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Visibility & wipers

2018 Ford Explorer Visibility problems

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2018 Ford Explorer's visibility & wipers with NHTSA - 4% of all its complaints, most recently on July 13, 2026. Windshields, wipers, defrosters, mirrors, backup cameras and glare.

Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Visibility complaints

Visibility & wipers

The windshield wiper motor failed, causing the windshield wipers to stop operating properly. At the same time, the windshield washer system is unable to spray washer fluid onto the windshield. This significantly reduces visibility during rain and when the windshield becomes dirty, creating a safety hazard. No warning lights were displayed

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11750024
Visibility & wipers

The windshield wipers do not work, the rear wiper do not work and the wiper fluid does not squirt out. It can be inspected. The safety of everyone is at risk because I can't clean my windshield to make the road visible. I have recently seen a recall involving Ford vehicles regarding the windshield wipers not working. And I think it needs to include more years because mine is affected also. It started glitching about a year ago and now doesn't work at all. No lights come on and there is fluid in the wiper tank.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11729720
Electrical systemBody, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

I am filing a safety complaint regarding unresolved recalls on my 2018 Ford Explorer (VIN: [[redacted]] ). FIRST RECALL: Over two years ago, I was notified to repair the exterior A-pillar trim/window shields. The dealer in Yakima, WA, placed me on a waiting list and said the part was unavailable. I have been waiting over two years with no resolution. Recently, while driving on the highway, this part fell off and struck the windshield of another vehicle behind me, creating a dangerous situation and potential for...

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serious injury. The dealer refused to repair it for free, stating I must either wait longer or purchase the part myself, despite this being a manufacturer safety recall. This long delay and refusal put my safety and the safety of others at risk. It also caused stress, confrontation, and concern for my financial obligations, as I continue paying for a vehicle with unresolved safety defects. SECOND RECALL: The high-speed cooling fan motor relay recall was not properly addressed. The dealer only started the vehicle, stated the fan worked, and performed no inspection or repair, leaving a potential hazard unresolved. FORD RESPONSE: I reported these incidents to Ford Customer Service, but they said the situation did not qualify for opening a case. I strongly disagree, as these are confirmed safety recalls and one part already failed during driving. ADDITIONAL CONCERNS: I am still making monthly payments for this vehicle while unresolved recalls continue to appear. The ongoing failure to repair these defects, despite multiple reports, creates financial and safety burdens. I request NHTSA to investigate these matters, require Ford to complete all recall repairs properly, and hold the dealer accountable for their refusal to provide free safety repairs in a timely manner. Thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11707887
Electrical systemBody, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

During a storm, our SUV had water leaking in through the top, middle of the windshield. The water soaked the dashboard controls and our heating/air system was stuck on high heat and would not turn off. It was 70° and it was extremely hot in the SUV and the windows kept fogging up making it hard to see. Our temperature controls no longer work properly.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Structure · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11707788
Body, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

The dash on my 2018 Ford Explorer platinum is rolling up from the front of the dash. It is made out of some sort of leather or vinyl. But with it rolling up towards the driver, it causes a glare onto the windshield which causes visibility issues. I know I'm not the only one experiencing these problems with the platinum trim on the 2018 ford explorer. But this really needs to be looked into and recalled. You can also look up the explorer platinum on a vehicle search website and visibly see that every platinum edition explorer has this issue. It's unsafe and should be addressed immediately.

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or other · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11691529
AirbagsVisibility & wipers

The vinyl on the top part of the dash has completely seperated which is causing a major white reflection on my window and rendering the car unsafe to drive. Ford refuses to address the issue. I also suspect if my air bags deployed this could impact how they deploy or cause additional vinyl shrapnel hitting an occupant in the face in the event of a crash.

Filed Incident Air bags · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11685377
Visibility & wipers

The dash cover came unglued and is rolling up exposing a white cloth that reflects on the windshield makingit hard to see

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11681453
Visibility & wipers

The cover on my dashboard has lifted/rolled up and revealed a white material underneath, and as such, this has caused a glare onto the windshield in my field of vision, making it harder for me to see while driving. I feel that this is a safety concern. I have taken it to a Ford dealership to have it looked at, and they claim that there is nothing that can be done except for the entire dashboard to be replaced which would be thousands of dollars. I have researched this issue and it seems to be a common issue among my make and model year of the vehicle.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11675296
Visibility & wipers

intermittent wipers would not turn off. Took car to dealership and they charged $629.38 to fix a FORD quality issue. Wipers scratch the windshield and cause unnecessary distraction during dry conditions as they would not turn off. This issue (wipers not turning off) occurred after the A-Pillar flew off my vehicle and hit another car. The other driver did not stop. FORD needs to cover the cost of the wiper switch and also compensate owners for lack of part availability to fix the A-Pillar issue for a year now. No alerts, warning messages provided.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11631156
Visibility & wipersBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); the roof racks started to detach from the vehicle, almost causing the sunroof to fracture. The contact stated that the side view mirrors seized without warning. The contact had to shift to park and turn off and restart the vehicle for the side view mirrors to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 77,000.

