FORD: WATER LEAKS, WIND NOISE AND/OR NOISE ON OPENING/CLOSING THE MOON ROOF/ROOF OPENING PANEL. THE 2004-07 WSM MANUAL PROVIDES TWO SEPARATE PROCEDURES FOR MOON ROOF HEIGHT A HORIZONTAL ADJUSTMENTS. HEIGHT AND HORIZONTAL PROCEDURES NEED TO DONE TOGETHER. MANUAL PROCEDURES IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Ford Expedition visibility problems
moderate 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 14 visibility complaints filed for the 2007 Ford Expedition, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 17 model years of Ford Expedition in our records for visibility problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 18 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Power window regulators are a chronic weak point. Owners report regulators failing as early as 54,000 miles and continuing to fail in sequence—one owner had three of four windows go out and still had to pay for replacements. A couple of owners lost both front regulators within weeks of each other.
Cold-weather visibility is a real problem. Multiple owners describe passenger windows that won't defog and freeze shut in winter, with one having to open her driver's door while driving 30 mph to see for lane changes. A dealer suspected an air leak and replaced the mirror, but that didn't fix it even after four visits.
The sunroof is a disaster. One owner had it rattle starting at purchase, got it replaced in September 2007, then it came back three more times with the same rattle—unfixable each time. Another owner was cruising on the interstate when the sunroof spontaneously exploded, no impact, shattered glass everywhere.
Rear liftgate windows shatter without reason. One owner had it happen twice within a year—once while parked, once when closing the hatch after startup. Another owner's window exploded while loading the vehicle, damaging floormats with glass.
Interior door handles on driver, passenger, and rear doors fracture from what owners call cheap plastic. The dealer quoted a replacement, but Ford wouldn't help cover it. And the Class IV trailer tow package doesn't come with trailer tow mirrors—Ford can't even guarantee F-150 mirrors will work.
Failure modes owners describe
Power Window Regulator Failure
Power window regulators fail, rendering windows inoperable. Owners report multiple regulators failing in sequence on the same vehicle.
When: 54,000 to 67,000 miles; some failures reported within weeks of each other
Symptoms owners cite: Power windows become inoperable; Windows fail to open or close; Multiple regulators fail on same vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Entire regulator unit replacement required; owner paid for repairs out of pocket
Passenger Window Defogging and Freeze-Up in Cold Weather
Passenger windows fail to defog in cold weather and freeze shut, limiting visibility. Driver's side mirror replacement did not resolve the issue after four dealer visits.
When: Failure mileage 4,000; persisted through 38,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger windows fail to defog in cold weather; Windows freeze shut and cannot be opened; Only front windshield defrosts; passenger windows remain fogged/frozen; Requires opening driver door while in transit to check for lane changes
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer suspected air leak; replaced driver's side mirror without resolution; problem remained after four dealer visits
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Possible air leak diagnosed by dealer
Sunroof Rattle and Spontaneous Explosion
Sunroof produces persistent rattling that cannot be repaired despite multiple attempts. One owner reports sunroof spontaneously exploded while driving on interstate without impact.
When: Rattle issues began shortly after purchase (Aug 2007); sunroof explosion during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Persistent sunroof rattle; Sunroof spontaneously explodes during operation; Shattered glass scattered throughout vehicle interior
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof replaced once; rattle returned 3 additional times and could not be fixed. Owner initiated lemon law process after 4 repair attempts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford offered another repair attempt after multiple failed attempts
Rear Liftgate Window Spontaneous Shattering
Rear liftgate windows shatter spontaneously without impact or cause. Two separate incidents reported: one while closing hatch after engine startup, one while parked.
When: Early in vehicle life (around 7,500 miles); repeated failures within 12 months
Symptoms owners cite: Rear window shatters without cause or impact; Glass completely shatters out of frame; Spontaneous shattering while closing hatch; Spontaneous shattering while vehicle parked
Repairs/costs cited: Second window required replacement within one year; rubber floormats damaged by glass
Interior Door Handle Fracture
Interior door handles on multiple doors fracture from cheap plastic material, preventing opening from inside. Owners forced to open windows and use exterior handles.
When: Approximately 52,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front driver door handle fractures; Rear door handle fractures; Passenger front door handle fractures; Unable to open door from inside
Repairs/costs cited: Door handle replacement required; vehicle not repaired after dealer recommendation
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted and offered no assistance
Inadequate Trailer Tow Mirror Design
Vehicle equipped with Class IV trailer tow package but does not come with matching trailer tow mirrors, creating blind spots when towing.
When: From purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Blind spots when towing trailer; No trailer tow mirrors included with tow package; Unable to source compatible mirrors
Repairs/costs cited: F-150 trailer tow mirrors not guaranteed compatible; no Ford accessory solution available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford unable to guarantee compatibility of F-150 mirrors; mirrors not on accessory list
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Ford expedition. The rear window in the liftgate shattered after the vehicle had just been turned off. The failure damaged two rubber floormats. The current mileage was 7,611 and failure mileage was 7,530. Updated 3/4/08 *cn
Had visibility trouble with your 2007 Ford Expedition?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2007 Ford Expedition?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 13,496 and 92,500 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,496; a quarter make it past 92,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Ford/Expedition.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.