Lawsuit Investigation: Ford Bronco Windshield Wiper Issues

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak to California and Oregon residents who own a 2021, 2022 or 2023 Ford Bronco and have had issues with the windshield wipers not working properly.

Specifically, they’re looking to hear from drivers who’ve set the wipers to a high speed and noticed soon after that the blades began to slow down. Some drivers have also described the problem as the wipers randomly changing to “intermittent mode” without any input from the driver and while there is still significant rain on the windshield. 

This problem presents a serious safety concern as some drivers have reported not being able to see during heavy rain and having to “toggle” between settings while driving to keep the wipers moving.

Now, it’s being investigated whether a defect is behind the Ford Bronco windshield wiper issue and, if so, whether a class action lawsuit can be filed.

Driver Complaints: Ford Bronco Wipers Not Working Properly

Complaints about the Ford Bronco windshield wiper issue litter online forums, and a rising number of similar complaints have prompted calls to action from drivers.

Indeed, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website returns 75 complaints on the 2023 Ford Bronco alone from drivers who’ve reported an issue that falls specifically in the “visibility/wiper” category. (This is compared to one complaint for the vehicle’s suspension and three involving the engine.)

The following is a sampling of these online complaints [sic throughout, emphasis ours]:

While driving in a rain/sleet storm with my windshield wiper set to the normal (slow) speed, they suddenly stopped but then resumed in an intermittent fashion. They then continued to slow down making visibility nearly impossible. I could not see other roadway users nor signage. The only remedy at the time was to to toggle them off and back on again. I did this for nearly two hours, which was a considerable distraction. I have not used the vehicle in inclement weather since then…”
— 2023 Ford Bronco driver, NHTSA.gov, ID Number 11516693

While wipers are in full-time mode, they will occasionally switch to intermittent mode even though rain continues to accumulate on the windshield. This forces me to take my left hand off the steering wheel to 'reset' the wiper system while driving with limited windshield visibility. Taking my hand off the wheel during a downpour is unsafe and should be the last thing I need to be concerned about…Dealership replicated the fault on similar Broncos and said it was 'normal operations'. They claim that the wipers go into intermittent mode so the wipers motor doesn't overheat. However, there is plenty of rain on the windshield when I've experienced the transition to intermittent mode…”
— 2022 Ford Bronco driver, CarProblemZoo.com

My 2023 Ford Bronco has these ‘Advanced’ wipers that automatically stop wiping when they think the windshield is dry or think the wiper motor may be damaged. When driving in heavy rain and you put the wipers on High (or even Low), they automatically switch to Intermittent after about 1 minute. They actually stop wiping at a high speed and pause between wipes for several seconds. In order to keep the wipers going in heavy, blinding rain you have to keep switching the wipers from Low to High to keep them moving. This is a safety hazard since you honestly cannot see though the windshield during heavy rain. I have spoken to many Bronco owners and seen thread on online message boards that everyone has the same issue…This is a major safety issue and Ford should be required to fix the wiper motor on these vehicles. The issue happens on all of the model years - 2021 - 2023.”
— 2023 Ford Bronco driver, NHTSA.gov, ID number 11516083

When wipers are turned on full in heavy rain they slow down and come to a stop. I have to constantly adjust wiper speed to keep them active.”
— 2022 Ford Bronco driver, NHTSA.gov, ID number 11514970

How Could a Class Action Lawsuit Help?

If filed and successful, a class action lawsuit could give drivers the chance to recover repair and replacement costs, as well as compensation for loss of vehicle value. Ford could also be forced to come up with a fix for the windshield wiper problem and provide it to Bronco drivers at no cost. 

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