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2022 Ford Explorer Wipers & Visibility Problems

13 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data

13
Complaints
1
Recalls
Feb 2025Nov 2022
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Wipers & Visibility Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #26V117000

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.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front wiper motors as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, are expected to be mailed March 9, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in May 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.

Owner Complaints (13)

mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Oct 2025

Sunroof shade came off track and began drooping, obscuring view out of rearview mirror. Total lack of visibility out of the rear window (whether turning my head or using the rearview mirror) presented a significant safety hazard. Dealer confirmed problem and quoted over $2500 for repair. Prior to issue, a persistent rattling noise had been coming from the vehicle’s ceiling (at speed) for at least 6 months.

NHTSA #: 11694327
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jul 2025

I bought the car May 31th and on June 1st the moon roof shade come out of its track

NHTSA #: 11671822
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER,BACK OVER PREVENTION
Filed: Apr 2025

The backup camera and related system on the 2022 Ford Explorer ST has malfunctioned and failed to show any images. I'd had the vehicle to the dealer on 3 occasions, whereby I've just learned the issue was improperly diagnosed by another dealer as a faulty camera, but the real problem of a faulty processor was diagnosed and therefore not replaced. This issue puts me, other vehicles and pedestrians in particular risk as there is not rear camera image being projected. The problem has been confirmed by two dealers, diagnosed and now indication is to repair it. This is clearly part of the broader issues Ford is having with rear camera back-up systems.

NHTSA #: 11653910
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Feb 2025

Retracted the sunroof and the fabric didn’t retract and just hung down. I don’t retract the sunroof often so it can’t be over use. I closed it but it billows and is a distraction when looking in my rear view mirror. Can’t make it tight again and can’t be without my vehicle for weeks while dealership has it. This is a major fault with the design. No warning. It’s worked and then it didn’t.

NHTSA #: 11643073
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jun 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and idling with the air conditioner activated, the rear hatch door window suddenly shattered. The contact stated that during the failure, there was no impact on the window to cause the shattering of the window. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 28,000.

NHTSA #: 11596084
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jun 2024

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. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000.

NHTSA #: 11596096
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Sep 2023

The plastic window switch has peeled, creating essentially a very sharp edge that has cut me and caused bleeding and pain. It is available for inspection and I have pictures. This is a problem known to Ford. The vehicle was dropped of at a Ford dealership, Crossley Ford Liberty, MO. The problem identified, but not covered under warranty.

NHTSA #: 11545808
mediumVISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Mar 2023

The sun roof/ moon roof shattered while going down the road at 70 MPH. Glass showered down on my wife as she was traveling until she could stop and get the glass cleaned up.

NHTSA #: 11514079
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Mar 2023

Since "fixing" my vehicle with retrofitted 2nd row HVAC controls, the 2nd row heating is unable to be controlled from the front, which means if you have a child in a car seat who can't reach the 2nd row controls you must reach behind while driving to adjust the heat. If you try to adjust from the front controls, it shuts off the overhead vents and only blows from one 3rd row floor vent, which doesn't provide much heat for the 2nd row passengers. The AC controls work properly when controlled from the front. I've taken my vehicle to Ford several times and they tried reprogramming, etc. and compared to other vehicles of the same model year and said they are functioning the same as mine. I believe this poses a serious safety risk as who is not going to attempt to reach back to provide some heat to a cold child?

NHTSA #: 11510740
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Nov 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in the rain, the windshield wipers were engaged but failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the windshield wipers were not wiping water off the windshield as the rubber on the wiper blades were defective. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 500.

NHTSA #: 11494468
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Nov 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in the rain, the windshield wipers were engaged but failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the windshield wipers were not wiping water off the windshield as the rubber on the wipers was defective. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 500.

NHTSA #: 11494470
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: May 2022

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and attempting to roll up the window, the rear passenger’s side window failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be repaired, the window was very hot, and the battery needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,420.

NHTSA #: 11463001
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Apr 2022

The windshield just cracked on its own no rock hit it. I rolled down side window to order food and when I rolled it up it spread all over and now leaking inside windshield. Also driving with side windows down the windows vibrate very shaky it doesn’t do that in any other vehicle f150 doesn’t vibrate at all.

NHTSA #: 11461347

Other 2022 Ford Explorer Issues