Some 2020-2022 Explorer/Aviator vehicles may exhibit the A/C blowing warm air with DTCs P0645, P2CFC, and/or P2CFD present in the heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) module. This may be due to spread terminal/terminal pushout in wire harness 14290 and on the corresponding pins to the body control module C (BCMC). Before replacement of the BCMC, disconnect all connectors from the BCMC and check the BCMC pins and wire terminals for damage. Refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 419-10. If spread terminals or terminal pushout is present, repair as necessary. Refer to Wiring Diagram, Cell 005 for repair procedures. Reconnect all connections to the BCMC as indicated by the procedure
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Ford Explorer visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Ford Explorer have filed 43 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
43
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Explorer | 47 |
| 2017 Explorer | 56 |
| 2018 Explorer | 18 |
| 2019 Explorer | 5 |
| 2020 Explorer (this page) | 43 |
| 2021 Explorer | 26 |
| 2022 Explorer | 18 |
| 2023 Explorer | 8 |
| 2024 Explorer | 3 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 43 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.
Among the 20 model years of Ford Explorer in our records for visibility problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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 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 ↗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 ↗Ford Motor Company has determined certain 2020 Model Year Ford F-150, F-Super Duty and Explorer vehicles with a Ford factory-installed backup camera fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111 - Rear Visibility. Contact your local Ford dealer to schedule a service date to perform the recall. Refer to the included communication from Ford for additional information. Altec is not able to complete this repair. All work must be completed by an authorized Ford dealer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Some 2020 Aviator/Police Interceptor Utility vehicles built on 26-May-2020 and through 28-May-2020 may have been built with windshield washer fluid contaminated with brake fluid. If a vehicle exhibits a-pillar and/or rear liftgate trim or tail lamp appearance concerns, collect a sample of the washer fluid using a suction device and place in a white paper or Styrofoam cup. Washer fluid that appears green in color would indicate the washer fluid has been contaminated. Flush the washer fluid system and repair the affected windshield a-pillar area and liftgate area as necessary.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Visibility issues on the 2020 Ford Explorer fall into two categories: catastrophic failures and persistent malfunctions that compromise safety.
Panoramic sunroof glass panels spontaneously shatter without impact, with owners describing loud "boom" sounds at highway speeds and fractured glass falling into the cabin. One owner's sunroof exploded on a sunny Florida afternoon, and another sustained cuts from falling glass. Dealerships initially offered warranty coverage then reversed course; Ford Corporate shows no interest in the safety hazard and no recall exists.
The sunroof's retractable fabric shade frequently fails to stay retracted or begins sagging, blocking the rear-view mirror and rear window. Owners report the issue develops during normal sunroof operation or spontaneously while parked, with plastic clips breaking due to brittleness. Repairs require full sunroof replacement—estimated $1,800 to $4,000—since dealers offer no partial fix. Wind deflectors also detach and fall off the sunroof frame while driving.
Windshield wipers stop working mid-rain on multiple occasions, forcing drivers to pull over on highways with limited visibility. One owner slowed to under 20 mph and hung his head out the window to find the shoulder. Dealerships cannot duplicate the issue and refuse service despite video evidence. Backup cameras cut to solid blue screen randomly when reversing; a May 2023 recall was issued but no fix has been provided as of October 2023.
Rear windows leak during heavy rain, and defroster lines peel off the rear window glass, eliminating defrost function in winter. Windshield washer tanks leak while driving; replacing the tank did not solve the problem.
Same Ford Explorer visibility reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Panoramic sunroof/moonroof glass panel failure
Front glass panel of panoramic sunroof spontaneously shatters or explodes without external impact. One owner reported a loud 'boom' while driving at normal highway speed; another reported glass fracturing at 75 MPH and falling into the cabin, causing cuts. Glass edges pose injury hazard to occupants.
