Component
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
6,323 NHTSA complaints about visibility:windshield wiper/washer issues across 48 makes and 547 models.
The visibility:windshield wiper/washer is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 6,323 filings from 48 manufacturers and 547 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 77 crashes, 18 fires, 139 injuries, and 6 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET S10 with 365 filings, followed by CHEVROLET BLAZER and FORD TAURUS. 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 | CHEVROLET S10 | 365 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 362 |
| 3 | FORD TAURUS | 202 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 174 |
| 5 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 167 |
| 6 | GMC SIERRA | 164 |
| 7 | FORD EXPLORER | 156 |
| 8 | DODGE CARAVAN | 156 |
| 9 | FORD RANGER | 153 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET ASTRO | 148 |
| 11 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 132 |
| 12 | GMC JIMMY | 121 |
| 13 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 118 |
| 14 | CHEVROLET C1500 | 109 |
| 15 | GMC SONOMA | 99 |
| 16 | FORD F-150 | 98 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 93 |
| 18 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 81 |
| 19 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 81 |
| 20 | FORD EXPEDITION | 72 |
| 21 | GMC SAFARI | 71 |
| 22 | MERCURY SABLE | 68 |
| 23 | GMC SUBURBAN | 68 |
| 24 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 64 |
| 25 | PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER | 62 |
| 26 | FORD WINDSTAR | 57 |
| 27 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 55 |
| 28 | CHEVROLET LUMINA | 51 |
| 29 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 48 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER | 47 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Ram 1500. While driving 65 MPH in inclement weather and attempting to clean the windshield, the windshield washer fluid failed to spray onto the windshield. The contact was una
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Colorado. The contact stated that while attempting to add windshield washer fluid to the windshield washer fluid reservoir. The contact stated that the washer fluid f
The contact owns a 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that while attempting to clean the front windshield, the contact noticed that the windshield washer fluid only sprayed approximately 2-3 in
The contact leased a 2024 Tesla Cybertruck. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the windshield wipers turned off. The contact stated that the indicator was inoperable. While depressing the left t
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the windshield washer fluid activated unintendedly and sprayed over the front windshield, causing a visibi
The contact owns a 2017 BMW I3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the windshield wiper fluid failed to function as intended. The contact's husband checked the windshield w
The contact owns a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear properly with the check engine warning light illuminated. Th
The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe. The contact stated that the windshield wiper fluid was low. The contact added additional fluid to the reservoir. After the additional fluid was added, the con
Windshield wipers mechanism popped on my Chevy equinox.
The windshield washer stopped working It doesnât clean because no water comes out to do the job
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the windshield washer and wipers failed to function as intended. The contact drove the vehicle to the shoulder of t
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Bronco. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH in the rain and attempting to clean the windshield, the windshield washer fluid failed to operate as intended
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 blades- especially the drivers side wiper blade- on my 2024 Buick Envista are made of subpar material, and they leave streaks on the windshield in the field of view of the driver,
Windshield Repair Issue I have a cracked windshield that I attempted to have repaired through my insurance company. The repair company I was sent to was unable to remove the windshield, so they refer
Passanger side windshield wiper, complete failure at highway speeds while using. The wiper broke off, flew into traffic behind me. No warnings, no visible issues.
The contact owns a 2023 Fisker Ocean. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the right turn signal was activated; however, the right turn signal failed to function as intended. In a
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a puddle of blue windshield washer fluid on the ground underneath the vehicle. In add
The contact owns a 2018 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. The contact stated that the message "Air Bag System Service Required" was displayed. Additionally, the message "Window Washer Fluid Low" was display
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV. The contact stated that the front driver's side windshield wiper travel was reduced, reducing the visibility of the roadway while driving in the rain. Add
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve visibility:windshield wiper/washer issues? ▼
How dangerous are visibility:windshield wiper/washer defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most visibility:windshield wiper/washer problems? ▼
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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.