2021 Ford Explorer visibility and wiper problems
50 of the 460 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Explorer name the wipers, glass and mirrors (NHTSA’s “Visibility/Wiper” heading — windshields, wipers, washers, mirrors and defrosters). Filed under the same heading: 1 recall. 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 database0 of the 50 reports a crash · 0 a fire · 3 injuries. Self-reported, unverified.
Filed per year: 2022: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 16 · 2026: 24
Half of the 16 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the visibility and wiper problem between 39,000 and 64,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
460 complaints in all about the 2021 Ford Explorer, 24 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.
My vehicle is equipped with a panoramic sunroof, furthermore the panoramic sunroof has a sliding screen to block out the sun when the owner prefers to block the sun. The issue is with the panoramic sunroof screen, this particular screen also slides on rails below the glass window from the panoramic sunroof.
Sunroof shade did not retract properly when opened and sagged down low enough to block visibility to the rear of the vehicle while driving. Not only was rear visibility entirely cut off, rear passengers are affected as the shade hangs down well into the back seat area.
Fabric for sunroof shade sags making the rearview mirror un usable due to the fabric sag obstruction
The system/component that failed is the panoramic moon roof retractable shade. This is an electronic retractable fabric shade on the inside of the car that covers the moon roof glass.
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal sound, and the tempered stationary sunroof glass shattered without impact. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost.
What is on file about the wipers, glass and mirrors
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall 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.
Other systems with a record on the 2021 Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems 130 complaints
- engine problems 63 complaints
- electrical problems 50 complaints
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsAre visibility and wiper problems common on the 2021 Ford Explorer?
They are documented: NHTSA holds 50 owner complaints naming the wipers, glass and mirrors on this model year (11% of everything owners filed about it), and 1 recall is 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 2021 Ford Explorer?
Yes — one campaign is filed under this heading: 26V117000. A recall is matched by VIN; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do visibility and wiper problems show up on the 2021 Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 55,401 miles; half of them between 39,000 and 64,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
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.