2016 Ford Explorer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 68about this part
- Share
- 3%of 2,464 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 78,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 68 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Ford Explorer, 3% of the 2,464 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 78,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Just leased this 2016 Ford Explorer. It has 700 miles on it. We have not made a payment. I was driving down the road at about 30 miles per hour. Nobody was within a mile of me. I was alone in the car. The rear window exploded. I got out and checked the window. It clearly had exploded outward. There was no external source to cause the window to explode. I am a police officer, and have seen where windows explode or are smashed. The window will take a slight indent or poof outward from the force. In this case, the window was poofed outward. There was also a faint order in the car afterward. …”
NHTSA complaint #10884471, filed 2016-07, 689 miles“Employee was driving home from work. He had warmed up his car before driving about 10 minutes. All of a sudden his back window exploded. Weather was colder. Found online that there was a problem with Ford's windows having issues with windows getting too hot and then popping when the cold air surrounded it..”
NHTSA complaint #11327373, filed 2020-06, 55,000 miles“The rear windshield spontaneously shattered while driving on 495 south in ma. Fortunately no one was injured and the glass remained intact to pull off to safety. With the impact of the car door opening and closing, pieces of glass began to break away.”
NHTSA complaint #11292265, filed 2019-12, 78,000 miles“The steering wheel at times when even making a slight turn pops back and shakes. Restricting the turn the wipers have now multiple times in rain stopped in the upright positions causing a grave driving hazard”
NHTSA complaint #11385683, filed 2020-12, 50,000 miles“Rear window on lift gate exploded while the vehicle was sitting in the driveway. Side door was opened to the vehicle, and then the back window blew out. This caused small glass pieces to fall inside and outside the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11061240, filed 2018-01, 66,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10207049Jan 7, 2022Some 2011-2022 Explorer and 2020-2022 Aviator vehicles may experience an inoperative roof opening panel motor. If diagnostics lead to a motor replacement, visually inspect the…
- 10169886Dec 18, 2019Some 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles may exhibit front window glass that jumps/chatters during up/down movement. This may be due to various conditions in the window motor including…
- 10164508Aug 9, 2019Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in…
- 10156868Feb 26, 2019Some 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles may exhibit front window glass that jumps/chatters during up/down movement. This may be due to various conditions in the window motor including…
- 10155556Feb 26, 2019Some 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles may exhibit front window glass that jumps/chatters during up/down movement. This may be due to various conditions in the window motor including…
- 10137072Mar 20, 2018Some 2016-2017 Explorer vehicles may exhibit front window glass that jumps/chatters during up/down movement. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 14% |
| 2025 | 13 | 12% |
| 2024 | 3 | 14% |
| 2023 | 11 | 10% |
| 2022 | 31 | 11% |
| 2021 | 48 | 11% |
| 2020 | 70 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 3% |
| 2018 | 27 | 4% |
| 2017 | 77 | 5% |
| 2016 | 68 | 3% |
| 2015 | 45 | 2% |
| 2014 | 53 | 3% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 3% |
| 2011 | 23 | 2% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 9% |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 4% |
| 2006 | 16 | 3% |
| 2005 | 26 | 5% |
| 2004 | 112 | 9% |
| 2003 | 62 | 5% |
| 2002 | 138 | 4% |
| 2001 | 17 | 5% |
| 2000 | 46 | 5% |
| 1999 | 217 | 16% |
| 1998 | 108 | 6% |
| 1997 | 90 | 5% |
| 1996 | 47 | 3% |
| 1995 | 19 | 2% |
| 1994 | 71 | 6% |
| 1993 | 56 | 6% |
| 1992 | 46 | 7% |
| 1991 | 32 | 5% |
| 1990 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2016 Ford Explorer
591 complaintsSteering
532 complaintsOther or unknown
435 complaintsEngine
382 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
215 complaintsElectrical system
129 complaintsEngine cooling
114 complaintsFuel system
112 complaintsAir bags
99 complaintsVehicle speed control
76 complaintsSuspension
73 complaintsWheels
50 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology