83 problems related to windshield wiper/washer have been reported for the 1999 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Windshield wipers go on for no reason, sometimes when signaling.
The windshield wiper starts up when the controls are not activated. 30 - 60 seconds later it will start again.
Windshield wipers randomly activate, cycle once, then return to parked position. This could easily distract a driver and this lapse of attention could cause an accident.
Windshield wipers keep getting worse. They activate on their own every 2 to 30 sec. Dealer cannot fix the problem.
Windshield wipers come on at will, and high speed won't operate. Twice have been caught in very heavy rain and unable to see safely without high speed wipers. Dealer has seen vehicle twice, and still not fixed. Second part on order, and no call from dealer within promised time period. Second defect first occurred on the date of this complaint---rear wiper/washer would not operate at all. After vehicle turned off and sat approximately one hour, rear wiper then worked. Seems to be an electrical problem, like the front wipers. Third defect is noisy front passenger seat seat belt anchor.
Windshield wipers come on without turning the switch on and when you need them working they work only in low speed. They come on while driving over small bumps, or just come on intermittently. Dealer seen car in Jun-1999, 4 monts later problem stil exist. Dealer can't fix the problem.
I have complained a few times about the problem, the dealer keeps telling me the part is still on back order (4 months).
Wipers cycle when turn signal actuated. Wipers cycle for no reason. Wipers work on high speed only intermittently if at all. Wipers always work on low and intermittent speeds.
Part on order for 6 weeks.
We are one of the apparent 1. 5 million vechicle owners effected by the random operation of our windshield wipers (front). The problem seems to occur while using or just after using the left turn signal.
The wipers go on at will; stop at will; raining or not raining. Intermittent. Have no fast wiper speed or windshield washer. Dealer ordered part (stick for wipers/turn signal). It just came in. I'll see if that fixes the problem.
Windshield wipers would not work properly. Very erratic. Come on/off by themselves. The problem is getting worse. Causing the driver to have poor visibility in the rain. Had wipers repaired by dealer once. Now informed manufacturer is redesigning wiper part & will not repair.
Since March the windshield wipers have repeatedly gone on whenever they felt like it. The safety issue comes into play when you have them on regular speed and want to have them go faster and they do not sometimes work faster or they are going faster and slow down to regular speed. They have at times not gone on at all. We contacted the dealer and they said thay were waiting for a replacement gem module. I also contacted Ford motor and they said they were waiting for a fix. This seems to be a very long wait for something that is a safety issue.
Windshield wipers stay on. Consumer has the switch set at off, and the windshield wipers still come on.
Windshield wipers operate erratically, and unreliably. . . . . . . Turning on by themselves and when turn signals activated, turning off/changing speeds by themselves when turned on.
Windshield wipers do not work properly, they come on when the turn signal not is activated, and when they are needed they do not activate. Dealer has been contacted.
Persistent problem with the windshield wipers turning on and off by themselves indicating a problem and questioning their realiability. Both the dealer and Ford motor corp. Indicated they knew of problems of this nature with this model vechicle but said they would not have a solution till maybe the end of the year.
Windshield wipers will turn on by themselves with switch turned off and will not go into in fast speed, causing poor visibility. Wipers also turn on by themselves when vehicle hits a bump and sometimes when vehicle is started. Parts on back order for 2 weeks.
Windshield wipers come on when hitting a bump or when turning on the turn signals. Also the wipers will cut off when turn signals are applied if already on. Happens intermittently.
Front windshield wipers turn on at times and can not be stopped. Also at times will not go to high speed wiping, seems to usually happen immediately after wipers come on by themselves. I just returned from a trip and determined that this usually happens near traffic lights or in valleys, so it may be radio frequency related.
Windshield wipers will come on, engaging without owner touching controls. Please describe details.
Windsheild wipers work intermittently. Now the wipers do not come on at all. Dealer says parts are on back order.
Windhshield wipers will turn on by themselves with switch turned off, causing distraction to driver.
Windshield wipers fail sometimes, causing poor visibility.
Windshield wipers come on unexpectedly and cycle once; will stop when operating at normal speed; will not operate on high speed. Repair part (module) (xl2z-14b05-bb) is not available from Ford motor CO.
The windshield wipers cut off without application. Dealer can't find the soulution for problem.
Windsheild wipers cut off every 5 minutes without warning. Dealer is aware of problem, but has no solution.
Intermittently windshield wipers will come on by themselves. Owner had to remove the fuse. The dealer has been notified.
Windshield wipers will turn on by themselves, distracting consumer and scratching windshield .
Windshield wipers come on without turning the switch on. This problem occurs intermittently. Dealer has seen vehicle. Problem still exists.
The windshield wipers will start up and intermittently cut off. Dealer does not know the solution for it.
Windshield wipers operate erratically. They just come on whenever they feel like without being activated. . Dealer has been contacted.
While driving and without warning windshield wipers will turn on without switching wipers on.
When making a right or left turn or just turning the steering wheel, windshield wipers come on due to a defective module. Consumer has been waiting five months for parts.
Windshield wipers come on by themselves. When it rains, windshield wipers slow down to almost a non-operating mode. Dealer has not seen vehicle.