2021 Ford F-150 visibility & wipers problems
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
131 owners have reported visibility & wipers problems with the 2021 Ford F-150, 13% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 41,000 mi.
- Visibility & Wipers complaints
- 131
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Related recalls
- 6
- Median mileage
- 41,000 mi
Specific components reported
Visibility & Wipers covers: Windshield, wipers, defroster, mirrors and windows.
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Visibility | 66 |
| Visibility/wiper | 56 |
| Visibility:windshield | 6 |
| Visibility:rearview mirrors/devices:exterior | 1 |
| Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly | 1 |
| Visibility:glass, side/rear | 1 |
| Visibility:windshield wiper/washer | 1 |
| Visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor | 1 |
| Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system | 1 |
Visibility & Wipers complaints across Ford F-150 years
Mileage when the problem appeared
Related recalls
- VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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.
Remedy: 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 WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
Remedy: 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
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.
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.
- VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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.
Remedy: 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 · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS
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.
Remedy: 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.
What owners say
- Filed Aug 25, 202697,000 miNCVisibility & Wipers
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 repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V842000 (VISIBILITY). The failure mileage was 97,000.
NHTSA complaint #11759565 · source - Filed Jun 17, 2026OHVisibility & Wipers
When using the window wipers, they become inoperable. Stopping in the middle of the window, pausing when moving, or completely stopping and unable to get them to start moving until they begin to move on their own. This has occurred multiple times and at multiple different speeds of operation for the wipers. This was a previous recall issued by Ford that has been completed on the vehicle yet the same result is occurring.
NHTSA complaint #11744757 · source - Filed Apr 30, 2026MOElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers
The rear window basically has 3 parts. Driver side, center sliding section, and passenger side. Only the driver side section defrost. According to online forums specifically for Ford trucks, this is a common issue. Ford’s Special Service Message (SSM) 48490 does reference this as a known issue.
NHTSA complaint #11734744 · source - Filed Feb 26, 2026IAVisibility & Wipers
Here is what happened on Feb 21st 2026 at about 8:00 AM MST. We were driving east in the mountains on I-70 in Colorado approaching the Eisenhower tunnel. The truck had been parked in a heated garage overnight. There had been some snow the night before which had been melted by sand and salt, so the road was wet and messy. The vehicles ahead and around my truck were kicking up a mist of water and sand and dirt. My windshield quickly became covered and obstructed. I attempted…
NHTSA complaint #11720622 · source - Filed Dec 12, 2025IDFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & DrivetrainVisibility & Wipers
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 23V896000 (POWER TRAIN), 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), and 25V729000 (VISIBILITY). The dealer was contacted. However, parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The manufacturer was contacted; however, the phone call was dropped five times. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11704774 · source - Filed Dec 5, 202532,962 miMOTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionVisibility & Wipers
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 25V455000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) and 25V729000 (VISIBILITY); however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle started then hesitated and stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer…
NHTSA complaint #11703353 · source - Filed Nov 13, 2025OHVisibility & Wipers
The windshield wipers on my 2021 Ford F-150 are inoperable. The wipers suddenly stopped working with no warning. The vehicle had already received Recall 23S10, which was supposed to replace the defective wiper motor arm. However, the wipers have failed again, suggesting the recall remedy was inadequate or that defective components are still being used. Ford and the servicing dealer refuse to reopen the recall or provide coverage, even though this is clearly the same safety…
NHTSA complaint #11699164 · source - Filed Nov 5, 202548,000 miIDVisibility & Wipers
The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, there was an abnormal film-like substance visible inside the windshield. The substance obstructed the vision while driving and worsened while driving at night. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased and detailed the windshield in an effort to remove the film-like substance. Despite the independent mechanics best efforts, the film-like substance…
NHTSA complaint #11697591 · source - Filed Oct 30, 2025MSLightingVisibility & Wipers
Both Running Daytime Lights have stopped working. This is a common issue with 2021 and up F150's. The issue results in a loss of visibility during daylight hours, creating a safety issue during daytime hours. This also seems to be negligence on the manufacturer's side. My understanding of the issue is a part of the headlight gets too hot under normal operating conditions and results in a melting or possible burning of a section of the headlight assembly. This is also a…
NHTSA complaint #11696627 · source - Filed Oct 21, 2025ILVisibility & Wipers
Rear windshield spontaneously shattered. Reduced vision of rear window. Dealer will not inspect vehicle without paying a fee. Rear window defroster was on and there was cricking sound.
NHTSA complaint #11694659 · source - Filed Sep 30, 2025FLVisibility & Wipers
My Ford truck was part of Recall 22S26 / NHTSA Recall 22V250, which required the replacement of faulty windshield wiper arms. On 12/12/2023, I took my vehicle to Karl Flammer Ford for the recall service. The receipt I was given states that both wiper arms were replaced as part of the recall. In 2025, I noticed the driver-side wiper arm was loose and could potentially detach while in use. Upon closer inspection, I found the stamped date code on the wiper arm showed “2021,”…
NHTSA complaint #11690657 · source - Filed Aug 30, 2025FLVisibility & Wipers
I was driving in a torrential rain storm in Florida. My wipers were on as I have the Platinum edition which has numerous sensors. I heard a strange sound then nothing the wipers stopped and I could not see a thing. I was in traffic so i put my hazard lights on and I indicated to the right and pulled over. I could not drive the vehicle so I had to wait the storm out before I could drive. When I got home I noted that this was a common problem with the 2021 F150 and in…
NHTSA complaint #11684131 · source
Other 2021 Ford F-150 problem areas
- Transmission & Drivetrain (318)
- Electrical System (130)
- Lighting (114)
- Other / Unknown (104)
- Engine (100)
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (91)
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (86)
- Brakes (76)
- Body & Structure (42)
- Steering (41)
- Wheels & Tires (29)
- Acceleration & Cruise Control (20)
- Suspension (13)
- Seats & Seat Belts (6)
- Airbags (5)
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology