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Problems of the windscreen wipers: symptoms, cost and affected models

We have documented 28 faults of the windscreen wipers in 22 cars. The most important by severity and frequency: brake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo S80 (Volvo S80 II), brake servo vacuum hose rubbing against the wiper arm (Volvo V60 I) and brake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo V70 (Volvo V70 III).

Documented faults
28
11 of high or critical severity
Cars analysed
22
with at least one fault on this part
Affected models
22
car generations in our database
Garage repair
No data
No reliable published costs

How we work

How it works and why it fails

Windscreen wipers

The wiper system combines an electric motor, a linkage that moves the arms and, on many cars, a rain sensor that switches it on automatically. The blades wear out, but the motor and linkage can fail from water, corrosion or strain.

What to do

If the arms stop halfway through their sweep, judder or do not return to their park position, check the linkage and motor: a seized linkage can burn out the motor. Replace the blades as soon as they leave streaks: they scratch the glass and can fool the rain sensor.

General explanation by MotorFiable. The specific faults of each engine and car, with their sources, are on the linked pages.

Common symptoms

The symptoms that come up most often in the documented faults of the windscreen wipers. Open each one to see what other faults cause it.

Problems of the windscreen wipers by car

Faults documented on specific cars, which occur with any engine. From most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S80 IIBrake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo S80In 2012 Volvo recalled (R/2012/104 in the UK) a batch of V60, V70, XC70 and S80 cars because the wiper mechanism could chafe the brake servo vacuum pipe. If it wears through, assistance drops gradually and, in the worst case, can disappear suddenly and without warning.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V60 IBrake servo vacuum hose rubbing against the wiper armA European alert from October 2012 (A12/1474/12) warned that, in some V60 cars from model years 2012 and 2013, the wiper arm mechanism could rub against the brake servo vacuum hose. Braking assistance would be lost gradually or, in the worst case, all at once and without warning.
  3. 3Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V70 IIIBrake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo V70In 2012 Volvo recalled (R/2012/104 in the UK) a batch of V60, V70, XC70 and S80 cars because the wiper mechanism could chafe the brake servo vacuum pipe. If it wears through, assistance drops gradually and, in the worst case, can disappear suddenly and without warning.
  4. 4Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC70 IIIBrake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo XC70In 2012 Volvo recalled (R/2012/104 in the United Kingdom) a batch of V60, V70, XC70 and S80 cars because the wiper mechanism could rub against the brake servo vacuum pipe. If it wears through, braking assistance falls gradually and, in the worst case, can disappear suddenly and without warning.
  5. 5High severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C-CrosserOut-of-specification electronic component in the built-in systems interface (BSI): lights, wipers and sat nav may failYes: an electronic component in the Citroën C-Crosser's built-in systems interface (BSI) may not meet the specification and cause the audio-navigation, the wipers and the exterior lighting to fail, with a warning light on the dashboard. The DVSA states that the BSI's build date is checked and the unit is replaced if it falls in the affected range.
  6. 6High severityFrequency: OccasionalLexus IS IIFront wiper arm nuts with insufficient tightening (2013 campaign)In 2013 the UK's DVSA recorded the recall of 15 left-hand-drive Lexus IS 220d and IS 250: the wiper arm nut could be left loose and, under a load such as accumulated snow, one or both wipers could stop working. The nuts were replaced.
  7. 7High severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi LancerETACS control unit fault: headlights and wipers can stop workingYes: in 2015 a campaign was registered over a non-conformity in the ETACS electronic control unit of Lancers built between October 2008 and September 2010, as a result of which the headlights or wipers, among other systems, could stop working. The remedy described is to replace the control unit if its manufacturing date falls within the affected range.
  8. 8High severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi Outlander IIETACS control unit fault that can leave you without headlights or wipersA non-conformity in the ETACS control unit could disable the headlights, the wipers or other systems on the 2008-2010 Outlander II. Mitsubishi corrected it with a recall (Safety Gate A12/1379/15) that replaces the control unit on affected cars.
  9. 9High severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 4007Out-of-specification electronic component in the Built-in Systems Interface (BSI): lights, wipers and satnav may failYes: an electronic component in the Peugeot 4007's Built-in Systems Interface (BSI) may not meet specification and cause the audio-navigation, the wipers and the exterior lighting to fail, with a warning light on the dashboard. The DVSA states that the BSI's production date is checked and the unit is replaced if it falls in the affected range.
  10. 10High severityFrequency: OccasionalSubaru Legacy VWiper motor at risk of overheatingYes: Subaru issued a recall in the UK for 3,906 Legacy and Outback models built between 2009 and 2014 because an obstruction in the scuttle area could stop the wiper blades returning to their rest position and overheat the wiper motor, with a risk of fire. The lower cover of the motor is replaced.
  11. 11High severityFrequency: OccasionalSubaru Outback IVWiper motor at risk of overheatingYes: Subaru recalled 3,906 Legacy and Outback built between 2009 and 2014 in the UK because an obstruction in the scuttle area could stop the wiper blades returning to their rest position and overheat the wiper motor, with a risk of fire. The lower motor cover is replaced.
