2013 Ford Explorer Wipers & Visibility Problems

Your backup camera display is not working properly — it may be unavailable, the image may flash on and off, or the image may appear reversed. This affects your ability to see behind the vehicle when backing up.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the glass moon roof panel became inoperable, and could no longer be opened. Additionally, there was rainwater leaking into the vehicle from the sunroof drainage system. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the Extend Coverage related to the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the driver's side and passenger's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trims had fractured and had partially separated from the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that cold air was entering the vehicle through the windshield, causing the interior of the windshield to become frozen. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 146,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was water on the rear carpet and the floor was wet. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the sunroof. The sunroof of the motor was disconnected, and valves and drainage pipes were cleaned. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the rear seats were wet, and the seat belt was wet. Additionally, there was water in the tire well. There was rust located in the vehicle. The contact discovered that water had entered through the liftgate. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

See attached document for complaint

See attached document for complaint

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof leaked water, causing the rearview mirror and rear seat belts to become wet. The contact stated that the sunroof motor and dashboard were previously replaced due to the failure; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the moonroof was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the switch and sun/moon roof motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact called the local dealer and was informed that there was no Warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The manufacturer contacted and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 116,414.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH during rainy weather conditions, the rain started to enter through the windshield. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the recall parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

While driving normal highway speeds my driver side windshield trim piece flew off. This is not safe as now I am worried that the passenger side will do it next.

I was driving down the interstate and heard a very loud bang, we thought someone had shot at the vehicle. It scared me and I swerved off the highway almost hitting the sidewall. The car behind me went off the road also. I went to check on them and their windshield was busted as well. It was dark out, and we knew something hit us, but we couldn't figure out what it was. When I woke up the next morning, I noticed the windshield trim was missing. It had flown off and hit the car behind me. Called the dealership and said it's a known issue but no recall on it. This could've killed me and my kids or the people behind me. The fact that it's a known issue and not rectified scares me.

CURRENT CONDITION The rearview camera do not display an image when driver put it in reverse.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R), and driving at approximately 2 MPH, the rear-view camera image failed to remain operational. The contact stated that the "Rear-view camera Unavailable - See Dealer" and a yellow triangle with an exclamation point was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the backup camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V575000 (Visibility). The failure mileage was 70,693.

For the 4th time since I have owned this vehicle, the trim on the driver's side of the windshield came loose, (the other times it snapped off), the gasket seal around the windshield came loose as a result, loosening the edge of the windshield. The first and second times we thought it was a coincidence or installation problem. By the 3rd time, after Ford denied there was an issue, my mechanic's shop took the time to investigate and found that this is a recurring problem and a design defect. This just happened again and once again I found myself hoping to make it to a store where I could buy tape to hold it all in place until I got home. I used a fair amount of 10x tape, but in addition to severe anxiety and stress over wondering if my windshield was going to peel off (that's what it sounds like), I also had the worry of being in an accident or causing one when the trim snapped loose completely and flew onto the highway. Because I travel for work as well as fun, I am now facing another repair bill that I cannot afford, but cannot do without. All four times this has been at highway speeds. I have reached out to Ford Motor Company and they have denied that there are any reports of problems. I looked online to see that you have opened an investigation and that there have, in fact, been numerous complaints about this same issue. Any support or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, and I am happy to speak in further detail with you. Thanks.

The trim of the windshield has come off. This may have hit other drivers behind me as well as caused significant distraction to me. Also the rear view camera does not work and should be recalled. This causes significant safety concern.

The windshield pillar trim flew off the vehicle traveling 60mph down a highway. It was sudden and loud which was extremely distracting. The windshield pillar trim caused the vehicle behind to swerve. Part of the weather stripping which was attached to windshield pillar trim remained halfway on the vehicle flapping in the wind, scratching the vehicle. Driver had to pull over and remove the flapping piece. The problem has not been reproduced nor inspected. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, she heard a popping sound on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that when she arrived at her residence, she became aware that the windshield trim panel had detached from the rear windshield and cut the rubber seal around the window. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the driver’s side windshield trim panel was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 70,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the sunroof failed to close securely. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the sunroof motor was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The dealer replaced the sunroof motor a second time in 2019; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sunroof motor needed to be replaced. Additionally, the dealer diagnosed that the failure was due to debris intrusion into the sunroof motor. The dealer informed the contact that the sunroof tubes needed to be kept clean to prevent debris from entering the sunroof motor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Windshield trim falling apart and separating from windshield. Noticed this happening approx 2 years ago and has become extremely bad now. I have called local dealership and glass company for replacement part but was told by both there isn't a replacement part and windshield would have to be replaced.

The windshield cover on the driver side flew off while I was driving down the interstate.

