[EME]

Well, they didn't see anything out of the ordinary though it took them 30 minutes, two blades, and removing the arm to install a new blade. The guy agreed that something is obviously not right and will be reporting this all back to customer service. He also took a copy of my invoices for the arm and blades and is going to talk with the service manager to see what can be done in the way of reimbursement.

 

[EME]

After going back and forth with GM, they came to the conclusion that it's my word against theirs whether it's a design issue or I'm an incompetent moron. For my troubles I'm receiving a $100 credit that I may use at my discretion at a GM dealership. While I will take and make use of the $100 credit, my whole point for contacting them was to shed light on multiple wiper design flaws that have impacted numerous owners.

 

[stoof]

Fortunately for me I found out through this forum about the delicate design of the rear wiper arm... then my brother had to go and clean my windows at a gas stop when he was travelling with me....AWW SNAP!!
Wish the 2013 arm would be compatible.

 

[rbarrios]

is this how you ended up driving down the road?

 

[snorander]

I broke the rear wiper arm on mine this summer. Puled it up off the glass a little to replace the blade and crack, it broke. I agree the old blade comes of way to hard and the new one goes in way to hard. You have to be super carefull when replacing them.

 

[pr@j]

I wonder if any of these GMC test monkeys did REAL world testing on these wipers? I haven't checked my user manual, but does anyone know if there are any instructions on how to do this correctly? I bet GM won't agree it's a design issue, and I am wondering if the techs were trained to just DISPOSE of the old wiper and replace it as a whole assembly, specifically for this reason.......I mean, it's a wiper for cryin' out loud...I get the model T FORD had a better design..................just my rant for the day......

 

[09Enclave]

I'm kind of wondering why the rear wiper would have to be replaced already, even on a vehicle several years old. (other than the OP with it breaking) I have not replaced any of my wipers, including the front ones, still have the originals and they work fine.  Also, if I ever do need a wiper for the rear, I'll either let my oil change place replace it, OR just go to the dealer.  IF either place breaks it, they should pay for a new one.

 

[EME]

I wonder if any of these GMC test monkeys did REAL world testing on these wipers? I haven't checked my user manual, but does anyone know if there are any instructions on how to do this correctly? I bet GM won't agree it's a design issue, and I am wondering if the techs were trained to just DISPOSE of the old wiper and replace it as a whole assembly, specifically for this reason.......I mean, it's a wiper for cryin' out loud...I get the model T FORD had a better design..................just my rant for the day......

I was standing there watching two techs trying to put the new blade on when one asked a third walking by how to do it. He said you just have to push really hard and try not to break it. The parts department only had two in stock. For wiper blades that seemed pretty low. Perhaps too much demand depleted the stock?

 

[pr@j]

I was standing there watching two techs trying to put the new blade on when one asked a third walking by how to do it. He said you just have to push really hard and try not to break it. The parts department only had two in stock. For wiper blades that seemed pretty low. Perhaps too much demand depleted the stock?

Wow....all I can say is WOW....i know it's a trivial part and probably doesn't require much skill/knowledge (hence my reference to the "monkeys") but come on guys...it's a wiper blade!!!!!!

 

[ilvrr1]

Just stopped at my dealer. Rear arm broke for third time. In process of correcting their previous problem, the arm is seized to the motor shaft. They are going to replace the entire motor assembly, arm and blade at no expense. Car is still under warranty.

 

[09Enclave]

Just stopped at my dealer. Rear arm broke for third time. In process of correcting their previous problem, the arm is seized to the motor shaft. They are going to replace the entire motor assembly, arm and blade at no expense. Car is still under warranty.

Wow, wonder if the Acadia's slightly different wiper design is not as good as the one on my Enclave. :shrug: I have not heard much of this talk on the Enclave forum, but sure sounds like Acadia owners are having a bugger of a time with them breaking. Wonder why they don't just use metal.

 

[Nvr2loud]

Wow, wonder if the Acadia's slightly different wiper design is not as good as the one on my Enclave. :shrug: I have not heard much of this talk on the Enclave forum, but sure sounds like Acadia owners are having a bugger of a time with them breaking. Wonder why they don't just use metal.

I've only heard about this problem on this forum, I've never had a problem with any of mine or heard of anyone off this forum with this problem. I don't understand why anyone even needs to touch the rear wiper except to replace the blade after a few years.

 

[09Enclave]

I've only heard about this problem on this forum, I've never had a problem with any of mine or heard of anyone off this forum with this problem. I don't understand why anyone even needs to touch the rear wiper except to replace the blade after a few years.

