NHTSA Complaint #11240488 — 2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU

2012 CHEVY MALIBU, WINDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TODAY, DURING A RAINSTORM, WHEN THE WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON MI 696. I WAS ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT SEE AT ALL DO TO THE FAILED WIPER TRANSMISSION BUSHING. THIS NOT ONLY PUT MYSELF IN DANGER BUT OTHER DRIVERS AS WELL. I COULD NOT SEE AT ALL AND CAUSED MANY OTHER DRIVERS TO SWERVE OUT OF THEIR LANES AT 70 MPH. PLASTIC BUSHINGS ARE USED ON THE WIPER TRANSMISSION (LINKAGE) WHICH HAS BEEN A COMMONLY REPORTED EVENT. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW WHICH IS CAUSING THE WIPERS TO FAIL, MAKING VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER IMPOSSIBLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. GM ONLY OFFERS A REPLACEMENT WIPER TRANSMISSION WITH THE SAME PLASTIC BUSHINGS THAT KEEP FAILING. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT WOULD HAVE A MINIMAL COST IF THEY USED METAL BUSHINGS. THIS PLASTIC BUSHING MAY EVENTUALLY KILL SOMEONE FROM FAILED WIPER USAGE.