Wiper switch not working for auto, because switch itself is broken. When accelerating to pass a car the transmission skips/slips and car pauses and gas pedal won't work for 10 seconds. Car basically stalls. Could have caused accident if unable to pass or slide back over behind the car trying to pass.
Ford Expedition wipers problems
271 of the 9,410 owner complaints about the Ford Expedition describe windshield wiper failure, most of them for the 2000 model year.
- owner complaints
- 271
- worst model year
- 2000
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,000
- typical mileage
- 86,000
Is there a fix? There are 7 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Water leak 34Won't start 21Headlights 17Door locks 17Fire or smoke 15Adaptive cruise 12Stalling 8ABS 8
What owners say
Turn.wipers on were slow to move, then just quit, now they don't move at all,all with no warning
Suspected Safety Defect – Windshield Wiper System Effected Vehicle Information Vehicle 1 - 2018 Ford Expedition MAX Vehicle 2 - 2017 Ford F-350 SuperCrew 4x4 Description of Defect Both vehicles experienced the same windshield wiper failure. The wipers gradually slowed, became sluggish, and eventually stopped working during normal use. Available repair information and owner reports indicate the likely cause is corrosion and seizure of the wiper pivot shafts and linkage, which overloads the motor and leads to failure. Safety Hazard Loss of wiper function in rain or poor weather severely reduces visibility and creates a serious crash risk, leaving drivers unable to operate safely. Evidence of a Broader Pattern This issue appears widespread. Many Ford owners report similar symptoms, including slowing wipers, increased resistance, seized pivots, and complete failure requiring linkage replacement. Technicians commonly identify seized pivot shafts as the cause. Ford has issued recalls on other models for wiper-related defects, recognizing the safety risk of sudden failure. Request for Investigation Because two separate vehicles experienced the same failure, I request that the federal safety agency investigate whether corrosion-related seizure of wiper components in 2017–2018 Ford Expedition and Super Duty vehicles is a broader safety defect. If confirmed, I request an appropriate remedy, such as a recall or extended warranty. I can provide supporting documentation if needed.
On two separate occasions while driving on the interstate in the rain, the wipers stopped working. Two of the times they stopped in the up position and once they stopped in the middle of the stroke and it was hard to see. After turning the wiper switch to different settings, the wipers started working again.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH in the rain with the windshield wipers engaged, the driver's side windshield wiper arm was jerking. The contact stated that upon pulling over to the side of the road and inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the driver's side windshield wiper arm was lying on the windshield. The contact removed and placed the part inside the vehicle. After the rain had stopped, the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the driver's side windshield wiper arm needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer determined that the passenger's side windshield wiper arm needed to be replaced because the wiper arm had worn out. The dealer ordered the parts. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield wipers were activated but failed to respond as intended. The contact stated that the wiper arms seized. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the wiper arm linkage had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the parts had been ordered. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the safety failure. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000.
I just picked up the vehicle from the dealership where I was told a previous software updated addressed the wipers not working. But once again while driving they will not operate. This is a major safety issue, the vehicle was being driven in the rain...this is a highly dangerous situation that likely affects many if not all 2022-2024 Expeditions, especially with the 15" Sync 4 system and it's APIM module. Reference [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving in the rain at 60 MPH with the windshield wipers at max speed, the driver’s side windshield wiper started hanging off the side of the windshield and failed to operate as needed. The contact pulled into the nearest gas station and attempted to move the wiper back to the original position; however, the driver’s side windshield wiper failed to move. Despite the failure, the contact continued to drive the vehicle. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 22V250000 (Visibility), which was linked to the failure. Two dealers were notified about the failure, and both informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The dealers provided estimates for the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
The wipers will randomly stop working. The washer fluid spray does operate so pressing the button will spray the windshield but the wipers won't operate. Ford dealership has serviced it and said it's due to software problems with the APIM module. There is no fix and that same module is affecting other features which have not worked since I purchased the vehicle. For a year I've been told a software fix is coming.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Expedition. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH during the snow, the driver's side and passenger’s side windshield wipers ceased to work as intended. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Related recalls
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator, Expedition, and 2022-2023 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 SD, F-550 SD, and F-600 SD vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the wipers to fail.
- Risk
- Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S24.Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on on April 1, 2026.
Recall number 26V204000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2023 F-150, 2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
- Risk
- A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning October 30, 2025.
Recall number 25V729000 · Recall details
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system: fan/motor
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The front blower motor located behind the glove box may fail.
- Risk
- Front blower motor failure can increase the risk of a vehicle interior fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front blower motor assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 4, 2023. Remedy parts are expected to become available in the second quarter of 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S56.
Recall number 22V648000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
- Risk
- Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.
Recall number 22V250000 · Recall details
Visibility: power window devices and controls
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018 Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The second row window control modules may intermittently stop the movement of the power window. If something, such as a finger, is pinched by the window glass, the stopped window control module may prevent the window from automatically reversing. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
- Risk
- If the window does not automatically reverse when an obstruction is found, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the second row window electronic control modules, and replace them as necessary based on their build date codes, free of charge. The recall began on February 16, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 18C01.
Recall number 18V058000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
- Risk
- After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673 or lincoln/mercury at 1‑800‑521‑4140.
Recall number 05V520000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.
- Risk
- Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. 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 ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.
Recall number 01V258000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Expedition wipers
Which Ford Expedition years have windshield wiper failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2000 (76 complaints), 1999 (64 complaints) and 2001 (39 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix windshield wiper failure on the Ford Expedition?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,000 (median of 29 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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