While not considered a significant expense, understanding the associated costs will help you decide which mechanic is best suited to repair it while staying under budget.
Pro tip: Before taking your car to any mechanic, it’s always best to obtain multiple quotes. If your car is newer, contact the dealership service department to check if the repair is covered under your warranty.
Why do windshield wiper motor repair costs vary?
Assuming that your wiper blade motor is damaged and needs to be replaced, several variables affect what you’ll pay for this service:
- Location: Generally, a metro area repair facility charges a premium for labor compared to a rural location, but it will also usually charge less for parts. The average price difference is around 25%.
- Type of replacement parts: The general rule of thumb is that OEM replacement parts are more expensive than aftermarket alternatives.
- Popular brands and vehicles are more likely to have an ample supply of replacement parts available to the mechanic, while rare or discontinued models may require extensive supply chain sourcing.
- Time spent on repairs: Some vehicles can be very challenging to access and replace the wiper motor, including hybrids, EVs, luxury performance cars, trucks and SUVs. This results in more labor hours being charged to the customer.
- Domestic or import sedan or coupe average: 2 hours of labor
- Luxury, European, or performance vehicle average: 4 hours of labor
- Vehicle make, model and year: A general rule of thumb is that domestic vehicles typically cost less to repair than imports, while luxury brands command premium prices for both parts and labor.
- Specialty tools required: Some vehicles need specific diagnostic equipment or removal tools that add to shop overhead costs.
- Repair shop type: Dealerships offer expertise and warranty coverage but charge premium rates for basic mechanical repairs, like a wiper windshield motor repair. Local independent general mechanic shops typically offer competitive pricing, but they may not provide warranties or the same level of quality as a brand-specific specialist in repair or replacement.
Related services and associated parts
The windshield wiper system involves multiple, independent components to function safely and effectively. If you’re going to have the wiper motor repaired or replaced, it’s wise to consider bundling other parts and pieces to the repair to ensure your wipers operate as intended when you leave the mechanic.
Bundling these repairs may not save you a lot of money upfront, as each replacement is billed as an individual service. The main savings to you will be reducing future repairs by being proactive.
Here are a few other services we’d recommend adding on:
- Wiper fluid pump and housing: Your wiper fluid container or housing is made of high-strength plastic. However, it can crack over time, and hoses attached to this container can begin to leak. Ask your mechanic for an estimate for installing a new wiper fluid housing, the hoses and possibly the pump.
- Wiper motor arms & linkage: If the electrical motor that operates the wiper blades is being repaired and not replaced, it’s a good idea to ask the mechanic to also replace the arms and linkage that operate the wiper blades, as these parts typically wear out at the same time.
- Fresh wiper blades: It’s recommended by most auto manufacturers that you replace your windshield wiper blades every six months (and the cost of replacing new blades is minimal).
Can I repair a windshield wiper motor myself?
We don’t recommend attempting to repair your own windshield wiper motor unless you’re experienced in diagnostics or electrical repairs and have plenty of patience. This type of repair is classified as intermediate, meaning you should have experience with hand tools and working in tight spaces.
While the physical process of removing the wiper motor and replacing it with a new unit is intermediate in terms of mechanical skill, accessing it and ensuring you’re making the proper repairs is more problematic.
The main issue DIY enthusiasts experience is the removal of ancillary components like the dashboard, trim pieces, fuel system filters or engine covers. If the issue is related to an electrical fault, like the aforementioned relay or fuses, you’ll also need a multimeter and an electrical system diagram for your specific vehicle.
Adding to the complexity and risk of DIY repairs is the potential of damaging the Electrical Control Unit (ECU) or control module. A faulty electrical connection can quickly send trouble codes to the ECU and turn off other electrical systems such as brake lights, turn signals and some safety systems.
If the ECU is damaged, the repair can only be completed by a certified dealership, as these systems are extremely complex and require advanced diagnostic tools to identify root issues. On average, the replacement cost will exceed a minimum of $1,000.
What’s involved in a windshield wiper motor repair job?
If the technician has determined that your windshield wiper motor is damaged, they will guide you to a replacement instead of trying to repair individual components within the housing unit.
If the mechanic determines that the wiper motor needs to be replaced, most repair shops will charge between two – four hours of labor for this job. Repairs to electrical supporting parts, like relays or fuses, will typically be charged at one to two hours.
Every experienced mechanic knows the value of sticking to a dedicated process when diagnosing, repairing and testing automotive issues. While individual brands, makes and models have unique best practices, general wiper motor replacement follows a systematic process:
Step 1 — Disable electrical system: Before any repairs are started, the electrical system must be disabled for the technician’s safety and to reduce the potential of other electrical faults being created.
Step 2 — Removal of damaged components: If the motor is indeed damaged, the mechanic will likely recommend replacing the entire unit. They will remove any supporting components to ensure they can easily access the wiper motor and complete the replacement efficiently. This variable will impact the labor hours charged.
- If the repair involves additional labor to remove and reinstall additional components, it’s not uncommon for the shop to add an additional two – four additional hours of labor.
Step 3 — Reassembly: In reverse order, the mechanic will reinstall all parts and pieces to ensure all fasteners and trim pieces are secure.
Step 4 — Functional testing: The final step is testing the complete wiper motor system from the driver’s point of view. This verifies proper operation at all speeds and positions.
Where can I get a wiper motor repair done?
Finding the right shop for wiper motor repair requires balancing cost, convenience and quality considerations. Whether this comes from your individual research or pre-vetted referrals from experts in the industry, choosing the right mechanic is vital to ensure the repairs are done correctly the first time. Here are some insider tips:
- If you have a trusted mechanic who knows your car, start by visiting them for a repair estimate.
- If you don’t have a trusted shop, use a search engine to find a local mechanic who lists windshield wiper motor repairs as one of their services. Check their Google My Business Consumer reviews and specifically search for pricing, quality of service and experience working on your specific type of vehicle.
- Always get quotes from at least two different shops, including a dealership that services and sells your brand of vehicle. This will provide a good comparison of a similar scope of work.
- That said, don’t always choose the lowest price. In many situations, choosing the cheapest option will result in poor quality repairs.
FAQs
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Can I drive with a faulty wiper motor?
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Will insurance cover wiper motor repair?
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Is wiper motor replacement covered under warranty?
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How long do wiper motors typically last?
A published columnist, automotive journalist, former service writer and ASE Automobile & Light Truck Certified technician (A1 – A9 – 1996 – 2006), Tim Charlet brings nearly four decades of automotive communication experience to the team at Jerry.
Charlet has written more than 10,000 articles, blogs and technical manuals for the automotive industry. His experience working with OEM & aftermarket manufacturers, enterprise-level dealerships and private service technicians provides him with a unique perspective on how modern cars, trucks and SUVs operate and are serviced.
Additionally, his years of digital marketing content & public relations experience provide a conversational, yet easy-to-follow writing style for both professionals and general consumers.
Along with writing for Jerry, Charlet also works with multiple automotive detailing product manufacturers, creating user-friendly and eco-friendly detailing and vehicle protection liquids.
He is also the co-founder of Right2Breathe.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness for COPD, Asthma and other respiratory diseases within the automotive industries.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
