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Pontiac Montana Visibility Windshield Wiper/washer Safety Report | Nov 16, 2001
Reported on Nov 16, 2001
| WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IN A TORRENTIAL 3-HOUR DOWNPOUR. HAD TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER AND DRIVE WITH NO FORWARD VISIBILITY UNTIL REACHING A TOWN WITH A GARAGE. THIS WAS ON HIGHWAY 77 IN SOUTH TEXAS, A VERY HEAVILY TRAVELLED ROAD. WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE AVOIDED BEING HIT FROM BEHIND. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE WIPER DRIVE ARM HAD COME OFF THE BALL-SHAPED STUD ON THE DRIVE CRANK. ONE OF THE TWO 5 MM SCREWS HAD COME OUT OF THE CLAMP HOLDING THE DRIVE ARM TO THE DRIVE STUD. THIS IS A SERIOUS WEAKNESS IN THIS VEHICLE AS A MORE SECURE LOCKING METHOD SHOULD BE USED FOR THIS CLAMP (I ADDED LOCKNUTS TO THE SCREWS ON MY CLAMP). THIS ARM MOUNTING UNDERGOES A LOT OF CYCLES WITH FAIRLY HEAVY ALTERNATING LOADING, AND SHOULD BE MUCH MORE POSITIVELY FASTENED THAN IT IS. I SUGGEST THAT THESE VEHICLES BE RECALLED AND A BETTER LOCKING SYSTEM ADDED TO THE WIPER DRIVE ARM. *AK | |
| Make: | Pontiac |
| Model: | Montana |
| Manufactured by: | GENERAL MOTORS CORP. |
| Year: | 1999 |
| Was a crash reported? | |
| Was an injury reported? | |
| Was a death reported? | |
| Was a fire reported? | N |
| Location: | PORT ARANSAS TX |
| Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): | 1GMDX03E7XD |
| Mileage: | |
| Speed: | 55 MPH |
| Number of cylinders: | |
| Vehicle type: | FWD |
| Vehicle fuel: | GAS |
| Was a police report filed? | N |
| Tire size: | |
| Dealer name and location: | |
| Previous Report:Steering Gear Box (other Than Rack And Pinion) | Next Report:Fuel System, Gasoline Carburetor System |