Some 2011-2022 Explorer and 2020-2022 Aviator vehicles may experience an inoperative roof opening panel motor. If diagnostics lead to a motor replacement, visually inspect the original motor for signs of water intrusion. If found, determine source of water leak prior to replacing the motor. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 501-17, Pinpoint Test A for 2011-2016 and Pinpoint Test B for 2017-2022 for identifying the source of the water leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Ford Explorer visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Ford Explorer have filed 27 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Explorer | 16 |
| 2012 Explorer | 19 |
| 2013 Explorer | 42 |
| 2014 Explorer | 32 |
| 2015 Explorer (this page) | 27 |
| 2016 Explorer | 47 |
| 2017 Explorer | 56 |
| 2018 Explorer | 18 |
| 2019 Explorer | 5 |
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 visibility complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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.
Some 2010-2020 vehicles may exhibit distorted glass with a subtle orange peel pattern or streaking etched into the surface. This is caused by hydrofluoric acid which is used in some car wash solutions as a cleaning agent. Hydrofluoric acid can attack the glass and cause visual distortion and/or discoloration on the outer surface which cannot be removed by further cleaning. If this type of distortion is found, inspect the area of the glass that is covered by the cowl and/or molding. The portion of glass that is covered by the cowl or molding will not be affected by the acid. Hydrofluoric acid damage is not a defect in material or workmanship and is not a warrantable condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2011-2015 Explorer/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles may exhibit front window glass that jumps/chatters during up/down movement. This may be due to various conditions in the window motor including excessive drive gear backlash, bushing wear, and/or excessive end play. To resolve the condition, follow the Service Procedure steps to replace the window motor, window motor connector, window regulator, upper glass run, and door glass.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD EXPLORER 2015: BULLETIN INFORMATION ON SOME VEHICLES EXHIBIT, AT HIGHER SPEEDS, WIND NOISE COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD COWL PANEL GRILLE AREA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗FORD: NO SERVICE ACTION IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS CONDITION. PLEASE USE AT YOUR DISCRETION. VARIOUS 2010-2015 VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A TURBULENCE NOISE, SIMILAR TO AN HELICOPTER NOISE, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN THE REAR DOOR WINDOW(S) OR SUNROOF ARE OPEN.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The bulk of complaints center on windshield trim and molding detaching at highway speeds—typically between 40 and 60 thousand miles. Owners describe loud banging or explosions as pieces fly off, sometimes striking other vehicles. The driver's side, passenger's side, or both can fail. A recall (24V031) exists for loose A-pillar applique trim, but owners say repair parts were unavailable more than a year after the recall was issued. Dealers initially told some owners there was no recall, then later confirmed recall 17N04 (Trim). One owner whose nonoriginal windshield was installed experienced trim failure; whether that's a contributing factor to the broader pattern is unclear.
Rubber seals and gaskets around the windshield crack, dry rot, and peel away. A body shop owner told one complainer this is common on these models. Water leaks into the cabin through both the windshield seals and the sunroof—one owner reported the cabin flooding with 45 inches of water. A panoramic sunroof shattered spontaneously with a loud explosion while the vehicle was traveling at 65 mph with no prior impact.
Secondary complaints include intermittent wiper activation (wipers turn on by themselves or won't turn off), a backup camera that works intermittently or blacks out, and an HVAC system that won't switch to defrost or adjust passenger-side temperature. Most trim and water-intrusion complaints were unrepaired at the time of filing.
Same Ford Explorer visibility reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
A-pillar and windshield trim detachment
Windshield molding, trim pieces, and A-pillar applique clips detach from the vehicle while driving at highway speeds, sometimes without warning. Owners report the trim pieces flying off and landing in traffic behind them, creating a safety hazard. The failure occurs on driver's side, passenger's side, or both sides. One owner reported the A-pillar itself detaching with a loud explosion.
