Ford Explorer visibility and wiper problems, 2016–2027
279 of the 7,419 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Explorer 2016–2027 name the wipers, glass and mirrors (NHTSA’s “Visibility/Wiper” heading — windshields, wipers, washers, mirrors and defrosters). The loudest years: 2017 (76), 2020 (69), 2021 (44). Filed under the same heading across these years: 4 manufacturer bulletins, 5 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Ford Explorer visibility and wiper problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the wipers, glass and mirrors | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2026 | 6 | 16% | — | 6 TSBs · 3 recalls | the year → |
| 2025 | 13 | 13% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% | — | — | the year → |
| 2023 | 10 | 9% | — | — | the year → |
| 2022 | 31 | 12% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 44 | 10% | 45k | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2020 in depth | 69 | 6% | — | 2 recalls | the record → |
| 2019 | 0 | — | — | — | the year → |
| 2018 | 27 | 4% | — | — | the year → |
| 2017 | 76 | 4% | 60k | — | the year → |
| 2016 | 0 | — | 78k | — | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the wipers, glass and mirrors. Nothing here is a rate.
When the visibility and wiper complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 2 · 2018: 7 · 2019: 5 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2022: 22 · 2023: 54 · 2024: 30 · 2025: 76 · 2026: 72
Across the model years, half of the 109 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the visibility and wiper problem between 19,000 and 78,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the wipers, glass and mirrors, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. While driving 70 MPH, the sun roof exploded without warning. The contact stated that the explosion sounded like a gun shot. There were no injuries. The vehicle was still at the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist.
Driving on interstate, temperature around 54 degrees, light rain, no traffic, heard a loud "pop" noise. Broken glass from the sunroof slid off the roof on to the road. Found a large hole in the center of the sunroof window.
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.
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.
What is on file about the wipers, glass and mirrors, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 26V202000 ModerateMar 31, 2026 · 55 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system may fail, which can cause the defrosting and defogging system to become inoperative.
- 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.
- 26V024000 HighJan 21, 2026 · 8 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
- 25V730000 ModerateOct 24, 2025 · 56,841 vehicles
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 205, "Glazing Materials."
- 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."
4 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Sep 18, 2026
- Some 2026 Explorer vehicles may exhibit wind noise and/or water intrusion from the panoramic roof panel glass seal. Inspection may find that the seal is rolled or separated from the glass. The seal is not serviceable separately from the glass. To correct this condition, replace the panoramic roof panel glass assembly. Refer to Workshop Manual, Section 501-11 > Removal and Installation > Panoramic
- Aug 5, 2026
- Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or missing sunshield fabric retainer/clip. A revised sunshield clip (LJ6Z-5452118-B) is now available to address this condition. It is not necessary to replace the entire sunshield assembly if the clip(s) are broken or missing
- Aug 4, 2026
- Some 2024-2026 Explorer vehicles built on or before 27-Feb-2026 and equipped with the panoramic glass roof may exhibit an uneven gap at the front edge of the roof opening panel shield when fully closed. The gap is an appearance issue only, but may allow outside light to pass through the opening. A new gap hider seal has been released to correct this condition (service part number SB5Z-7851884-A).
- Jun 11, 2026
- Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator, and 2020- 2021 and 2023 Explorer Vehicles Front Windshield Wiper Motor Replacement, if Required After Dealer Evaluation
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Ford Explorer
Source: the same files- transmission and drivetrain problems
- engine problems
- electrical problems
- backup camera and parking sensor problems
- brake problems
- body and structure problems
- steering problems
- fuel system problems
Every system, every model year: Ford Explorer problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Ford Explorer years have the most visibility and wiper complaints?
2017, 76; 2020, 69; 2021, 44. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2026 (16%).
Is there a recall for the wipers, glass and mirrors on the Ford Explorer?
Yes — 5 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 26V202000 (2026), 26V117000 (2022), 26V024000 (2026), 25V730000 (2026). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do visibility and wiper problems show up on the Ford Explorer?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 51,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 19,000 and 78,000. 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.