Component
VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
438 NHTSA complaints about visibility:rear window wiper/washer issues across 37 makes and 174 models.
The visibility:rear window wiper/washer is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 438 filings from 37 manufacturers and 174 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 12 crashes, 9 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD EXPLORER with 35 filings, followed by CHEVROLET BLAZER and FORD F-150. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD EXPLORER | 35 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 16 |
| 3 | FORD F-150 | 11 |
| 4 | FORD ESCAPE | 11 |
| 5 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 9 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | 9 |
| 7 | HUMMER H2 | 8 |
| 8 | GMC JIMMY | 8 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 8 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET S10 | 8 |
| 11 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 7 |
| 12 | FORD EXPEDITION | 7 |
| 13 | DODGE CARAVAN | 7 |
| 14 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 7 |
| 15 | MERCURY MOUNTAINEER | 6 |
| 16 | JEEP LIBERTY | 6 |
| 17 | FORD WINDSTAR | 6 |
| 18 | TOYOTA SEQUOIA | 5 |
| 19 | SATURN VUE | 5 |
| 20 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 5 |
| 21 | HONDA ACCORD | 5 |
| 22 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 5 |
| 23 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 5 |
| 24 | ISUZU RODEO | 4 |
| 25 | HONDA ODYSSEY | 4 |
| 26 | GMC ENVOY | 4 |
| 27 | DODGE DURANGO | 4 |
| 28 | CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE | 4 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 4 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET EQUINOX | 4 |
Recent Complaints
See attached document for complaint.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Yukon XL. The contact stated while operating the vehicle on a cold day, the windshield wiper fluid failed to spray from the windshield wiper nozzle and the windshield and w
The windshield wiper fluid will not pump out onto the front or back window, causing poor visibility. The pump is working, but the design of the strainer on the bottom of the pump causes a restriction
The contact owns a 2019 Ram 1500. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact became aware that there was water leaking from the driverâs side rear window. There was no warning
Rear window exploded sitting in my closed garage. Did a lot of research on it and apparently this has been happening to numerous people dating back to 2010 on all the f series picks. FORD refuses to i
Brand new 2023 Palisade with rear windows hazy, causing poor visibility.
2015 GMC TERRAIN. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS MADE RELATED TO WINDSHIEL WIPER SAFETY RECALL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED THE REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO THE CONSUMER
2015 CHEVROLET EQUINOX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR SAFETY RECALL N212352530.
Rear window spontaneously exploded on July 8th around 11:00am. My truck was parked and not driven for two days. The rear window exploded and shattered. The glass was everywhere, In the truck bed an
The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start-up. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that rod
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, there was a smell of burned rubber, and upon inspection, the contact noticed fire coming from the rear windshi
THE TOP TRACK OF THE REAR WINDOW THAT HOLDS THE SMALLER SLIDING WINDOW IN PLACE BECAME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE BACK WALL OF THE CABIN. THE SMALL WINDOW WAS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY THE LOWER TRACK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN AUTOGLASS FAC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD FIESTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW HAD NO WIPER, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN THE RAIN OR SNOW. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR WIPER WAS OPTIONAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 BUICK TERRAZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS BURNED OUT, BOTH OF THE REAR WHEELS HAD NO TREAD AND THE REAR WIPER BLADE FAILED TO WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET TRAVERSE. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND DISPLAYED AN INCORRECT READING, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS HALF. IN A
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THE TECHNICIAN
2007 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ACCELERATION AND CONSOLE LIGHTING ISSUES AND PROBLEMS WITH BACK WINDSHIELD WIPERS. *SMD
MOST RECENT IS A DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR/WINDOW CONTROLS THAT HAVE COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. CONTROLS HAVE BEEN SPORADIC FOR OVER A MONTH AND HAVE NOW, AND IT STOPPED COMPLETELY WITH THE WINDOW IN THE D
ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH REAR WIPER AND HEATING ELEMENT(DEFOGGER) SYSTEM. PRESSING THE REAR DEFOGGER SWITCH TO TURN ON THE HEATING ELEMENT WOULD INSTEAD START DELIVERING WINDSHIELD WASHING FLUID CONTINU
Related Vehicle Components
Learn More
Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve visibility:rear window wiper/washer issues? ▼
How dangerous are visibility:rear window wiper/washer defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most visibility:rear window wiper/washer problems? ▼
Where does PlainCars get its safety data? ▼
Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.