Some 2015-2022 F-150, 2017-2022 F-Super Duty and 2018-2022 Expedition/Navigator vehicles may exhibit poor air conditioning (A/C) performance. Workshop Manual (WSM) diagnostic procedures have been updated to more accurately diagnose A/C performance concerns. Refer to the updated Diagnosis and Testing, and General Procedure in the WSM, Section 412-00 Climate Control System for diagnostic procedures
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Ford Expedition visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Ford Expedition have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the visibility at roughly $350 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Expedition | 3 |
| 2017 Expedition | 3 |
| 2018 Expedition | 9 |
| 2019 Expedition | 3 |
| 2020 Expedition (this page) | 11 |
| 2021 Expedition | 20 |
| 2022 Expedition | 5 |
| 2023 Expedition | 5 |
| 2024 Expedition | 6 |
When does it fail?
Of the 11 visibility complaints filed for the 2020 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 #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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.
Some 2015-2021 F-150, 2017-2021 F-Super Duty and 2018-2021 Expedition/Navigator vehicles equipped with a vista roof opening panel may exhibit a binding/sticking, glass stuck open or closed, noisy operation including chatter, rattling, or grinding. This may be due to the glass panel brackets cracking and/or breaking apart. The glass panel brackets are serviceable separately from the frame assembly and require the roof opening panel glass to be moved to the vent position. To correct the condition, follow the Service Procedure to replace the roof opening panel glass brackets
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020-2021 Ford and Lincoln vehicles are equipped with an anti-fogging feature known as enhanced windshield anti fogging strategy (EWAFS). This feature automatically adjusts airflow in the cabin to prevent the windshield from fogging up and may be perceived by customers as irregular climate control functionality. To reduce fogging, the EWAFS functions include: the air condition (A/C) button may turn on and off automatically, recirculated air may turn off automatically in all air modes except MAX A/C, recirculated air may also turn on and off automatically in various airflow modes in order to improve heating or cooling efficiency, and in auto climate control, high humidity conditions may
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2020 Ford Expeditions describe two distinct glass failure modes affecting visibility and cabin safety. The most alarming involves panoramic sunroof spontaneous fracture. Multiple owners report the glass suddenly explodes or shatters without any external impact—while driving on the highway, while parked in a driveway, or while entering the vehicle. One owner heard an explosion "similar to a gunshot" while traveling I-295 near Jacksonville; glass continued cracking and disintegrating after the initial failure. Critically, owners observed the glass broke outward from inside the vehicle, not inward from external impact. Another owner noted glass fell into the vehicle from above, near where children in car seats were positioned. One repair included a 4,000-dollar system replacement at 40,000 miles for a leaking panoramic roof.
Rear windshields have also shattered spontaneously at very low mileage—one at 18,000 miles and another at 17,143 miles—with no impact involved. Both occurred while the vehicle was stationary or in normal operation.
A third visibility issue involves windshield wipers requiring frequent replacement and bouncing during rain. One owner noted a recall exists for some 2020 Expeditions but didn't apply to their VIN. Manufacturer response has been mixed: some dealers scheduled repairs; Ford denied wrongdoing in one case.
Same Ford Expedition visibility reports on nearby years: 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Panoramic sunroof spontaneous glass fracture/explosion
Panoramic sunroof glass shatters or fractures without external impact, sometimes with audible explosion. Glass breaks outward from the vehicle interior. Occurs while driving or when vehicle is stationary. Multiple owners report the sunroof had never been opened.
When: 92,000 miles (one owner); timing unstated (others)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud explosion or bang similar to gunshot; Sound of glass cracking; Large hole appearing in sunroof; Glass continuing to shatter and disintegrate; Glass fragments falling into vehicle interior; Outward fracture pattern indicating inside-out failure
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof replacement required; one owner cited 4,000 dollars in parts and labor at 40k miles for full panoramic roof system replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford denies manufacturing wrongdoing per owner account; manufacturer not made aware in some cases; dealer scheduled replacement
Rear windshield spontaneous shattering
Rear windshield shatters without any impact or external cause while vehicle is stationary or in use. No collision or debris involved.
When: 18,000 miles; 17,143 miles (two separate owners)
Symptoms owners cite: Rear windshield unexpectedly shatters; No external impact or damage; Occurs while vehicle is parked or stationary
Repairs/costs cited: Rear windshield replaced at local body shop
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware in one case but provided no assistance; not informed in another case
Windshield wiper arm defect
Windshield wiper arms fail frequently, requiring repeated replacement. Wipers bounce or chatter during rain operation. One owner reported a recall exists for some 2020 Expeditions but their VIN was not included.
When: Unspecified mileage; repeated need for replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers require frequent replacement; Bouncing during heavy rain; Chattering motion
Repairs/costs cited: Wiper replacement performed by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall (part of NHTSA Campaign Number 22V250000) exists for some vehicles but not applicable to all 2020 Expeditions
Panoramic sunroof/moonroof water leak
Panoramic sunroof system develops water leak requiring complete system replacement.
When: 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Moonroof leaking
Repairs/costs cited: Complete panoramic roof system replacement required; cost cited as approximately 4,000 dollars in parts and labor
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2020 Ford expedition. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary in the driveway after being started remotely, while entering the vehicle, the contact stated that the rear windshield shattered independently. The contact called mainer Ford (1724 234th st nw, okarche, ok 73762, (405) 267-9827) and the dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken…
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof fractured. The contact stated that there was no impact on the sunroof. In addition, the contact stated that the sunroof glass had exploded outward. The contact stated that had the sunroof had exploded from the inside, the shattered glass pieces would have fallen onto the contact's…
Had visibility trouble with your 2020 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 2020 Ford Expedition?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 41,749 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2020/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.