Wiper Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

Bought my new 2025 Explorer an 2 days laterits been parked I noticed a craked on the windshield there is no rock ship nor nothing hit it but I did notice theres 2 cracks on the top black part of windshield where it just out of nowhere keeps cracking down took it to safelite an they said thats a defect on the windshield.

The panoramic sunroof rolo shade has malfunctioned and is currently sagging. This condition is expected to worsen over time, potentially obstructing driver visibility or posing a safety risk due to the possibility of entrapment or flammability. The vehicle has been brought to a certified Ford dealer for inspection; however, no additional inspections have been performed by other authorities at this time. There are no warning lights or alerts displayed in the vehicle related to this issue.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I was driving down the road and heard a loud pop and it sounded like a golf ball hit my door. I immediately looked in my rear view mirror and was unable to see anything. After merging to the shoulder of the road and stopping safely I turned around and noticed that the headliner from my sun roof had broken and fallen and was blocking all view from my mirror.

See all problems of the 2021 Ford Explorer 🔎.

So for starters the visibility wipers should have a auto wiper function as in when it detects rain they will automatically come on. Well they do but they also come on at random intervals even when it’s not raining. Secondly the glove box design is horribly engineered and it falls apart by its self. My glove box flew open while driving down the road and caused me to run off the roadway with my kids in the car. Luckily my kids and I are safe and no one was hurt but something should be done about this. The tension cord that hooks to the glove box just snapped from the looks of it.

See all problems of the 2017 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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. I will be taking this to the dealer, problem is reproduced as well as documented by many online. There were no warnings prior to failure. This is clearly an issue with the design and a recall should be issued to all affected.

While driving, the panoramic sunroof shade on my vehicle failed to retract properly, sagging down into the rear visibility area. The shade hangs low enough to completely block the view through the rearview mirror, significantly impairing my ability to monitor traffic behind me. This is a serious safety hazard, particularly when changing lanes, merging, or reversing. The issue also impacts rear passengers, as the drooping shade hangs down into the back seat area. This obstruction makes it difficult to check on passengers—especially children—while driving. There were no warnings before this failure occurred, and research shows that this problem is common among other owners, as documented in multiple online forums and complaint records. The shade appears to have a design flaw where the guide sliders or attachment points fail, causing it to sag into the driver’s line of sight. This failure should not happen on a safety-critical component affecting visibility. Given the frequency of reports and the direct impact on driver awareness, a recall or mandatory repair campaign should be issued to address this defect in all affected vehicles.

The vinyl on the top part of the dash has completely seperated which is causing a major white reflection on my window and rendering the car unsafe to drive. Ford refuses to address the issue. I also suspect if my air bags deployed this could impact how they deploy or cause additional vinyl shrapnel hitting an occupant in the face in the event of a crash.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The screen that covers the moon roof has let go, it flows in the current of the ac within the car. When the roof is open, it is hanging down so that I cannot see out my rear window with my rearview mirror. I can only assume, the next thing is, it will let go on one end of the other and hang down all the time and allowing constant sunlight on myself and passengers.

This recall has been out for over a year and a half and I still do not have parts. It is loud in my car. At what point, can I get it fixed myself and charge it back to Ford? thank you.

Sun roof sun shade drops down blocking rear view when open.

Sunroof fabric clip broke when opening causing the fabric to hang down and obstruct view out of the rear view mirror.

The cover on my dashboard has lifted/rolled up and revealed a white material underneath, and as such, this has caused a glare onto the windshield in my field of vision, making it harder for me to see while driving. I feel that this is a safety concern. I have taken it to a Ford dealership to have it looked at, and they claim that there is nothing that can be done except for the entire dashboard to be replaced which would be thousands of dollars. I have researched this issue and it seems to be a common issue among my make and model year of the vehicle.

Fabric for sunroof shade sags making the rearview mirror un usable due to the fabric sag obstruction.

Sunroof shade sagging preventing rear visibility and potential injure to rear passenger.

The moon roof shade came down, completely blocking the rear view.

Water has been leaking on my passenger side front floor, and now the blower motor has completely seized. Ford quoted me over $1,000 for a blower motor! I have requested asking for satisfaction warranty for this to be covered via email, with no response. Blower motors should not go bad this soon. I have no way to defrost or defog my windows. This is a major safety concern.

The sunroof shade sags when opened. This creates a hazard for the driver due to lack of visibility to the rear of the vehicle.

The sunshade for sun/panoramic roof stopped retracting. When I pressed the button to open it, the shade rolled back about two inches and as it’s continuing to go back the shade then became loose and hanging blocking my rear view. As this was happening I was in the process of backing up, so at this point it affects the safety of me, and my kids, including others around. No warning or indication that it would malfunction ever came. Now it’s just sagging and loose it’s no longer tight.

