Visibility/Wiper
Visibility/Wiper is named in 10,307 complaint component mentions since 1995, 6.6 of every 1,000 across the whole file, peaking in 2018 with 1,715.
21 NHTSA recall campaigns cite a component in this group. The model line with the most complaint mentions is the Chevrolet Equinox (513, 76.6 per 1,000 of that line's mentions).
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
Model lines reported most
| Model line | Mentions | Per 1,000 of the line's mentions |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Equinox | 513 | 76.6 |
| Subaru Outback | 249 | 50.3 |
| Toyota RAV4 | 184 | 26.7 |
| GMC Terrain | 176 | 118.4 |
| Toyota Highlander | 163 | 47 |
| Dodge Avenger | 112 | 29.7 |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 101 | 28.5 |
| Mazda CX-5 | 100 | 97.1 |
| Chrysler 200 | 87 | 19.4 |
| Hummer H3 | 69 | 74 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander | 56 | 63.9 |
| Dodge Nitro | 50 | 37.5 |
| Lexus IS 250 | 48 | 54.4 |
| Chrysler Crossfire Roadster | 44 | 178.1 |
| Lexus IS | 44 | 108.9 |
| Chrysler Crossfire | 41 | 88 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid | 40 | 25.7 |
| Chrysler Crossfire Convertible | 38 | 233.1 |
| Audi Q7 | 24 | 66.7 |
| Hyundai Veloster | 24 | 43.6 |
| Lexus IS 350 | 23 | 90.2 |
| Ford Transit Connect | 21 | 87.9 |
| Mercedes-Benz Metris | 21 | 287.7 |
| Toyota Venza | 20 | 43 |
| Infiniti G37 | 15 | 36.5 |
Fleet-wide reference: 6.6 per 1,000. Lines above that figure draw a larger share of their complaints from this component than the file as a whole.
Sub-components
| Description in the file | Mentions |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 10,307 |
Mentions by year
Recalls by year
Recent recall campaigns citing visibility/wiper
Defect, as filed: BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2023 740i, 760i xDrive and i7 xDrive60 vehicles. The windshield wipers may fail during certain weather conditions.
Consequence: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield wiper system, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 15, 2023. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
3 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: BMW of North America, LLC.
Defect, as filed: Lucid USA, Inc. (Lucid) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Air vehicles. The wiper arm nuts may loosen, causing the windshield wipers to fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Lucid Service Centers will inspect, tighten the wiper arm nuts, and replace damaged parts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 25, 2023. Owners may contact Lucid customer service at 1-888-995-8243. Lucid's number for this recall is SR-23-02-0.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Lucid USA, Inc.; manufacturer campaign SR-23-03-0.
Defect, as filed: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Palisade vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may operate intermittently or fail to operate due to snow or ice buildup on the windshield, causing the wipers to fail.
Consequence: Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side windshield wiper arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 15, 2023. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 243. This recall is an expansion of recall number 22V-627.
3 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America; manufacturer campaign 243.
Defect, as filed: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 Golf R vehicles. Incorrect front windshield wiper software was installed which may prevent the wipers from activating. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Consequence: Windshield wipers that cannot be activated may lead to reduced visibility for the driver and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the body control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen's customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91EN.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.; manufacturer campaign 91EN.
Defect, as filed: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2020 GLE 350 vehicles. The wiring harness connected to the prefuse box in the engine compartment might not be properly secured, which could deactivate fused components, such as power steering assist, headlights, and wipers.
Consequence: Driving with inoperable power steering assist, headlights, or wipers can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the prefuse box, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2022. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC; manufacturer campaign 2022030015.
Defect, as filed: Autocar, LLC (Autocar) is recalling certain 2020 Legend vehicles. The headlight and windshield wiper wiring harness may become disconnected during operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment", and 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Consequence: A disconnected headlight and windshield wiper wiring harness can cause a sudden loss of headlight and windshield wiper function, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Autocar will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness routing, and repair or replace it as necessary, free of charge. Autocar issued owners an interim notification letter on May 6, 2021. The remedy is expected to be available February 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 24, 2022. Owners may contact Autocar customer service at 1-888-218-3611 or 1-877-973-3486. Autocar's number for this recall is DC-2103.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: Autocar, LLC; manufacturer campaign DC-2103.
