2005 Ford Escape window and wiper problems

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

My 2005 ford escape was sitting in my carport for 2 days. I went out to go to the store and the back window was shattered in a million pieces all over the driveway and back bumper. That was also glass inside the car. I called the police and they came out and looked at it and took pictures and I took pictures also they said it had not been vandalized that it must have exploded from the inside out. I read about a lot of other people having the same problem. Ford needs to have a recall on this. It could have happened while I was driving or children could have been hurt sitting in the backseat this is not like

NHTSA complaint #11443555 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INTO TINY SHARDS INTO A RADIUS OF 15 FEET FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. NO CRACKS OR PROBLEMS. THE WINDOW WAS SHUT WITH NORMAL FORCE AND EXPLODED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA complaint #11001168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ONLY BLEW OUT HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA complaint #10895393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLS JUST EXPLODED TODAY AROUND 2:30 P.M. I HAD ARRIVED ABOUT 2:15 P.M.AT MCDONALDS RESTAURANT. I WAS SITTING WITH A FRIEND WHEN AN EMPLOYEE CAME INTO LOBBY LOOKING FOR THE OWNER OF THE GRAY FORD ESCAPE IN THEIR PARKING LOT. I SAID, "YES IT IS MY CAR." EMPLOYEE THEN CAME AND TOLD ME THAT THE "REAR WINDOW OF MY CAR WAS BROKEN ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT. I WENT AND SAW WHAT HAPPENED. I HAVE NOT OPENED THE REAR GATE OR WINDOW IN OVER A WEEK. ALL I DID WAS PARK IT AND IN 15 MINUTES OF BEING INSIDE OF MCDONALDS THE WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. I HAVE READ WHERE OTHER PEOPLE WITH ESCAPES & MARINERS HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR YEAR. YEARS OLDER THAN MY 2005 AND AS NEW AS 2014 & 2015. IS THEIR A RECALL THAT FORD IS FIXING THIS PROBLEM, AS THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO I CONTACT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY EXPENSE OF REPLACING IT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10854242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE GLASS DID NOT SHATTER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE WINDOW AS IT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA complaint #10735165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW HATCH BOLTS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10704607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

TODAY THE REAR WINDOW OF MY SUV SHATTERED COMPLETELY. NOTHING HAPPENED TO IT TO MAKE IT SHATTER, NO VANDALISM OR ROCKS HIT IT. IT WAS PARKED AND NOT BEING DRIVEN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO IN A SIMILAR SITUATION. IT WAS ALSO PARKED AND IT SHATTERED ON ITS OWN. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS A WARMER SUNNY DAY. TODAY WAS A COLDER TEMPS. I STARTED TO READ ONLINE THAT MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THIS. SOME WERE DRIVING AND HAD CHILDREN AND PETS IN THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE BOTH TIMES BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL I AM DRIVING AND THE GLASS SHATTERS AND EXPLODES EVERYWHERE LIKE IT DID WHILE IT WAS PARKED.

NHTSA complaint #10510469 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10473817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH DOWN THE STREET WITH MY MOTHER AND HEARD A VERY LOUD CRASH ALMOST LIKE A TREE LIMB FALLING ONTO THE CAR. THE REAR WINDOW HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. THERE WAS SHATTERED GLASS EVERYWHERE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE TRUCK.

NHTSA complaint #10438173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

THE REAR HATCH WINDOW ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE EXPLODED OUTWARDLY WHILE PARKED IN THE LOT WHERE I WORK. GLASS BLEW OUT IN A RADIUM OF 15-20 FEET AND IT WAS JUST LUCK THAT NO VEHICLES WERE PARKED BEHIND MINE OR THAT ANYONE WAS WALKING BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW BLEW OUT WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT DAMAGED THE INTERIOR AND THE HATCH ITSELF AND REQUIRED THAT INTERIOR PANELS BE REPLACED AND THE HATCH REPAINTED IN ADDITION TO REPLACING THE GLASS. THE GLASS SHOP WHERE I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR NOTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEMS FOR 2004-2006 ESCAPES. THANKFULLY, MY INSURANCE CARRIER PAID FOR ALL REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT MINUS THE DEDUCTIBLE. HOWEVER, THE INTERNET IS FULL OF SIMILAR REPORTS AND A TV STATION IN MY CITY DID A REPORT ON A SIMILAR INCIDENT ON AN ESCAPE PARKED IN A GARAGE ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE MY WINDOW BLEW. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE. IT IS AMAZING THAT NO ONE HAS OF YET BEEN REPORTED INJURED FROM FLYING GLASS.

