Wiper Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

On the highway it was raining heavily, and my 6 years old was in car back seat. Suddenly wipers stopped working, steering wheel wasn't working, indicator was not working, I was getting multiple warnings on my screen. We would have ended up in a major accident.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Recall 26s14 was anticipated to be fixed 2q2026 (April/may/June). We're now 3 - 6 months overdue for repair. Ineffective communications and timeliness on repairs.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The fabric sunshade covering the panoramic roof sags or comes right off the track creating a visibility/safety issue in the rear window. The dealership is aware and has verified the defect.

A recent over-the-air (ota) software update deployed by Ford motor company to my 2025 Ford Explorer st introduced a primary safety hazard and severe system latency. Passenger mirror failure: approximately 10% of the time upon vehicle startup, the passenger-side power-folding exterior mirror fails to unfold. This leaves the driver with no right-side mirror visibility, creating an immediate blind-spot hazard and violating fmvss 111 visibility standards. Apim / navigation latency: the software update severely degraded processing in the accessory protocol interface module (apim). Navigation display systems lag behind the actual vehicle location by approximately 0. 1 miles, causing delayed routing information and significant driver distraction. System resets (soft reboots and full master resets) fail to fix the issues. Upon contacting Ford in-vehicle technology support, representatives acknowledged the issue but refused to log or escalate the side-mirror failure as a safety defect.

See all problems of the 2025 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The panoramic sunshade on our 2023 Ford Explorer bunches up and dips down into the rear passenger compartment when being retracted, obstructing rear visibility when using the rear view mirror or looking over your shoulder.

See all problems of the 2023 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Seal around the panoramic sunroof is failing and has caused loud wind noises and lack of proper weather seal. Vehicle has 7000 miles and this has randomly started. Loud wind whistle noise occurs now 100% of the time when speed reaches 35mph and stays present at higher speeds.

The rearview backup camera on my vehicle has malfunctioned and does not reliably display an image when the vehicle is placed in reverse. The manufacturer sent an official customer satisfaction program notice acknowledging this as a known defect and offering a one-time no-charge replacement, stating parts availability was limited only until October 2026. When I brought the vehicle to an authorized dealership for the repair, the dealership was unable to complete it due to lack of parts and told me parts would not be available until February 2027, several months beyond what the manufacturer's own notice stated. This creates an ongoing safety risk since I cannot reliably see behind the vehicle while backing up, increasing the risk of collision with pedestrians, other vehicles, or objects. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership's service department, which confirmed the camera issue during a service visit but could not resolve it due to parts unavailability. There were no dashboard warning lights specifically tied to this defect; the camera simply fails to display a reliable image when reverse is engaged. The component is available for inspection upon request. I have not yet received a corrected repair timeline from the manufacturer despite formally raising this issue.

See all problems of the 2022 Ford Explorer 🔎.

25v347 and 24v031 I recieved a notice of the first recall in February 2024. Over the summer of 2024 and 2025 both the a-pillar and b-pillar trim has melted and become detached from the vehicle during high heat warnings and during my commute to work on the interstate 60 miles each day. Parts from the vehicle flew off at high rates of speed and were at risk to others on the road. For 2. 5 years now I have driven a duct taped windshield on both drivers and on the passenger sides windows and on the tops of the door frames. The windshield rattles on the interstate--I feel this is dangerous. I have now recieved my 3rd factory recall: 25n17 every day I drive this duct taped Ford, it is cemented in my mind that I will never purchase another Ford or Ford related product.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

While driving my 2026 Ford Explorer on the highway, the panoramic roof glass made an abnormally loud noise and completely shattered without any impact from an object or other vehicle. No other cars were nearby. The protective shade remained in place and no glass entered the cabin. This appears to be a spontaneous failure of the tempered glass. I have already located a nearly identical NHTSA complaint on another 2026 Ford Explorer (campaign 11734759). The vehicle is currently undrivable in normal conditions and is being repaired through insurance. I am concerned this is a known defect with the panoramic roof glass on 2026 Explorers.

The edges of the fabric sunroof cover have come off the tracks, causing the sunroof cover to not roll up properly and block the rear window when open.

