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What 245 owners told NHTSA about the 2022 Ford Explorer Gas

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (245)Crash / fire / injury (23)Transmission & drivetrain (59)Electrical system (36)Fuel system (31)Engine (24)Visibility & wipers (24)Backup camera & sensors (23)Brakes (11)Driver assistance (11)Suspension (11)Body & structure (10)

24 of 245 complaints match · Visibility & wipers · clear filters

Jul 9, 2026Visibility & wipersBody & structure

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the sunroof sunshade detached from the inner roof and sagged downward, creating a visibility hazard. The contact stated that the rearview mirror view was obstructed due to the failure. The contact stated that the failure was caused by faulty clips securing the sunshade. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and a local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11749368

May 21, 2026Visibility & wipers

Rear wiper works intermittently

NHTSA ODI 11739352

Apr 10, 2026EngineFuel systemVisibility & wipers

There are three active recall on my car, all of which say there are not remedy available and NHTSA Recall Number 25V455 can cause engine failure that leads to a crash, was reported in July 2025, and STILL has no remedy. The other 2 recalls are NHTSA Recall Number 26V123 and NHTSA Recall Number 26V117.

NHTSA ODI 11730431

Apr 7, 2026Visibility & wipers

Recently, my sun roof shade has started to sag and no longer retracts correctly. This is causing a loss of visibility out of the rear and side windows. It also is causing a distraction as it has lost it's tension. Additionally I have contacted two separate Ford dealerships, only for them to tell me that I have to bring the vehicle in and pay hundreds of dollars to "diagnose" that the shade is broken and that my extended warranty will not cover this cost even though it is a danger for me to drive my vehicle in this condition.

NHTSA ODI 11729741

Mar 6, 2026Body & structureVisibility & wipers

The panoramic sunroof sunshade in my 2022 Ford Explorer failed and now sags downward. The shade hangs low enough to partially block the rear window and interferes with visibility through the rearview mirror. After researching the issue, I found many other owners reporting the same failure with the sunroof sunshade mechanism or clips. This appears to be a common defect. The reduced rear visibility while driving creates a safety hazard when checking traffic behind the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11722595

Feb 7, 2026Visibility & wipers

The headliner that covers my panoramic sunroof has came loose on both sides , obstructing my reaview .

NHTSA ODI 11716418

Jan 5, 2026Electrical systemFuel systemVisibility & wipers

I own a 2022 Ford Explorer purchased in April 2025. Since purchasing the vehicle, I have experienced multiple defects affecting safety and normal use. The instrument cluster becomes foggy, making it difficult to clearly see my speed while driving. The infotainment screen intermittently malfunctions and affects the backup camera display, reducing rear visibility. I also experienced fuel contamination that was confirmed and repaired by the dealership. In addition, the rear HVAC air vents close and do not provide airflow to the back seats. The vehicle has been taken to the dealership four separate times for different issues. Despite these repair attempts, the problems have continued or new issues have appeared. Due to the ongoing defects and safety concerns, I do not feel safe or confident operating this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11708973

Nov 24, 2025Electrical systemVisibility & wipers

Sun roof, moon roof collapse while driving . making rattling noise.

NHTSA ODI 11701252

Nov 10, 2025Electrical systemVisibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

We purchased our 2022 Ford Explorer brand new on April 12, 2022. The backup camera was nonfunctional that same evening. We brought the car to Porter Ford, where the issue was confirmed via diagnostic code U0264:00 ("Lost Communication With Camera Module Rear"). The dealership informed us that this was tied to a known recall, but that the necessary parts were unavailable. We waited more than two years for a resolution, during which time the camera system remained inoperable or intermittently failed. This defect directly impacts rear visibility, which is required under FMVSS 111. In August 2024, Willis Ford performed Recall 23S23, replacing the rear camera and wiring harness. The issue continued. In May 2024, they opened Recall 23S232, again noting a need for parts. In September 2024, the camera was replaced again. The issue persisted. In June 2025, the issue was finally diagnosed as a failed IPMB module and possibly a harness fault. Ford has since quoted us $2,937.90 to repair the issue—despite written confirmation from the service advisor to Ford that: "If the vehicle was still under warranty, this repair would be covered." We have not paid anything, and are refusing partial coverage, as the defect was: Reported within 24 hours of vehicle delivery Tied to multiple recalls Never resolved after years of authorized service center attempts This is a clear and ongoing safety defect affecting rear visibility. Ford has failed to comply with safety standards by not resolving the issue in a timely or effective manner. We request NHTSA investigation into Ford’s handling of this camera recall and similar issues in other 2022 Explorers.

NHTSA ODI 11698560

Oct 18, 2025Visibility & wipers

Sunroof shade came off track and began drooping, obscuring view out of rearview mirror. Total lack of visibility out of the rear window (whether turning my head or using the rearview mirror) presented a significant safety hazard. Dealer confirmed problem and quoted over $2500 for repair. Prior to issue, a persistent rattling noise had been coming from the vehicle’s ceiling (at speed) for at least 6 months.

