NHTSA Complaint #11296949 — 2015 FORD F-150

WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTINUE TO OPERATE IN LOW INTERMITTENT WHEN THE SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION - THE DRIVER CANNOT TURN OFF THE WIPERS. ANY TIME THE TRUCK'S ENGINE IS ON, THE WIPERS RUN. FORD MOTOR COMPANY PUBLISHED ONLINE TSB 15-0061 ON APRIL 27, 2015, WHICH ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM FOR MODEL YEARS 2011-2014 FOR EXPLORERS, F150'S, EDGES, MKX'S AND F-SUPER DUTY VEHICLES. THE BULLETIN CALL FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A "NEW WIPER/MALFUNCTION SWITCH, WHICH AT MY DEALER COSTS $900. OBVIOUSLY, A VEHICLE CANNOT BE SAFELY OPERATED WITH THE WIPER RUNNING IN DRY WEATHER. EVENTUALLY, THE WIPER BLADES WOULD MELT AND STREAK THE WINDSHIELD, THUS BLURRING THE DRIVER'S VISION. REPAIRING THE PROBLEM IS NOT IS NOT OPTIONAL, IT MUS BE DONE. FORD KNEW IT HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE EQUIPMENT IN MODEL YEARS 2011-2014. I HAVE A 2015 AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. NOT ONLY HAVE THEY NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM INN NEWER MODELS, THEY FAILED TO RE-ENGINEER THE WIPER SYSTEM TO MAKE THE REPAIR LESS COSTLY. REPLACING THE SWITCH REQUIRES DISASSEMBLING AND REASSEMBLING THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH IS LABOR INTENSIVE AND THUS EXPENSIVE. FORD HAS MANAGED TO LIMIT ITS EXPOSURE BY CALLING THE PROBLEM A WARRANTY ISSUE. I COMMUTE 80 MILES A DAY IN METRO ATLANTA. THE WEATHER HAS BEEN RELATIVELY DRY IN RECENT YEARS, SO I BLEW THROUGH THE MILEAGE LIMITS ON THE WARRANTY WITH LITTLE NEED TO USE MY WIPERS. WORKING WIPERS ARE NECESSARY SAFETY EQUIPMENT. FORD KNEW THEY HAD A PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS, BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE. THE COST IS NOT AFFORDABLE FOR MANY AMERICANS. FORD SHOULD BARE THE BURDEN OF REPAIRING EQUIPMENT THAT THEY KNEW WAS FAULTY, BUT CONTINUED TO INSTALL IN NEW VEHICLES.