Windshield with rain sensing

[Methodical9]

Hello, I am picking up my new Bronco Sport Big Bend today and i was going over the sheet to see everything that it had and I noticed that it has that rain sensing feature. Not sure about other people but I find that extremely annoying. I was wondering if I ever need a new windshield, am I able to just get a normal windshield or will that mess up some other things?

Thanks

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[jkernitzki]

The sensor is optical and located in that large assembly the rear-view mirror hangs from. The windshield itself isn't special. If the windshield does require replacement, though, some of the sensors will require recalibration.

https://www.safelite.com/windshield-auto-glass-technology/rain-sensors

 

[Methodical9]

Ok thanks, I was looking around before and to replace one that has that feature is double the price for some stupid reason. I would probably just get everything else recalibrated. Alot of these new features just do not make any sense to me lol, i'm pretty sure I can see if it's raining and last I checked my fingers were not broken so i think I can flip a switch lol.

 

[jkernitzki]

Ok thanks, I was looking around before and to replace one that has that feature is double the price for some stupid reason. I would probably just get everything else recalibrated. Alot of these new features just do not make any sense to me lol, i'm pretty sure I can see if it's raining and last I checked my fingers were not broken so i think I can flip a switch lol.

The rain sensing feature is not forced on you, you have to enable it in vehicle settings and then position the stalk to activate it. Kind of like auto headlamps, it's there if you want it but can be ignored for those of us that prefer old-school control.

 

[Bucko]

Personally, I like the feature. I had it in several BMW's I've owned in the past.

No fuss, no wet windshields.

 

[DWG]

At least in the US market according to the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Order Guide the rain sensing feature is only available on the Outer Banks Trim. Maybe someone can confirm that the Canadian market is different. Maybe with a certain package. I do not have it on my 24 BS Badlands and that has all the available packages on it.

I have it on my 20 Escape and 19 Edge. I really like the feature but make sure when going into a car wash that you keep the wiper stalk in the off position otherwise the car wash will activate it. It does mention this in the owners manual under wiper precautions.

 

[Methodical9]

Canadian market must be different. I just got a 25 Big Bend and it only has a convenience package, sun roof and maybe a couple more things but it definitely has that feature. I have already turned it off but I will double check before going into a car wash.

 

[Sirwallace]

At least in the US market according to the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Order Guide the rain sensing feature is only available on the Outer Banks Trim. Maybe someone can confirm that the Canadian market is different. Maybe with a certain package. I do not have it on my 24 BS Badlands and that has all the available packages on it.

I have it on my 20 Escape and 19 Edge. I really like the feature but make sure when going into a car wash that you keep the wiper stalk in the off position otherwise the car wash will activate it. It does mention this in the owners manual under wiper precautions.

My 2021 Base has the rain sensing wipers option in Vancouver Canada and a heated wiper area.

 

[Lefty Lorenzo]

At least in the US market according to the 2025 Ford Bronco Sport Order Guide the rain sensing feature is only available on the Outer Banks Trim. Maybe someone can confirm that the Canadian market is different. Maybe with a certain package. I do not have it on my 24 BS Badlands and that has all the available packages on it.

I have it on my 20 Escape and 19 Edge. I really like the feature but make sure when going into a car wash that you keep the wiper stalk in the off position otherwise the car wash will activate it. It does mention this in the owners manual under wiper precautions.

I have it on my 2022 Big Bend

 

[PugDad]

Hello, I am picking up my new Bronco Sport Big Bend today and i was going over the sheet to see everything that it had and I noticed that it has that rain sensing feature. Not sure about other people but I find that extremely annoying. I was wondering if I ever need a new windshield, am I able to just get a normal windshield or will that mess up some other things?

Thanks

I agree it it is stupid features like this that keep adding to the rising costs of vehicles, honestly...rain sensing wipers? What has the world become? Its raining, its getting dark outside,...etc...flick/turn switch, knob etc. Just silly lazy things to go wrong and be costly to repair.

 

[coopny]

I disagree with the grumpiness here, if you encounter variable speed rain, it's one less factor to deal with while driving. Mine never failed in the 8 years I owned my Ford Fusion. I had my windshield replaced and the sensor was included in the cost (less than $400 because I went independent out of pocket vs. insurance).

The driver assistance camera (in all trims of the BS) is the real PITA, and an outfit like Safelite will want $500 on top of the windshield to retrain that (included if insurance claim as part of the claim, but not free if you're out of pocket or going against deductible cost [assuming no $0 glass]).

