2014 Ford Explorer Visibility Problems

Both the driver side and passenger side exterior a-pillar applique molding came while driving down the highway and almost caused an accident. This has happened twice because FORD says they can't fix it because they don't have the parts. Anyone can get the parts online that are after market but that does not fix the issue. I did buy the after market ones and those came off on the interstate and almost hit a motorcycle driver. This has been going on Since January of 2024 and FORD is not doing anything about it. You are unable to call FORD, email FORD, and no one will escalate this. Now it has become even more of a safety issues because my rubber seals for my windshield are wearing and tearing off at a fast pace. It is causing more damage that FORD will not be responsible for fixing. Why do safety recalls not get fixed and are not forced to be fixed? Safety recall and no one cares to get it fixed.

NHTSA ID

11724059

Incident

Aug 13, 2025

EXTERIOR A-PILLAR APPLIQUE TRIM CLIP ATTACHMENTS ARE NOT PROPERLY ENGAGED DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR REPAIR. REAER TOE LINK REAR TIRES TILTED INWARD due to potential fractures from corrosion or broken welds on TOE LINK.

NHTSA ID

11723710

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

In January 2024 we were driving on the interstate when the left front A-Pillar trim part around windshield came off and hit our windshield, then flew off on the highway. We received a recall from Ford in February 2024, to date they claim they still don't have the part to repair, we now have water that leaks into the car when it rains. Which is creating issue inside our car. it has now been two years, it seems like they will never get this and my car will keep leaking. The car is titled in Virginia but the car is located at our Florida property in Clearwater Beach FL, I need it fixed down here.

NHTSA ID

11708679

Incident

Jan 23, 2024

side-to-side reversed image on a 2014 Ford Explorer's backup camera

NHTSA ID

11695353

Incident

Sep 1, 2025

The vehicle inspection to see if our vehicle qualified for the recall to replace the A-Pillar trim was done well over a year ago. The inventory has been on backorder for over a year as well. The windshield desperately needs replaced for safety reasons and the windshield cannot be replaced without replacing these recalled pieces. We are having to pay $200 extra out of pocket to replace these defective pieces. According to Ford they will not reimburse for the repair since they notified us of the recall, but they haven't been able to fix the problem in a timely manner and we need a new windshield immediately. So I believe they should reimburse us for these parts we have to pay out of pocket for due to not being able to fix the recall.

NHTSA ID

11687271

Incident

Sep 20, 2024

•Rearview camera view and alerts •Inspection unknown • Hit mailbox •Dogded backup accidents in parking lots ▪︎Dogded backup accidents out of hard to see drive ways •Not taken to dealer no recalls for my year •Not inspected by anyone •No warning lamps •Alerts would just stop (checked settings it was on) •Camera would freeze first occasionally •Progressed to going black •Camera goes in and out •Beeping works then stops •No rhyme or reason to what stops or freezes and when or season •First noticed it after purchase a few years ago

NHTSA ID

11671195

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

The rear safety camera fails to appear in the dash. Car says unable to connect or display. Sometimes works, mostly does not. Ford dealer wants to charge $800 to fix. As this is a vehicle safety feature, I believe it is a failure similar to the latest recall by Ford

NHTSA ID

11665969

Incident

Dec 18, 2021

My APillar molding piece flew off the passenger side of my wind shield. I’m scared the other side will do the same thing and I don’t want anyone to get hurt but I have to use my car. I have been waiting 6 months for the parts… Also, whenever it rains my floorboards flood from water leaking through my windshield and could possibly get into my electronics as well.

NHTSA ID

11632910

Incident

Aug 9, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the security light was illuminated, and the battery was drained. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the security panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving, the lights failed to turn on, and the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was determined that the electrical system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that there was no longer a dinging sound when the doors were ajar. The interior lights were dim, and the horn was inoperable. The rubber trim was detaching. The moon roof failed to close. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, who determined that water had entered the vehicle through the sunroof and that the wires were wet. The dealer added plastic and glue to the sunroof. Additionally, the vehicle failed to start. There was an abnormal clicking sound while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the compressor needed to be replaced because the compressor was clogged. The manufacturer was contacted, who opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

NHTSA ID

11606756

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

Mileage

127,000 mi

The backup camera does not work. Sometimes a reversed the image which is highly dangerous. This has happened to a number of people I know who have the same car. It says see dealership on the screen.