The front windshield wiper motor on my 2020 Ford Explorer is experiencing severe intermittent failure and physical binding/clunking while in operation, resulting in a total loss of front visibility while driving in rain. This failure matches the exact root cause and symptoms described in Ford safety recall 26s14 / NHTSA campaign 26v117 (intermittent wiper function progressing to complete electrical continuity failure due to internal terminal misalignment). However, Ford claims my specific VIN falls just outside their designated production date window, leaving my vehicle uncovered under the safety recall despite suffering from the identical defect. Although Ford confirmed there is an active customer satisfaction program (csp) listed for my vehicle's wiper motor, severe supply chain restrictions and dealership backlogs have prevented repairs. Ford has placed a restricted distribution hold on replacement motors, preventing independent shops and local dealers from securing parts, while requiring a multi-day diagnostic wait during which I am expected to drive a vehicle with non-functioning wipers. Driving a vehicle with active, unpredictable wiper failure poses an immediate safety hazard and severe crash risk. Ford's refusal to expand recall coverage or immediately supply unrestricted safety components leaves vehicle owners exposed to hazardous driving conditions. Furthermore, customers face a mandatory four-day intake period solely for vehicle diagnostics. To qualify for a wiper motor replacement under warranty guidelines, Ford requires the motor to experience total failure while under dealership care. If technicians are unable to duplicate the fault condition during testing, the vehicle is returned to the owner without repair, leaving an ongoing safety hazard completely unresolved. I have also contacted Ford corporate and filed a formal complaint and that was of no assistance.

The panoramic sun roof shade failed on my vehicle where instead of it retracting properly it drops down onto the second row passenger's. This posses a safety risk as it impedes completely the drivers ability to see through the rear view mirror by blocking off the view of the back glass. The issue happened without any notice or noise it just happened all of a sudden I noticed it as I was not able to look through rear view mirror. This also puts at risk others as it impedes the drivers field of view allowing the possibility of an accident of occurring. I like to drive with my sunroof open very often, so now that is a risk I will have all the time I open my sunroof where I will have my field of view blocked. I have called two Ford dealership to try to get quotes to repair the issue. First I was shocked with the price for the repair, but I was also shocked when I was told that it is a very common issue with the panoramic sunroof where the shade drops down. I asked do people usually get it repaired or not and they told me that most people don’t fix it that they just decide to deal with it or not use the sunroof at all. One of the dealerships told me the cost of the repair was roughly above $3 thousand dollars and the other told me it would be around $2. 8 thousand dollars. A lot of labor is required as they have to bring down the headliner and remove the sunroof glass panels to be able to get it repaired. They also were not able to guarantee that after the repair that it would not happen again as they told me it was a design flaw that it was just a matter of time before it happened again. I believe Ford should be hold accountable for this and provide a permanent fix to this issue that is very common with the panoramic sun roof that creates a safety hazard for vehicle occupants and others. Especially if after customers have to pay considerable amounts of money for repairs and the issue will happen again as it is a design flaw.

Rear wiper motor stopped working completely. Fuses are good, wires are good, motor is good, it just doesn't work. Water pump works.

Backup camera does not work properly. Sometimes it’s showing objects behind me backwards (safety concern) like it’s showing I’m on the opposite side of where I’m trying to park/back up and sometimes it doesn’t work at all (flickering screen/black/gives notification to contact dealer). I have taken it to our local dealer for an approved inspection that it does not work & was told there’s no fix for it yet. No warning sign that this was coming- I had to look up the recall myself.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The windshield wiper motor failed, causing the windshield wipers to stop operating properly. At the same time, the windshield washer system is unable to spray washer fluid onto the windshield. This significantly reduces visibility during rain and when the windshield becomes dirty, creating a safety hazard. No warning lights were displayed.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

For the second time now, when changing out wiper blades, the wiper arm has sharp points which easily allow the arm to shatter the windshield. To change the wiper you have to push a button and pull quite hard which can easily cause the wiper arm to slip out of your grasp . This can cause the arm to shatter the windshield even at an inch away.

The front windshield wiper on my vehicle,may become inoperative. The Ford motors says that they don't have the part to replace,and when they have it I have to pay for the repair.

Explorers moon roof shad came of track and I was unaware and could not see behind my in my rear view camera. Also was covering my infant child's face when it drooped down instead of rolling back.

Rear wiper was working intermittently now it does not work at all. I notice campaign 26s14 (NHTSA campaign 26v117) but my VIN is not included. Even though I have the same problem.

I have a brand new 2026 Ford Explorer st. There is a permanent haze on or between the glass windshield that does not come off with any cleaning agent and appears to be between the layer. The service manager at the dealership acknowledges seeing the haze and the reduced clarity but clains Ford will not warranty since it is not on a recall. It is dangerous when the sun glare causes it to "glow" impairing clear visibilty of the road. It is also evident and impairs during rain. The difference is very evident when looking through the windshield versus the side windows at the same object,.