  12. 12Medium severityFrequency: CommonCitroën C3 IErratic behaviour of the BSI and electronic modules (control unit, wipers, lighting, car radio)The BSI (built-in systems interface) and other electronic modules in the C3 I can cause odd behaviour in the central locking, the wipers, the lighting or the car radio; it is the non-powertrain fault category most cited by owners on fiches-auto.fr, with 62 cases recorded.
  13. 13Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCitroën C-CrosserWiper motor jams through corrosion after water enters through its ventYes: a 2018 campaign affects the Citroën C-Crosser built between 16 April 2007 and 27 April 2012. The wiper motor's ventilation system did not meet the specification and water could get in, causing corrosion and a jammed motor. The motor and one of the linkage rods are replaced.
  14. 14Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord C-Max IRear wiper motor short circuit caused by water ingress (2003-2005)On cars built between 2003 and 2005, insufficient sealing of the rear wiper control housing lets water in and can cause a short circuit, according to two independent sources.
  15. 15Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalFord Transit Connect IWindscreen wiper arms that come loose at the pin joining them to the headYes: the ADAC lists a November 2012 recall because the pin joining each wiper arm to its head can loosen on Transit Connects built between June and October 2011. The arm then presses less firmly on the glass and can come off, and visibility can be suddenly cut. Dealerships replace the arms free of charge.
  16. 16Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMazda 3 IIIWiper failure caused by corrosion in an electrical connectorYes: Mazda recalled Mazda3 BM cars built between July 2015 and July 2017 because a deposit of metal particles in a connector can interrupt the current feeding the wiper motor and leave the wipers not working.
  17. 17Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase A W168Wiper arm breakageIn 2007 ADAC recorded broken wiper arms on A-Class W168s registered in 2002 and 2003. The DVSA's British database records a recall of 16,202 A-Class cars because of a manufacturing notch in the arm that could fracture it, without specifying the generation.
  18. 18Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi ASX IWiper motor rusted by water ingress and corroded linkage ball jointOn the ASX, water can get in through the front wiper motor's breather and rust it from the inside, or drip onto the linkage ball joint and corrode it; in the worst case the wipers stop working. Mitsubishi dealt with it through several recalls (Safety Gate A12/1565/17).
  19. 19Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalMitsubishi Outlander IIInternal corrosion of the front windscreen wiper motorMitsubishi recalled the Outlander II (CW) because the front windscreen wiper motor can rust inside through water ingress and stop working while the car is being driven. The DVSA adds corrosion of the linkage ball joint, and gebrauchtwagenberater.de places it in the 2006-2011 years.
  20. 20Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOpel Mokka BFront windscreen wiper stops in cold weather when parked below 3 °C (2021 production)A 2022 recall affected 21,261 Mokkas built between February and July 2021: below 3 °C, the front wiper stopped when the car was parked and did not work again until 10 km/h was exceeded.
  21. 21Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalPeugeot 4007Wiper motor that jams through corrosion after water enters through its breatherYes: a 2018 campaign affects the Peugeot 4007 built between 16 April 2007 and 2 July 2012. The wiper motor's ventilation system did not meet specification and water could get in, causing corrosion and jamming of the motor. The motor and one of the mechanism's linkage rods are replaced.
  22. 22Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo S80 IIVolvo S80 wipers that run by themselves or do not work because of a central electronic module software errorIn 2009 Volvo recalled (R/2009/046 in the UK) a batch of S80, V70 and XC70 cars because a software error in the central electronic module could make the wipers run without being activated or not work at all. The remedy is to update the module software.
  23. 23Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo V70 IIIVolvo V70 wipers that run by themselves or do not work because of a central electronic module software errorIn 2009 Volvo recalled (R/2009/046 in the UK) a batch of S80, V70 and XC70 cars because a software error in the central electronic module could make the wipers run without being activated or not work at all. The remedy is to update the module software.
  24. 24Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalVolvo XC70 IIIVolvo XC70 wipers that run by themselves or do not work because of a central electronic module software errorIn 2009 Volvo recalled (R/2009/046 in the United Kingdom) a batch of S80, V70 and XC70 cars because a software error in the central electronic module could make the wipers run without being switched on or not work at all. The remedy is to update the module's software.
  25. 25Medium severityFrequency: RareOpel Vivaro BMain wiring harness touching the windscreen wiper mechanismThe Vivaro B's 2015 campaign included chafing between the main wiring harness and the windscreen wiper mechanism, which could prevent starting or stop the wipers unexpectedly.
  26. 26Low severityFrequency: OccasionalMercedes-Benz Clase C W202Electrical faults: ignition lock, sunroof, fuel gauge and climate control displayGerman Wikipedia cites electrical faults on the W202: ignition lock on pre-facelift cars, climate control display, fuel gauge, sunroof mechanism and a wiper motor that seizes if it is not lubricated.
  27. 27Low severityFrequency: OccasionalToyota Auris IIThe multimedia screen freezes and the rain sensor failsSeveral owners describe the multimedia screen freezing (you have to switch the car off and on to recover it) and the rain sensor no longer activating the automatic wipers; in one case the sensor was covered under warranty.
  28. 28Low severityFrequency: RareLotus Elise S2Windscreen wiper motor and fuseIf the Elise's wiper motor fails, it can blow the fuse, and Auto Express says both the motor and the fuse need replacing.