Filed Incident Visibility · StructureNHTSA 11618681
Visibility & wipers

Both right and left side exterior A-pillar trim parts detached while driving. 2018 Ford Explorer.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11600252
Body, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the driver's side windshield was cracked. The contact also stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, she became aware of a crack on the passenger's side windshield. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair....

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The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available. The windshield failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

Filed Incident Structure · VisibilityNHTSA 11588562
Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when there was heavy rain in the area. The contact stated that after the heavy rain passed when they were placing items in the back seat, they noticed that water was in the cup holder. The contact discovered a crack in the sunroof allowing water to enter the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred multiple times. The contact was concerned that there was no impact on the sunroof to have caused it to crack. The vehicle...

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was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a cracked sunroof frame. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11578558
Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the front windshield was disintegrating. There were no warning lights illuminated. While driving, the contact detected that there was an abnormal chirping noise and wind entering the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had gradually progressed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the cowl screen panel needed to be replaced. The sealant around the windshield had disintegrated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under the warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11554038
Body, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

Windshield trim detached during highway travel. It flapped hitting the windshield and flew off almost causing collision.

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or other · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11546967
Visibility & wipers

Windshield noise above 35mph. Seals are rotting. Couldn't upload photos.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11546792
Visibility & wipers

Our 2018 Ford Explorer windshield trim panel is partially detached. The detachment is on the passenger side lower corner of the windshield and continues up for 9 inches. No crash has occurred as of this time. I reported the detachment to our local Ford Dealer and they were unconcerned. We first noticed a litter detachment late Fall of 2022. The detachment had since extended up the windshield.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11507193
Visibility & wipers

The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after her daughter had placed her 8-month-old grandchild in a car seat in the second-row rear driver's side seat, she heard a loud banging sound coming from the vehicle. The contact's daughter, was outside of the vehicle at the time the failure occurred and noticed that the center of the rear windshield had exploded, projecting shattered pieces of glass that reached her grandchild's car seat. There was no injury...

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sustained. The contact' daughter was able to drive the vehicle to her residence while her grandchild was transported by a family member. The dealer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11505870
Visibility & wipers

Parts of the front windshield trim/seals on the passenger and driver's side have come off on their own. Just noticed that I am missing substantial parts of the driver's side seal and the passenger side is cracked and missing in some areas.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11505868
Visibility & wipers

Windshield trim was coming off while I was driving on interstate 95 at high speed. I was able to secure it before it blew off with some tape and stopped off the highway and got some black duct tape. I have not had it fixed yet but the tape is holding well so far. I just read that this is being investigated. I don't believe that I should have to pay to repair this as it seems to be happening to others. Thank you [[redacted]] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11505079
Body, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70-75 MPH, the exterior driver's side trim piece along the windshield detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle part was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Incident Structure · VisibilityNHTSA 11504871
Body, doors & structureVisibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear windshield trim separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear windshield trim needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that he needed to pay for the repair because the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.

Filed Incident Structure · VisibilityNHTSA 11491976
Visibility & wipersBody, doors & structure

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the weather stripping around the windshield and the rubber seal around all doors had started to deteriorate on the passenger's and driver's side rear doors. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the windshield molding and the rubber stripping on the doors needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 27,632.

Filed Incident Visibility · StructureNHTSA 11490115
Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the rear hatch glass shattered without impact. The vehicle was taken to Safelite Auto Glass and repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the repair was not covered under the vehicle warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Incident VisibilityNHTSA 11455231
Visibility & wipers

Front sound screen windshield seems very soft and weak. Slightest strike from road debris causes chip or crack. Debris strikes regardless of amount of impact has caused chipping, cracks, and visible scrapes of material. Windshield is sound screen and seems made of extremely soft materials making vulnerable to easy damage which is safety risk to driver and occupants while driving regardless of on highway or city street.

Filed Incident Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11120795

Ford Explorer visibility complaints by year

Explorer visibility problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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