1. Rubber is falling off the windshield and hood. This is a Ford issue and they refuse to repair this. It appears to be heat related and the car was sold in an area with high summer temperatures. It is cracked and peeling at the bottom of the windshield causing rain and leaves to seep into the engine area. This could start a fire hazard if it's not repaired. Quoted me 12k to fix (more than the cost of getting another car that is less dangerous). 2. Inside auto same issue is happening with the Ford installed dashcover. It is peeling back and in order to repair, they must take everything out of the inside to repair and yes $$$$ close to 20k. Again this is a Ford issue not a user issue. The dash cover is black and underneath it is white. Driver is unable to fix on own. Both of these are Ford defects that Ford should step up and repair.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

2022 Explorer st. Panaramic sun shade does not retract if sun roof is opened nor stay up at the ceiling when sun roof is closed. Sun shade sags down touching my head and just flops around if driving with a window open rendering the rear view mirror useless. Can't see out the rear window.

The headliner on the sunroof panel began sagging to the point that visibility is compromised between the driver and rear of the vehicle. This is a common failure on these vehicles, and very expensive to repair. It is obviously caused by the design of the sunroof shade cover assembly.

Since buying the vehicle the front windshield wipers will intermittently stop working during a rainstorm causing me to have pull over and either wait out the rain or getting out in the rain to wipe the windshield. Sometimes if I turn the vehicle off for a few minutes the windshield wipers will start working again. If I had not pulled over during these times I could have been in a severe accident. Yes the vehicle has been inspected and they said there was no remedy for it as of now. No warning lights have came on.

Moon roof sunshade is defective, when button is pressed to open the shade, it drops down blocking view out the rear window. This seems to be a know problem on Ford Explorers which is a major safety concern.

Rear wiper works intermittently.

Panoramic sun roof sunshade detaches and sags; interfering with rear view visibility. Shade is in this state when shade and roof are closed. Sunshade cannot be opened as this causes driver rear visibility to become more severe. Additionally when opened, the shade sags onto anyone sitting in the second row seats.

Panoramic roof sunshade/retractor failure resulting in obstruction of rearward visibility through the interior rearview mirror while driving.

I am reporting a safety incident involving a 2021 Ford Explorer. While driving at normal speed, the hood unexpectedly flew open and struck the windshield, completely obstructing visibility and causing damage. I did not open the hood prior to driving, and there were no prior warnings or indications of failure. The incident suggests a possible hood latch or secondary safety latch malfunction. I am submitting this report due to a serious safety concern involving sudden loss of driver visibility.

No impact shattering of rear window. I entered the car and closed the driver’s side door when I heard the window shatter.

The contact owns a 2026 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph in the rain, the front windshield wipers suddenly stopped operating. The front power windows failed to operate properly and failed to go up or down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,600.

Recently, my sun roof shade has started to sag and no longer retracts correctly. This is causing a loss of visibility out of the rear and side windows. It also is causing a distraction as it has lost it's tension. Additionally I have contacted two separate Ford dealerships, only for them to tell me that I have to bring the vehicle in and pay hundreds of dollars to "diagnose" that the shade is broken and that my extended warranty will not cover this cost even though it is a danger for me to drive my vehicle in this condition.

I had a really disappointing experience at delta sonic car wash in [xxx] and feel like other customers should be aware. During my visit, an employee used a pressure washer on my windshield before I entered the wash. This caused small debris to stick to the glass, and instead of being removed, it stayed on my windshield as my car went through the wash. The equipment then dragged that debris across the glass, leaving a deep scratch about 8 inches long. My windshield was only 2 months old and in perfect condition before this. I reported the damage immediately on-site, but my claim was denied. There was no real accountability, no effort to make it right—just a flat refusal. What makes this even more frustrating is that my fiancé and I have been loyal customers for years. We’ve spent hundreds here and have had memberships every winter since 2018. Because of how this was handled, we have now canceled our membership and have urged others to do the same. Also worth noting—many of the reviews here focus heavily on the food and not the car wash itself, which I now find misleading based on my experience. I understand that accidents can happen, but how a business handles those situations matters. In this case, the damage was caused by their process, and they still chose not to take responsibility. I would recommend taking photos of your vehicle before entering or reconsidering using this location altogether. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Rear windshield wiper doesn't work. Earlier model years have been recalled for wiper motor issues.

See all problems of the 2024 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Sunroof liner is sagging, blocking rear vision. Currently unable to use sunroof unless I pay 4k for repairs.