NHTSA Complaint #737804 — 2000 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE

TO MINIMIZE WINDSHIELD WIPER BREAKAGE MANUFACTURER HAS CONVERTED THE CAR INTO A DEATHTRAP. SNOW AND ICE MUST BE REMOVED FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE WIPERS. IF WIPER OPERATION IS TESTED TO DETERMINE IF THE WIPERS ARE FREE, AND THIS INDEED NOT THE CASE, A SERIOUS PROBLEM ARISES. THE NUT HOLDING THE WIPER ASSEMBLY LOOSENS VERY READILY UNDER VERY LITTLE STRAIN. AFTER SOME INTERVAL THE DRIVER OPERATING UNDER INCLEMENT CONDITIONS FINDS HE HAS VERY LIMITED OR NO VISIBILITY WHEN THE WIPERS CEASE TO FUNCTION OR FUNCTION ERRATICALLY. IN MY CASE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE RIGHT WIPER CAME OVER THE LEFT WIPER, PINNING BOTH IN PLACE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER. UPON CONTACTING THE DEALER I FOUND THIS WAS A VERY COMMON, FREQUENT OCCURENCE VERY FAMILIAR TO THEIR MAINTAINANCE DEPARTMENT. THE WIPERS CAN NOT NORMALLY BE REPAIRED OR RENDERED OPERABLE ON THE SPOT, (WHO CARRIES THE CORRECT SIZE METRIC WRENCH OR IS AWARE OF THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENT ?). THE OWNERS MANUAL DOES NOT WARN OF THIS DEADLY HAZARD, OR PROVIDE INFORMATION ON REPAIR OR ADJUSTMENT. I DO NOT BELIEVE AN AUTOMOBILE SO EQUIPPED IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN WINTER WHEATHER. NO ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE OCCURRED IN MY CASE. THE POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGE AND DEATH, HOWEVER, SEEM ENORMOUS. *AK