Owner-reported complaints naming the visibility system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2025 Ford Explorer submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
For the second time now, When changing out wiper blades, the wiper arm has sharp points which easily allow the arm to shatter the windshield. To change the wiper you have to push a button and pull quite hard which can easily cause the wiper arm to slip out of your grasp . This can cause the arm to shatter the windshield even at an inch away.
Front side windows (driver and passenger side) have a quality issue that creates a distorted, wave-like view when looking out the window. This results difficulty viewing objects seen in the side mirrors. Also, when viewing anything out the side windows (ie. cross traffic) the view is distorted. Further, this makes the driver and passenger nauseated. The issue is constant and does not depend of environment, temperature, weather, or time of day. No warning lamps or messages appear. The dealer confirmed the issue, but stated nothing could be done because other Ford Explorers on-site also have the issue. The issue has also been confirmed on other Explorers in the market.
Since new. Thousands of dots or specs are visible in the window upon sun up of sun down. This is not the snow flake safety campain that Ford has. Others have the same complaint on social media.
My vehicle originally showed more than 10 open safety recalls in the FordPass app and at the servicing dealer. I saved screenshots of each recall. After Ford performed a remote over-the-air software update, all but one recall suddenly disappeared from the app even though no physical repairs were done and no documentation was provided. NHTSA still shows Recall 25V543 as incomplete, involving BCM soldering defects that can cause trailer taillamp failure, electrical malfunctions, HVAC issues, mirror/window failures, power outlet issues, and other safety-related electrical problems. The dealer has not scheduled the repair despite parts being listed as available. Ford Motor Company and the dealer have not provided any recall history, OASIS report, repair documentation, or explanation for why multiple recalls disappeared. This creates a safety concern because the vehicle may have unresolved electrical or lighting defects that were not properly repaired or were prematurely marked as closed after a software update. The issue has not been resolved, and Ford has not responded to multiple requests.
There is a large black box on the interior windshield surrounding the rearview mirror. This box blocks the defrost on the windshield, causing ice buildup on the windshield in this area thus causing ice buildup on the windshield wipers. This causes the windshield wipers to be ineffective at removing water, snow, slush, - whatever debris is on the windshield from being removed greatly decreasing visibility in freezing temperatures. I first noticed this when it started to get cold and my windshield wipers were making a strange noise. I got out of the car to see what was going on with the windshield and noticed the ice building up at the top middle of the windshield. As I drove, and the temperatures dropped, the top half of my windshield where this black box is iced up causing my windshield wipers to be ineffective on about the top half of my windshield. This greatly reduced visibility in already reduced visibility driving conditions. This was not just ice on the windshield. It was very obviously accumulating where this box is, due to ineffective defrost of the windshield.
“I rented vehicle VIN [XXX] from Budget Rental Car in Panama City Beach, FL (Reservation #XXX, Rental Agreement XXX). I later discovered the vehicle had an unrepaired federal safety recall (NHTSA Recall 25V543 / Manufacturer Recall 25C42) involving the Body Control Module. Budget never informed me of the recall at any time. On November 11, 2025, when I attempted to extend my rental, the representative told me the vehicle had been ‘sold’ and must be returned within two days. When I attempted to exchange it on November 12–13 at three different Budget locations in Lansing, MI, they refused to take the vehicle, stating it had a safety recall and should not have been rented out. Only after this did I check the VIN myself and learn of the safety recall. The recall affects multiple electrical and visibility-related components: trailer lights, interior lights, mirrors, windows, rear defroster, USB/12V ports, and HVAC systems. These issues can reduce driver visibility and increase the risk of a crash. While driving the vehicle, I experienced visibility problems. The windows fogged up severely, and the defroster did not operate properly. As a result, I was unable to see an animal that entered the roadway and unfortunately struck it. There is now damage to the front driver’s side of the vehicle. This visibility impairment aligns with the Body Control Module recall defects described by NHTSA. This vehicle should not have been rented to any customer, especially with the remedy unavailable until late 2025. I am reporting this because an unrepaired safety recall vehicle placed into active rental service directly resulted in a visibility hazard and an unavoidable collision while I was driving.” I did not make it back in time to return the vehicle yesterday 11/14/2025 I am finishing up this report and on my way to Budget in Panama City Beach Florida to return it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Driving to park in garage and camera system came on the display screen, non-functional, displaying a black screen and message with "There's an issue with your camera system" - please see dealer for service. *This has happened twice, once on [XXX] at 9pm and a 2nd time [XXX] at 840pm. So far, as of writing this on 10/2 it has not repeated. Took car to dealership to inspect and codes were evident in system. Dealership investigating (10/2/25 at 1004 AM) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Bought my new 2025 explorer an 2 days laterits been parked I noticed a craked on the windshield there is no rock ship nor nothing hit it but i did notice theres 2 cracks on the top black part of windshield where it just out of nowhere keeps cracking down took it to safelite an they said thats a Defect on the windshield
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, there was an abnormal windy sound coming from the driver's side-view mirror. The vehicle was taken to two different dealers, where it was determined that the turbulence was caused by the mirror. The contact was informed that the molding was different from the passenger's side-view mirror molding. The dealer determined that driver's side-view mirror needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V157000 (Visibility); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
When raining water droplets accumulate on the 2025 Explorer rear view camera lens obscuring the image and in some cases rendering it completely useless. Earlier models such as the 2014 Ford Explorer had the camera positioned in a manner where this did not happen and it stayed clean. Later Explorer models had the ability to clean the lens by activating the rear wiper's washer which squirted washer fluid on it.
The contact owns a 2025 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the doors and windows. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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