2020 Ford Explorer visibility and wiper problems
69 of the 1,228 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2020 Ford Explorer name the wipers, glass and mirrors (NHTSA’s “Visibility/Wiper” heading — windshields, wipers, washers, mirrors and defrosters). Filed under the same heading: 2 recalls. Every figure below is a document in a federal file, linked; none is a failure rate, and none is a verdict on any one car.
What owners filed about the wipers, glass and mirrors
Source: NHTSA complaint database3 of the 69 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2020: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2023: 8 · 2024: 6 · 2025: 30 · 2026: 14
Too few of these complaints carry an odometer reading to say when the problem shows up.
1,228 complaints in all about the 2020 Ford Explorer, 14 filed in 2026. The whole picture, every system →
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many of these were sold; nothing here is a rate. NHTSA groups complaints coarsely, so “Visibility/Wiper” means the same area of the vehicle, not one fault.
Across model years: Ford Explorer visibility and wiper problems, every year on file →
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the wipers, glass and mirrors. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The rear defroster is peeling off the window, causing the defroster to fail. In icy conditions, it elimates my ability to see out of the rear window. I took it to the dealer, and they told me other Explorers had the issue but that they wouldn't fix it and that I should file an insurance claim
When there is heavy, consistent rain, the rear passenger side window leaks. I took the vehicle in for service under warranty and they told me Ford said the vehicles are not built to withstand heavy, consistent rain. Ummmm, what? This is not a small issue.
On multiple occasions the wipers have stop working while raining. The bounce back and forth about an inch. This on at least 4 separate occasions forces us to pull over on the side of the road, including the highway.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while activating the windshield wipers, the driver’s side windshield wiper was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the driver’s side windshield wiper was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred.
The front panel of my 2020 Ford Explorer ST panoramic sunroof exploded on May 6, 2022. Fortunately, I had closed the sun shade two days prior while on vacation in Florida. It was not due to being hit by debris as traffic was light and no trucks nearby.
What is on file about the wipers, glass and mirrors
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecalls filed under this heading
- 26V117000 HighMar 3, 2026 · 604,533 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the windshield wipers from operating properly.
- 21V014000 ModerateJan 15, 2021 · 283 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer Police Interceptor Utility and 2020 Lincoln Aviator vehicles. The affected vehicles contain windshield washer fluid that was contaminated with brake fluid. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."
Other systems with a record on the 2020 Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems 499 complaints
- electrical problems 186 complaints
- engine problems 137 complaints
- backup camera and parking sensor problems 112 complaints
- brake problems 83 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre visibility and wiper problems common on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 69 owner complaints naming the wipers, glass and mirrors on this model year (6% of everything owners filed about it), and 2 recalls are filed under the same heading. Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count, and a count says nothing about how many were sold.
Is there a recall for the wipers, glass and mirrors on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading: 26V117000, 21V014000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do visibility and wiper problems show up on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
Too few of the complaints carry an odometer reading to say. The model year's page shows the mileage curve across every system where it can.
What does NHTSA's "Visibility/Wiper" heading cover?
Windshields, wipers, washers, mirrors and defrosters. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.