This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Windshield wipers work intermittently or not at all. This causes poor visibility and could lead to a crash. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not coveredunder recall due to VIN.
Windshield wipers stopped working for no reason. Problem was intermittent. When hitting a bump or uneven pavement windshield wipers would stop or restart. On passenger's side they would snap and start up. Took to dealership & mechanic indicated there was a problem, but refused to repair.
Windshield wipers would stop on their own when in use. Its an intermittent problem. Can hit a bump/curb and crack for windshield wipers to stop. Went to passenger's side & snapped windshield wipers & they would start up. Took vehicle to dealer, and mechanic noticed problem, but refused to repair it.
Recall 97V017000/washer/wiper switch: Vehicle experiencing intermittent operation of windshield wipers. Vehicle been to mechanic for repair, but problem still exists.
Windshield wipers have failed several intermitant times. First time in 1998 at 70 miles per hour in a rain storm, wipers stopped, took car off cruise then the resumed. Several intermitent times afterward. Dealer wanted $400 + to "fix" moter. I was sceptical becuase this is not the only GM car I have driven with wiper trouble. Last big incident was last fall 1999 when the wipers stopped on the interstate with my pregnant wife and child in car -200 miles from home. I could not get them to resume. Checked fuse etc. Waited out storm under bridge, proceded to truck stop and bought rain-X to continue journey. When I got to destination I pulled the wiper motor and it checked out fine and the switch-ok. Intermitent troubles are hard to get fixed! I took wiper motor apart, cleaned brushes, and noticed some build-up on the communicator disc, and contacts for the parking mechanism. Cleaned this with light abrasive -reasembled and have had no problem since, although with the wiper's history I now use rain-X all the time. I am afraid to travel in snow with kids in vehicle. I would like to sell it but with the wiper system troubles, and the cooling system that keeps leaking -new radiator, water pump, and head gasket -mechanics say pink coolant is corrosive. I can't sell it to another, and I can't afford to keep throwing money at this van. Thank you.vincent walter.
Recall 97V017 000: Windshield wiper/washer: Operating windshield wipers in severe weather situation driver's visibility could be affected which may result in increa sed risk of a vehicle crash. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that this vehicle was not part of recall due to VIN.
Problem started as wipers stopping when using the right turn signal. Slowly became worse ; they stopped working when using the left turn signal. We had to wiggle the lever to get them to work. As of 10/09/99 they stopped working at all.
While driving in the rain at 40mph windshield wipers would stick. Would go on & off on their own. This affects driver's visibility. Will be taking vehicle to dealer to have it checked.
Front passenger door latch has broken twice in same day, garage was not able to make it function from outside the vehicle, only the inside. Today the driver's door latch also broke when opening in parking lot and now will only open from inside vehicle, leaving me access only through the side door. The electric wipers and windows have refused on several occasions to operate when raining, making it either impossible to travel in the rain or very dangerous when there was no choice but to continue on.
The wipers quit working at highway speed in heavy rain and heavy traffic. It was very dangerous, and we were fortunate that no one was injured. When I went to buy the replacement, the dealer's parts guys were very familiar with the problem. They said that if I had a pickup instead of a minivan, the part would be free, as they were made so badly that they were under recall. However, since we had a minivan, they would charge us for the same problem part. The failed part number is 22101636. The new part number is 12463017. Failing ckt board number: 22122142 rev. C. replacement ckt board number: 24013536 rev. C. you need to do everything you can to get GM to recall these time-bombs-for-accidents as soon as possible. They are accidents waiting to happen. If you can get me a refund at the same time, that's fine with me. I wrote GM about this several weeks ago, and they have not bothered to respond. I can mail/fax a copy of that letter to you if you like.
I understand that there is a recall on this but flecther jones tells me that my van is not part of this recall. The wipers use to work if you pushed on it to get it started. Now it will not even come on. My wife was caught in a strom cause the wipers would not work.
Windshield wipers either don't turn on or, lately, stop altogether when driving. This is an intermitent problem, but unpredictable. I am particularly concerned since they now fail after they are on. Before, they just wouldn't turn on and I could wait until they would. This is a really dangerous situation.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lawrenceville, GA, USA