Window & Wiper complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% | 10,000 miles |
| 2025 | 13 | 12% | 15,000 miles |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% | — |
| 2023 | 11 | 10% | 21,000 miles |
| 2022 | 30 | 11% | 28,000 miles |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% | 45,000 miles |
| 2020 | 68 | 5% | 7,000 miles |
| 2019 | 8 | 3% | 43,000 miles |
| 2018 | 27 | 4% | 57,000 miles |
| 2017 | 74 | 4% | 59,000 miles |
| 2016 | 67 | 3% | 79,000 miles |
| 2015 | 43 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 52 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2013 | 62 | 3% | 76,000 miles |
| 2012 | 23 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2011 | 21 | 2% | 53,000 miles |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% | 48,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 6% | 95,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% | 124,000 miles |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% | 82,000 miles |
| 2006 | 14 | 2% | 40,000 miles |
| 2005 | 24 | 5% | 59,000 miles |
| 2004 | 105 | 8% | 78,000 miles |
| 2003 | 52 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 2002 | 131 | 4% | 79,000 miles |
| 2001 | 13 | 3% | 72,000 miles |
| 2000 | 41 | 4% | 71,000 miles |
| 1999 | 211 | 16% | 78,000 miles |
| 1998 | 92 | 5% | 80,000 miles |
| 1997 | 42 | 2% | 58,000 miles |
| 1996 | 30 | 2% | 148,000 miles |
| 1995 | 15 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH in the rain, the front windshield wipers suddenly stopped operating. The front power windows failed to operate properly and failed to go up or down. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,600.
The contact owns a 2026 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof glass panel made an abnormally loud sound and shattered without impact. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormal windy sound coming from the driver's side-view mirror. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers, where it was determined that the turbulence was caused by the mirror. The contact was informed that the molding was different from the passenger's side-view mirror molding. The dealer determined that driver's side-view mirror needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the doors and windows. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100.
There is a distortion in the front windshield affecting my ability to see the front right corner of my vehicle. I was leaving a restaurant in the dark and the distortion affected the headlights to the point it didn't appear there were any on the right side of the vehicle. In daylight, that area of the windshield is so distorted I've missed vehicles coming from the right and developed it migraines while driving. The defect was reported to the dealership and they reported it to the manufacturer in August, they have been going back and forth since, most recently being denied due to 'orange peel'. There is not damage to any of the paint, nor has the vehicle been through a car wash or any paint repairs (trim as been replaced by the dealership). The salesman and a number of service techs are able to confirm the distortion is visible to the center of the windshield. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, road debris was kicked up by the vehicle ahead and cracked the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield was replaced by a glass repair shop. The contact stated that on another occasion while driving on the highway, road debris was again kicked up onto the windshield, and the windshield cracked. The contact asked the glass repair shop if the windshield was replaced with an OEM windshield and was informed that the windshield was an OEM part. The contact stated that while looking at the windshield from the left or right side, and at a right angle of light, there was a wavy imperfection running from the left to the right and in the middle of the windshield. The contact stated that the windshield had been replaced five times. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2023 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, she heard an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to park on the side of the road and noticed that the sunroof had shattered independently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and was informed that the sunroof needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 2,500.
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger's side rear window failed to roll up. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle, as a certified engineer, the master control switch on the driver's side door had remained in the down position allowing for the window to remain down. The plastic around the switch was warped, causing the switch to remain in a downward position to activate the button. The contact manually raised the window and disconnected the connector from the circuit board to allow all other windows to properly function. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. …
Related recalls (4)
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.
Visibility › Windshield
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2026 Explorer vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will remove and replace the windshield, free charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 30, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26C02.
Visibility › Windshield
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Lincoln Corsair, Lincoln Aviator, and Explorer vehicles. The windshield glass may have visible air bubbles, which can obscure the driver's visibility.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the windshield as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 6, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Motor
On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor May have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on November 22, 2005.
NHTSA investigations
Windshield wiper malfunction
There is no summary currently available
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Explorer years have window & wiper problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (211), 2002 (131), 2004 (105), 1998 (92) and 2017 (74) model years. Window & Wiper complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Ford Explorer window & wiper problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 26V-117 (motor, Mar 3, 2026); 26V-024 (windshield, Jan 21, 2026); 25V-730 (windshield, Oct 24, 2025). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Ford Explorer window & wiper problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 69,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the windshield wiper/washer (151 mentions), followed by the glass, side/rear (124).
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.