2021 Ford Explorer Visibility & Wipers Problems
Visibility & Wipers complaints account for 41 of 426 total complaints (10%) on the 2021 Ford Explorer, with a median failure mileage of 45,000. NHTSA recall 26V117000 covers wiper motor failure on this model year.
- Visibility & Wipers complaints
- 41
- 10% of 426
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 2
- Median mileage
- 45,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 1
Typical visibility and wiper symptoms owners report
- Windshield wipers fail to clear the windshield during rain and continue malfunctioning even after wiper blades and arms are replaced.
- Backup camera intermittently shows a blue screen instead of the camera image, sometimes persisting even after software updates, requiring camera replacement in some cases.
- Panoramic moon roof retractable shade tracks fail, causing the shade fabric to sag and block the rearview mirror and side window views.
- Rear door glass fastener between the V-shaped glass and door glass fractures, requiring uncovered repair.
- Sunroof or windshield glass shatters without impact while driving, in one case tied to extreme cold with the defroster running.
- Driver's side power window switch plastic trim strip peels away, creating a laceration hazard.
When 2021 Ford Explorer visibility and wiper complaints were filed
First complaint Sep 11, 2022, latest Sep 22, 2026.
Visibility & Wipers recalls for the 2021 Ford Explorer
- NHTSA 26V117000Mar 3, 2026Visibility & Wipers604,533 vehicles
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.
Risk: Windshield wipers that fail to operate properly can reduce visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in October 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S14. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on March 4, 2026.
Visibility & Wipers complaints by Explorer model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many Visibility & Wipers complaints does the 2021 Ford Explorer have?
- NHTSA lists 41 Visibility & Wipers complaints for the 2021 Ford Explorer, which is 10% of the 426 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a wiper recall for the 2021 Ford Explorer?
- Yes. Recall 26V117000 covers 2020-2022 Explorer, Escape, Lincoln Aviator, and Lincoln Corsair vehicles where the windshield wiper motor may fail and prevent the wipers from operating. Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motor free of charge.
- At what mileage do visibility and wiper problems tend to occur on the 2021 Explorer?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 45,000 miles.
- Did the visibility and wiper issues cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data shows 0 crashes and 0 fires linked to this problem area on the 2021 Explorer, but 2 injuries were reported.
- How does the 2021 Explorer compare to other years for this problem?
- The 2021 model year's 10% share of complaints in this area is higher than most earlier years like 2019 (2%) and 2015 (2%), though 2022 (11%) and 2024 (14%) show even higher shares.