On July 12, 2021 on I-20 about 25 miles from Atlanta, the front windshield driver's side molding flew off without previous warning. This is on a 2013 Ford Explorer. This was a piece about 3" wide and 2 feet long that flew into the lane behind me and could create a safety issue for drivers behind me. I saw on the newspaper today that 16- other people have report. I did have it replaced at aElders Body Shop at my expense ($307) and they also refastened the right piece which was loose.

Windshield left pillar seal came loose at highway speed.started flapping and making loud noise.distraced me for few minutes till discovered source. No accident .seal stayed on car . Only came half way loose.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the front windshield detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to stop on the side of the road safely. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the mechanic stated that the clips holding the glass were not functioning correctly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 91,000. The VIN was not available.

The windshield trim panels flew off while driving on the highway.

Our Ford Explorer has had some of the trim around the windshield panels detach while driving on the interstate. The first time it happened, it was severe, making a noise on our windshield and flying off towards the car behind us. We actually had to pull over to check to see if the windshield was still intact enough to continue driving. We went to the next exit, got some glue and gasket trimming and tried to repair/fix the part that was gone. We continued to worry about traveling on highways because that is when more and more of it seemed to detach or come loose. Windshield/glass replacement people said they couldn't replace those gaskets. The replacement had to come from the dealer. The dealer wouldn't replace the gasket or trimmings. They said there was no replacement part by FORD that would do that. Our insurance would NOT help us and declared they couldn't do anything unless the windshield itself came off or was broken. We have continued to just glue and try to repair these parts that are coming off. We are thankful that NHTSA is investigating this in other Explorers. It is a dangerous situation that we have sought help for- but to no avail. Pic 1 &2 shows the side that has no gasket left at all and trim is loose. Pic 3-7 shows the remaining gasket & trim is loose, flapping, and glued down in some places to keep it intact.

I saw issues with trim coming off of Ford Explorers. This has happened to us now, twice. There is a rubber section adjacent to the windshield that flew off of our car while driving down the highway. There had been no known issues with it at the time it happened. We had it repaired only to have it happen again within 6 months of replacing the original trim.

RANDOM REAR WINDOW EXPLODING. CAR HAD NO CHIPS OR DAMAGE TO REAR WINDSHIELD. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. VEHICLE WAS PARKED, NOT RUNNING, BACKED IN AWAY FROM STREET FOR 20 MINUTES BEFORE SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODING. THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD AS WELL AS THE OUTSIDE EDGES HAD HOLES BLOWN OUT. WEATHER WAS AND HAD BEEN BETWEEN 58' AND 70' FOR THE PAST WEEK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED FROM THE SUNROOF INTO THE INTERIOR HEADLINER EVENTUALLY CAUSING ELECTRICAL FAILURES TO THE 3RD ROW SEAT CONTROLS PREVENTING THE SEAT TO NOT BE ABLE TO BE ADJUSTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE WATER DAMAGE CAUSED THE CARPET TO MOLD AND RUSTING OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING SEALANT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL TEMPERATURE REMAINED AT THE HIGH HEAT SETTING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO APPLE FORD OF LYNCHBURG (2113 LAKESIDE DR, LYNCHBURG, VA 24501, (434) 385-5012) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CONTROLS INTERFACE MODULES FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS223-28019. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,121. CONSUMER STATED IN MY ATTEMPTS TO CUT OFF THE HEAT (IT WAS A 95* DAY) FROM BLOWING, I ALMOST HIT A CEMENT GIRDER. THIS WAS ONLY 1 OF MANY TIMES THAT THIS HAPPENED. THE HEAT WOULD CUT OFF. ____ THIS CREATED A DANGEROUS SITUATION _____. SINCE-FORD GAVE ME A COMPARABLE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND THE REPAIRS HAVE NOW BEEN MADE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

THE MOLDING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD SUDDENLY DETACHED AND FLEW OFF DURING TRAVEL. THIS ACTUALLY HAPPENED 2 YEARS AGO AND WE REPLACED THE PART ($200) AND INSTALLED IT OURSELVES. WELL GUESS WHAT HAPPENED AGAIN? THE PASSENGER SIDE MOLDING DETACHED AND FLEW OFF DURING TRAVEL THIS TIME. BOTH TIMES THIS OCCURRED AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. NOW I KNOW FOR SURE IT'S A FAULTY PART AND NOT A FLUKE. I AM SUPER FRUSTRATED THAT I HAVE TO COVER THE COST OF THIS A SECOND TIME. ALSO TO HAVE PIECES OF YOUR VEHICLE FLYING OFF AND POTENTIALLY HITTING OTHER VEHICLES WHO ARE ALSO TRAVELING FREEWAY SPEEDS IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK. NOT TO MENTION IT MAKES THE VEHICLE LOOK REALLY UGLY. I AM FILLING THIS FORM OUT AT WORK AND AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD A PHOTO, BUT IF YOU GOOGLE FORD EXPLORER WINDSHIELD MOLDING ISSUES YOU WILL SEE EXACTLY WHAT I AM REPORTING IS NOT AN UNCOMMON OCCURRENCE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRITTS FORD (LOCATED AT 8000 AUTO DR, RIVERSIDE, CA 92504, (951) 687-2121) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOLDING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

WINDSHIELD WIPERS GO OFF AT RANDOM ON THEIR OWN OR DON'T WORK AT ALL.

