2022-2026 Honda Civic/CR-V/HR-V Front Wiper Motor Inop

Symptoms of Front Wiper Motor Inop

Owners of certain 2022-2026 Honda Civic, 2023-2026 Honda CR-V, and 2023-2026 Honda HR-V vehicles may experience issues with their front windshield wipers. The primary symptom is the front wiper motors being inoperative, meaning the wipers do not function when activated. Additionally, some vehicles may exhibit wipers that appear misaligned from their normal resting position on the windshield.

This condition, referred to as "Front Wiper Motor Inop," can impair visibility during inclement weather, posing a safety concern. If you notice your front wipers are not working consistently or are positioned incorrectly, it is important to have your vehicle inspected.

Honda's Investigation

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHM) has initiated an investigation into customer complaints concerning the front wiper motors in certain 2022-2026 Honda Civic, 2023-2026 Honda CR-V, and 2023-2026 Honda HR-V models. The goal of this investigation is to thoroughly understand the underlying cause of this condition before any repair attempts are made.

To facilitate this, AHM is requesting that dealerships identify and report vehicles that meet specific criteria for inspection. This proactive approach aims to gather comprehensive data directly from affected vehicles to determine the root cause of the Honda CR-V front wiper motor inop and related issues.

Qualifying Conditions for Inspection

AHM is specifically interested in vehicles that meet the following strict requirements for their investigation into the Honda CR-V front wiper motor inop and similar models:

• Consistent Failure: Both front motor wipers must be consistently inoperative, with no intermittent functionality.
• Photo Documentation: A close-up photo of the edge of the passenger wiper blade (part number 76630) to the cowl top (part number 74218) must be captured.
• Previous Replacements: Vehicles that have had previous windshield, cowl top, or wiper replacements are acceptable.
• Undamaged Linkage: The linkage connecting the motor and the passenger side wiper arm joint must not be damaged or disconnected.
• No Abnormal Noises: The front wiper motors should not exhibit abnormal or grinding noises.
• No Prior Front-End Collisions: The vehicle must not have been involved in any front-end collisions.
• No Prior Repairs: No repairs or disassembling of any parts related to this issue should have been attempted on the vehicle during the current visit.

Important Warnings

American Honda has issued specific instructions to dealerships regarding this investigation. It is crucial for owners to be aware of these points:

• No Repairs Before Inspection: Dealers are explicitly instructed not to attempt any repairs or disassemble parts related to the wiper issue before AHM has had an opportunity to inspect the vehicle. This is to ensure the integrity of the vehicle's condition for diagnostic purposes.
• Target Audience: The original communication states, "This message is solely directed to Acura dealership personnel; please handle it accordingly." While this appears to be a typo and likely intended for Honda dealerships, it emphasizes the internal nature of this communication and the specific handling instructions for service staff.

What Owners Should Do

If your 2022-2026 Honda Civic, 2023-2026 Honda CR-V, or 2023-2026 Honda HR-V is experiencing an inoperative front wiper motor or misaligned wipers, and you believe it meets the qualifying conditions, you should contact your authorized Honda dealership. The dealership will need to verify if your vehicle qualifies for AHM's investigation.

If your vehicle qualifies, the dealership will contact Honda's Technical Information & Support (TIS) group. They will need to provide specific information, including the model year, model name, a description of the issue (e.g., Honda CR-V front wiper motor inop), your VIN, dealer details, your name, contact number, current mileage, confirmation of the qualifying conditions, and a DPTS#.

This process allows AHM to collect vital information directly from affected vehicles to determine the cause and potential future remedies for this issue. Technicians who successfully identify and report a qualifying vehicle that is accepted for inspection may receive a VISA gift card as a gesture of appreciation from AHM.

NHTSA Source Citation

NHTSA ID: 11024907