Wiper control speed issues URGENT SAFETY

[Paul Gagnon]

The F150 doesn’t use the “smart” wiper motors like the bronco. I believe those have a totally different failure.

The Bronco doesn't use "smart" wipers either.

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[Gfsteam]

The F150 doesn’t use the “smart” wiper motors like the bronco. I believe those have a totally different failure.

I'm experiencing a "not so smart" wiper motor

 

[nothingface]

I wish there was a way to get more information about the F-150 wiper motor recall. From what I have been able to find it seems like the same thing.

I brought this up to one of the service people, and they indicated that on the F-150 the motor completely stops working, so at least based on that description it seems like a different issue.

 

[Ducati1098]

The Bronco doesn't use "smart" wipers either.

Well they may not be smart, but that’s what Ford calls them lol

 

[Ducati1098]

I brought this up to one of the service people, and they indicated that on the F-150 the motor completely stops working, so at least based on that description it seems like a different issue.

Yep. The F150s have an issue with the integrated circuit boards in the motor and will just completely stop when bad.

 

[tapritchettAREA51]

We are having the same slow down when on low or high in rain, dangerous! Big bend 500 miles!!

 

[My_Blue_Bronco]

To me, it seems that this problem is happening to late 2022 builds and early 2023 builds.

I was wondering, can folks on this forum thread can do two things here in reply:

1. State rough build date of your Bronco with the issue.
2. Come back and update your reply if you got it fixed, how you got it fixed, what the fix was.

Our Bronco, which has the wiper issue, is a 2022 Badlands Sasquatch, built week of 10/17/2023.

 

[Paul Gagnon]

To me, it seems that this problem is happening to late 2022 builds and early 2023 builds.

Considering that this thread was started in 2021, it seems to me that you are incorrect.

 

[Evans67bro]

My early 2023 black diamond i believe November build does this. It's a real pain in the ass. Starts fast then slows down to intermittent. Have to constantly turn the knob back and forth. If it is raining hard and I have it in the fastest setting it seems to stay going but slower speeds just turns into intermittent. And eventually almost nothing. My wifes April 22 build black diamond is fine no issues at all. I was wondering if there is any settings or forscan tricks for fixing this?

 

[p18303]

So... I brought my Bronco back to the dealer for the wiper issue. The first time they told me they shut off the smart sensing function. Well, that did not solve the problem. Same issue. I brought it back to the dealer. Low and behold they were able to reproduce the problem, which is not too surprising, since the malfunction occurs 95% of the time I use the wipers. They had water running on the windshield and turned the wipers on, and sure enough the wipers went into limp mode even on the low continuous setting. I do not believe it is a rain sensor issue, since a previous poster said if you raise the wipers off of the windshield, it doesn't go into limp mode even with a dry windshield. At first they said it was designed that way to protect the motor, but the service advisor and I agreed that it probably means it was designed to shut off if you run the windshield wipers on a dry windshield, not in a downpour. Just had the windshield wiper motor replaced today. Will have to check to see if it works the next time it rains, but I am hopeful. It already seems to act differently. Previously, when I put the wipers into the slow intermittent settings, the wipers seemed to wipe in slow motion across the windshield. Now it operates at a normal speed across the windshield and pauses in between wipes like every other car I have owned. Will post again after a rain.

 

[tapritchettAREA51]

Not sure exactly of the build date but guessing our 2023 was a late December or early Jan build, we picked it up the day it landed at the dealer Jan 20. Will advise on a diagnosis and fix. BTW My 2021 f150 has a wiper motor recall open as well, unsure of any issues on it.

 

[CavScout]

Hello all... Just signed up for this site after picking up my new Big Bend and doing a Google search for wiper issues LOL
2023 model, build date in Dec'22.

Now I immediately called and made a service appointment after my truck did this immediately. No recalls or TSBs still for this issue. In between calling and appointment date, all I changed in the car settings was turning on the courtesy wipe (of course it hasn't rained since) and lol and behold, the dealership has a leak test stand set up for when they replace glass. Well, 5 minutes on high, and then 5 on low continuous, it didn't do it for them at all when I couldn't drive in the rain without them acting up doing the slow down game. Unknown if changing the courtesy wipe settings did anything? Or if it just wasn't playing for the dealership - guess I'll know the next time I'm on the expressway driving in the rain! At least it's documented at the dealer now and I'll update once I know.

 

[MSparks909]

Our 23 Badlands is having this issue too. Fiancé is currently driving and we’re in moderate rain but on the continuous low setting it would go to intermittent and she would have to flip flop from continuous low/continuous high to keep the wipers going as desired. Our wipers also wipe in slow motion on the lower settings like the above poster. Built 11/25.

 

[mikec426]

Please don't flame me... it is hard to tell exactly how much rain is on the windshield in that video.

However...

IF they are "smart" motors that slow down once higher resistance is felt due to lack of moisture on the windshield, then it looked like they were working as designed.

Like I said, hard to tell how much rain is hitting the windshield, but it didn't look like enough to impair visibility. I do realize that's subjective. Visual acuity and simple tolerance for what's on your windshield varies from person to person. So in the end, if it's enough moisture on your windshield to bother you then it is impairing your visibility.

 

[Double Deuce]

Picked up my 2023 Outer Banks in December, built in mid-November. Having the same issue as everyone else, runs on continuous for about a minute, then goes intermittent. I just switch back and forth to keep it moving, didn't bother reaching out to the dealer yet since it doesn't seem like anyone knows what the problem is. Will be following this thread to see if anyone finds a solution.

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