NHTSA ODI 11694327

Jul 7, 2025Visibility & wipers

I bought the car May 31th and on June 1st the moon roof shade come out of its track

NHTSA ODI 11671822

Apr 10, 2025Visibility & wipersBackup camera & sensors

The backup camera and related system on the 2022 Ford Explorer ST has malfunctioned and failed to show any images. I'd had the vehicle to the dealer on 3 occasions, whereby I've just learned the issue was improperly diagnosed by another dealer as a faulty camera, but the real problem of a faulty processor was diagnosed and therefore not replaced. This issue puts me, other vehicles and pedestrians in particular risk as there is not rear camera image being projected. The problem has been confirmed by two dealers, diagnosed and now indication is to repair it. This is clearly part of the broader issues Ford is having with rear camera back-up systems.

NHTSA ODI 11653910

Feb 17, 2025Visibility & wipers

Retracted the sunroof and the fabric didn’t retract and just hung down. I don’t retract the sunroof often so it can’t be over use. I closed it but it billows and is a distraction when looking in my rear view mirror. Can’t make it tight again and can’t be without my vehicle for weeks while dealership has it. This is a major fault with the design. No warning. It’s worked and then it didn’t.

NHTSA ODI 11643073

Jun 24, 2024Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and idling with the air conditioner activated, the rear hatch door window suddenly shattered. The contact stated that during the failure, there was no impact on the window to cause the shattering of the window. The cause of the failure was not yet determined, and the vehicle was not yet repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 28,000.

NHTSA ODI 11596084

Jun 24, 2024Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passenger’s side rear window failed to roll up. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle, as a certified engineer, the master control switch on the driver’s side door had remained in the down position allowing for the window to remain down. The plastic around the switch was warped, causing the switch to remain in a downward position to activate the button. The contact manually raised the window and disconnected the connector from the circuit board to allow all other windows to properly function. The dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the VIN was not under recall for the failure. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 43,000.

NHTSA ODI 11596096

May 19, 2024Body & structureVisibility & wipers

Driving on the highway and the sunroof exploded. No one around and no overpass. No signs of impact or object in or near vehicle. No other damage to vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11589564

Sep 21, 2023Visibility & wipers1 injury

The plastic window switch has peeled, creating essentially a very sharp edge that has cut me and caused bleeding and pain. It is available for inspection and I have pictures. This is a problem known to Ford. The vehicle was dropped of at a Ford dealership, Crossley Ford Liberty, MO. The problem identified, but not covered under warranty.

NHTSA ODI 11545808

Jul 26, 2023Visibility & wipers

Windshield stress crack developed overnight. First notices July 18th as small crack (less than 6 inches) on right top third. Over the week grew to 8 inches. Less than 10,000 miles and under 1 year. Ford considers this a wear item and is only covered for 90 days. Currently available for inspection. Not driving car in case the windshield completely fails. Windshield will be inspected and replaced by insurance.

NHTSA ODI 11534550

Mar 27, 2023Visibility & wipers

The sun roof/ moon roof shattered while going down the road at 70 MPH. Glass showered down on my wife as she was traveling until she could stop and get the glass cleaned up.

NHTSA ODI 11514079

Mar 8, 2023Visibility & wipers

Since "fixing" my vehicle with retrofitted 2nd row HVAC controls, the 2nd row heating is unable to be controlled from the front, which means if you have a child in a car seat who can't reach the 2nd row controls you must reach behind while driving to adjust the heat. If you try to adjust from the front controls, it shuts off the overhead vents and only blows from one 3rd row floor vent, which doesn't provide much heat for the 2nd row passengers. The AC controls work properly when controlled from the front. I've taken my vehicle to Ford several times and they tried reprogramming, etc. and compared to other vehicles of the same model year and said they are functioning the same as mine. I believe this poses a serious safety risk as who is not going to attempt to reach back to provide some heat to a cold child?

NHTSA ODI 11510740

Nov 21, 2022Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in the rain, the windshield wipers were engaged but failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the windshield wipers were not wiping water off the windshield as the rubber on the wiper blades were defective. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 500.

NHTSA ODI 11494468

Nov 21, 2022Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at various speeds in the rain, the windshield wipers were engaged but failed to operate as needed. The contact stated that the windshield wipers were not wiping water off the windshield as the rubber on the wipers was defective. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to report the failure to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 500.

NHTSA ODI 11494470

May 2, 2022Visibility & wipers

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle and attempting to roll up the window, the rear passenger’s side window failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the wiring harness needed to be repaired, the window was very hot, and the battery needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,420.

NHTSA ODI 11463001

Apr 19, 2022Visibility & wipers

The windshield just cracked on its own no rock hit it. I rolled down side window to order food and when I rolled it up it spread all over and now leaking inside windshield. Also driving with side windows down the windows vibrate very shaky it doesn’t do that in any other vehicle f150 doesn’t vibrate at all.

NHTSA ODI 11461347

Working with the data? Download all 245 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 20, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2022 Ford Explorer Gas verdict →