Very true, I never really touch mine. It will get the "wiper condom" when I go thru the automatic wash, the guys put on, but other than that, I'll never even touch it. If the vehicle is dirty enough to have the rear window dirty, I'll just use the washer/wiper until I go thru the wash next time. FWIW: I still have all my original blades, front and rear. That's about 55 months without having to change them. Perhaps my vehicle being garaged and only 29K miles has something to do with it also.

 

[compnurd]

Very true, I never really touch mine. It will get the "wiper condom" when I go thru the automatic wash, the guys put on, but other than that, I'll never even touch it. If the vehicle is dirty enough to have the rear window dirty, I'll just use the washer/wiper until I go thru the wash next time. FWIW: I still have all my original blades, front and rear. That's about 55 months without having to change them. Perhaps my vehicle being garaged and only 29K miles has something to do with it also.

Speaking of the rear wiper.. car wash took off the small plastic piece that covers the nut.... anyone seen this for sale?

 

[rbarrios]

I'm kind of wondering why the rear wiper would have to be replaced already, even on a vehicle several years old.(other than the OP with it breaking) I have not replaced any of my wipers, including the front ones, still have the originals and they work fine. Also, if I ever do need a wiper for the rear, I'll either let my oil change place replace it, OR just go to the dealer. IF either place breaks it, they should pay for a new one.

here in Souther California.
Heat. Ozone/Smog. Bird crap. Bug crap. take its toll on the rubber.

Now-- litte bug crap and bird crap will get baked on by the sun.
When you use the wiper fluid and wipers--- the bad design on the Lambdas is that the wipers wipe-- then fluid is squirted.
The 1st pass is rubber on dirt and dried crap. You can hear the wiper move over that stuff.....
eventuall the rubber is damaged and when it wipes you can tell where it was damaged... and soom youre left with little lines


On the Equinox/Terrain... at least on my 2013-- a nice feature is when you go to clean your windshield---- you hit the button and it squirts fluid 1st--- theres a little delay--- and then the wiper sweeps across..... now thats nice.

 

[xenon]

ilvrr1,
We're glad to hear that everything's being taken care of. Let us know if anything comes up that you would like for us to check into.
Sarah (Assisting Michelle), GMC Customer Service

 

[pr@j]

...When you use the wiper fluid and wipers--- the bad design on the Lambdas is that the wipers wipe-- then fluid is squirted.
The 1st pass is rubber on dirt and dried crap. You can hear the wiper move over that stuff.....
eventuall the rubber is damaged and when it wipes you can tell where it was damaged... and soom youre left with little lines
On the Equinox/Terrain... at least on my 2013-- a nice feature is when you go to clean your windshield---- you hit the button and it squirts fluid 1st--- theres a little delay--- and then the wiper sweeps across..... now thats nice.

I hear you on that feature, here up in Canada during the winter I find I have to switch the wiper on, and when it almost finishes it's first swipe, I quickly switch to FLUID mode and hold the button so the entire window gets washed by the fluid..........pain in the arse when you get dried up salt and sand crud on your windshield!

I wonder if they could just reprogram the wiper fluid cycle via the BCM...assuming it's coded at all....

 

[lamping.ap]

Just thought you guys may want to see this. (From the FSM)

Rear Window Wiper Blade Replacement (Acadia, Enclave, OUTLOOK)

Preliminary Procedures
•Remove the rear wiper arm from the vehicle. Refer to Rear Window Wiper Arm Replacement .
•Hold the arm stationary and rotate the blade in a vertical position.
•Additional effort is required to push and install the wiper blade on and off from the wiper arm.

1.Rear Window Wiper Blade Assembly
Tip
The wiper blade is fully secured to the wiper arm when an audible click noise is heard.

 

[ilvrr1]

Dealership (Matthews Auto, Vestal, NY) completely replaced my motor, arm and blade for my rear wiper under 3/36 warranty for the third time. One happy customer - I sure hope it lasts. Thanks Michelle for your offer to step in.

 

[Nvr2loud]

here in Souther California.
Heat. Ozone/Smog. Bird crap. Bug crap. take its toll on the rubber.

Now-- litte bug crap and bird crap will get baked on by the sun.
When you use the wiper fluid and wipers--- the bad design on the Lambdas is that the wipers wipe-- then fluid is squirted.
The 1st pass is rubber on dirt and dried crap. You can hear the wiper move over that stuff.....
eventuall the rubber is damaged and when it wipes you can tell where it was damaged... and soom youre left with little lines


On the Equinox/Terrain... at least on my 2013-- a nice feature is when you go to clean your windshield---- you hit the button and it squirts fluid 1st--- theres a little delay--- and then the wiper sweeps across..... now thats nice.

Thanks for explaining that, I've only ever changed wipers that have physically fallen apart, and typically that is 6 - 7 years old. My Sierra might have the originals on it, they are completely grey now from fading.