Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 1 | 1% | 134,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% | 67,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 2% | 65,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 4% | 67,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2006 | 3 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% | 215,000 miles |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% | 300,000 miles |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% | — |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% | 39,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% | 35,000 miles |
| 1999 | 21 | 4% | 50,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% | — |
| 1997 | 11 | 4% | 99,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
"steering column control module" sccm (Ford p/n 3f944) plastic body broke, allowing the "multifunction switch" (Ford p/n 13k359) to separate from its electrical connector and become inoperable. The sccm plastic body is quite flimsy and the plastic is brittle - instead of just breaking, it shattered like glass. This failure occurred at night during a rainstorm 3-4-16. Had just exited onto an urban arterial from a freeway. Instantly the wipers, turn signals, and high beam became inoperable. Very dangerous driving home (1 mile from the event). Next day I was amazed at how extensively the plastic shattered, having no recall of treating it harshly - just using the device in the normal fashion.
Driving down the road when all of the sudden the drivers side window exploded all over the inside of my truck. It exploded so hard (like a shotgun blast). It threw glass all over the inside of the truck, all over myself. Once I stopped, I noticed that I had blood on my seat. The glass actually was stuck in my skin on my elbow. It took almost 10 minutes to get it out of my hair. There were no other vehicles on the road or going by me to throw any debris at the window. I have photos if needed
Tl contact owns a 2006 Ford f-250. The contact stated that the sun roof window was detaching from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician made the contact aware that there was a manufacturer recall related to the sun roof failure. The sun roof was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 21,000.
While driving the f-250 on a rural expressway at approximately 75 MPH the drivers side window imploded into the vehicle with no apparent prior impact to the glass. The outside temperature at the time was around 17 degrees f and the interior of the vehicle was approximately 73 degrees f. Driver was hit with shattered glass but no major cuts occurred. The window was not covered by warranty and the owner had to pay for replacement.
The vehicle will lose power with the engine light coming on, cause unknown. The Ford dealership has had the vehicle for three days, stating that vehicle was getting some sort of resistance. The vehicle was again failing with the same problem. The consumer states that he had taken the vehicle to another Ford dealer and they seemed to have remedied the problem-linkage accelerator. The windshield was leaking-resealed-still leaking. The vehicle has been okay since the last repair. Now the windshield is leaking water, and is running behind the dashboard. …
Dt: the contact stated the components under the dashboard got wet. Therefore, he took the vehicle to the dealership. They found the components were wet because the windshield was installed improperly. The windshield could be moved out one inch. The dealership stated it was probably a factory defect. But the warranty expired, and h the contact would have to pay for the repairs, which have been made. All of the electronic components under the dashboard had to be replaced .
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford f-250. The contact stated that during rainy weather, the general electric module would become wet and cause the vehicle to malfunction. The contact stated that the failure would also cause the vehicle to start independently, the lights would flash and the turn signals would illuminate independently. In addition, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer stated that they were aware of the failure and made a cover for the part. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told there was a leak coming from the windshield that was allowing water to enter the general electronic module. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 180,000 and the current mileage was 240,000.
Windshield wipers failed to operate in the slow speed. Windshield wipers will work in fast speed if they function when engaged. Also, will not will not go back to the start position when turned off. Recall 01V258000 was issued, but this vehicle was not involved in the recall due to VIN.
Related recalls (1)
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
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…
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford F-250 years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (21), 1997 (11), 2000 (8), 2001 (7) and 2002 (6) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford F-250 window & wiper problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 01V-258 (motor, Aug 8, 2001). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford F-250 window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 48% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the rearview mirrors/devices › exterior (12 mentions), followed by the rearview mirrors/devices (12).
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.