Windshield Wipers Stopped Working? It Could Be a Dangerous Defect

Most of the time, we turn on the windshield wipers and don’t even wonder what would happen if the windshield wipers stopped working.

For anyone who has been in the middle of a storm on a dark road, though, properly working windshield wipers have been a lifesaver.

Don’t Poorly Working Windshield Wipers Just Need a New Blade?

Sometimes a new blade will fix the problem of a poorly performing windshield wiper, but in some cases, the wiper mechanism itself is defective.

Have Any Windshield Wipers Ever Been Under Recall?

In the past decade, several makes and models of vehicles have been under recall for faulty windshield wipers, including:

Model years 2011 and 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUVs and 2013 through 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport SUVs were recalled in February 2018. Mitsubishi Motors North America issued the recall on more than 158,000 SUBs when the front windshield wiper ball joint assemblies were found to corrode easily. This corrosion could lead to the ball joint separating from the wiper link, causing the wiper to fail.

Toyota recalled more than 400,000 of its RAV4 SUVs in 2015 after discovering the windshield wiper’s link was prone to corrosion. If the mechanism came apart while driving, it could cause an accident.

General Motors alerted lessees and owners to a potential problem with windshield wipers on the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain SUVs back in 2016. More than 367,800 vehicles in the U.S. were equipped with windshield wiper ball joints that could corrode and come apart.

AutomotiveFleet.com reported FCA US recalled 53,155 Dodge Dart sedans, model year 2016, because of a defect in the windshield wiper pump. According to the NHTSA, the windshield wiper pump could cause voltage spikes that interfere with the wiper’s circuitry, leading to the wipers malfunctioning. 

Why Have My Windshield Wipers Stopped Working Intermittently?

The most likely reason for windshield wipers to work and stop working intermittently is due to an electrical issue in the wiper’s circuit, according to YourMechanic.com.

A small electric motor moves the wiper arms across the windshield, and if one of the tiny components in the motor fails or works intermittently, the windshield wipers will not work dependably. If the mechanical arm is sticking because the lubricant has dried up, the electric circuit that leads to that wiper might overheat and cause the wiper’s motor to stop. A certified mechanic can diagnose and repair the problem.

I Live in a Desert Area That Receives Little Rain. Do I Have to Worry About Windshield Wipers?

Absolutely. In areas that receive little rain, dust and pollen accumulate quickly on a windshield. Even a few sprinkles can cause a muddy mess on a windshield that appeared pretty clear before the rain began. Properly working windshield wipers are a must on any vehicle in any environment. According to the Federal Highway Administration, impaired visibility is a major factor in 46 percent of fatal vehicle accidents in the U.S.

Have People Filed Lawsuits Because of Accidents Caused When Windshield Wipers Stopped Working?

Yes, if windshield wipers fail, the driver may suffer impaired vision very quickly as rain, ice or snow accumulates on the windshield. Failed windshield wipers can be considered a vehicle safety defect.

Join a Free Vehicle Safety Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you own a vehicle that you believe has a safety defect and you are outside of the warranty period or you believe the defect should be covered by the warranty and it’s not, or you or a family member have been injured by a safety related defect, you may qualify to join this vehicle safety defect class action lawsuit investigation.

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This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.