Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2024 | 3 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 5 | 7% | — |
| 2022 | 8 | 8% | 10,000 miles |
| 2021 | 15 | 8% | — |
| 2020 | 17 | 5% | 2,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 1% | 6,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% | 1,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 3% | 14,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 4% | 15,000 miles |
| 2015 | 7 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2014 | 15 | 6% | 25,000 miles |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 1% | 8,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% | 36,000 miles |
| 2010 | 25 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2009 | 22 | 2% | 9,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 2% | 38,000 miles |
| 2007 | 9 | 1% | 61,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 0% | 120,000 miles |
| 2005 | 16 | 2% | 42,000 miles |
| 2004 | 28 | 6% | 50,000 miles |
| 2003 | 30 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 7% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 1999 | 8 | 5% | 82,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 2% | — |
| 1997 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 1996 | 5 | 4% | — |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My wife and I have been having great difficulty reading the center portion of the instrument panel because the illumination is too dim. We have visited the dealership and were instructed how to maximize the brightness, but it is still not sufficient. The small icons that appear at the top of the center section of the instrument panel cannot be viewed while we are driving, unless we place our head close to the screen. To do this our head must be at the level of the bottom of the front window. In that position we cannot see the highway sufficiently to be "safe." We both have good vision. In the past, we have owned over thirty automobiles and have never had a problem seeing the instrument panel.I have discovered that occassionally the illumination of the center screen of my instrument panel is fine. The car's computer apparently dim's it without my consent. …
Subject: Vehicle safety complaint - dashboard/windshield reflection severely impairing visibility on 2014 Toyota Corolla (VIN: [redacted] ) To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to report a serious safety issue with my 2014 Toyota Corolla, VIN [redacted] . Under certain daylight conditions, the dashboard (or a component of it) reflects sharply on the windshield, producing a glare so intense that it significantly impairs my ability to see the road ahead. Vehicle details: Make: Toyota Model: Corolla Year: 2014 VIN: [redacted] Approx. current mileage: [insert mileage] Problem description: - At specific times of day - when sun angle, interior lighting, and windshield geometry combine - the dashboard reflection becomes very pronounced. - The reflected dashboard elements (vents, panels, interior contours) appear on the windshield glass and overlap the driver's forward view. …
Problem 1 there is insufficient visibility of the road at night to drive the car safely. The local police officer helped me measure the distance of road visibility from the front of the car and it was 78 feet. At night with the lights on the top 3/4 of the windshield appears black (opaque) - cannot be seen through. I can only see through the bottom 1/4 of the windshield (left to right, the whole width). Problem 2 the transmission had to be replaced. Problem 3 the computer console only connects to the cell phone 25% of the time. This prevents the ability to use GPS and emergency phone calling while driving. Toyota said there is no problem with the visibility, that the police is incorrect, and there is a known defect with the computer connecting to android phones (after they insisted it was fine). …
Component: VISIBILITY / SUN VISOR Vehicle: 2023 Toyota Corolla Both the driver-side and passenger-side sun visors in my 2023 Toyota Corolla have failed within approximately two years of normal use. The visors no longer remain in their intended position and instead fall downward unexpectedly. When this occurs, the visor drops directly into the driver's field of vision, creating a significant safety hazard by obstructing forward visibility while driving. This condition can happen without warning and requires the driver to physically move the visor out of the way, causing distraction and increasing the risk of an accident. The vehicle has not been modified, damaged, or subjected to abnormal conditions. The visors were used only as intended. …
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds with the front windshield wipers activated in inclement weather, the front driver's and passenger side windshield wipers operated in an untimely manner. The contact stated that the front driver's and passenger's side windshield wipers failed to operate at high-speeds and failed to properly clear the water from the windshield, making it difficult to see the roadway. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the windshield wipers operated as designed; however, the contact stated that she was also informed that the wiper motor might need to be upgraded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Corolla. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH, the passenger's side front mirror made an abnormal sound and shattered. The air bag warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled the vehicle over safely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with mirror assembly damage to the blind spot sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,000.
The rear back up camera continues to adhered road salt and sand debris that blocks the camera's ability to project a clear view in the dashboard monitor every winter season here in upstate New York from early November through last snow in Spring (April-May). I addressed with Toyota office ( I [phone]) at least four times and told to go back to the area Toyota dealer as I previously had done that previous 3 years. I get strange looks as to why their going to resolve this safety concern as the maintenance manual on page 240 of the owner's manual states on right top page,: "If dirt or foreign matter ( such as drooletsz,snow, mud etc.) is adhering to the camera, it cannot transmit a clear image. …
Yes the car can be inspected. Yes took to dealership today and they don't know what's causing it but what between $855 - 1,100 to fix. When it rains the front wipers automatically come on as they should. Then without warning, they stop working and on three occasions a wiper flew off and my teenager had to stop and run into middle of road to get the wiper. She was on a rural highway and could not see well without the wipers working. I replaced the wipers, but when it down poured rain again, like before they just stopped working with no warning. She had to drive 25 mph on a road that was ranges 45 -55 mph. She had a very hard time seeing and could have wrecked. This could have caused an accident had she been on the freeway going 70 mph. A Google search shows others have experienced this issue with their car. The only person who has inspected the issue / car is the Toyota dealership today. …
Related recalls (4)
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota Motor Company (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 Tundra, Sequoia, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and Scion xB, 2008-2011 Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2007 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2009 Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2006-2011 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, and 2009-2010 Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the switch, applying a lubricant if no abnormality is found. If abnormality is found, the PWMS circuit board will be replaced, free of charge.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring
Toyota Motor Engineering & manufacturing North America, Inc. (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Camry and Camry HV, model year 2013 Avalon and Avalon HV and model year 2014 Corolla vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the windshield wiper switch assembly may short circuit.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper switch assembly, free of charge. The recall began on November 8, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 Camry, Camry Hybrid, RAV4, Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Tundra, Sequoia, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Yaris, Scion xB, Scion xD and Pontiac Vibe vehicles.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will inspect the switch and apply a special grease that inhibits heat build up or replace any switch damaged by the defect, free of charge.
Visibility › Glass, side/rear
Toyota is recalling 662,178 my 2003-2004 corolla, corolla matrix and Pontiac vibe vehicles equipped with power windows. The driver and front passenger door glass bolts May loosen and come off, causing the door glass to separate from the window regulator.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger door glass bolts with newly designed bolts free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2008 to Toyota owners. The recall began on May 21, 2008, for Pontiac owners.
NHTSA investigations
Side front power window shatters
For the subject vehicles, there is a possibility that the retention force of the regulator bolts which attach the front side window glass to the power window regulator May not be sufficient due to an interference of the retention nut and the bolt shoulder radius.in this condition the bolt May become loose, causing a loud noise to be generated when the window is raised or lowered.if the vehicle and the power window…
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Corolla years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (30), 2004 (28), 2010 (25), 2009 (22) and 2020 (17) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Toyota Corolla window & wiper problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 15V-689 (power window devices and controls, Oct 22, 2015); 13V-505 (switch/wiring, Oct 17, 2013); 12V-491 (power window devices and controls, Oct 10, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Corolla window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles; 60% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the power window devices and controls (30 mentions), followed by the glass, side/rear (24).
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.