I purchased a new 2026 Ford Explorer and had owned the vehicle for approximately three days when the driver-side front power window failed at approximately 315 miles. The failure occurred on the evening of October 23, 2026, while the vehicle was parked in my driveway. I operated the driver-side window normally and heard loud crunching/mechanical noises from inside the driver door as the window went down. The glass went fully down and then would not raise. When I attempted to operate the window switch afterward, additional crunching noises could be heard from inside the door, but the glass would not move. Because the Ford service department was already closed, I was unable to have the vehicle inspected that evening. With possible rain, I had to cover the open driver-side window with painter's plastic and tape to protect the interior of a vehicle that was only three days old. I took the vehicle back to the selling Ford dealership the following morning, October 24, 2026, as soon as the service department opened. The vehicle had approximately 328 miles when it was documented by the dealership. The Ford dealership subsequently verified the failure. According to the repair order, the technician found the driver-side window regulator binding. After removing the door panel and inspecting the regulator, the technician found that the window-regulator cable had detached from the regulator. The dealership removed and replaced the window regulator and retested the system. The replacement regulator listed on the repair order is Ford part number PB5Z-5823209-A. This was a confirmed mechanical failure of the driver-side window-regulator assembly on a vehicle that was approximately three days of use and had only about 315 miles when the failure occurred. I have also read and heard reports from multiple other Ford Explorer owners describing similar power-window and window-regulator failures, including reports from some owners that the problem has occurred again after repairs
Ford Explorer power windows problems
76 of the 34,647 owner complaints about the Ford Explorer describe power window failure, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 76
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 70,000
By model year
Often reported together
Transmission failure 5Wipers 4Won't start 3Whining noise 3Hesitation 3Harsh shifting 3Check engine light 3Won't shift 2
What owners say
The passenger window and the driver window will not respond. The windows will not go up on either side, exposing the driver and passengers to the elements of rain. In addition, the car is vulnerable to theft and break-ins. The windows are part of a larger electrical problem that the car has, including key fob delays and screen shut off during driving. The problem has been confirmed by the service center. No warning signs are available for these problems.
The contact owns a 2020 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the front passenger’s side window would not remain closed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the front passenger’s side window regulator module was faulty and needed to be replaced. The regulator module was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the same failure recently occurred with the front driver's side window and the vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,800.
Back windows fell off track and windows fell down, cannot roll them up. AC and Heater broke and won't work at all. Fuel system is too lean. Transmission is going out Timing Chain and tensioners making loud knocking noise. Burning oil.
Body trim around window fell off while driving on freeway. Vehicle is available for inspection. Safety risk would be to other drivers who could be hit by part flying off. Fortunately, no person or vehicle was struck when part flew off my car. Car has not been inspected since incident. There was no warning or symptom prior to incident.
While driving my 2020 Explorer a couple of weeks ago I noticed it was down shifting really hard when I would slow down to stop at a light. There were no warning lights or check engine lights of any kind. It continually got worse over the next few days so I made an appointment with our local Ford dealership. When I called they told me it was probably just a computer issue and they could reset it. On my first appointment I was having them change the oil as well as “reset” the computer. When they came out to talk to me they said they had a technician “reset” the computer but the actual “transmission guy” wasn’t there and I would probably have to bring it back. He told me it would probably drive different to me now because it has an “adaptive” transmission and it would have to adjust to the way I drive. I called and made another appointment that same day after I saw it was still doing the same thing. Well the next night I took it on a trip to the next town that was about 20 minutes away. It started “driving” very strangely and I began to smell a hot or chemical kind of smell. I actually pulled off to the side of the highway at one point. I was able to make it home and didn’t attempt to drive very far until I had it looked at again. We’ll I took it back today and they’re now telling me it has to have either a new transmission or that one rebuild. Whichever Ford decides. Luckily it’s still under warranty or I’d have a bigger problem. After researching I’ve discovered thousands of other people who have had the exact same issue with their 2020 Explorer, all at different mileages. I feel Ford should have already issued a recall for this known problem by now. This is absolutely a safety issue because if your in traffic or pull out into an intersection and the car doesn’t want to shift it could cause a serious wreck. I’ve already had to have the backup camera replaced(before they issued the recall)and the drivers side power window motor replaced. Definitely regret buying.
