California Lemon Law and Malfunctioning Wiper Motors

Windshield wipers are one of those features you don’t think about—until they fail in the middle of a storm. If your wiper motor keeps quitting, moving erratically, or working only sometimes, it’s more than an inconvenience; it can be a serious safety issue. This article explains how California’s Lemon Law can apply to malfunctioning wiper motors and outlines practical steps you can take to protect your rights.

When Wiper Motors Fail: California Lemon Law

A wiper motor controls the speed and movement of your windshield wipers. When it malfunctions, you might see slow or stuck wipers, intermittent operation, blown fuses, grinding noises, or wipers parking in the wrong position. In heavy rain, that kind of failure can make driving dangerous by drastically reducing visibility.

California’s Lemon Law (part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act) protects consumers when a manufacturer or its authorized dealer can’t fix a substantial defect in a reasonable number of attempts during the warranty period. “Substantial” generally means the issue impairs the vehicle’s use, value, or safety—and wiper motor failures often qualify because they directly affect safe driving. The law can apply to many new vehicles and certain used vehicles sold or leased in California that are still under the manufacturer’s warranty.

There’s also a “lemon law presumption” that can make claims easier to prove if problems occur within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles from delivery. Under that presumption, your vehicle may be considered a lemon if, for example, the same defect has been subject to multiple repair attempts (often two or more for serious safety issues, or four or more for non-safety defects) or has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days. Even if you’re outside those time and mileage thresholds, you may still have rights—every situation turns on its specific facts, documentation, and warranty status.

Steps to Take if Your Wiper Motor Keeps Failing

First, schedule service with an authorized dealer as soon as possible and describe exactly what happens and when (e.g., “Wipers stop after 10 minutes in steady rain” or “Wipers only work on high, then seize”). Ask that the repair order include your full complaint in your own words. Request copies of all repair orders and invoices showing the dates, mileage, diagnostic steps, parts replaced (like the wiper motor, relay, or control module), and the dealer’s findings.

Document the problem thoroughly. Keep a log of each incident including date, weather conditions, speed, warning lights, and whether the issue is intermittent. If it’s safe to do so, take short videos of the symptoms. Check for recalls or Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) that relate to wiper systems, and avoid DIY fixes that could affect warranty coverage. If the dealer can’t duplicate the issue, ask them to note your detailed description and the conditions under which it happens.

If repeated repair attempts don’t resolve the wiper motor failures, consider speaking with a lemon law attorney about your options, which may include a manufacturer repurchase, replacement, or other remedies where appropriate. You can also contact the vehicle manufacturer to open a case and ask about any dispute resolution programs they offer. Because these matters are fact-specific, getting a consultation can help you understand how the law may apply to your situation—without making assumptions about the outcome.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney–client relationship with ZapLemon. Every case is unique; consult an attorney to obtain advice about your specific situation.