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2020 Ford Explorer Wipers & Visibility Problems

41 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data

41
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crashes
Jan 2022Dec 2024
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Wipers & Visibility Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #26V117000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed March 9, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in May 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S14. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.

Owner Complaints (41)

highVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Mar 2026

Your sunroof's interior liner is sagging down and blocking your rear view through the sunroof opening. This makes it unsafe to use the sunroof, and the dealership estimates a $4,000 repair to fix it. The repair will likely involve removing the sunroof assembly and replacing or re-securing the sagging liner material.

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NHTSA #: 11728163
highVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Mar 2026

Your right windshield wiper isn't working properly — it either doesn't move at all or only moves occasionally, while the left wiper works fine. This creates a safety hazard when driving in rain or wet conditions. The repair will likely involve replacing the right wiper motor, wiper linkage, or wiper blade assembly.

NHTSA #: 11723401
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Apr 2026

Your windshield sustained an 8-inch scratch during a car wash when debris was pressed onto the glass by a pressure washer and then dragged across by the wash equipment. Your windshield was only 2 months old and undamaged before this incident. The car wash denied your damage claim despite the scratch being caused by their process. Fixing this will likely require windshield replacement or professional glass repair.

NHTSA #: 11728456
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jan 2026

Sunroof shade failed during normal operation. It is hanging down and obstructing the back window.

NHTSA #: 11713908
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Sep 2025

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

NHTSA #: 11684613
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Aug 2025

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

NHTSA #: 11682629
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Aug 2025

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

NHTSA #: 11679548
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jul 2025

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.

NHTSA #: 11677309
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jul 2025

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

NHTSA #: 11676377
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jul 2025

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

NHTSA #: 11676383
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jul 2025

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.

NHTSA #: 11673045
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2025

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!

NHTSA #: 11668194
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2025

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.

NHTSA #: 11665692
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2025

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

NHTSA #: 11665897
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2025

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

NHTSA #: 11663706
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2025

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

NHTSA #: 11663392
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2025

Sunroof is sagging and blocking rear window/rearview mirror. Hazard for visibility and could possibly fall during driving.

NHTSA #: 11662365
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: May 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the contact depressed the button to open the moonroof, and the cloth material covering the moonroof detached. The contact's daughter was sitting in the second row in the middle seat and alerted the contact to the failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that hanging cloth covers over the rear-view mirror was obstructing his view. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. There was no cause for the failure found. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA #: 11660708
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2025

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.

NHTSA #: 11660266
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2025

The cloth cover for the panoramic sun roof came off the tracks. Now when you retract the cover, it all comes down into the cabin seriously blocking drivers visibility to the back. I am unable to get the cloth cover back into the track mechanism.

NHTSA #: 11659048
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Apr 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the sunroof fractured without impact. Additionally, the fractured glass fell onto the contact and all over the interior of the vehicle. The contact sustained cuts from the fractured glass. The contact had not received medical treatment. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

NHTSA #: 11656846
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2025

Panoramic sunroof shade began sagging over night and now can fall and block view of rear view mirror out of the back of vehicle.

NHTSA #: 11644445
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2025

Sun/Panoramic roof cloth sags if the clips that hold it in place break as they are very brittle. Happened multiple times already. Rear visibility is blocked due to it and cannot use the rear view mirror.

NHTSA #: 11641931
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2025

The sunroof fabric fails to retract. When opening the sunroof, the fabric sags and blocks vision in the rearview mirror. I’m overseas active duty military and have not had it inspected. No warning lights are displayed.

NHTSA #: 11641582
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Dec 2024

Sunroof liner out of line with track, when opening blocks rear visibility including blind spots. Dealer confirmed multiple reports of sunroof issues with no identified fix besides replacing it with an identical mechanism that’s currently failing. Passengers in middle row are completely covered by drooping sunroof and have to lift it out of the way

NHTSA #: 11632107
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Dec 2024

My back window shattered. It made a horribly loud noise and shattered from one side to the other. There was no visibility out the window. I had just parked my car and was stepping out when it exploded. I can’t imagine the reaction I would have had if I had been driving. There was not any warnings or anything pertaining to the window and my vehicle has not been inspected at this time. I will be taking my vehicle to have the back window replaced, and it could be inspected anytime prior to that.

NHTSA #: 11631255
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: May 2024

The defroster lines are peeling off of the rear window. In the Winter season it make visibilty difficult to see. Dealer stated there is no fix or warranty for this repair to reach out to insurance. Ford needs to issue a recall for this safety issue.

NHTSA #: 11587617
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: May 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side window would not remain closed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger’s side window regulator module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The regulator module was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the same failure recently occurred with the front driver's side window and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,800.

NHTSA #: 11586537
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
Filed: Oct 2023

When putting the vehicle in reverse the backup camera will cut out to a blue screen randomly. A recall was issued in May of 2023 and it is now October with no fix at all.

NHTSA #: 11548936
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
CrashFiled: May 2023

My vehicle has had 3 software updates to try correct blue screen issues. Recently under a blue screen i was backing up in a parking garage and hit the wall as i could not see with the screen being blue. Fortunately I was going slow but it did scrape my bumper from hitting the concrete wall. Mostly It scared my kids and had an abrupt stop. I had read a pin on the connector was left uncapped leading to corrosion resulting in faulting screen. Why is ford trying to fix with software update? They should of been replacing connector pins or cameras. I have been experiencing this for over 2 years.

NHTSA #: 11522821
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER,VISIBILITY
Filed: Mar 2023

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.

NHTSA #: 11510746
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2023

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. During one downpour, there was at least an inch of water in the rear storage compartment. I live in eastern TN and we do tend to get a lot of rain, but I do not see how this window does not seal out the water.