Defect, as filed: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, and 2019-2020 Insight vehicles. A software error may cause intermittent or continuous disruptions in communication between the Body Control Module (BCM) and other components. This may result in malfunctions of various systems such as the windshield wipers and defroster, rearview camera, exterior lights, audible warning of a stopped vehicle, and power window operation. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems" and number 111, "Rear Visibility" as well as FMVSS numbers 104, 108, 114, 118, and 305.
Consequence: Various system malfunctions such as inoperative windshield wipers, defroster, rearview camera, or exterior lighting can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 22, 2021. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is X95.
8 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.); manufacturer campaign X95.
Defect, as filed: Volvo Car of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2018-2020 XC60 vehicles. The nuts that secure the front wipers may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly causing the wipers to not function properly.
Consequence: The risk of the front wiper arms nut fixation to loosen and not holding the arm in correct position, the wiper function could be reduced and vision could be impaired, thus increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the nuts holding the front windshield wiper arms in position, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10044.
3 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC; manufacturer campaign R10044.
Defect, as filed: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Tiffin Bus and 2018-2020 Zephyr motorhomes. The windshield wipers may not work due to the control module being improperly wired.
Consequence: The wipers may stop working during inclement weather, causing limited visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the control module, correcting the wiring as needed, free of charge. The recall began August 13, 2020. Owners may contact Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661.
5 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc..
Defect, as filed: BYD Coach & Bus (BYD) is recalling certain 2015-2016 K7 M buses. The affected vehicles have wiper arms that can crack where they mount to the wiper motor causing the wiper arms to bend or detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: A loss of wiper function can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: BYD has notified the owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and replace the windshield wiper mounts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 19, 2017. Owners may contact BYD customer service at 1-661-940-3250.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: BYD Coach & Bus.
Defect, as filed: Gillig LLC (Gillig) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Low Floor transit buses. The affected vehicles have wiper arms that can crack where they mount to the wiper motor causing the wiper arms to bend or detach from the vehicle.
Consequence: A loss of wiper function can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Gillig will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected wiper arms, free of charge. The recall began on March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Gillig customer service at 1-800-735-1500.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Gillig LLC.
Defect, as filed: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling one 2017 Vision transit bus. In the affected vehicle, the windshield wiper motor harness connector may have been installed incorrectly, causing the wiper system to stop without warning.
Consequence: Inoperative windshield wipers may decrease the driver's visibility during inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify the owner, and a dealer will inspect and repair the wiper motor connection, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YH-NSB.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Blue Bird Body Company; manufacturer campaign R15YH-NSB.
Defect, as filed: Blue Bird Body Company (Blue Bird) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Vision school buses manufactured September 3, 2015, to September 18, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper motor harness connector may have been installed incorrectly, causing the wiper system to stop without warning.
Consequence: An inoperative windshield wiper may reduce the driver's visibility during inclement weather, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Blue Bird will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and correct the wiper motor connection, free of charge. The recall began on November 18, 2015. Owners may contact Blue Bird customer service at 1-478-822-2242. Blue Bird's number for this recall is R15YH-SB.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Blue Bird Body Company; manufacturer campaign R15YH-SB.
Defect, as filed: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 RAV4 vehicles manufactured October 27, 2008, to December 19, 2012 and 2012-2014 RAV4 EV vehicles manufactured July 24, 2012, to August 29, 2014. In the affected vehicles, water may drip onto the joint that connects the wiper linkage to the wiper motor.
Consequence: Over time, the dripping water may cause corrosion and wear at the joint, potentially resulting in the separation of the wiper linkage. Once this occurs, the wipers would not function, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water diverter channel. In addition, a new wiper linkage with a wiper motor crank arm will be installed. The wiper linkage will have a protective cover over the wiper linkage joint to minimize water splash and a retainer ring to prevent the wiper arm from separating from the wiper motor. The recall began on November 7, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service number at 1-800-331-4331.
7 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing.
Defect, as filed: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2014 CLA 250C vehicles manufactured September 10, 2014, to September 11, 2014, 2014 CLA 250C 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 13, 2014, to September 25, 2014, and 2014 CLA 45 AMG 4Matic vehicles manufactured September 10, 2014, to September 25, 2014. The affected vehicles have fuses that may have been incorrectly installed in the passenger side interior fuse boxes.
