Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 GMC Terrain owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the center console display intermittently malfunctioned and became inoperable. During the failure, the HVAC system was no longer blowing hot air, and the front windshield could not be defrosted, creating a visibility hazard for the driver. Additionally, the radio had become inoperable, and the audible clicking from the turn signal was muted. The cause of the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V489000 (VISIBILITY). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 114,000.
As i went to drive my terrain we bought back in June or July. But for the absolute first time we needed to use the defrost/defogger button last week on OCTOBER 20, 2022 and it wouldn't work. No lights came on to say it was defaulty. It also started to make our radio screen flicker when i tried to turn defrost on and it's continuously flickering and defrost doesn't engage on front windshield at all won't even melt snow or help defog when it's been raining or it's cold out. I almost wrecked my terrain due to this problem. Now on my instrument panel says camshaft/crankshaft sensor says service stabilitrack and something about my AWD System. All these happened within a week from trying to use my defrost. Also my instrument panel where it shows how fast i go flickers and it flickers on the RPM side as well. Noone has touched or looked it over since i have owned my 2010 terrain. …
The defroster/ radio control/ heating area stopped working. Upon visiting a mechanic was told they never seen this or heard of this happening before and quoted me over $1,000.00 dollars to fix stating that due to Federal Law they have to give an estimate but this problem not being in their system they came up with an estimate based on parts and labor. Upon searching online I found a recall for this issue dating back to 2009 recall number was 09V489000 but was never informed about this and while looking up my car it's not listed but being a safety issue should still be current which it is not.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, in inclement weather, without warning the windshield wipers became inoperable which caused the vehicle to crash into a guard rail. There was no injuries. There was no police report. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the windshield wiper transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted or made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000. The VIN was not available. Piir= y. Ah
I was driving in a heavy rainstorm at night at approximately 40 MPH. Suddenly, the windshield wipers stopped moving. I had no visibility out my front windshield, as a sheet of water lay on the glass, with the glare worsened by the headlights of oncoming vehicles. I was on a narrow state road with no shoulders (a guardrail on one side, mature trees on the other), with no safe place to pull over. The wipers would not operate in any setting (high, low, intermittent). The next day, during the daylight, I observed that I could manually 'freewheel' the wiper arms. While I could hear the windshield motor turning, the wiper arms themselves appeared to be no longer linked/tethered to the wiper motor. Two days later, the GMC dealer informed me that my "wiper transmission was broken". …
While driving during tropical storm alberto the wipers on my 2010 GMC Terrain slt completely stopped working almost causing us to crash. This seems to be a common problem with the bushings going out on the wiper assembly and there is even a recall in Canada. Why not USA?!?! To add to the problem you can't just replace the bushings, you have to replace the whole linkage which is $125! Since we do not want to pay labor costs we are trying to replace the linkage ourself. What a nightmare this has been. GM needs to take a nice long look at the number of complaints for these and do for the us what they have done for Canada. Very disappointed. This issue greatly impairs ones ability to see while driving and people could lose lives over this. I wonder how many accidents have happened due to this issue and the person did not live to tell you their story. …
The windshield wipers in my 2010 GMC Terrain malfunctioned (stopped working) while driving in heavy rain and traffic on a highway. During the downpour and traveling at approximately 45mph, I switched my wipers to 'high speed' and immediately the wipers halted in the upper left position, failing to move from that point. I experienced a complete lack of visibility and had to maneuver in between cars to get safely to the shoulder. I am very lucky this did not result in injury and/or a wreck. From that point, I needed to wait until the rain stopped as high speed cars passed me on the shoulder, given my wipers would not move - despite the battery/engine/car running appropriately otherwise. From internet research, it appears this is a common (and very dangerous) problem, where the plastic socket (or linkage) of the windshield wipers detaches in high velocity. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 GMC Terrain. While driving in a rain or snow storm, the windshield wiper blades stopped operating in mid-motion without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with corrosion in the windshield wiper system. The contact was informed that the windshield transmission system and motor needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (goldstein Buick GMC, 1671 central ave, albany, ny 12205, (518) 869-229) were contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in a windshield wiper recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
While operating the vehicle in a severe rain storm the front windshield wipers stopped working. This created an immediate loss of visibility. An investigation into the problem revealed that the windshield wiper linkage became disconnected at the motor. The linkage is connected with a simple snap-in ball and socket joint. The socket portion of the joint assembly appears to be a nylon type material. It is believed that over time the socket wore to the point that the ball was able to become disengaged from the socket. The windshield wipers were operating at their highest setting when this incident occurred.
The link ball socket broke in the wiper transmission assembly causing the wipers to stop working while driving in a hard rain on the interstate. GM has a special coverage service on this known problem but it has a limited date and mileage on the coverage. Special coverage adjustment n192266180 wiper transmission arm linkage failure. The letter notifying customers of this problem were not sent out until after January 6, 2020. That allows less than a few months for the problem to be inspected and fixed. I did not receive a letter as of July 20, 2020. The repair is about $300.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield Wiper Transmission Failure
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.
Front Wiper Transmission Inoperative
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.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Terrain years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2010 GMC Terrain?
NHTSA has 45 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2010 GMC Terrain, 16% of the model year's 290 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 GMC Terrain window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2010 GMC Terrain, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 GMC Terrain window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.