When: 33,000 to 110,000 miles; most commonly reported between 40,000 and 60,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Windshield molding detaches during highway driving; A-pillar trim pieces fly off vehicle; Loud banging or rattling noise heard before detachment; Trim pieces strike adjacent door glass; Visual damage to door and mirror from detached trim
Repairs/costs cited: Homer Skelton Ford replaced driver-side windshield molding on one vehicle; molding reappeared on passenger side. One owner estimated repair at $500. One owner noted windshield was not original equipment; dealers have advised owners to report to NHTSA rather than repair. Recall 24V031 (loose A-pillar applique trim) exists but repair parts were unavailable over a year after recall notice.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 24V031 (loose A-pillar applique trim); Ford Customer Satisfaction Program 17N04 (Trim); multiple owners reported dealers stated no recall existed despite later recall notice; manufacturer provided case numbers but declined further assistance in some cases.
Windshield rubber seal and gasket degradation
Rubber seals and gaskets around the front windshield split, tear, and dry rot. Owners report gluing seals to prevent further tearing and loss. The plastic plate below the windshield warps. These seal failures allow rainwater to enter the cabin.
When: 50,000 to 95,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rubber seals split and rip in strips; Plastic windshield plate warps; Air seeping through windshield; Rattling sounds from windshield; Gaskets and seals peel away and detach slowly
Repairs/costs cited: One owner glued rubber seals to prevent loss. One dealer recommended checking whether original windshield was installed, as non-original windshield contributed to trim failure. A body shop owner told one complainant these are common problems on this model.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Body shop owner advised complaining to Ford about common seal problems; no manufacturer recall noted for this specific issue.
Sunroof leaking and seal failure
Sunroof and panoramic roof structures leak during rain and inclement weather. In one case, a panoramic sunroof shattered spontaneously with a loud explosion while driving at 65 mph with no prior impact or warning. Sunroof motor failures also reported, preventing roof operation.
When: 14,900 to 127,021 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water entering cabin from sunroof area; Panoramic sunroof shattered spontaneously with loud explosion; Sunroof motor inoperable; Sunroof cannot be opened; Water pooling on cabin floor (one owner reported 45 inches of water)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner took vehicle to body repair shop and drained roof lines; leaking continued. Dealer diagnosed gaskets and internal sunroof rails as needing replacement but vehicle was not repaired. Manufacturer was informed but declined to assist in at least one case.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer provided claim numbers but offered no further assistance in some cases.
Windshield water intrusion
Rainwater leaks into the cabin through the front windshield assembly, flooding interior spaces. One owner reported discovering water on the front passenger floorboard; the windshield seal had dry rotted, leaving the windshield unsecured.
When: 80,000 to 127,021 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rainwater entering vehicle cabin; Water pooling on front floorboards; Front windshield seal dry rot; Windshield becoming unsecured
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not yet repaired in one case. Dealer was notified but manufacturer was not contacted.
Intermittent wiper malfunction
Windshield wipers activate on their own or cannot be turned off once activated, forcing the driver to focus on controlling the wipers rather than the road.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent wipers turn on by themselves; Inability to turn wipers off; Driver distraction while attempting to control wipers
Backup camera malfunction
Rear-view backup camera works intermittently, blacking out or failing to operate entirely when reverse gear is selected. One owner noted backup camera repair parts were unavailable.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera works intermittently; Camera blacks out without warning; Camera does not work at all at times
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement parts unavailable for extended period.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Rear-view camera repair parts promised in recalls but were unavailable.
HVAC defrost and temperature control failure
Climate control system does not switch to defrost mode and does not adjust temperature on the passenger side, leaving that zone without temperature control.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: System will not switch to defrost; Passenger-side temperature does not change; Unable to control climate on one side of vehicle
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had visibility trouble with your 2015 Ford Explorer?
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 2015 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 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 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 42,500 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 42,500; a quarter make it past 95,000. 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/2015/Ford/Explorer.
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.