Windshield Wiper/washer problems of the 1997 Ford Expedition

Rear windshield wiper will not to turn on most times. If wiper assembly is jarred hard enought (either by bump or banging on it) will cause it to work for a while. This problem was orginally fixed by dealer, but warranty has passed and the problem has returned. I have taken the unit apart, but believe the unit was never changed and beleive the contacts were cleaned. I believe the wiring is being corroded causing for good contact of the wires.

Windshield wipers fail to clean the windshield on both sides of the vehicle and primarily in the center vision area of the wiper area. The wiper blades have been replaced several times but the problem continues. The dealer just replaces the blades. It appears that the height of the windshield is preventing the blade assembly from being able to make full contact on the windshield either do to the shape of the glass or the wiper mechanism is insufficent to provide the necessary pressure throughout wipers range. I have owned many vehicles over 45 years and never had this problem with a vehicle. It is very dangerous in rainy or snowy conditions.

Windshield wiper retaining nut broke (where the built in washers are located), wipers failed during thunder storm, causing poor visibility.

Windshield washer switch repeatedly fails to operate washer. First failure was within the first 1000 miles of ownership. Dealer replaced the switch one time. Failure reoccured within hours. Dealer claimed the switch was ok next two times I asked for it to be fixed. Switch can be made to work by switching to high beams (wiper control is on same stalk). After you switch to high beams the switch may work for hours, minutes, days or seconds. It can be hazardous to switch to high beams when driving at night in traffic. Ford know these switches are defective and has done nothing.

The windshield wiper washer assembly was defective. It worked intermittently, and had been replaced 3 times.