Ford F-150 Visibility Problems
Owners have filed 2,074 complaints with NHTSA about visibility problems on the Ford F-150 across 30 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (841). The words owners use most often: “window regulator” (20% of reports).
- 2,074visibility complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 10mention a crash
- 18mention an injury
- 9related recalls
- $620typical repair cost reported by owners
- 42%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Window regulator: mentioned in 424 of 2,074 complaints (20%)
- Fell door: mentioned in 170 of 2,074 complaints (8%)
- Loud pop: mentioned in 124 of 2,074 complaints (6%)
- Rear passenger: mentioned in 109 of 2,074 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical visibility repair on the Ford F-150 at $620, and half of them between $530 and $740.
Based on 229 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2022), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do visibility problems happen?
Based on 1,549 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 2,074 complaints, 10 mention a crash, 23 a fire, 18 an injury.
Ford F-150 visibility complaints by model year
| Model year | Visibility complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 F-150 | 2 | 1% | 29,850 |
| 2023 F-150 | 12 | 3% | 30,000 |
| 2022 F-150 | 22 | 4% | 21,000 |
| 2021 F-150 | 78 | 8% | 44,000 |
| 2020 F-150 | 38 | 5% | 38,000 |
| 2019 F-150 | 13 | 1% | 111,500 |
| 2018 F-150 | 31 | 1% | 49,980 |
| 2017 F-150 | 16 | 1% | 52,000 |
| 2016 F-150 | 40 | 2% | 56,000 |
| 2015 F-150 | 21 | 1% | 62,000 |
| 2014 F-150 | 30 | 2% | 40,000 |
| 2013 F-150 | 50 | 2% | 38,700 |
| 2012 F-150 | 34 | 2% | 49,900 |
| 2011 F-150 | 56 | 3% | 54,000 |
| 2010 F-150 | 96 | 11% | 45,924 |
| 2009 F-150 | 4 | 1% | 53,000 |
| 2008 F-150 | 8 | 2% | 19,079 |
| 2007 F-150 | 5 | 1% | 35,783 |
| 2006 F-150 | 17 | 3% | 40,000 |
| 2005 F-150 | 260 | 23% | 50,000 |
| 2004 F-150 | 841 | 41% | 64,065 |
| 2003 F-150 | 16 | 4% | 62,750 |
| 2002 F-150 | 28 | 3% | 60,000 |
| 2001 F-150 | 23 | 2% | 69,000 |
| 2000 F-150 | 27 | 3% | 82,650 |
| 1999 F-150 | 81 | 8% | 41,679 |
| 1998 F-150 | 66 | 5% | 61,761 |
| 1997 F-150 | 147 | 5% | 100,000 |
| 1996 F-150 | 4 | 1% | 170,000 |
| 1995 F-150 | 8 | 1% | 121,423 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (9)
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2023 F-150, 2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
Risk: A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning October 30, 2025.
Visibility:windshield
Model years: 2024
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Risk: A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C20.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Model years: 2021
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S10. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-250.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Model years: 2021, 2022
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles. The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2023. Remedy parts are expected in the 3rd Quarter of 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S71. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-142.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages
Model years: 2020, 2021
Problem: 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: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Model years: 2021
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
Risk: Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S12.
Visibility:windshield:critical fasteners
Model years: 2021
Problem: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 and 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Risk: In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C06.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Model years: 2006
Problem: On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
Risk: After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673 or lincoln/mercury at 1-800-521-4140.
Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Model years: 2000, 2001
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.
Risk: Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving in a rainstorm, rainwater leaked into the vehicle from the front driverâs side windshield seal onto the dashboard. The contact was concerned that the water might eventually cause electrical failures inside the dashboard…
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to activate, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was advised that the control stalk, wiper motor, and the motor linkage were…
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that the windshield wipers failed to activate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not…
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the AC was being used at 70% power when suddenly, the AC no longer gave cool air and the airflow was weak. The contact stated this happens when he drives the vehicle longer than a 4 hour…
The contact owns a 2015 FORD F-150. The contact stated a mechanical failure regarding the vehicle's sunroof feature. The contact stated that the sunroof fails to retract or close fully on its own. To achieve a complete closure, the contact must manually apply significant force to the glass panel…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Ford F-150s have visibility problems?
No. NHTSA has 2,074 owner complaints about visibility for the Ford F-150. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Ford F-150 visibility?
Yes: 9 safety recalls list visibility. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix visibility problems on the Ford F-150?
Owners report a typical cost of $620 (half paid between $530 and $740), from 229 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about visibility problems on the Ford F-150?
The most frequent phrase is “window regulator”, in 424 of 2,074 complaints, followed by “fell door” (170).
Other Ford F-150 problems
- Power Train problems (8,965)
- Engine problems (4,522)
- Electrical System problems (3,641)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (2,689)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (2,502)
- Steering problems (2,253)
- Service Brakes problems (2,080)
- Structure problems (2,016)
See all Ford F-150 problems.