General Motors has been denied a request to dismiss a large-scale recall for the 2010 to 2017 model-year GMC Terrain involving more than 727,000 units.
The GMC Terrain recall was initially issued as the headlamps on affected vehicles were found to be in violation of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards relating to headlight glare for oncoming traffic. GM filed a petition in 2019 to have the recall dismissed, saying this noncompliance “is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety,” and that it has received only a single customer inquiry over this condition and is not aware of any crashes or injuries associated with it.
NHTSA denied GM’s petition to have the recall dismissed in a document posted to the Federal Register website this week. Central to GM’s reasoning for having the recall dismissed was that the angle of the reflection from the headlamps is “far above the range where the reflection could cause glare for oncoming or surrounding drivers.” However NHTSA found that, based on the reflection angle and luminosity numbers provided by GM in its motion to dismiss, the headlamps would have a “luminous intensity of 450-470 cd,” which exceeds the 125 cd limit by a significant margin.
“In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA has decided that GM has not met its burden of persuasion that the subject FMVSS No. 108 noncompliance is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety,” the safety watchdog said. “Accordingly, GM’s petition is hereby denied, and GM is consequently obligated to provide notification of and free remedy for that noncompliance.”
GM must now issue a recall for roughly 727,000 units of the 2010 to 2017 model-year GMC Terrain and modify affected vehicles’ headlights to ensure they do not exceed the above-mentioned luminous intensity of 125 cd for oncoming traffic.
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Comments
I must admit when we had our 2012 we did get flashed often on low beam.
I still get some in my Canyon. I noted others with Canyons said the same.
I just wish they would get the Jeep guys to adjust their lights after a lift.
I rarely get flashed on my 2017. Agree with c8r about lifted cars.
So I am guessing that if I take my Terrain in for the recall the headlights will be worse? I am going to be all over have that done.
My understanding here is that only models with HID will be affected. I have a 2015 with Leds and their output is terrible.
What I’d like to see though is for this to get expanded to other manufacturers. Acura lights are some of the worst in terms of blinding oncoming traffic. And many others are just as bad. The entire industry could afford to be reviewed. Which I believe that new law being established is covering.
As rapidly as the terrain headlights fog up from poor sealing I can not see(pun) a problem with glaring beyond a few months
Nit picky crap to be sure. I guess all that work from home stuff has given somebody some spring fever.
Does this recall include the chevy Equinox?
I wondered that too- I certainly would be surprised to hear that the somehow the Equinox had different specs for their headlights.
Piss off
No the Nox is not included. Different housings and reflectors.
Not every head lamp is equal. The bulbs can perform differently depending on the housing or reflector.
The Terrain never had HID but the better models has Projection lamps with Halogen bulbs. These I expect are the recall lamps.
The GMC lamps never had moisture issues but the Cadillac did. One was recalled for being too bright the other is being charged for being too dim.
I have noted the Canyon lights are brighter than the Colorado. The housings are the only difference.
That make sense, my terrain is an sle so it wouldnt have upgraded lights.
gm has disappointed so many owners with product problems. Wondering what problems their EVs will bring.
These issues strike all mfgs. Most fight repairs.
Jeep and Ford fought gas tank fires and refused to fix them.
Hey man they just build them, they don’t want to fix em.
So, how many GM engineers does it take to test a light bulb?
Not the bulb D it is the housing that was optional on the higher models.
WAINE HERE. FROM CANADA… I HAVE A 2010 TERRAIN LST. THE HEAD LAMPS WERE SO LOW I HAD TO PUT NIGHT HAWKS IN . NEVER BEEN FLASHED ..AN is it just me. OUR DOES IT SEEM THIER ARE VEHICLES . OUT THERE THAT .THIER LOWS R AS BRIGHT ASS MY HIGHS ?
@Waine. Yes, there are certainly some bright ass lights out there!
Is the 2018 Terrain SE included in this recall? I’ve seen 2017 as the cutoff as well as 2019; which is it?
No such thing as an se trim.
how about the headlight problems on the cadillac srx ? Those have been a long time problem that gm won’t correct.. Pending class action suit..
GM no longer manufactures their own exterior lighting. It is now all out sourced to the lowest bidder. The lighting engineers are history and so is the precise parabolic reflector design and designed filament placement for a safe properly placed light beam. Also, gone are the optics designed into the lens, to further control and enhance a lamps proper function.
The headlamp is too bright? They got to be kidding right lol?? Those headlamps are so dim I wish they could’ve offer the HIDs in the first place.
I have only had my 2023 terrain for 15 months. I had it in to MY Mechanic, he stated I pulled the Rose! I have the cleanest, best maintained 2013 he’s seen in the area- he’s MY Mechanic for a Reason. I do not have to watch him, or question his dx, ever.
This recall, I have a Feeling, I’ll be in, is only beginning. I Remember the Ford/Jeep gas tank issues.. and, I Love Chevrolet.. but, I like GM. I’m NOT impressed by much, I do feel as though I got lucky. I have no signs of oil issues, not leaking or burning.. so, I’m hoping I DO have it for a while. According to my mechanic, I got a Damn good deal. It sits, worth 2k more than I Paid. So, I’ll have to decide, gamble or Sell..
It appears that you are fortunate to have what is known as a “keeper”
I get flashed all the time in mine..I would never intentionally drive with high beams but apparently that’s what they look like. Sorry to other drivers 😬🤐. I have a 2020 Terrain SLT.
Sounds like your headlamps just need a simple aim adjustment.
Interesting, how would you propose to aim a fixed bulb in a fixed housing?
(Not to mention that the issue seems to be the reflectors, not the bulb.)
Some LED bulbs are adjustable within the housing by small screws, the housings can also be slightly adjusted by the mounting holes being slotted, and Terrain headlights have adjusters built into them, Also improperly installing the LED bulb can make it glare by facing the emitters to 12-6 instead of 3-9 oclock.
On almost every two lane road .. all of the he pickups every brand and SUV … with the additional driving lights “on” blind me to the point I have to look away.
Part of that is because exterior automotive lighting is no longer being built by Guide Lamp, the premier producer of automotive lighting. Guide shut down in 2008.