Wiper control speed issues URGENT SAFETY

[My_Blue_Bronco]

That isn‘t accurate for my situation. The wipers have gone to slow intermittent in very light rain or heavy rain/ sleet. Also, if I leave them on in this slower mode they do not return to regular speed unless I readjust the speed.

That is what we are having too on our Bronco.

Apparently there is some sort of new system that detects load of the wipers dragging on the windshield - but something seems wrong to us - as if the programming of this system is off, way off - cutting power even when the windshield is being hit by rain.

One one hand, I suppose it was an arguably good idea to have such a system if someone left their wipers on all day long on a dry windshield (not sure if that was was ever a problem though). But somehow this new system is putting our wipers into a longer and longer intermittent mode unexpectedly even while raining - even raining heavily.

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[jbacon47]

I almost crashed from this freaking issue. I live in the PNW and had a sudden heavy snow blizzard last night driving home (new Bronco). Full powered wipers was barely enough to clear my window, and then they just started slowing down, to a stop! I had to continually flip the wipers on/off to keep the snow cleared. It’s pitch dark roads. I couldn’t see a d*** thing at one point.

Ford, I would have sued you to the end of time if I got wrecked.

 

[Mosi]

My NHTSA report is in.

 

[Grant3168]

I remember reading this post a while back (before I got my bronco) and thinking, “Sheesh. That sucks. But hopefully it’s just a really small group of people experiencing this.”

Then fast forward to recieving my bronco. I am on a trip to Moab UT right now and got caught white out conditions. Absolutely horrifying. No matter the speed, after about 30-40 seconds, it slows down tremendously. Even with snow, sleet and road grim getting flung onto my windshield. Once I got into town I bought rainex and applied generously to the windshield, but with the straight vertical windshield, rainex doesn’t work as well as it does on my coupes windshield.

Unfortunately, it seems like there isn’t an immediate fix for this. Other than crossing your fingers and praying for a recall. I cannot fathom how dangerous this is. Someone is going to get serious hurt.

2023 Black Diamond

 

[nickjaynes]

Ok everyone. I elevated this complaint with Ford. Got a call from the Executive Liaison CCGO office. They spoke to my dealer and also with engineering.

CCGO confirmed with engineering that this is the correct function of the smart wiper motor; it’s supposed to shut down in low precipitation in order to protect the wiper motor. They wouldn’t hear me when I explained that it shut down even in high precipitation like pouring rain.

There is no fix. No flash. No updated part. They’re sticking to their guns on this one.

I suggest we keep submitting to NHTSA. And until Ford gets scared enough to come up with a fix, we will just need to be safe out there. Good luck!

 

[Snowdogyyz]

Reported mine. This is one of the dumbest engineering decisions I’ve seen. How ironic it’s called “smart wipers”. I’m assuming it’s like calling a bald guy “Harry” or a right handed person “Lefty”. Really stupid. They’re going to eventually get a lawsuit when someone gets hurt.

 

[jbacon47]

Reported mine. This is one of the dumbest engineering decisions I’ve seen. How ironic it’s called “smart wipers”. I’m assuming it’s like calling a bald guy “Harry” or a right handed person “Lefty”. Really stupid. They’re going to eventually get a lawsuit when someone gets hurt.

Same, reported to NHTSA

 

[nickjaynes]

Here's the last note I sent to CCGO:

"I, and many other Bronco owners in this Bronco-owners forum thread, are having their windshield wiper motors turn off during high precipitation — pouring rain or otherwise.

I'd ask engineering to consider whether the smart motor is overly sensitive and in turn causing a safety issue. Here in the Pacific Northwest, it rains a lot and in great volumes. I've had my wiper motor turn itself down from continuous to a low intermittent setting erroneously — when continuous wiper motion is not only called for but necessary. It's both frustrating and scary and sometimes downright dangerous.

Thank you again for your time."

Hopefully I get a response!

 

[WeirdGuy]

My Bronco has been at the dealer for nearly a week now, and its going to be even longer now. I got a call today that the techs noticed when water was put directly over the pre-collision camera/sensor, that the wipers would act up but, when the water was taken away, they would go back to acting completely normal. My dealer tech has been in contact with an engineer from Ford regarding the issue. I'll post more info as I get it.

 

[ferbm]

submitted my report.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I remember reading this post a while back (before I got my bronco) and thinking, “Sheesh. That sucks. But hopefully it’s just a really small group of people experiencing this.”

Then fast forward to recieving my bronco. I am on a trip to Moab UT right now and got caught white out conditions. Absolutely horrifying. No matter the speed, after about 30-40 seconds, it slows down tremendously. Even with snow, sleet and road grim getting flung onto my windshield. Once I got into town I bought rainex and applied generously to the windshield, but with the straight vertical windshield, rainex doesn’t work as well as it does on my coupes windshield.

Unfortunately, it seems like there isn’t an immediate fix for this. Other than crossing your fingers and praying for a recall. I cannot fathom how dangerous this is. Someone is going to get serious hurt.

2023 Black Diamond

Good morning, we are glad you're safe! That certainly doesn't sound like the kind of experience we want you to have. I'd like to look into this for you. Feel free to send over a private message with your VIN and dealership info at your earliest convenience.

 

[Grant3168]

Good morning, we are glad you're safe! That certainly doesn't sound like the kind of experience we want you to have. I'd like to look into this for you. Feel free to send over a private message with your VIN and dealership info at your earliest convenience.

Thank you, I just sent you a private message with my details.

 

[ArtP]

I have had the same issue as everyone else here. '22 Outerbanks that I picked up in October. After putting the wipers in either low or high, they would slow down and default back to intermittent after about 30 seconds (the work order says 10 minutes but that's incorrect). I had my dealer replace the wiper motor today, and I just drove it home in a rain/sleet storm and they now work correctly. Attached is the work order with the part number. Hopefully, this helps others.

 

[Rex5415]

I just experienced this same issue on my brand new Raptor today during a snow storm

 

[jbacon47]

I hope this turns out to be a software problem and not a motor issue. I can't imagine the motor being it's own independently controlled unit.

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