Sunroof shade drooping down causing visibility issues for the rear view mirror.

The dash cover came unglued and is rolling up exposing a white cloth that reflects on the windshield makingit hard to see.

The sunroof shade on the Explorer just dropped blocking my rearview mirror view.

When raining water droplets accumulate on the 2025 Explorer rear view camera lens obscuring the image and in some cases rendering it completely useless. Earlier models such as the 2014 Ford Explorer had the camera positioned in a manner where this did not happen and it stayed clean. Later Explorer models had the ability to clean the lens by activating the rear wiper's washer which squirted washer fluid on it.

This vehicle is equipped with a panoramic sun/moon roof which has a cover inside that retracts to keep the sunlight out. Something has failed in the mechanism that retracts the fabric cover and it is causing it to sag down and block the rear view mirror visibility. Ford motor should issue a recall on this as it is a design flaw and a common failure point in these vehicles. This part can fail without warning, at any time and block the driver's view through the rear view mirror and cause a dangerous visibility issue to the rear of the vehicle.

I started receiving recall information on or before February 2024 for this recall. I finally took it in for inspection maybe 6 months ago. They broke the a-pillar trim peices on both sides so then afterwards at some point they flew off. Then I was on the highway on 6/4 & then the molding peices underneath surrounding my windshield started coming off & flapping around. Thrashing my window while driving 70mph. I had to pull the peices in & roll them up in my window before I was able to pull over & detach them fully. After the inspection as well the guy at the dealer basically laughed & said Ford isnt even making these parts & they are on “indefinite back order”. Now the peices are missing as well as my windshield being exposed. All looks very unsightly as well. I dont think Ford really cares because its been almost 2 years & no parts are available yet!!!!!! I am very disappointed & frustrated.

See all problems of the 2012 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Automatic roll up sun shade for the sunroof sags and does not retract anymore, causing visibility issues as it droops down. Car is out of factory bumper to bumper warranty, currently 52k miles, and the aftermarket warranty does not cover the shade. Ford quoted over $2000 for fix, when this is a manufacturer's defect and many cars are affected.

Ford Explorer has a panoramic roof cover that has a small plastic part that breaks and and creates a fold in the material - the window retracts but the material doesn't and fold down. This is a safety risk, because with the shade sagging down it blocks your view of the rear. According to others posting on online forums, a small plastic trim piece that is breaking and the cost to repair is around $1800. Repair shops has to pull the headliner and replace the fabric and new plastic bit. Apparently there is no way to make this repair without removing the entire sunroof window. What a design flaw!.

Sunroof cover no longer fully retracts causing the fabric to hang and block rear visibility.

Windshield seal flies out from under the pilar molding and smacks windshield and passenger window.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The sunroof screen blocks the rear window view due to sagging. The Ford Explorer has a common issue in which the fabric retractor spring fails causing the sunroof shade to not retract. Once engaged it blocks the rear window view. Additional since it won't retract, it continues to sage due to lack of tension. This will eventually block the rear window.

The sunshade is falling and I cant see out the rear of the vehicle. During reversing the vehicle and trying to change lanes when looking behind me I cant see anything with it falling down. It has been confirmed by a dealer that wasnt Ford. No warning lamps my kids told me about it after we went throught the carwash when I had it open for them to watch the colored soap. I closed it and drove away and they said it was falling in on them.

The sunroof fabric covering the glass sags down and does not work properly. This is a known issue on 2020+ Ford Explorers with the sunroof option. The sag blocks visibility out the rearview mirror and causes a distraction to drivers.

My back up camera will work then it stops working as im backing up and says unavailable contact dealer.

See all problems of the 2015 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Driver seat moves all the way forward on its own and the side view mirror moves out of range. This has happened while in the seat and car running. It happens intermittently. It scares the heck out of you and pushes you all the way into the steering wheel which makes it impossible to steer. You have to be quick in order to stop it and because it startles you when it happens the reaction time is not immediate. Very scary indeed!.

The windshield wipers on my 2017 Ford Explorer will not turn off, when the vehicle is. Of course the wiper switch is in the off position and it persists. This issue began without warning and continues consistently. This is distracting, obstructing my vision, and giving me a headache every time I get in my car. This potentially dangerous while driving, especially in dry conditions where the wipers can damage the windshield or reduce visibility by smearing debris. Based on online forums and other owner reports, this appears to be a common issue affecting many 2017 Ford Explorer owners. It also seems to be common in early models of the same generation meaning it has been a known issue and hasn’t been resolved. This should be investigated as a potential manufacturing defect. A malfunctioning wiper system can create a hazardous driving condition and may warrant a recall.

The button to adjust rear view side mirrors malfunctioned. The side mirrors no longer adjust or respond to the button.