Tesla, Inc
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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moderate 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Windshield wiper failure can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 2024 Cybertruck has multiple visibility-related issues that crop up in real driving. Most common is washer fluid spray that doesn't reach the whole windshield—owners describe spray arcs and inadequate coverage, especially on the passenger side, leaving streaks and haze that actually worsen visibility. The wiper blade itself doesn't press hard enough against the glass, so it smears rather than cleans, even with the washer fluid running. One owner said they felt unable to drive safely in bad weather because of it.
The auto-wipe system acts erratically. It dry-wipes the windshield repeatedly when it's clean, or fails to run when it's covered in rain and road salt. This has been unacknowledged for months, according to owners. A few owners report mechanical failure—strange noises, smoke, and the blade spinning 360 degrees before detaching altogether.
Tesla issued recalls 24V-456 and 24V-457 in June 2024, but service appointments are booked weeks out. Some owners had wipers replaced under warranty and found the replacement was faulty and more dangerous than the original. Owners also report windshield adhesive separation and rear-camera blindness in rain. Service accessibility is a barrier—wait times a month or longer, with Tesla initially denying awareness of the widespread problem.
Washer fluid spray insufficient or misdirected, leaving streaks instead of cleaning. Owners report arcs and droplet patterns on windshield from inconsistent spray coverage.
When: During highway driving with road debris; immediately upon activation
Symptoms owners cite: Insufficient washer fluid output; Streaking and haze on windshield after spraying; Spray arcs visible on glass; Fluid concentrated in some areas, missing passenger side
Repairs/costs cited: Service agents reported system operating as designed; some owners attempted multiple manual cleaning and pump verification
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla customer service initially stated no one else was complaining and system working 100% as designed; some owners mentioned corporate planning OTA update
Wiper blade does not maintain adequate downward pressure on windshield, resulting in smearing and streaking. Unable to clear water, salt, or debris regardless of prolonged use.
When: Activated manually or through automated wipe feature; occurs on every drive with wet or dirty windshield
Symptoms owners cite: Streaks and smearing on windshield; Complete inability to clear water or road debris; Reduced visibility to unsafe levels; Wiper failure to contact glass properly
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners had wiper blade or wiper motor replaced under warranty; one replacement reported as faulty and more dangerous than original
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls 24V-456 and 24V-457 issued June 19, 2024; however, appointments booked weeks in advance and vehicles not immediately added to recall list
Auto-wipe system triggers unpredictably, dry wiping glass repeatedly when no precipitation present, or failing to activate during wet conditions. Reduces windshield clarity and affects camera-based safety systems.
When: Every drive, multiple times daily, regardless of weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrolled dry wiping when windshield is clean; Failure to activate in wet conditions; Manual override not preventing activation; Visibility degradation from repeated dry wipes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Identified as software bug unfixed and unacknowledged by Tesla for over 6 months
Wiper motor failure with unusual sounds and smoke generation. Wiper arm unable to maintain position; blade detachment or 360-degree rotation of arm.
When: During rain storm and wet conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Weird noise from motor; Smoke or burning visible at front of vehicle; Wiper blade partial operation (one side only); Sudden shutdown of wiper; Wiper arm rotation 360 degrees; Wiper blade detachment
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required towing to Tesla service
Front windshield adhesive separating from frame; actual windshield glass delaminating. Creates driving hazard, especially with direct sunlight.
When: Not specified; identified during normal use
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield adhesive visibly separating; Glass delamination visible; Hazardous condition during sunlight
Rainwater and moisture accumulating on rear camera lens, creating complete blindness of rear-view camera display during wet weather.
When: During rain and wet conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Rear camera display totally obscured by water droplets; Complete loss of rear visibility in rain; Camera unable to shed water or clear automatically
Wiper blade falling off without warning or detaching during operation. Tesla attributed to wear and tear; unable to schedule service appointments within reasonable timeframe.
When: Without warning; one incident during rain
Symptoms owners cite: Wiper blade falls off completely; No functional wiping capability afterward
Repairs/costs cited: Service wait time one month or longer
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
During back camera was covered with rain, rear view was totally blind bec of rain drops. It's unsafe with rain and back camera totally covered with rain drop
I was driving in a rain storm and the wiper started to malfunction. Would only clean half the windshield. Then shut off completely. Made a weird noise and started smoking in the front.Started working for on wipe then did a 360 on front end of the car. Wiper blade flew off and wiper arm Would not stay in position. Was able To get home but had to get the car towed to Tesla.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover visibility issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.