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Archive articleThis article covers a real industry development from the indicated week. It was independently written and first published by Auto Glass Shop News on August 21, 2026.
Safety & RecallsArchive week: August 9, 2024 4 min read

Ford Recalls 37,000 Bronco Sports, Mavericks, and Mustang Mach-Es for Wiper Motors That Can Seize

Water intrusion from a sealer gap at the wiper motor housing caused potential motor failure, impairing front-wiper operation on three separate Ford models under NHTSA recall 24V594000.

Illustrated portrait for Ethan
By
Ethan
ADAS & Technology Editor

The second week of August 2024 brought another Ford wiper-system recall to the industry's attention, extending a pattern of Ford windshield-wiper safety actions that had included multiple F-150 recalls in 2022 and 2023. Ford was recalling approximately 37,371 vehicles across three models—certain 2023 Bronco Sports, 2023–2024 Mavericks, and 2023 Mustang Mach-Es—for windshield wiper motors that could cease operating.

Ford's investigation, documented in materials the company submitted to NHTSA on August 9, identified water intrusion as the root cause. Specifically, a failure to correctly apply sealer between the wiper motor's gear cover and gear housing allowed moisture to enter the motor assembly. The wiper motors determined to be affected were manufactured in two production windows: June 18, 2023, and September 13, 2023.

The NHTSA report stated that inoperable wiper motors stop the windshield wipers, impairing driver visibility during rain or precipitation—the primary driving scenario in which wipers are critical to safety. Ford reported no accidents or injuries related to the condition as of the recall filing date.

Dealers were instructed to inspect the wiper motors and replace them where necessary at no charge. Owner notification letters were scheduled for mailing August 26, 2024. Owners could contact Ford customer service or NHTSA's safety hotline with questions.

For auto glass shops, the wiper-system context matters whenever windshield replacements are performed. A failed or failing wiper motor can damage a newly installed windshield if the wiper arm moves erratically or falls against the glass. Shops should test wiper operation before and after any windshield replacement, and if a wiper system fault is detected, inform the customer of any open recalls before completing the installation.

The Bronco Sport, Maverick, and Mach-E are all relatively recent-model vehicles with ADAS cameras positioned at the windshield top. A wiper motor failure on these vehicles is not just a visibility concern—it can also deposit debris across the camera's field of view during precipitation, potentially impairing ADAS performance even after the motor itself is repaired.

Key Takeaways

  • •NHTSA recall 24V594000 covers about 37,371 Ford Bronco Sports (2023), Mavericks (2023–2024), and Mustang Mach-Es (2023) for windshield wiper motors susceptible to water intrusion and potential seizure.
  • •The root cause was a failure to apply sealer correctly between the motor's gear cover and housing; dealers inspect and replace motors at no charge, with owner letters mailed August 26, 2024.
  • •Glass shops should test wiper operation before and after windshield replacements on ADAS-equipped vehicles; a failing wiper motor can compromise both the new glass installation and camera visibility.