailing arm bushing was bad on the driver's side. The subframe holding the trailing arm rusted out completely. He was able to put his thumb through it with little pressure when trying to see if it can be fixed.

NHTSA ID

11752313

Incident

Jul 18, 2026

My 2016 GMC Terrain 2.4L Ecotec first stalled while idling at a red light in Raleigh, NC. I restarted it and it sounded different, so I drove it home. The next morning it would not start. The failure occurred at approximately 69,939 miles with no meaningful warning. The dealer’s diagnostic report states there were no current relevant codes and no relevant codes in history. The dealer documented major timing-system failure: timing chain tensioner failure, timing chain guide failure, a timing chain guide bolt pulled out of the cylinder head, aluminum contamination in the cylinder head/oiling system, and engine replacement recommended. The vehicle was found unsafe to operate. This vehicle regularly transported my family, including my children. If the stall/no-start failure had occurred at highway speed, while merging, or in heavier traffic, it could have created a serious crash risk. The oil was maintained outside the dealership network and had been serviced before failure. I also topped off the oil shortly before this occurred. The 2.4L Ecotec engine family is known for oil-consumption issues, yet this vehicle gave me no direct warning that oil consumption had reached a dangerous level. A reasonable owner would not know to check oil every day when there were no relevant stored warning codes. Other NHTSA complaints involving 2016 GMC Terrain vehicles describe similar patterns: oil consumption, no warning lights, sudden stalling or no-start conditions, timing-chain failure, and engine replacement recommendations. I am filing because this appears to be an ongoing safety risk involving oil consumption without adequate warning, timing-chain/timing-guide failure, internal contamination, and sudden engine failure. I request NHTSA review this issue for investigation or recall expansion before this failure mode causes a preventable serious crash, injury, or fatality. The vehicle was inspected by a GMC dealer and remains unrepaired.

NHTSA ID

11742386

Incident

Apr 22, 2026

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)

NHTSA ID

11738415

Incident

May 17, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11734710

Incident

Apr 29, 2026

My vehicle started turning off suddenly when stopped and then when starting to move. I replaced my rear seal. A week later, I have oil in my timing and my engine no longer works. I have had it checked by a shop. No warning was given. I have my oil checked regularly and changed on time. I had a car full of people, adults and children, in rush hour traffic. The car is sitting in my driveway as I will need to negotiate with the lender on money owed. I am currently without a safe vehicle to drive, and I need that as I am a caregiver and home aid.

NHTSA ID

11733070

Incident

Mar 2, 2026

I check my oil every time I get gas as to ensure that i don't go below the threshold for the oil, as I know these engines have an oil consumption issue. My terrain started having a loud grinding sound after losing power on the highway and I was able to pull off before the car died completely over 60 miles from home. I have since changed the upstream, and downstream O2 sensors (they needed it), VVT solenoids, and now going to be required to change my catalytic converter because the excessive oil consumption has clogged it almost completely. Why will GM not issue a recall for this engine and get it fixed, when they have knowledge that there is an issue. A recall was issued for previous years (on the same model) having the same issue, but yet we are left to "figure it out" at our own expense? Come on GM and the NHTSA, get it together and issue a recall already, you have all the complaints, and history you need to start one.

NHTSA ID

11732086

Incident

Dec 8, 2025

Carr paused, and then stopped in the middle of the highway, without any warning lights or identifiers. Other vehicles had to come to abrupt stops or even veer to avoid hitting me the manufacturer is aware, and has had a large lawsuit settlement due to a faulty rear seal causes massive internal oil consumption without any warning to the operator of of the vehicle. My research has shown that it is a catastrophic common issue with this vehicles model and year a certified GMC dealership has identified this as the reason for the sudden shut down without warning, not one warning light illuminated to indicate low or any other issue. The car has had regular oil changes and maintenance. This well-known defect should normally be caused for alarm and the safety of drivers would also for a mass recall.

NHTSA ID

11718490

Incident

Jan 3, 2026

PI to help diagnose A/C concern

This document provides the technician with a diagnostic tip if the vehicle stalls and set diagnostic trouble code P0191 and may also set P0172. The diagnostic tip has the technician inspect the high pressure fuel pump body markings to confirm it is an original manufacture part. If it is not an original manufacture part, they should install one and evaluate the vehicle.

This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.

This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.

This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.