When: Variable—one incident at 9:30 AM in 87–92°F Florida weather; another at 75 MPH around 109,000 miles; timing unpredictable
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous glass breakage without debris impact; Loud boom or popping sound preceding failure; Fractured glass falling into cabin and striking occupants; Entire front panel missing or severely damaged
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid out-of-pocket for replacement after dealership initially declined warranty coverage; backorder delays reported
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford stated no open recall exists; declined warranty coverage after initial acceptance; owner contacted Ford Corporate but received no safety-focused response
Panoramic sunroof fabric shade sagging and loss of retraction
The retractable fabric shade or cloth cover for the panoramic sunroof fails to retract fully or begins sagging downward, blocking the driver's rear-view mirror and rear window visibility. Owners report the mechanism fails without warning during normal sunroof operation (opening/closing) or spontaneously while parked. The sagging shade obstructs vision for reversing and lane-change maneuvers. Multiple complaints indicate this is a recurring failure mode across multiple vehicles.
When: During normal sunroof operation or spontaneously while parked; one case reported failure overnight; mileage not consistently documented
Symptoms owners cite: Fabric shade does not fully retract when sunroof opened; Shade sags downward into cabin and blocks rearview mirror; Rear-view visibility severely compromised for reversing and lane changes; Shade hangs loosely without tension; Clips holding fabric in place break due to brittleness
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited repair cost around $1,800 requiring full headliner removal and sunroof window replacement; dealers confirm multiple reports but cite no repair solution other than full sunroof replacement; one owner unable to afford $4,000 repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; dealer confirms design flaw is common but offers only full sunroof replacement; no warranty coverage mentioned
Sunroof wind deflector detachment
The wind deflector (lower panel) attached to the sunroof frame detaches and falls off while driving, creating road hazards and traffic interference. Owner reported three separate detachments over approximately nine months.
When: April 2021, October 2022, and January 14, 2023; mileage not documented
Symptoms owners cite: Wind deflector detaches and falls off while driving; One detachment occurred on one side only (partial failure); Deflector interferes with traffic after detaching; No warning signs before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced deflector three times; deflector was damaged by traffic after most recent detachment but owner states damage was to the deflector only (no vehicle/injury damage reported)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner notified Ford Quality and Customer Concerns but received no reply; dealership performed replacements but issue recurred
Sunroof fabric cover/liner de-tracking and cloth detachment
The cloth material covering the panoramic sunroof separates from its track or mounting clips, or the entire interior cloth liner detaches from the sunroof frame. This causes the cloth to hang down into the cabin, blocking rear-view mirror visibility.
When: During sunroof operation or spontaneously; one case at 70 MPH during opening
Symptoms owners cite: Cloth material detaches from tracks or mounting clips; Cloth hangs down blocking rear-view mirror and rear window view; Plastic trim piece breaks (brittle material); No warning lights or indication of failure
Repairs/costs cited: Owners unable to reattach cloth to tracks; full sunroof replacement estimated at $1,800–$4,000 as only repair option
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; manufacturer referred complainant to NHTSA Hotline; no manufacturer-sponsored repair identified
Windshield wiper malfunction—intermittent failure and loss of function
Windshield wipers stop working or become inoperable without warning during rain, forcing drivers to pull over. One wiper blade may fail while the other operates. Wipers may bounce or vibrate about an inch rather than sweeping normally. Restarting the vehicle does not reliably restore function; drivers report having to manually remove and reseated wipers to restore operation.
When: Multiple instances during rainy conditions; one case at 48,000 miles; failures occur intermittently over extended period
Symptoms owners cite: Wipers stop working suddenly during rain; Single wiper blade inoperable while opposite blade functions; Wipers bounce or vibrate roughly 1 inch rather than sweeping; Vehicle restart does not restore function; Manual removal and reseating wipers sometimes restores function
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership replaced driver-side wiper blade; same failure recurred; mechanic identified bracket sinking into vehicle body, added additional screw for support; other owners report dealership unable to duplicate issue and refused service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to duplicate issue despite video evidence; Ford opened case but took no action after 2 weeks and offered no solution or repair plan
Rear-view/backup camera blue screen failure
Reverse camera display cuts out or shows solid blue screen randomly when vehicle is in reverse, eliminating driver visibility. One case also reports dark display. A May 2023 recall was issued, but as of October 2023 no fix has been provided. One owner reports having received three software updates attempting to correct the issue over 2+ years without resolution.
