2021 Ford Explorer Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 48about this part
- Share
- 11%of 448 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 48 complaints about the visibility of the 2021 Ford Explorer, 11% of the 448 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving down the road and heard a loud pop and it sounded like a golf ball hit my door. I immediately looked in my rear view mirror and was unable to see anything. After merging to the shoulder of the road and stopping safely I turned around and noticed that the headliner from my sun roof had broken and fallen and was blocking all view from my mirror.”
NHTSA complaint #11679735, filed 2025-08“They have fixed zero recalls. I have no wipers at all. I’ve attempted to get a resolution multiple times with no care or concern nor resolution. This is ridiculous. A recall almost 8 months and people have zero wipers!!! And the engine recall. It’s going to blow up before it’s fixed!”
NHTSA complaint #11772061, filed 2026-10“Never really used sun roof , but accidentally hit button to open … then closed….. not realizing that the cover didn’t close it SAG down behind my head… blocking rear view completely. It was dark out and had to pull over and try to fix so I could see out my rear window”
NHTSA complaint #11771261, filed 2026-10“The rear windshield shattered as I was driving. I did not hit anything, nor did anything hit the rear window. The temperature is -3. I had the defroster on and think the extreme cold mixed with the defroster caused the window to shatter. Is the glass faulty? Or the defroster?”
NHTSA complaint #11565647, filed 2024-01“I am reporting a safety incident involving a 2021 Ford Explorer. While driving at normal speed, the hood unexpectedly flew open and struck the windshield, completely obstructing visibility and causing damage. I did not open the hood prior to driving, and there were no prior warnings or indications of failure. The incident suggests a possible hood latch or secondary safety latch malfunction. I am submitting this report due to a serious safety concern involving sudden loss of driver visibility.”
NHTSA complaint #11733749, filed 2026-04Related recalls
- 26V117000Mar 3, 2026Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The windshield wiper motor may fail…Covers: Ford Explorer 2020–2022, Lincoln Aviator 2020–2022, Ford Escape 2020–2022 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 11036103Aug 5, 2026Some 2020-2025 Explorer vehicles equipped with a power roof opening panel may exhibit a sunshield with localized bunching or binding/inoperative. This may be due to a broken or…
- 11034228Jun 11, 2026Customer Satisfaction Program 26N09 Certain 2020 Model Year Escape, 2020-2021 Corsair, 2020-2021 Aviator, and 2020- 2021 and 2023 Explorer Vehicles Front Windshield Wiper Motor…
- 11021975Aug 14, 2025Various 2021-2025 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the rear camera on demand feature may exhibit "Please Check Surroundings For Safety" or "Full View Not Available"…
- 10228881Dec 20, 2022Some vehicles equipped with power folding mirrors may exhibit power folding mirrors that are inoperative or exhibit a clicking sound. This may be due to the mirrors being…
- 10212959May 26, 2022Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit the A/C blowing warm air with DTCs P0645, P2CFC, and/or P2CFD present in the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)…
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 | 69 | 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 2021 Ford Explorer
127 complaintsOther or unknown
90 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsElectrical system
48 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
36 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsBody and structure
25 complaintsBrakes
24 complaintsForward collision avoidance
19 complaintsSeats
17 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Ford Explorer
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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