NHTSA Complaint #11617596 — 2023 VOLVO XC60

I am writing to address a recurring safety issue with my 2023 Volvo XC60 B5 AWD related to the windshield wipers. I believe this issue poses a serious safety risk. Specifically, when snow accumulates in the area where the wiper arms retract—hidden behind the hood for aerodynamic and stylistic reasons—the wipers stop functioning until the snow is cleared. This has happened to me twice during the winter of 2022-2023 and once during the winter of 2023-2024. While driving in heavy snow, the wipers would suddenly cease movement when sufficient snow accumulated in that “well”. There were no warning lights of any kind. This was sometimes triggered by braking, which caused snow to slide off the roof into that area. Once the snow accumulates to a certain level, the wipers become inoperable, resulting in zero visibility. This situation demands immediate action, regardless of my surroundings. Fortunately, on all occasions, I was on quiet roads, allowing me to stop safely. However, during the first incident, I was caught off guard and collided with a snowbank at low speed, causing no damage. Clearing the snow from the wiper well is not straightforward. The wiper arms must be placed in service mode to access that area, but they will not do so once they have stopped functioning. After the initial incidents in 2022-2023, I took my vehicle to the dealer, who evaluated the issue and “reset” the wipers. Unfortunately, this was after the snow season, so I couldn't determine if it made a difference until the following winter. Although the winter of 2023-2024 was relatively mild, the problem resurfaced during a late-season storm. I am particularly concerned about the potential consequences if these incidents were to occur at higher speeds on a busy highway. The risk of a serious crash involving myself and my passengers is significant.