Problems of the windscreen wipers by make

Problems of the windscreen wipers in your car

6 cars have several documented faults of the windscreen wipers. Choose yours to see only the ones that affect them, by engine and by year.

Citroën 1
Mitsubishi 1
Peugeot 1
Volvo 3

Frequently asked questions

Which cars have problems of the windscreen wipers?

Among those we have analysed: Volvo S80 II (brake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo S80), Volvo V70 III (brake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo V70), Volvo XC70 III (brake servo vacuum pipe chafed by the wiper mechanism on the Volvo XC70), Volvo V60 I (brake servo vacuum hose rubbing against the wiper arm), Citroën C-Crosser (out-of-specification electronic component in the built-in systems interface (BSI): lights, wipers and sat nav may fail), Mitsubishi Outlander II (ETACS control unit fault that can leave you without headlights or wipers), Peugeot 4007 (out-of-specification electronic component in the Built-in Systems Interface (BSI): lights, wipers and satnav may fail) and Lexus IS II (front wiper arm nuts with insufficient tightening (2013 campaign)). In total, 22 cars with documented faults of the windscreen wipers.

What symptoms does a fault of the windscreen wipers cause?

The most frequently cited in the documented faults: intermittent electronic warnings or sensor faults, hard brake pedal or loss of brake assistance, screen or infotainment system freezes or restarts and electric windows or central locking not responding.