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 2020 Ford Explorer owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V675000 (Power Train), 26V117000 (Visibility), and 26V402000 (Power Train); however, parts for the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle with the foot on the brake pedal, the gear shifter was shifted to park(P), and the vehicle unexpectedly reversed and crashed into a nearby brick mailbox and came to a stop. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. A Police report was not filed. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled while parking the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. …
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. …
Vehicle: 2020 Ford Explorer XLT Date of Incident: October 24 2025 Approx. Mileage: 82000 Affected Component: Visibility / Defroster / Rear Window Glass Description of Problem: While the rear defroster was on, the rear window of my 2020 Ford Explorer XLT suddenly made a popping noise and began to spider-crack from a point near the defroster grid. There was no external impact to the glass. The cracking continued slowly across the entire rear window after the noise. The event occurred on October 24 2025. The vehicle was parked outdoors in normal fall weather conditions in Pennsylvania, and the rear defroster had been turned on to clear condensation. This appears to be a rear defroster thermal event, similar to issues described in Ford's Customer Satisfaction Program N192265660, which addressed defroster overheating and rear-window damage in certain Ford vehicles. …
I had a really disappointing experience at Delta Sonic Car Wash in [redacted] 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 fianc and I have been loyal customers for years. We've spent hundreds here and have had memberships every winter since 2018. …
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. …
Both my passenger and driver headlights have failed. I have paid to have them replaced. The drivers side has failed twice. The passenger side has failed 3 times. I have taken it to the dealership and they "fixed" the issue but it keeps coming back months or weeks later. The low beams are what is failing. The message on the dash says "check headlight assembly see manual" This is a safety risk to me and other people on the road. They have failed while driving. If I am driving early in the morning or late at night I can not see if there are no street lights. People also can't see me coming. This is a major safety risk. I bought the car in August 2024. Headlights have failed 5 times since then. The dealership helped me with my first four failures. On this last failure, they said it is not covered under warranty and that I need to pay $3000 for the headlight. …
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed April 2, 2026.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Explorer years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2020 Ford Explorer?
NHTSA has 68 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2020 Ford Explorer, 5% of the model year's 1,240 complaints. The component named most often is sun/moon roof assembly (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2020 Ford Explorer window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 26V-117 (motor, Mar 3, 2026). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2020 Ford Explorer window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 7,000 miles, and 57% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.