electrical

Wiper Motor - Rear

for 2012 Ford F-150 3.5L V6 EcoBoost · 4WD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Easy

Time

1.2 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear wiper motor on a 2011-2014 Ford F-150 equipped with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine.

Warnings

⚠Disconnect the battery negative terminal before beginning work to prevent electrical shorts

ℹ️Mark the wiper arm position before removal to ensure proper reinstallation alignment

Tools required

Socket set (8mm, 10mm)Essential

Ratchet and extensionEssential

Trim panel removal tool setEssential

Flathead screwdriver

Torque wrenchEssential

Small pick or trim tool

Parts

Rear wiper motor assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
Wiper motor mounting gasket/seal × 1 — Often included with motor

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes for system capacitors to discharge
Open rear liftgate to access interior trim panels
Have a clean work area prepared for interior trim panels to prevent scratches

Procedure

1
Remove rear wiper arm
Lift the wiper arm away from the glass. Remove the plastic cap covering the wiper arm nut. Use a 13mm socket to remove the nut securing the wiper arm to the motor shaft. Mark the position of the wiper arm on the glass with tape for reference. Pull the wiper arm straight off the splined shaft. You may need to rock it gently while pulling.
2
Remove interior liftgate trim panel
From inside the liftgate, locate and remove all trim panel fasteners. Use the trim removal tool to carefully pry out the push-pin retainers around the perimeter of the trim panel. Work slowly to avoid breaking the clips. Once all fasteners are released, lift the trim panel up and away from the liftgate to disengage any remaining clips. Set aside carefully.
3
Access wiper motor mounting area
Locate the rear wiper motor assembly behind the removed trim panel. Identify the electrical connector attached to the motor. The motor will be mounted to the liftgate with three bolts accessible from the interior side.
4
Disconnect wiper motor electrical connector
Press the locking tab on the wiper motor electrical connector and carefully pull the connector straight off the motor. Inspect the connector terminals for corrosion or damage. If present, clean with electrical contact cleaner before installing new motor.
5
Remove wiper motor mounting bolts
Using a 10mm socket, remove the three bolts securing the wiper motor to the liftgate. Support the motor with one hand while removing the final bolt to prevent it from falling. Note the location of any ground straps or additional wiring that may be secured by these bolts.
6
Remove wiper motor assembly
Carefully pull the wiper motor assembly away from the liftgate exterior. The motor shaft will withdraw through the mounting hole in the liftgate. Remove and inspect the rubber gasket/seal around the motor mounting area. Replace if cracked, hardened, or damaged.
7
Prepare new wiper motor
Compare the new wiper motor to the old unit to verify correct replacement part. Ensure the new motor includes or has a mounting gasket installed. Clean the mounting surface on the liftgate, removing any old gasket material, dirt, or debris. The mounting surface must be clean and dry for proper seal.
8
Install new wiper motor
Position the new wiper motor with gasket against the liftgate exterior, carefully guiding the motor shaft through the mounting hole. From the interior, align the motor mounting holes with the liftgate mounting points. Hand-thread all three mounting bolts before tightening any of them to ensure proper alignment.
9
Torque wiper motor mounting bolts
Using a torque wrench and 10mm socket, tighten the three wiper motor mounting bolts in a star pattern to ensure even pressure on the gasket. If any ground straps were present during removal, ensure they are reinstalled under the appropriate bolt head with clean metal-to-metal contact.
10
Reconnect electrical connector
Push the electrical connector firmly onto the wiper motor until the locking tab clicks into place. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is fully seated and locked.
11
Reinstall interior trim panel
Position the interior liftgate trim panel, aligning all mounting points and clips. Press firmly around the perimeter to engage all push-pin retainers. Verify all clips are fully seated and the panel sits flush against the liftgate.
12
Install wiper arm
Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Turn the ignition to ON position and activate the rear wiper to allow the motor to cycle to the park position, then turn off. Align the wiper arm to your reference marks from removal. Push the wiper arm firmly onto the splined shaft. Install the retaining nut and tighten to secure. Install the plastic cap over the nut.

Reassembly

Ensure all electrical connections are secure and properly locked
Verify interior trim panel is fully seated with no gaps or loose clips
Check that the wiper arm is properly positioned in the park position

Verification

Reconnect battery and test rear wiper operation in all speeds (intermittent, low, high)
Verify wiper parks correctly in the proper position when turned off
Spray washer fluid and confirm wiper operates correctly with washer function
Inspect around motor mounting area from exterior for any water leaks during washer operation
Check that no unusual noises are present during wiper operation
Verify interior trim panel is secure and all clips are properly engaged

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