Diagsheet

2020 Ford F-150 · symptom sheet

Windshield cracks or distorts

  • 25owner reports
  • 42,000median miles
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Oct 5, 2025 · checked Sep 9, 2026

83 of the 720 complaints on this car are about the windshield and wipers. 25 of those describe windshield.

Tick what matches of 25 reports

2
2
5
1

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.

22V-250Apr 14, 2022
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.

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 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.

320
221
622
623
524
325

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.

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