Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The message "Traction Failure - Stop Safely" and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the electronic steering rack and pinion were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver's side windshield trim panel separated, struck, and cracked the windshield of the vehicle behind. There was no injury sustained. Additionally, the driver's side windshield rubber detached and started striking the side of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. A Ford technician met the contact on the side of the road and assisted the contact in securing the rubber into position and tape was applied. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the security light was illuminated, and the battery was drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the security panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving, the lights failed to turn on, and the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was determined that the electrical system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that there was no longer a dinging sound when the doors were ajar. The interior lights were dim, and the horn was inoperable. The rubber trim was detaching. The moon roof failed to close. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who determined that water had entered the vehicle through the sunroof and that the wires were wet. …
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front driver's and passenger's side windshield trim panel detached and struck another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that he would be charged a repair cost. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the passenger's side windshield trim molding detached from the windshield. The vehicle was not diagnosed however, the contact was informed that the adhesive used to secure the molding had melted. The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 110,660.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the windshield frame dislodged, and the contact was able to perform a self-repair with sealant. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to inquire of a recall. The dealer did not find a recall associated with the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated there was a leak coming from the sunroof. The contact took the vehicle to a collision center and diagnosed that there was tubing that needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.
Both the driver side and passenger side exterior a-pillar applique molding came while driving down the highway and almost caused an accident. This has happened twice because FORD says they can't fix it because they don't have the parts. Anyone can get the parts online that are after market but that does not fix the issue. I did buy the after market ones and those came off on the interstate and almost hit a motorcycle driver. This has been going on Since January of 2024 and FORD is not doing anything about it. You are unable to call FORD, email FORD, and no one will escalate this. Now it has become even more of a safety issues because my rubber seals for my windshield are wearing and tearing off at a fast pace. It is causing more damage that FORD will not be responsible for fixing. Why do safety recalls not get fixed and are not forced to be fixed? …
The vehicle inspection to see if our vehicle qualified for the recall to replace the A-Pillar trim was done well over a year ago. The inventory has been on backorder for over a year as well. The windshield desperately needs replaced for safety reasons and the windshield cannot be replaced without replacing these recalled pieces. We are having to pay $200 extra out of pocket to replace these defective pieces. According to Ford they will not reimburse for the repair since they notified us of the recall, but they haven't been able to fix the problem in a timely manner and we need a new windshield immediately. So I believe they should reimburse us for these parts we have to pay out of pocket for due to not being able to fix the recall.
In January 2024 we were driving on the interstate when the left front A-Pillar trim part around windshield came off and hit our windshield, then flew off on the highway. We received a recall from Ford in February 2024, to date they claim they still don't have the part to repair, we now have water that leaks into the car when it rains. Which is creating issue inside our car. it has now been two years, it seems like they will never get this and my car will keep leaking. The car is titled in Virginia but the car is located at our Florida property in Clearwater Beach FL, I need it fixed down here.
Exterior trim or molding on windshield, driver and passenger (both) sides flew off vehicle while driving 65 MPH on the interstate. The weather conditions were sunny skies and wind during day time. This incident occured July 2022. Thank God no serious accidents occurred I'm aware of. After some research, I learned this is a common occurrence with Ford Explorer vehicles. I feel this is a safety concern. Hopefully Ford issues a recall or other type of compensation for owners. I replaced the molding on both sides via Amazon myself after I didn't hear back from a Ford Dearlership nearby.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2014 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 52 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2014 Ford Explorer, 3% of the model year's 1,682 complaints. The component named most often is windshield › critical fasteners (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Ford Explorer window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2014 Ford Explorer, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Ford Explorer window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.