When: Intermittent; recall issued May 2023; ongoing as of October 2023; owner reports issue occurring over 2+ year period
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera display goes solid blue randomly when reversing; Display shows very dark once; Gauge cluster displays 'reverse assistance unavailable' warning; No visibility through camera while backing
Repairs/costs cited: Three software updates applied over 2+ years without fixing issue; one owner speculates uncapped connector pin causing corrosion (unconfirmed); repair shops should replace connector pins or cameras rather than relying on software update
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: May 2023 recall issued but no actual fix provided as of October 2023; Ford attempting software updates instead of hardware repair
Windshield spontaneous cracking
Windshield develops crack or shatters spontaneously without impact. One case reported a pop sound followed by crack spreading 3/4 across windshield; crack originated at base 2 inches up from frame.
When: Afternoon driving; mileage and specific conditions not documented
Symptoms owners cite: Audible pop sound preceding crack; Crack originates at base of windshield; Crack spreads across 3/4 of windshield width; No external impact reported
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documentation provided by owner
Rear window/rear passenger window leak
Rear passenger-side window fails to seal properly during heavy rain, allowing water to enter the vehicle interior. One owner reported standing water (at least 1 inch) accumulating in rear storage area during downpour.
When: During heavy, consistent rain
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaks into cabin during heavy rain; Standing water accumulates in rear storage compartment; Window seal inadequate for sustained rainfall
Repairs/costs cited: Brought to dealership under warranty; Ford stated vehicles are not designed to withstand heavy, consistent rain (per owner report of dealer statement)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated under Ford guidance that vehicles are not built to withstand heavy, consistent rain; no repair offered
Power window regulator failure—window will not remain closed
Front passenger-side and/or driver-side power window regulator fails, causing window to not remain closed or operate properly. Regulator module is defective and requires replacement.
When: Passenger-side failure at 4,800 miles; driver-side failure occurred later; timeline not fully documented
Symptoms owners cite: Power window will not remain closed; Window regulator module is faulty; Failure on both passenger and driver sides
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side regulator module replaced and repaired; driver-side failure pending repair at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no additional response documented
Rear window defroster peeling and failure
Defroster heating lines peel away from the rear window surface, causing the defroster to become inoperable. This eliminates rear-window visibility in icy winter conditions.
When: Winter/icy conditions; mileage not documented
Symptoms owners cite: Defroster lines peel off window surface; Defroster becomes inoperable; Rear-window visibility lost in winter driving conditions
Repairs/costs cited: No repair offered by dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated other Explorers have the issue but will not fix it; directed owner to file insurance claim; owner requested recall
Windshield washer fluid tank leak
Windshield washer fluid reservoir leaks while driving. Ford replaced tank, but new tank also leaks. Leak appears to be coming from cap. Owner loses approximately 0.5 gallon per week of fluid.
When: Ongoing; mileage not documented
Symptoms owners cite: Washer fluid leaks only while driving; Leak appears to originate from cap; Fluid loss ~0.5 gallon per week
Repairs/costs cited: Ford dealership replaced washer tank; leak persisted with new tank; second dealership (Friendly Ford) tested another 2020 Explorer with same mileage and confirmed it also leaks; dealer stated 'seems to be normal'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership replaced tank but issue recurred; no investigation into root cause or design defect
Automatic emergency braking false engagement
Automatic emergency braking system engages unexpectedly and without warning when no obstruction or hazard is present. Occurs in reverse and while stopped at traffic light.
When: Multiple instances; one in driveway, one at stop light, others unspecified
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency braking engages without warning; No obstructions, people, or animals present; Occurs in reverse and in drive mode
Electrical system glitches—radio and secondary systems
Intermittent electrical failures affecting non-critical systems, including radio malfunction and unresponsiveness to controls. Owner notes these may indicate a broader electrical system issue underlying camera and braking failures.
When: Ongoing; mileage not documented
Symptoms owners cite: Radio does not work or respond to channel and volume commands; Other unspecified electrical anomalies
Synthesized from 43 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Sunroof liner out of line with track, when opening blocks rear visibility including blind spots. Dealer confirmed multiple reports of sunroof issues with no identified fix besides replacing it with an identical mechanism that’s currently failing. Passengers in middle row are completely covered by drooping sunroof and have to lift it out of the way
Had visibility trouble with your 2020 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 2020 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 43 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 43 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 34,040 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/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.