WHILE TRAVELING AT NORMAL RATE OF SPEED, MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME ON AT RANDOM, WORK ON THEIR OWN WHILE POSITIONED ON OFF OR NOT WORK AT ALL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LAFONTAINE FORD (5103 S CEDAR STREET, LANSING, MI 48911) FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. WHILE THE MECHANIC WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE SUN ROOF WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: CAS-16709021. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED SPONTANEOUSLY WITH NO SIGNS OF IMPACT. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE APPROXIMATELY 32 DEGREES, INSIDE APPROXIMATELY 70 DEGREES. THE TEMPERED GLASS LITERALLY EXPLODED. NO OTHER PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR APPARENT. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH, I FOUND THIS IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME, AND THAT SUNROOFS AND WINDOWS OFTEN SHATTER SPONTANEOUSLY DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECTS THAT CAN BE LATENT FOR YEARS. SPECIFICALLY NOTED WAS FORD; IN PARTICULAR, THE F150. THIS CAR IS A FORD EXPLORER. THE ENTIRE WINDOW REQUIRES REPLACEMENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD TRIM DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD TRIM WAS HANGING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (REUTHER FORD, 1325 MCNUTT ST, HERCULANEUM, MO 63048, (636) 931-9393) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKETS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO STOP UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS POWERED OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (BONNELL FORD, 353 CAMBRIDGE ST, WINCHESTER, MA 01890) WHERE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR 09/27/2017. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,272.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD PANEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

MY FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF AND IT IS IN THE OFF MODE. I WAS DRIVING. *TR

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL JUST COME ON SOMETIMES WHEN YOU START THE VEHICLE. IF YOU TURN THEM ON TO CLEAN WINDSHIELD AND TURN THEM OFF THEY WILL STILL COME ON AFTER YOU HAVE TURNED THEM OFF. REALLY A PAIN TO DEAL WITH. *TR

MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED!! I WAS SITTING IN MY VEHICLE, PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE TIRES AND AROUND MY VEHICLE. I SAW NOTHING UNUSUAL SO I GOT BACK IN, TURNED THE AIR OFF AND THAT'S WHEN I DISCOVERED IT WAS THE SUNROOF. I HEARD CRACKLING OF GLASS. GOT BACK OUT AND STEPPED IN THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR AND LOOKED ON TOP - IT HAD CRACKED IN THE SHAPE OF AN X WITH A SMALL POP UP RIGHT IN THE CENTER. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT NOTHING HAD HIT THE GLASS BECAUSE I WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND THE GLASS WAS PUSHED UPWARD INSTEAD OF INWARD. I TOOK NUMEROUS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY RIGHT AFTER THIS HAPPENED. DROVE IT TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, WITHIN A HALF HOUR, AS PER THE SERVICE MGR. FOR PRE APPROVAL OF WARRANTY COVERAGE. IT WAS DENIED TWICE. FORD'S RESPONSE FOR DENIAL OF WARRANTY COVERAGE : " AS PER SECTION 3 OF THE WARRANTY AND POLICY MANUAL, DAMAGED GLASS (STONE CHIPS, SCRATCHES, ETC.) IS NOT CONSIDERED A WARRANTABLE CONDITION UNLESS AS RELATED TO ANOTHER DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. THE LOUD NOISE AS DESCRIBED BY THE CUSTOMER HAS GENERALLY BEEN FOUND TO BE THE TIME IN WHICH THE GLASS IS IMPACTED IN OTHER SIMILAR CASES. THE POINT OF IMPACT TO THE GLASS IS THE PLACE IN WHICH THE GLASS IS BROKEN AND BOWED UPWARD (BOW UPWARD DUE TO INTERIOR CABIN PRESSURE IS SLIGHTLY GREATER THAN AMBIENT PRESSURE WHEN WINDOWS ARE UP AND THE HVAC SYSTEM IS RUNNING.) UNFORTUNATELY, THIS BROKEN GLASS IS CONSIDERED TO BE DAMAGE THAT CAN NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE NEW VEHICLE WARRANTY AT THIS TIME." 23 DAYS LATER...MY $40K VEHICLE IS STILL DAMAGED AND SITTING IN MY GARAGE B/C THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THESE PANORAMIC SUNROOFS EXPLODING. FORD CAN NOT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR REPLACEMENT GLASS. I PRAY SOMEONE, ESPECIALLY A CHILD IS NOT INJURED OR EVEN WORSE KILLED BY THIS DEFECT. *TR