Ford Explorer Recall: Wiper Motor Failure Fix

Wouter Smit · 2026-05-12

Ford is recalling 372,364 Explorer vehicles worldwide. The affected models were built between July 6, 2020, and December 15, 2021. The issue? The windshield wiper motor might fail. That's a big deal when you're driving through rain or snow, and your wipers suddenly stop working. ### What's Actually Going Wrong? The problem is in the wiper motor itself. Over time, it can stop working entirely. If that happens, you lose your front windshield wipers. No warning, just a sudden failure. That's dangerous, especially on highways or in bad weather. Ford's authorized dealers will check the motor and replace it if needed. The repair is free, and it's covered under the recall. ### How Many Vehicles Are Affected? Ford is recalling 372,364 Explorer vehicles. That's a lot of cars. But it's not the first time Ford has had a recall. In fact, the Explorer has been subject to several recalls over the years. This one is specifically for the wiper motor, but it's worth checking if your vehicle has any other open recalls. ### What Should You Do If Your Explorer Is Affected? First, don't panic. You'll get a letter from Ford explaining the recall. You can also check your vehicle's VIN on the NHTSA website. If your Explorer is on the list, contact your local Ford dealer. They'll schedule a time to inspect and fix the wiper motor. The whole process should take about an hour. And it's free, including parts and labor. ### Why This Matters for Your Safety Think about the last time you drove in heavy rain. Your wipers were probably on full speed. If they stopped working, you'd be struggling to see the road. That's a recipe for an accident. This recall is Ford's way of fixing that risk before it becomes a problem. It's a good reminder to always check for recalls on your car. Even if you think everything's fine, there might be a hidden issue. ### A Quick Tip for Checking Recalls You don't need to wait for a letter. You can check your car's recall status right now. Just grab your VIN (it's on your dashboard or inside the driver's side door jamb) and head to the NHTSA website. Type it in, and you'll see any open recalls. It takes less than two minutes. And it's worth doing for peace of mind. ### The Bigger Picture: Why Recalls Happen Recalls are common. They happen when a manufacturer finds a safety defect. In this case, it's the wiper motor. But it could be anything from airbags to brakes. The important thing is that you get it fixed. Ignoring a recall can put you and your passengers at risk. Plus, it might affect your car's resale value. So don't skip it. ### What About Other Ford Models? This recall is only for the Ford Explorer. But if you own another Ford model, it's still a good idea to check for recalls. Ford has had recalls on other vehicles too. Your dealer can help you with that. Or you can check online using the NHTSA tool. ### Final Thoughts Recalls can be annoying, but they're there to keep you safe. Ford is taking responsibility for this issue. If your Explorer is affected, schedule the repair as soon as you can. It's free, it's quick, and it could save you from a dangerous situation on the road. Stay safe out there.