Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement Cost

Updated on December 27, 2023 | Written by Alec Pow
This article was researched using publicly available sources. See our methodology and corrections policy.

The windshield wipers are included in the design of modern cars to ensure that the driver can see the road perfectly in any weather conditions outside the vehicle. These wipers are designed to remove dirt, snow, and water from the windscreen surface instantly. Since safe driving depends directly on how clean the vehicle’s windows are, driving with improper wipers is prohibited in most countries.

The windshield wipers are operated by a little motor, which like any other car part may fail along time and need to be replaced.

How Much Does a Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement Cost?

The cost of a windshield wiper motor replacement is influenced by some factors such as the make and model of your car, the mechanic you choose for fixing this problem, and the place you purchase the parts from.

You might also like our articles on the cost to replace the windshield, the passenger or driver side window, or to install a sunroof.

You should expect to spend, on average, for the complete job, including the parts anywhere between $135 and $450 (at $30 per hour, earning that amount would take about 0.6 to 1.9 full-time workdays, before taxes) in case you choose to go to a mechanic. On the other hand, if you want to replace the windshield wiper motor by yourself, you will have to pay only for the parts which will be anywhere between $55 and $320. Obviously, the costs for vintage or luxury car models are higher.

It would take around one hour to replace a windshield wiper motor and depending on the mechanic’s hourly rate, the labor costs would be anywhere between $85 and $125.

According to the Car Parts Warehouse, you should plan on spending anywhere between $65 and more than $420 for replacing a windshield wiper motor.

In the table below you will find the average costs for the windshield wiper motor replacement in different types of cars.

Car Make and Model	Average Total	Labor	Parts
Dodge Caravan	$250	$100	$150
Toyota Camry	$400	$100	$300
Ford Taurus	$400	$125	$275
Chevy Cruze	$180	$80	$100
Ford F-150	$225	$95	$130
Honda Civic	$170	$80	$90

Windshield wiper motor details

The wiper motor, also known as the windshield wiper motor, provides the vehicle exclusively with the wiper linkage and the force required to operate steadily at very low speeds. These small flexible devices of 12-volts are built on this principle, just like any electrical and electronic device in the vehicle. Windscreen wiper motors are characterized by high strength and durability, as well as quiet operation. Other benefits include low power consumption and low manufacturing costs.

The wiper motor is installed on the windscreen wiper at the rear of the engine compartment, directly under the car body plate. Designed as a geared motor, it is often mounted on a type of motherboard and storage unit via a one-speed worm shaft. On this wheel, there is a lever (a small lever) mounted, connected to the wiper link. Thus, the wiper motor can generate high torque even at low speeds, the rotor being designed as a twelve-pole T-type anchor.

For rear wipers, a smaller windshield wiper motor is usually installed, but it works on the same principle as a gear motor.

What are the extra costs?

In most cases, when replacing the windshield wiper motor mechanics will want to replace the wiper blades as well. Expect to pay around $25 (about 50 minutes at $30 per hour) for these.

Important things to consider

Verify the fuse to see if it has not malfunctioned before even considering replacing the motor. It is very possible that you may need a $5 fuse and spending almost $320 (about 1.3 full-time workdays at $30 per hour) to replace the entire motor will turn out to be useless.

Always make sure you purchase the exact motor for your make and model of car because otherwise, the part will not fit. Also, pay attention to the voltage. You can find motors of 6, 12, or 24 volts on the market.

Some of the common symptoms of a faulty windshield motor can include: the wipers are not able to stop in their natural position, the wipers are moving slowly, the wipers are operating at one speed or the wipers are not turning off.

The service life is often the same as that of the car itself, but it can be damaged when overloaded, such as when the wipers are slightly frozen in the winter, so it will need to be replaced.

How can I save money?

If you have an idea about how to fix a car, you can replace the windshield wiper motor by yourself. Also, you can find many step-by-step tutorials and guides online that can help you in this process. You may be able to save anywhere between $110 and $210 if you complete de work by yourself.

Another way to save money is by purchasing a remanufactured windshield motor. This can be just as good as a new one but will cost much less. Though, make sure this comes with a limited warranty.