Consequence: If the fuses were not properly installed, they may lose electrical contact. In the event of a loss of electrical contact, certain systems may be impacted, including the function of the front passenger seat occupancy recognition system, the passenger side air bag indicator lamp, the instrument cluster and the windshield wipers. Should the function of the front passenger seat occupancy recognition system or the passenger side airbag indicator lamp be affected, the risk of injury for passengers in the event of a crash would be increased. Should the function of the instrument cluster and the windshield wipers be affected, the risk of a crash would be increased.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the position and orientation of the fuses, and if necessary, replace the fuse box, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2015. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2015060007.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.; manufacturer campaign 2015060007.
Defect, as filed: AM Equipment (AME) is recalling certain Windshield Wiper System Part No. 102-1095 manufactured February 5, 2013 to July 22, 2013. The pivot shaft may loosen allowing the wiper to disengage from the vehicle during operation.
Consequence: If the wiper arm disengages during use, the wipers will fail to operate during periods of poor visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The units were sold to Entegra Coach and Jayco, Inc. AME supplied replacement wiper kits for Entegra and Jayco to install, free of charge. Entegra and Jayco will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper arm, at no charge. The recall began in August 2013. Owners may contact Entegra Coach at 1-800-945-4787 or Jayco at 1-800-283-8267.
1 make/model/year entry; manufacturer: AM Equipment.
Defect, as filed: Volvo Trucks North America (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 VAH, VHD, VNL, and VNM trucks manufactured February 1, 2010, through September 30, 2010 and June 1, 2011, through November 30, 2011. The windshield wiper motor may fail.
Consequence: Inoperable wipers may result in poor driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor, free of charge. The recallbegan on December 6, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-336-393-2000. Volvo's recall number is RVXX1304.
8 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Volvo Trucks North America; manufacturer campaign RVXX1304.
Defect, as filed: Autocar, LLC is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 ACX trucks built May 1, 2012, through November 15, 2012. Due to an insufficient weld, the windshield wiper arms of the vehicles may not be held in their proper position. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 104, "Windshield wiping and washing systems."
Consequence: Without properly working windshield wipers, the driver's vision could be hindered by precipitation, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Autocar will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2013. Owners may contact Autocar at 1-765-489-5499. Autocar's recall campaign number is A-1303.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Autocar, LLC; manufacturer campaign A-1303.
Defect, as filed: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from April 6, 2011, through May 12, 2011. Components inside the wiper motor bottom cover may overheat.
Consequence: If the components overheat, the wiper motor bottom cover may melt and potentially catch fire.
Remedy: Subaru has notified all affected owners, and dealers will replace the front wiper motor bottom cover assembly free of charge. The safety recall began February 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
2 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Subaru of America, Inc.; manufacturer campaign WVV-32.
Defect, as filed: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 Lexus IS250 and IS350 vehicles manufactured August 23, 2005, through October 5, 2011; 2010-2012 Lexus IS250C and IS350C vehicles manufactured April 10, 2009, through October 6, 2011; and 2008-2011 Lexus IS-F vehicles manufactured December 14, 2007, through July 10, 2011. The nuts that fasten the wiper arms may be insufficiently torqued such that if the wiper arms are restricted by an external load, such as a buildup of heavy snow, one or both of the wipers may become inoperative.
Consequence: Inoperative wipers could reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and Lexus dealers will install new wiper arm nuts, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
24 make/model/year entries; manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing.
Questions and answers
Which vehicles have the most complaints about visibility/wiper?
By complaint mentions: Chevrolet Equinox (513), Subaru Outback (249), Toyota RAV4 (184), GMC Terrain (176), Toyota Highlander (163). Raw counts reflect how many of each line are on the road as much as anything else; the per-1,000 column shows how large a share of that line's complaints the component takes.
How many recalls concern visibility/wiper?
21 NHTSA campaigns list a component in this group; the 20 most recent are shown above.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall flat files, public domain, dated 15 May 2019 and 29 Sep 2026. Component groups are the first level of NHTSA's component taxonomy.
Provenance
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation flat files, public domain, dated 15 May 2019 (complaints) and 29 Sep 2026 (recalls). See the methodology.