GMC Recall Impacts 725,000 Terrain SUVs Over Blinding Headlights

Unfortunately for General Motors, there is another recall on the horizon. The American automaker has been instructed to recall approximately 726,959 Terrain SUVs due to apparent blinding headlights. This GMC recall involves Terrain models produced between the years of 2010 and 2017. This includes almost every Terrain sold after the first-generation model. 

Why are GMC’s headlights in question? 

In 2019, GMC determined that its Terrain vehicles did not comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment. On June 7, 2019 General Motors petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) notion that the Terrain model was unsafe due to the vehicle’s headlights being too bright and causing glare for oncoming drivers, especially in certain weather conditions such as snow and fog. As headlight technology has advanced, it’s not unusual that more vehicles are being equipped with such powerful headlights. 

The NHTSA just denied the petition from GMC requesting to dismiss the headlight problem at hand. General Motors did not find it necessary to address this issue because there was a significant lack of crashes resulting directly from the Terrain’s headlights. So far, only one customer had inquired about the situation. This customer had complained that the “left headlamp seems to have a portion of the light that shines up in the trees at near a 45-degree angle.” GMC’s main justification for this issue is that the angle of reflection being created by each headlight lamp is way beyond the typical range where the reflection causes glare for oncoming or proximal drivers. 

Regardless of GMC’s justification, the headlights are still too bright. The Terrain’s bright points appeared to be 450 to 470 candela. For reference, a candela is the unit for luminous intensity which measures luminous power per unit solid angle in a given direction of a luminous source. One candela is about as bright as a single wax candle. GMC’s Terrain SUV surpasses the NHTSA’s maximum candela value of 125 by more than triple. 

What’s next for the GMC recall? 

Due to the NHTSA’s order, GMC must recall on the 725,000 plus vehicles. This recall will include any Terrain SUV’s produced between May 21, 2009 and July 13, 2017. GM plans to inform owners about the recall and arrange for them to have the headlight parts replaced at no cost. According to GMC, some Terrain’s (produced 2018 or later) have already received replacements. The speed of this recall will most likely depend on how quickly GMC can order enough headlights for replacements. 

A solution in sight for GMC recall 

In the beginning of this year, President Joe Biden signed a large infrastructure bill into law that contained a provision that would legalize adaptive beam headlights. This technology is the answer to the ongoing glare problem. In fact, many other countries already permit them. However, it won’t be commonplace for vehicles to be equipped with adaptive headlights until a few years from now. This technology will help improve driving safety and hopefully mitigate glare and blinding headlights. 

Have you noticed your vehicle has overly bright headlights or been a victim of blinding headlights? Share your experiences in the comments below and don’t forget recall repairs are always free if your vehicle is in need.