Turned on windshield wipers and nothing happened. Made it to the side of the road during downpour. Checked fuses and still nothing. Faulty solders on wiper control board. Dangerous situation as visibility was greatly impaired. Could have caused a life threatening crash.
Chevrolet S10 wipers problems
811 of the 5,662 owner complaints about the Chevrolet S10 describe windshield wiper failure, most of them for the 1994 model year.
- owner complaints
- 811
- worst model year
- 1994
- typical repair cost reported
- $300
- typical mileage
- 70,800
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
ABS 13Won't start 7Adaptive cruise 5Stalling 4Overheating 4Headlights 3Fuel gauge 3Brake failure 3
What owners say
Wipers just stopped working while driving in the rain. Unable to get them to turn back on. Seems to be eerily similar to a previous recall (03v159000) of earlier year model vehicles. Recall needs to be extended asap to cover 1998+ year model vehicles
We own 2-2003 s-10s same year models and color. The only thing different are the motors. Both have been having the windshield wipers go out while in a heavy rainstorms and on busy interstates.
This is second vehicle of previous complaint. We have two 2003 chevrolet s-10s where the wipers stop working during rain. In most cases during heavy rains while driving on highways and interstates. Vehicle has to be pulled over and the hood has to be raised to tap the motor to be able to continue.
I just bought the truck used and sometimes the windshield wipers will work and sometimes they will not come on at all. It does this whether it is stationary, in motion, on a city street or a highway, turning, braking, hot or cold weather, etc. It is unsafe when it is raining because the wipers do not clear the windshield of rain, snow, sleet, water from other vehicles on the road passing or ahead of you or sleet. You cannot see clearly where you are driving. I was told by a friend they had a recall on the 1997 wiper motor on his s10 truck. Thought this might be the same problem. The two owners before me had the same problem with it. I am not sure who the orginal owner is or was.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet s10. When the contact started the vehicle, the windshield wipers activated intermittently. The failure occurred in rainy weather, which caused a reduction in visibility. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 03v159000 (visibility). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
The windshield wipers operate sporadically when turned on. Some times when you turn them on, they will operate normally and other times they will not turn on at all. The vehicle make and model were included in a recall but my VIN was not included in the recall. The problem can occur when the vehicle is moving or stopped in the driveway or parking lot. (reference gm recall 03023)
When trying to use the wipers the switch refuses to operate correctly. Been replaced twice ( this happens under all three switches). When you turn it on it will not respond and does not wipe. When you use the single wipe will wipe continual and not shut off at times. Some times when you use the fluid will not turn off unless you turn the engine off and restart the vehicle. When in the first two notches for wiping will start to wipe and stop about 1/4 of the way up the windshield. In high position operates as if normal, must set it above high to get it to operate in high. Sometimes it only operates at one speed no matter the position except when in high mode. Many times will not turn on when you turn it on and when you turn it off will not turn of if working. This is the third switch that has done this to me. ? Is there a recall on gm switches as I can find none and many people say they have experienced same results on other gm vehicles or heard of it occurring update 9/15/15*cw the consumer was informed the wiper control module failed. It was replaced and there were no more problems. The consumer stated the engine control module failed, previously. Updated 10/13/15
Same as other complaints. Wipers stopped working during a rainstorm. Have changed the motor twice and recently started doing the same thing. Also both cables in the lid corroded and broke. Using some chains to hold until able to find and buy the cables. Will get the VIN number to see if it was ever part of a recall I wasn't aware of.
Wipers do not always start or stop when switch is turned on/off. Intermittent setting does not work, wipers will continue to work as if turned on and not in intermittent mode. Wiper blade will stop at different intervals on windshield.
Related recalls
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- On certain minivans, pickup trucks, and sport utility vehicles with certain model-engine combinations, the windshield wiper motor may fail due to cracked solder joints on the controller circuit board. The windshield wipers could work intermittently or not at all.
- Risk
- If this were to occur during bad weather, driver visibility would be reduced, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover. Owner notification began on june 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020, gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑442‑6537.
Recall number 03V159000 · Recall details
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with electric drive. Rapid fogging of the interior glass can occur within two minutes after the heat is turned on if (1) the outside temperature is between 35 and 76 degrees fahrenheit and (2) water has collected on the heat exchanger during previous operation of the air conditioning.
- Risk
- If rapid fogging were to occur during driving, it could obstruct the driver's vision increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Owners are being provided with a caution label and supplemental insert for their owner's manual advising them to follow a "stop and wait" procedure to help avoid window fogging while driving.
Recall number 98V177000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, 2 and 4-wheel drive. Solder joints near the wiring harness connector can crack causing the windshield wipers to work intermittently.
- Risk
- This condition can result in inoperative wipers, reducing a driver's visibility, and increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper motor circuit board and cover.
Recall number 98V150001 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- The top coat paint severely peels due to overbaking of the powder primer prior to the top coat application. Since the windshield primer and adhesive adhere to the top coat paint onthe windshield opening flange, the windshield does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting."
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the windshield may not stay in place as required by fmvss no. 212.
- Remedy
- All vehicles have been repurchased. This campaign is 100%.
Recall number 97V008001 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield
- What is wrong
- Use of improper primer on metal surfaces of windshield and side window openings could cause low adhesion to the metal surface and would not provide retention required by fmvss 212.
- Risk
- Windshield and side window glass would not prevent theejection of vehicle occupants during a vehicle crash, which causes seriousinjuries and fatalities.
- Remedy
- Remove and reinstall glass using proper primer.
Recall number 90V107000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet S10 wipers
Which Chevrolet S10 years have windshield wiper failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1994 (207 complaints), 1998 (193 complaints) and 1995 (189 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix windshield wiper failure on the Chevrolet S10?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $300 (median of 9 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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