Autopapyrus · Ford Focus (III generation)
https://autopapyrus.com/guides/ford/focus/rear-wiper-motor-replacement/

Compiled automatically from service literature and owner experience. Specs are for the typical configuration — check them against your exact car before you start.

Ford Focus (III generation): Rear Wiper Motor Replacement

The rear wiper motor is mounted on the liftgate (tailgate) under the trim panel. The procedure does not depend on the engine, so it applies to any Focus III with a rear wiper. The exact procedure with fastener sizes and torque values for this model is not documented in open service materials, so the general principle is given below. Check fastener sizes as you go.

Difficulty: Medium Time: 1-1.5 hours Steps: 12 Tools: socket set and ratchet, Torx and Phillips screwdrivers, plastic trim removal tools, multimeter (for testing), pry tool, masking tape

Part

🔩 rear wiper motor (gear motor) for Ford Focus III hatchback/wagon. It is sold separately from the wiper arm and blade. Choose the part number by VIN in a parts catalog, because it differs between markets and trim levels

There's a full repair manual for this car Every system, wiring diagrams and torque specs — not just this job. Haynes and 25 more. See manuals →

Step by step

12 steps

Make sure the motor is actually faulty: turn the ignition on and switch on the rear wiper. If the motor is silent, check the rear wiper fuse in the fuse box and the motor connector. If the motor hums but the arm does not move, the gearbox or the splines are at fault.
Turn the ignition off, disconnect the negative battery terminal, and wait 5-10 minutes. If the liftgate is power-operated, this is even more important.
Stop the arm in the parked position. Mark the arm's position on the glass with tape so you can reinstall it in the same place.
Open the plastic cap at the base of the arm and remove the retaining nut. Remove the arm; if it is stuck, rock it gently on the splines. Then remove the sealing rubber or cap on the shaft.
Open the liftgate and remove the interior trim panel. Start with the plastic covers and the pull handle (if equipped), and remove the visible screws. Then carefully pry the clips loose around the perimeter with a trim tool. The clips are fragile, so do not yank the panel off; keep spare clips on hand.
Find the motor in the lower part of the liftgate below the glass. Disconnect its electrical connector. Note that the wires may be secured with clips or retainers in the harness. Free them.
Remove the motor mounting bolts (usually 2-3) and take the motor off the bracket, pulling the shaft inward out of the bushing. Do not lose the rubber shaft seal; it must be reinstalled.
Compare the old and new motors: the connector, mounting holes and shaft length must match. If the motor is sold with a bracket, transfer or replace the bracket.
Install the new motor, connect the connector, and tighten the bolts with moderate force, without overtightening, so you do not strip the fasteners in the thin sheet metal of the liftgate. The exact torque value was not found in open materials; for this type of fastener it is typically around 6-10 N·m (4-7 lb-ft).
Reconnect the battery and test the motor before reassembly: turn the ignition on and switch on the rear wiper, and make sure it completes its sweep and returns to the park position. The shaft should stop in its home position.
Install the arm on the glass mark in the parked position, tighten the nut (about 10-15 N·m (7-11 lb-ft), but without excessive force), and close the cap.
Reassemble the trim panel, make sure all the clips have snapped in, and that the connectors and harnesses are routed without tension. Check the operation of the rear washer and the wiper itself.

Common mistakes and warnings

Perform the work with the battery disconnected. The rear window defogger wires, the latch wiring and the license plate light wiring run nearby, so do not damage the harnesses and connectors. If the motor does not work after replacement, check the fuse and the connector contacts before suspecting the new part. Do not use force when removing the arm, so you do not strip the splines on the shaft. If you have no experience removing liftgate trim panels, it is better to go to a repair shop.