NHTSA ID

11593207

Incident

Jul 1, 2020

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the passenger's side windshield wiper detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11586557

Incident

Apr 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the windshield frame dislodged, and the contact was able to perform a self-repair with sealant. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to inquire of a recall. The dealer did not find a recall associated with the VIN related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.

NHTSA ID

11583784

Incident

Apr 18, 2024

Mileage

97,000 mi

The window trim and weatherstripping has detached from the vehicle while driving highway speed. Pieces were detaching more as I drove. Causing vehicles to maneuver in ways of car not being damaged

NHTSA ID

11564523

Incident

Jan 2, 2024

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel locked inadvertently. The message "Traction Failure - Stop Safely" and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. There was no further information provided. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the electronic steering rack and pinion were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the driver's side windshield trim panel separated, struck, and cracked the windshield of the vehicle behind. There was no injury sustained. Additionally, the driver's side windshield rubber detached and started striking the side of the vehicle. The contact veered to the side of the road. A Ford technician met the contact on the side of the road and assisted the contact in securing the rubber into position and tape was applied. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ID

11535487

Incident

Jul 26, 2023

Mileage

94,000 mi

Front windshield trim coming off at highway speed.

NHTSA ID

11535201

Incident

Feb 28, 2023

While driving on highway the trim on the side of the windshield flew off .

NHTSA ID

11509827

Incident

Mar 2, 2023

Driving on highway approx. 65-70 mph windshield trim on passenger side flew off, over car onto highway. I was unable to retrieve piece due to number of vehicles on the 3-lane highway. Have noticed other Explorers in Colorado missing same piece. Thanks for looking into this issue.

NHTSA ID

11508584

Incident

Nov 25, 2022

I have had the windshield replaced for the trim coming loose on both sides. I was able to use duct tape to keep them in place until replacement. That was a few years back. Then it happened again. Now it is happening again. So 3 times in 8 years.

NHTSA ID

11507187

Incident

Oct 6, 2018

The drivers side pillar molding piece along the windshield flew off the car while driving down the highway. It could have struck the car behind us but luckily it missed them. The piece seemed a little loose when scraping ice off the car but didn’t seem like it would just fly off like that.

NHTSA ID

11506072

Incident

Feb 7, 2023

Exterior trim or molding on windshield, driver and passenger (both) sides flew off vehicle while driving 65 MPH on the interstate. The weather conditions were sunny skies and wind during day time. This incident occured July 2022. Thank God no serious accidents occurred I'm aware of. After some research, I learned this is a common occurrence with Ford Explorer vehicles. I feel this is a safety concern. Hopefully Ford issues a recall or other type of compensation for owners. I replaced the molding on both sides via Amazon myself after I didn't hear back from a Ford Dearlership nearby.

NHTSA ID

11505250

Incident

Jul 21, 2022

I was driving on the highway on December 17, 2022 when the right windshield trim panel came off the vehicle. I didn't know what it was at the time but there was a loud noise. When I got to my destination I noticed the trim panel was gone. The panel flying off could have hit another vehicle. I just saw the article on Fox Business that others were having this issue so I wanted to report my issue as well.

NHTSA ID

11505167

Incident

Dec 17, 2022

While driving on my local highway I heard a large clunk and scraping noise as the windshield trim flew off my vehicle and scrapped down the side and flew behind me. It was very startling and dangerous.

NHTSA ID

11505059

Incident

Feb 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the front driver’s and passenger’s side windshield trim panel detached and struck another vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that he would be charged a repair cost. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.

NHTSA ID

11504978

Incident

Nov 15, 2022

Mileage

109,000 mi

While driving on the IH-20 highways in Dallas, Texas, the TRIM panels in the RIGHT side of the Windshield fell off the vehicles. I was driving 70 MPH and 75 MPH on IH-20. Weather was clear and was not using the windshield wiper. Had to buy 2 NEW TRIMs, (1 for Left side and 1 for the Right side) from the Ford Dealer and utilized a Windshield repair company to fix the failed units.

NHTSA ID

11504974

Incident

Feb 1, 2019

Driving down the interstate and windshield A pillar panel flew off.

NHTSA ID

11504843

Incident

Feb 1, 2022