2020 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet
Windshield cracks or distorts
- 25owner reports
- 42,000median miles
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Oct 5, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
83 of the 730 complaints on this car are about the windshield and wipers. 25 of those describe windshield.
Tick what matches of 25 reports
Windshield on other F-150 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Many windshield complaints are about cracks owners can't explain: a line that starts at the edge of the glass, or a small chip that spreads. Nearly one in five of these complaints mentions it happening again or a second windshield.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the windshield (25 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the windshield and wipers covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
All 11 recalls on the 2020 Ford F-150, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the windshield and wipers on the F-150
Windshield trim molding item detachment. Closed feb 8, 2024, led to recall 24V-031.
Spare tire wear. Closed jul 27, 1999.
Spare tire mounting. Closed mar 17, 1999.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 10,000 and 57,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Ford F-150 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
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.
Some 2015-2020 F-150 and 2017-2020 F-Super Duty vehicles equipped with a rear defroster may have factory installed or service replacement rear glass that uses rear defroster electrical terminals with a plastic overmolded cover.
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.
What owners wrote
“Windshield wipers not working properly. Wipers barely move, then seize up. No warning. Requires manual help/ movement by hand to get them to return to the bottom of windscreen. Was pouring rain and could not see out of windshield on the highway. I have not taken the vehicle to service yet - but this appears to be a widespread complaint when researching the issue online.”
Filed Oct 5, 2025
“Rear window exploded, photos available. Possibly safety issue if adults or small children were in the back seat. Unknown. Has been inspected by auto glass repair shop. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the failure.”
Filed Jul 9, 2024
“The windshield wipers suddenly started moving very slow moving up and as they go back down they just jerk and take several minutes to go back down.”
Filed Aug 25, 2023
“I was driving my car in the highway and out of the blue the sunroof exploded and shttared glass was all other the vehicle, there was no object causing it”
Filed Apr 12, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 25 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 193 reports
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 86 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 75 reports
- Transmission fails or needs replacement 66 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 44 reports
- Transmission drops into neutral or downshifts on its own 32 reports
- Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 28 reports
- Engine rattles or ticks 26 reports