The windshield wiper motor on my 2026 Toyota Tacoma emits an excessive low-pitched groaning noise during operation. The noise begins immediately of activating the wipers and becomes progressively louder the longer the wipes run. It is clearly audible inside the cabin, at speed, and over the radio. The sound is mechanical in nature and emanates from the wiper motor assembly (part 85110-AK010) at the base of the windshield. The wipers otherwise function, but the noise is not normal motor operation. The noise is loud and persistent enough to distract the driver during rain - exactly the conditions in which the driver attention is most important and visibility is most compromised. The sustained groan diverts my attention and focus from the road and masks other auditory sounds while driving in rainy weather conditions. This is clearly a driver distraction safety concern. I reported the condition to my authorized Toyota dealer, Hendricks Toyota North Charleston, on [XXX]. The dealer refused to diagnose or repair the condition, stating the noise was "normal" and not a safety hazard. Toyota corporate was contained [XXX] by phone at 1‑800‑331‑4331, case no. [XXX] and subsequently likewise declined to repair. The condition remains unrepaired. Other 4th Generation (2024+) Tacoma owners have reported the identical groaning wiper noise on owner forums (e.g. [XXX]) and Toyota has reportedly acknowledged a related noisy wiper condition on the sixth generation 4Runner, with owner reports of a planned motor replacement covering both vehicles. No TSB or recall has been issued to my knowledge. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Toyota Tacoma wipers problems
29 of the 8,489 owner complaints about the Toyota Tacoma describe windshield wiper failure, most of them for the 2010 model year.
- owner complaints
- 29
- worst model year
- 2010
- typical mileage
- 45,000
By model year
- 20262
- 20252
- 20243
- 20232
- 20201
- 20161
- 20152
- 20131
- 20103
- 20091
- 20082
- 20072
- 20031
- 20021
- 20011
- 20001
- 19991
- 19971
- 19961
Often reported together
Grinding brakes 2Won't start 1Windshield crack 1Stalling 1Loss of power 1Door locks 1Brake failure 1
What owners say
On [XXX], my 2026 Toyota Tacoma Trailhunter experienced an abrupt loss of power while passing a semi-truck on [XXX] in northern British Columbia, Canada. It was raining sufficiently to require windshield wipers but not at full speed. As I accelerated to pass a semi-truck in rain and road spray, the dash gauge indicated turbo boost increased, and then abruptly my truck suddenly lost power and entered what appeared to be a reduced-power or “limp” mode with many dash lights. It started slowing down immediately with no throttle response. I could no longer maintain highway speed and had to pull over immediately. This created an immediate collision risk while passing a large truck in highway traffic. After stopping, I inspected the air filter and intake. The filter was not visibly wet, but I found water droplets inside the intake near the sensor. I have a photograph documenting these droplets. I was approximately a couple hundred kilometers from the nearest Toyota dealer, so I drove at reduced power (max speed limited to approximately 40 mph) to the closest mechanic, who restored normal operation. I do not have the diagnostic fault codes. I suspect rainwater or road spray entered through the factory snorkel during a turbo boost event causing the sensor to detect water and the subsequent loss of power, but the underlying cause has not been confirmed. My primary safety concern is the sudden inability to maintain speed or accelerate during a highway passing maneuver, and the possibility of recurrence during driving in rain and road spray. I request that the federal safety agency investigate this potential safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Windshield wiper motor squeals causing distraction every time wipers are turned on.
The wiper motor does not move fast enough to keep the windshield clear in heavy rain. Yes it is available to be inspected. Unable to see while driving even after slowing down. Only when encountering heavy rain. No No
While checking wiper fluid levels for 2023 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road, noticed power steering fluid was below minimum line. No leaks were noticed on the ground where the vehicle is normally parked, underneath the reservoir or along the hoses related to the power steering system. Upon inspecting the tie rod boots, it was noticed that they appeared to be holding fluid, due to signs of moisture on the exterior of the boots. Vehicle was taken to the dealership where purchased. Vehicle was purchased November 2022 and now has approximately 52,000 miles). The dealership service department determined the steering rack seals failed and power steering fluid was dripping into the tie rod boots. Vehicle was out of the 3 year / 36,000 mile warranty and this known issue is not covered by the power train warranty, so 100% of the cost to repair falls upon the owner. Dealer stated that this is a known issue but could not state why a recall was never initiated to alleviate the issue and prevent this costly repair from falling upon the vehicle owners. If not repaired the issue could cause sudden, dramatic increases in steering effort and total loss of vehicle control. Low fluid can also damage internal pump components if not caught early enough.
When raining me than a sprinkle you cannot see wipers seem to bog down
Driver seat does not hold after setting to correct height. After driving the seat rests to the lower position. Wipers make a tapping noise when in operation at full left wipe. At times blind spot warning engages when surrounding is clear.
On several occasions in the previous two months, I have been driving during heavy rain. On the first occasion, while high speed wipers were on, they suddenly stopped working. I slowed down, but was able to get them going again prior to pulling to the shoulder of the highway. I had to switch to the slow wiper speed to get them going. I switched back to the high speed wipers due to heavy rain, and kept stopping each time. It continued this cycle and stayed on after about 15 attempts. Today, on [XXX], I drove down [XXX] from Flint, MI towards Detroit at approximately [XXX]. The wipers again quit working and I had to switch the wiper speed to get it working again while at full highway speed during a deluge of rain and nearly had to stop in a construction zone with no shoulder and heavy traffic, nearly causing a collision until I was able to get the wipers to begin working again. On a previous occasion, I turned them on. When the rain stopped, I was unable to stop the wipers, but was eventually able to stop them by carefully moving the intermittent delay wheel to a position between on and off. It appeared that there may be a short in the wiper circuit. This was a definite safety issue in that my attention was taken away from driving to try to fix the wiper situation. In speaking with my service adviser at Randy Wise Toyota in Grand Blanc, MI, he went out to their lot and tried to duplicate the problem, which he confirmed happened on that same Toyota Tacoma model. I attempted to get this repaired under warranty. Their response was that there was nothing they could do since it appeared to be in the design of the wiper system. My opinion is that this is a serious safety issue which needs to be addressed immediately. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On 11/14/2024 the windshield wipers started malfunctioning on my leased Toyota Tacoma. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. On 11/22/2024 I took the vehicle to Premier Toyota for service. I was told they do not have the parts, that was 9 weeks ago. This vehicle is unsafe with malfunctioning wipers.
Passenger Side windshield wiper fluid sprayer. It sprays the top of the vehicle hood during operation preventing fluid from the sprayer reaching the windshield. Prevents potential debris from being cleared off the windshield whether dirt, mud, and bugs or Ice and snow in the winter. The dealer confirmed that 2/3 2023 Toyota Tacoma's on the lot had a similar problem and Toyota had no available fix. A fix was attempted by Maguire Toyota on Grand Island NY. Unsuccessful they attempted to contact a Toyota Rep and have no solution available. No warning lamps or messages illuminate.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Toyota Tacoma wipers
Which Toyota Tacoma years have windshield wiper failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2010 (3 complaints), 2024 (3 complaints) and 2007 (2 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Toyota Tacoma?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history