Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 2% | 122,000 miles |
| 2015 | 3 | 4% | 6,000 miles |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 5% | 7,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 8% | 2,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% | 78,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 46,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% | 48,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% | 9,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% | 39,000 miles |
| 2004 | 14 | 2% | 2,000 miles |
| 2003 | 17 | 2% | 37,000 miles |
| 2002 | 18 | 3% | 51,000 miles |
| 2001 | 15 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2000 | 25 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 1999 | 43 | 3% | 92,000 miles |
| 1998 | 45 | 16% | 82,000 miles |
| 1997 | 38 | 14% | 95,000 miles |
| 1996 | 73 | 39% | 89,000 miles |
| 1995 | 147 | 56% | 100,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado rear passenger side window panel shattered a strong odor of burning rubber present inside the cabin consequence was repairs had to be paid by the contact the contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH, a smell of burnig rubber started inside the cabin, then a loud pop was heard. The following day noticed that the rear window panel had shattered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer mccarthy-morse Chevrolet, 9201 metcalf ave, overland park, ks 66212, they were not able to determined the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
Rear window equipped with factory electric rear window defogger exploded/shattered outward when driver door was closed, spraying shattered glass inside the cab and the exterior surrounding area. The truck had been unused for over a week and was located in an attached garage having an average night temperature in the high 30s f. The truck had not been started and the rear defroster has never been used. Mileage on the truck is 9782 and there was no known damage (nicks, scratches, etc) to the window.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 65 MPH in heavy rain, the windshield wiper's high setting failed to operate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 900. Updated 8/10/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Silverado. While the contact was washing the vehicle, the windshield shattered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000.
The passenger windshield wiper does not touch the windshield to the extreme right in the lower position. This causes a streaked windshield and ice build up in the winter. It makes it hard to so a car approaching from the right in rain and almost impossible to see in the winter weather conditions. I've taken it to the dealer. They replaced the blade but the new blade still doesn't wipe the full windshield. I've called GM and they siad there is nothing that they can do since it must be a design flaw in the wiper system. I am afraid to drive at night in a rain and in the winter when there is any ice or snow. There are two websites that are GM truck owners and there are several comments very close to the problems I am having with my windshield wipers.
My wiper blade was damaged from ice and road spray during a storm. I tried to buy a replacement. Found wiper uses an odd vehicle specific mount. Wiper blade seems to be only available from Chevy. Not even a delco blade is available. There is no reason to use a new style mount, the basic arm and blade are the same as always. Not having the ability to quickly replace a damaged blade during bad weather creates a real safety issue especially nights and weekends when Chevy dealers are closed.
With frost on the windshield, engaging the defroster will melt the frost on the exterior of the window, but it also wets the inside of the cab, causing all of the windows to have fog which will not let you see. This also occurred in December while driving home from waxahachie, snow was falling and the temperature was at 35 degrees and falling with ice starting to accumulate on the windshield. I engaged the defroster to clear the ice, but all of the windows fogged up so fast that I barely got pulled over to the side of the road before I couldn't see at all. It took the truck an additional 15 minutes of running to clear enough of the fog of the window for a portal to see thru to drive at all.
At temps starting around 35 degrees the defroster stops working and the inside windows fog up leaving no visibility at all. So far the only way to clear it is to open windows and wait. Not good when its cold. Moisture builds up like a steamy shower on a mirror. I have read lots of complaints about the same issue and if there isn't a recall to fix then there should be lawsuits filed against Chevrolet and this web site for not taking action. Or are we all supposed to wait until people start dying in accidents first?
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Windshield
Certain pickup trucks fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." some of these vehicles lack a continuous urethane bonding bead between the body surface and the windshield.
Remedy: Dealers will remove, reseal, and reinstall the windshield. Owner notification began on January 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (147), 1996 (73), 1998 (45), 1999 (43) and 1997 (38) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 56% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado window & wiper problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 03V-018 (windshield, Jan 23, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 47% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer › motor (184 mentions), followed by the windshield wiper/washer (105).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.