Various 2021-2025 Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the rear camera on demand feature may exhibit "Please Check Surroundings For Safety" or "Full View Not Available" messages when the rear camera button is pressed and the vehicle is not in reverse. Inform customers this condition is considered normal operation and does not affect vehicle durability because the full rear view camera image can only be shown when the vehicle is in reverse. No additional diagnosis or service is required for this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Ford Explorer visibility problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Ford Explorer have filed 26 NHTSA complaints about the visibility, typically surfacing around 42,508 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
26
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
| Model year | visibility complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Explorer | 56 |
| 2018 Explorer | 18 |
| 2019 Explorer | 5 |
| 2020 Explorer | 43 |
| 2021 Explorer (this page) | 26 |
| 2022 Explorer | 18 |
| 2023 Explorer | 8 |
| 2024 Explorer | 3 |
| 2025 Explorer | 9 |
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 26 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 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 ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across these 23 narratives is a failing panoramic sunroof shade that sags off its tracks and blocks the rear-view mirror and rear window entirely—a hazard owners link to hidden design flaws in the guide sliders and attachment hardware. Owners stress this happens with light use and no warning, affecting drivers' ability to check traffic and rear passengers. Repair costs cited reach $1,800, often denied by warranty.
Windshield wipers and washers are a secondary failure pattern tied to NHTSA Campaign 26V117000. Owners report motors running uncontrollably in rain, wipers failing to clear the windshield even after replacement, and washer fluid not spraying despite full reservoirs. One case revealed spider cracking from aggressive wiper operation. Parts for the campaign recall are unavailable, with dealers quoting delays into August 2026. Dealers have told some owners the wiper behavior is "as designed."
Less frequent but serious issues include the hood latch releasing unintentionally at low speed, a sunroof glass shattering without impact, and the sunroof interior headliner detaching. Power windows rolling down on their own across multiple doors point to an electrical or control module issue. A rear door glass fastener fractured at 30,000 miles. One backup camera intermittently blue-screens during critical backup situations, resolved only by camera replacement. Windshield internal contamination and peeling plastic on window switches round out the visibility and ergonomic complaints.
Same Ford Explorer visibility reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2020 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Panoramic sunroof shade sagging/derailment
The retractable shade on the panoramic sunroof fails to stay on its tracks, sagging downward into the interior. The shade blocks the rear-view mirror and rear window visibility, and hangs into the back-seat area. Owners report the guide sliders or attachment points fail, and the shade will not return to its stored position beneath the headliner.
When: Various mileages reported (30,000–90,000+ miles); some failures occur with minimal use; one failure at 38,800 miles; one reported at 4 years old with light use
Symptoms owners cite: Shade sags downward instead of retracting fully; Blocks rear-view mirror completely; Blocks rear window visibility; Hangs into back-seat area; No snapping or breaking sound preceding failure; No warning lights or messages
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report dealership estimates around $1,800 for repair; not covered under warranty; requires replacement of shade assembly and/or tracks
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite multiple reports across forums and social media; owners note this is a known/common issue
Hood latch unintended release
Hood released unexpectedly while vehicle was in motion, swung open, and struck the front windshield, causing windshield shatter. Occurred while driving slowly (5 MPH) on a downhill left turn with no driver action.
When: Approximately 55,401 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal snapping or popping sound; Hood unintentionally released; Hood swung open and struck windshield; Windshield shattered; Driver's view obstructed; Hood-open sensor light illuminated after failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer but not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and referred complaint to NHTSA Hotline; no repair or recall noted
Windshield wiper motor failure and wiper system malfunction
Wiper motor operates at excessively high speed uncontrollably, or wipers intermittently fail to clear the windshield in rain. One case reported wiper motor failure after heavy rain; another case showed wipers could not be stopped despite operator attempting to change settings. Related to NHTSA Campaign 26V117000 (VISIBILITY), but replacement parts were not yet available.
When: Various mileages (5,000 to 90,000 miles); one failure while heavy rain; one failure in rain at unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Wiper motor operates at excessive/uncontrollable high speed; Wipers fail to clear windshield adequately in rain; Wipers cannot be stopped or adjusted by controls; Spider cracks observed on windshield where wipers operated; Intermittent wiper failure in rain conditions
Repairs/costs cited: One case: wiper blades replaced, failure continued; wiper arms replaced, failure reoccurred; dealer stated vehicle operated as designed. Recall parts not available; one case parts delayed until August 2026
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 26V117000 (VISIBILITY) issued but replacement parts unavailable or delayed; manufacturer offered no assistance in some cases
Windshield washer system failure
Windshield washer fluid spray does not activate even when washer button is pressed and fluid reservoir is full. Occurred in rain conditions; related to NHTSA Campaign 26V117000 (VISIBILITY).
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Washer fluid does not spray when button activated; Fluid reservoir full but no spray output
Repairs/costs cited: Repair parts not available; dealer stated parts would not be available until August 2026
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 26V117000 (VISIBILITY) notification received but parts unavailable; manufacturer not made aware
Power window independent operation
Front driver's door window rolled down on its own while vehicle in operation. Same issue previously occurred with front passenger and rear driver windows. Pattern of recurring failures across multiple windows.
When: Approximately 68,188 miles (driver window failure); prior failures with other windows
Symptoms owners cite: Window rolls down independently without operator input; Occurs on multiple windows (driver, passenger, rear driver)
Repairs/costs cited: First failure repaired by dealer and covered under warranty; second failure repaired by independent mechanic out-of-pocket; vehicle not fully diagnosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but provided no assistance; owner referred to NHTSA Hotline
Rear door glass fastener fracture
The V-shaped glass fastener installed between the V-shaped glass and door glass on the passenger's side rear door fractured.
When: Approximately 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Fastener between V-shaped glass and door glass fractured
Repairs/costs cited: Passenger-side rear door glass fastener replaced; repair not covered under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but provided no assistance
Sunroof glass spontaneous shatter
Tempered stationary sunroof glass shattered without any impact while vehicle was in motion. Described as sounding like a loud pop.
When: Approximately 38,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop sound; Tempered glass shattered without impact
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not repaired due to cost; dealer contacted but repair not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not made aware
Panoramic sunroof liner/headliner detachment
The headliner/interior covering of the panoramic sunroof broke and fell, blocking the rear-view mirror and obstructing all rearward visibility while driving.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Loud pop sound preceding failure; Headliner broke and fell into interior; Blocks all view from rear-view mirror; Obstructs rearward visibility
Power window control panel peeling plastic
The silver plastic strip on the driver's side power window switch began peeling away, creating potential for finger laceration.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Silver plastic strip peeling away from switch; Sharp edge created
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to Customer Satisfaction Program 22B37; manufacturer notified
Backup camera blue-screen failure
Backup camera displays a blue screen intermittently, preventing proper backup visibility during critical times when the camera is needed. Software updates initially did not resolve the issue.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Backup camera blue screens during operation; Failure occurs at critical times when camera is required
Repairs/costs cited: Software updates attempted but no resolution; camera eventually replaced by Ford
Windshield internal contamination
Tiny specks visible between the windshield laminate layers, reducing visibility in sunlight without impacting the glass integrity.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Tiny specks in windshield between laminate; Decreased visibility in sunlight
Synthesized from 26 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 2021 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 2021 Ford Explorer?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 26 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 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 38,000 and 68,188 miles, with the median around 42,508. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,000; a quarter make it past 68,188. 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/2021/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.