Diagsheet

2015 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet

Windshield cracks or distorts

  • 63owner reports
  • 45,000median miles
  • 1involved a crash

Newest report May 7, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

237 of the 1,696 complaints on this car are about the windshield and wipers. 63 of those describe windshield.

Tick what matches of 63 reports

7
5
1
8
6

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the windshield (63 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the windshield and wipers covers the 2015 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

15V-251Apr 28, 2015
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2015 Ford F-150 vehicles manufactured January 30, 2015, to January 31, 2015. The affected vehicles may have loose or missing underbody heat shields.

Risk and remedy
Risk: A missing underbody heat shield can lead to degradation or melting of the fuel or vapor lines, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle for missing underbody heat shields and fasteners, and will install the missing components as required, free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S12.

NHTSA investigations into the windshield and wipers on the F-150

PE23-001opened Jan 27, 2023
Structure · model years 2019

Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.

NHTSA summary
On January 27, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-001 to investigate allegations of A-pillar trim panel detachment on model year (MY) 2011-2019 Ford Explorer vehicles. At the time of opening, the office had received 164 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) reporting this failure. ODI has received 671 VOQs regarding this failure, including 1 alleged crash and 2 alleged injuries. Some consumers have reported that the failure occurred while they were driving at highway speeds, with the detached trim panel entering the path of travel of the vehicle behind them, requiring the driver of the following vehicle to take evasive action. It is noteworthy that motorists who experience this type of road hazard are less likely to accurately identify the subject vehicle the item detached from and report the event to the NHTSA. In its April 17, 2023 response to ODI’s information request, Ford provided 175 consumer complaints (including field reports) and 14,162 warranty claims related to A-pillar trim panel detachment. Ford relayed that the subject vehicles utilize a plastic A-pillar bracket, which is bolted to the vehicle structure during assembly. The A-pillar trim panel is attached to the bracket utilizing 7 plastic clips. Contributory factors which have been identified by Ford as leading to the subject defect include incomplete installation at the assembly plant, inadequate part stack up, damage to fasteners during installation, and failure to follow proper repai
PE99-019opened Mar 4, 1999
Structure · model years 1998

Spare tire wear. Closed jul 27, 1999.

NHTSA summary
DP99-002opened Mar 2, 1999
Structure · model years 1998

Spare tire mounting. Closed mar 17, 1999.

NHTSA summary
THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION WAS PETITIONED TO COMMENCE A DEFECT INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BY A LETTER SIGNED BY WILLIAM F. ALLARD AND DATED 15-FEB-98.THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT THE SPARE TIRE MOUNTING PLACES THE TIRE SIDEWALL DIRECTLY IN CONTACT WITH THE METAL UNDERCARRIAGE CAUSING WEAR AND DAMAGE OF THE SIDEWALL.THE PETITION FURTHER ALLEGES THAT WHEN THE DAMAGED TIRE IS USED, BLOWOUT COULD RESULT ON AN INTERSTATE PLACING VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND OTHERS AT RISK.

None of these investigations covers the 2015 model year.

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 15,000 and 71,000 miles, from the 43 reports that gave a mileage.

415
216
617
618
1219
1320
321
522
323
224
425
326

What owners wrote

“Wipers failed to operate normally while driving. Wiper started moving very slow then stopped moving even with wet windshield. Upon research the problem was a seized passenger side pivot in the wiper linkage that required replacement of the Wiper Linkage assembly. No warning or noticeable problems until this occurred and vehicle was difficult to operate in rainy conditions.”

Filed Mar 12, 2026

“While I'm driving the windshield wipers comes on by itself at times when it is turned off”

Filed Aug 31, 2024

“Without any warning signals or indications the fan blower has stopped working. It became a real safety hazard when I needed to defog my windshield and there was no air flow coming out of my vents. No warning, no signal. My windshield had fogged over and I had zero ability to defog due to not having any available airflow. Major safety issue!!”

Filed May 26, 2024

“Rear window defroster was emitting a burning smell (although it was not turned on) and overheated the rear glass causing it to bulge and shatter!”

Filed Nov 23, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 1 of 63 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

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