If you don't think the feature is worth paying for that's fine, but concern of windshield replacement cost is not a reason to specifically decline the feature.

 

[Dude]

The driver assistance camera (in all trims of the BS) is the real PITA, and an outfit like Safelite will want $500 on top of the windshield to retrain that (included if insurance claim as part of the claim)

While this is off-topic to OPs post, why do you say “ The driver assistance camera (in all trims of the BS) is the real PITA “?

Safelite replaced my windshield last summer and the retrain was included in the insurance claim but it took the Tech less than 5 minutes to retrain when the Tech took the vehicle on a drive

 

[Methodical9]

I disagree with the grumpiness here, if you encounter variable speed rain, it's one less factor to deal with while driving. Mine never failed in the 8 years I owned my Ford Fusion. I had my windshield replaced and the sensor was included in the cost (less than $400 because I went independent out of pocket vs. insurance).

The driver assistance camera (in all trims of the BS) is the real PITA, and an outfit like Safelite will want $500 on top of the windshield to retrain that (included if insurance claim as part of the claim, but not free if you're out of pocket or going against deductible cost [assuming no $0 glass]).

If you don't think the feature is worth paying for that's fine, but concern of windshield replacement cost is not a reason to specifically decline the feature.

I disagree with the grumpiness here, if you encounter variable speed rain, it's one less factor to deal with while driving. Mine never failed in the 8 years I owned my Ford Fusion. I had my windshield replaced and the sensor was included in the cost (less than $400 because I went independent out of pocket vs. insurance).

The driver assistance camera (in all trims of the BS) is the real PITA, and an outfit like Safelite will want $500 on top of the windshield to retrain that (included if insurance claim as part of the claim, but not free if you're out of pocket or going against deductible cost [assuming no $0 glass]).

If you don't think the feature is worth paying for that's fine, but concern of windshield replacement cost is not a reason to specifically decline the feature.

I dont need a new windshield quite yet but im going to get a quote anyway just for fun one with the rain sensing and one without. I wonder if a bird shits on my window or if i get bug splatters if that will trigger it?? I pretty much drive all highway and there are quite a few bugs on my window already. Its not about the cost of the windshield i just think its annoying just like the lane keeping feature and auto start stop.

 

[coopny]

While this is off-topic to OPs post, why do you say “ The driver assistance camera (in all trims of the BS) is the real PITA “?

Safelite replaced my windshield last summer and the retrain was included in the insurance claim but it took the Tech less than 5 minutes to retrain when the Tech took the vehicle on a drive

The windshield wiper sensor can usually be moved from windshield to windshield without issue, maybe new adhesive (very cheap and common).

If you need the camera retrained, it requires an expensive diagnostic tool and they charge a crapload of money for it.

As I said earlier, if you are claiming glass through insurance, this is a non-factor (unless you don't have $0 glass and your deductible is not $250 or less). If you are paying out of pocket or having a deductible of $500 or more, then you are going to be paying for the cost of retraining that camera (unless you have an OBDII tool with MS-CAN support and software like FORScan that can initiate retraining on your own, which is what i did on my '15 Fusion).

I dont need a new windshield quite yet but im going to get a quote anyway just for fun one with the rain sensing and one without. I wonder if a bird shits on my window or if i get bug splatters if that will trigger it?? I pretty much drive all highway and there are quite a few bugs on my window already. Its not about the cost of the windshield i just think its annoying just like the lane keeping feature and auto start stop.

The sensors are generally infrared. Glass reflects most of the light back, water causes it to scatter. Sensor sees less light coming back, it infers amount of moisture on the windshield. Since infrared light is not visible light driving at night or in a tunnel won't trigger it. My experience is that bird crap or bugs will not trigger it either. Also, the stalk still has to be in the wiper on position. The main convenience of auto wipers is that you don't have to babysit the speed. You can leave it on and not worry about it, only catch is that if you ever go through a car wash you have to remember to turn it off. I drive other vehicles including rental vehicles so even when I had auto wipers in the Fusion (not an options in the BS BL sadly) I still generally moved the stalk to turn the wipers on or off. But I enjoyed not having to babysit the speed selector so much.

 

[Warped9]

I found the rain sensing feature took some time to get used to because you can adjust it. I have also learned not to obsess over it and now I’m fine with it.

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