1) Powertrain - 10 speed transmission will not shift properly. When down/up shifting, The transmission slams into gear. It started at 54000 miles. Dealer repair shop stated that there were zero codes and was unable to ascertain the problem. Problem continued and only got worst. On another visit, the mechanic was able to duplicate the sound and still no codes. It was stated that I should return the vehicle on Monday and Ford technical would be contacted. Vehicle was returned on a Monday. i spoke with the Mechanic. he now stated that he could not duplicate the slamming. I recommend he ride with me. We took a four- mile drive. Within 3/4 mile, the slamming was back. The vehicle was kept until Friday of same week. The factory Rep recommended that dealer should reset the computer and drive for 500 miles. The dealer Rep/Dannelle stated Ford should assumed the cost of replacing the transmission and not the dealer under my Extended Warranty. Now the dealer's Repair shop will not return my phone call. 2) I also called in report and request an appointment regarding my electric windows will not go up or down. Zero return call. After driving approximately 300 miles and stopping for fuel, the windows started working again.
Since we have purchased the SUV it has on multiple occasions flashed cross traffic system fault, blind spot system fault, AC shuts off, and the windows will not roll down. Have taken to the dealership twice, once they charged the battery, the last time they reset a module. It did it again today so we will have to take it back. We have had the problem happen while moving but today we were stationary when it happened.
For weeks now the car has been deciding what to do. The air conditioner randomly turns off or won't turn on. The window won't roll up or down. Lights in the dashboard randomly go on and off all the time. Sometimes there is just a loud noise but no lights. Then recently when I was driving on the highway going 55 MPH with my 3 children the car shut its self off. The lights went crazy then shut off. There was no gas or brakes as I was going 55 MPH. Once the car came to a rolling stop. It did not turn back on. Once towed to the dealership, they cannot find anything wrong.
Car smells like exhaust, the smell is like egg or something dead the key won't come out of the ignitiononce I got the key out the car electrical was still on, the key was out but everything was on and beeping (electrical problems that ongoing) was having problems with the breaks, have taken vehicle in a few times regarding this issue the driver side window won't go down and keeps shaking while going down. One in a while I still hear a tapping sound under driver seat the air conditioner in the car takes 5 to 10 minutes to get cool in the vehicle I have all service reports and can provide more information in a report I have and can send video that have been taken of these issues. Thank you
Related recalls
Electrical system: ADAS
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2025 Lincoln Navigator, 2024-2025 Lincoln Nautilus, 2025 Lincoln Aviator and Explorer vehicles. The Image Processing Module A (IPMA) may experience multiple unexpected resets, resulting in loss of the rearview camera image and advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, including pre-collision assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring.
- Risk
- Loss of the rearview camera image and certain driver assistance features, can reduce the driver’s ability to detect hazards, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The Image Processing Module A software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. This is a Phased campaign. Phase 1 will include 2025 Aviator, 2025 Explorer, 2025 Nautilus notified owners on 4/13/2026. Phase 2 will include 2025 Navigator will notify owners on or about 4/20/2026. Phase 3 will include 2022-2024 Navigator will notify owners on or about 6/8/2026. Phase 4 will include 2024 Nautilus will notify owners on or about 6/22/2026. Owner notification letters were mailed April 13, 2026. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 26S21. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning March 25, 2026.
Recall number 26V165000 · Recall details
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Lincoln Aviator and Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 3.0L PHEV engines. A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.
- Risk
- Battery failure can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. Battery failure can also increase the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will perform a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) diagnostic test and replace the high voltage battery pack, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 8, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford Motor Company's number for this recall is 23S53.
Recall number 23V626000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford Explorer vehicles equipped with 2.3L or 3.3L engines. The wiring harness may not have been properly secured and may contact the air conditioner compressor (A/C) pulley, potentially damaging the harness or the A/C belt.
- Risk
- The A/C pulley may rub through the wiring harness insulation and contact the unfused battery positive wire, resulting in a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a tie strap to the wiring harness at the hand shock tower clip, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 19S32.
Recall number 19V687000 · Recall details
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose vehicles equipped with 4.0l engines and all-time 4-wheel drive (a4wd) powertrains. The generic electronic module (gem) could experience a condition referred to as "lock-up" in which the gem controlled electronic functions (e.g., front windshield wipers, interior lights, 4x4 system, etc.) could not be turned on or, in some cases if the function is on, could not be turned off.
- Risk
- An inoperative windshield wiper system could affect driver visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a resistor in the gem circuit.
Recall number 00V072000 · Recall details
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: multi-purpose passenger vehicles, eddie bauer and limited editions. The key-in-ignition/door open warning chime may not function when the door is opened. This does not fully comply with fmvss no. 114, "theft protection."
- Risk
- The standard specified that a warning to the driver shall be actuated whenever the key has been left in the locking system and the driver's door is opened.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a jumper wire to provide the necessary ground circuit in these vehicles.
Recall number 97V215000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford Explorer power windows
Which Ford Explorer years have power window failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (26 complaints), 2004 (19 complaints) and 2003 (4 complaints).
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