NHTSA #: 11502103
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Oct 2022

On multiple occasions the wipers have stop working while raining. The bounce back and forth about an inch. This on at least 4 separate occasions forces us to pull over on the side of the road, including the highway. With not being able to see the shoulder well, we had to slow way down causing a potential hazard for other vehicles on the road as we try and navigate to the side of the road. Restarting the vehicle does not seem to do the trick. Sometimes stopping the wipers, picking them off the windshield and letting them smack on the window. This sometimes works. This increases the risk for severe injury on the side of the road outside the car in less than ideal driving conditions. I have taken the car to the dealership multiple times and they refuse to do anything because they cannot duplicate the issue. I showed them videos and did not car. Called ford, opened case with them. They did not do anything after 2 weeks. They've given me no suggestion or offered any solution or option. The last time it was a downpour and could not see anything. I had to slow down to less than 20mph, stick my head out the window to try and find a place to pull off as this road did not have a shoulder.

NHTSA #: 11487884
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Aug 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while activating the windshield wipers, the driver’s side windshield wiper was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the driver’s side windshield wiper was replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the mechanic stated that the bracket had sunk into the vehicle causing the wiper to not function correctly. The mechanic stated that an additional screw would be added for the wiper to function as needed. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 48,000.

NHTSA #: 11480546
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: May 2022

The front panel of my 2020 Ford Explorer ST panoramic sunroof exploded on May 6, 2022. Fortunately, I had closed the sun shade two days prior while on vacation in Florida. It was not due to being hit by debris as traffic was light and no trucks nearby. I was driving westbound on I-4 between Orlando and Tampa when a sudden "BOOM" occurred. I looked around as to what happened as their was no vibration or shuttering in the steering. I then heard glass shattering. When I could safely pull to the side of the road to inspect, the entire front panel of the sunroof was gone except around the perimeter. If I had not previously closed the sun shade, the tempered glass would have been in my eyes and any passengers in the front or rear seats. The local Ford dealership initially stated that the sunroof would be covered by warranty while waiting (6 days) for the back-ordered sunroof to be delivered. Then after being in the Service department for 2 days, they stated it would not be covered under warranty. I called Ford Corporate to complain, but they were only concerned if there was an open recall on the sunroof and there were none. They seemed disinterested in the safety aspect of the issue. I have since paid for the repair and filed an insurance claim. I know what a rock hitting the windshield or hood sounds like... this was not a rock, but a low, "mini-sonic boom"... the sunroof literally exploded. I usually do not pull the sun shade closed, but did so while in Florida although it was not extremely hot , between 87-92 degrees at around 9:30am, clear and sunny.

NHTSA #: 11466594
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 2022

I was driving my car in the afternoon & heard a pop. My windshield randomly cracked. It cracked at the base of the car about 2 inches up from where it meets the frame. Then it cracked across 3/4 of the windshield

NHTSA #: 11452240
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2022

The vehicle has been in the Ford Dealer 3-times to replace the sunroof/moonroof wind deflector. It has fallen off while driving two times interfering with traffic and one time it detached on one side only. Fortunately, no one was injured or any damage done other than the deflector was damaged by traffic after it detached. It was replaced just a few weeks ago for the second time and it just detached and fell off again while driving yesterday. I notified Ford Quality and Customer Concerns of the situation but no reply, apparently Ford, nor the dealer appear to care. However, besides the cost someone is going to get hurt. The first time the wind deflector came off was in April 21 and the second time October 22, the third time was yesterday, 01-14-22.

NHTSA #: 11447605
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Oct 2021

My windshield washer tank is leaking. Brought to Ford and they changed the tank. Still leaking and looks like still coming out of new cap. Go thorough a half gallon a week and only leaks when driving. Car is at Friendly ford now. They drove another 2020 Explorer with the same miles and was also leaking when driving. they said seems to be normal. Its not normal and dont want it leak out in winter and have no fluid and get in a accident cause cannot clean windshield. Need help with this.

NHTSA #: 11436693
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
Filed: Jul 2021

Reverse camera has displayed very dark once. Reverse camera has displayed solid, bright blue multiple times. Gauge cluster displayed warning message that reverse assistance is unavailable.

NHTSA #: 11424670
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Nov 2020

SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THE REAR CAMERA JUST DOESN'T WORK - NO PARTICULAR REASON BUT IT'S JUST OUT. IT USUALLY RESUMES NORMAL OPERATION AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING BUT SOMETIMES I'VE HAD TO SHUTDOWN AND RESTART MORE THAN ONCE (SEE PICTURE FROM MOST RECENT ISSUE). THE EMERGENCY BREAKING SYSTEM, PARTICULARLY WHEN MOVING IN REVERSE HAS ENGAGED UNEXPECTEDLY NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT ANY DANGER OR OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE WAY OF MY CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY WELL BEFORE THE SIDEWALK AND WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN NO PEOPLE ARE ANIMALS ANYWHERE NEARBY. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES AND PLACES BEYOND MY DRIVEWAY AND I'VE HAD THE EMERGENCY BREAKING SYSTEM ENGAGED WHILE IN DRIVE AND STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER UNUSUAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHERE THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY SAFETY RELATED BUT MIGHT INDICATE A BROADER ELECTRICAL ISSUE. FOR EXAMPLE, THE RADIO OFTEN DOESN'T WORK OR RESPOND TO COMMANDS TO CHANGE CHANNELS, VOLUME, ETC.

NHTSA #: 11375093
mediumVISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
Filed: May 2020

DRIVER DOOR AND WINDOW VIBRATING WHEN REAR WINDOWS ARE ROLLED DOWN IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH. *TR

NHTSA #: 11326423

Other 2020 Ford Explorer Issues