NHTSA complaint #10393101 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS PARKED INSIDE A SECURED GARAGE OVERNIGHT. AT SOME POINT OVERNIGHT, THE REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR OR GARAGE WHEN THIS OCCURRED, AND THE GARAGE WAS STILL SECURE IN THE MORNING. PEA-SIZE GLASS PIECES WERE FOUND UP TO 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE CAR, AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS WENT INTO THE REAR CARGO AREA OF THE ESCAPE. THE PIECES OF THE GLASS WERE MANUALLY CLEANED UP FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW IDENTICAL PART AT A LOCAL AUTO GLASS REPAIR SHOP. THE OWNER OF THE ESCAPE PAID FOR THIS NEW WINDOW COMPLETELY WITH HIS OWN MONEY. DUE TO THE FULLY RANDOM NATURE OF THIS EVENT, I BELIEVE IT TO BE VEHICLE DEFECT WITH THE REAR WINDOW GLASS OR SOME PART SUPPORTING THE GLASS. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10379435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THIS MORNING AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED! THE SOUND IT MADE WAS A LOUD POW, AND SOME GLASS SHARDS FELL ONTO MY SEATS. THERE WERE NO LARGE TRUCKS AROUND OR SIGHT OF DEBRIS FLYING MY WAY. I HAVE TO WAIT A FEW DAYS FOR THE GLASS TO BE SHIPPED FROM FORD BEFORE I CAN HAVE IT INSTALLED, AND I HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE OF $500 THROUGH MY INSURANCE, AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SUNROOF EXPLODING IN FORDS, AND IT'S NOT LIKELY THAT A ROCK CAN CAUSE THIS KIND OF DAMAGE ON TOP OF A CAR. FORD SHOULD BE PROVIDING WARRANTIES FOR THIS TYPE OF DEFECT.

NHTSA complaint #10375439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH AND WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE ROAD. THE ROADS WERE COVERED WITH A LIGHT DUSTING OF FLUFFY SNOW, AND IT WAS CHILLY.. ABOUT 21 DEGREES. THE DEFROSTER HAD BEEN ON, BUT I HAD PHYSICALLY TURNED THE DEFROSTER OFF ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE 'EXPLOSION'. I HEARD A HORRIBLE NOISE AND WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED TO SEE THERE WAS VERY LITTLE OF MY REAR WINDOW LEFT. WHAT?!!?! HOW COULD SUCH THINGS HAPPEN? AND WHAT A MESS! THERE WAS GLASS EVERYWHERE, PAINT HAD BEEN CHIPPED, THE SHOCKS WERE HANGING OUT, THE WIPER AND MOTOR WERE AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE...THINGS WERE DANGLING EVERYWHERE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS A SUNDAY AND NOTHING WAS OPEN TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR UNTIL MONDAY. SO FAR, MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT HELPFUL, BUT I'VE STILL HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. WHY DO I EVEN NEED TO PAY ANYTHING FOR SOMETHING I DID NOT CAUSE?? MY CALLS TO FORD HAVEN'T REALLY GOTTEN ME ANYWHERE YET, EXCEPT TO ONLY REITERATE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR SUCH ISSUES. I AGREE THAT WITH THIS MANY VOICED COMPLAINTS, FORD SHOULD AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS AN ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10373960 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

BACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODING ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE.

NHTSA complaint #10372677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

THE REAR WINDOW IN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 5 DEGREES CELSIUS AND IT WAS RAINING. I WAS USING THE WINDOW DEFOGGER AND THE REAR WIPER. THE EXPLOSION SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS FLEW INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO GLASS ON THE REAR BUMPER. MY DAUGHTER AND TWO OF HER FRIENDS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND GLASS FLEW IN TOWARD THEM. I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS QUITE STARTLED BY THE LOUD EXPLOSION! THE DRIVER'S SIDE HYDRAULIC LIFT WAS HANGING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE LIFT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO A CHUNK OF GLASS AND IN PLACE IN THE FRAME OF THE WINDOW. MY GUESS IS THAT THE HYDRAULIC LIFT FAILED, EXERTED PRESSURE ON THE WINDOW, AND CAUSED THE EXPLOSION.

NHTSA complaint #10372594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAFFIC WAS CRAWLING, IT WAS SNOWING. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, SO I TURNED TO LOOK OUT THE BACK TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED, AND LOW AND BEHOLD, MY REAR WINDOW WAS SHATTERED (MOSTLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR) AND ALL OTHER NON-GLASS PARTS WERE HANGING IN MIDAIR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD EVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN, AND WE GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT TO LOOK FOR BULLETS, SNOWBALLS, ETC, AND FOUND NOTHING. JUST ABOUT 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, I HAD TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER. SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF BOTH OF US. WILL FIND OUT WHAT THE REPAIR COSTS ARE TOMORROW AT THE DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10371874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I STARTED MY CAR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE FOR CLASS, AND PUT ON THE FRONT AND REAR DEFROST. WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AND STARTED DRIVING, THE REAR WINDOW IMPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES.

NHTSA complaint #10369871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I STARTED MY CAR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE FOR CLASS, AND PUT ON THE FRONT AND REAR DEFROST. WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AND STARTED DRIVING, THE REAR WINDOW IMPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES.

NHTSA complaint #10369871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

I AM WRITING IN CONCERNS TO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS. I AM AN OWNER OF A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. I HAVE BEEN WAITING TWO MONTHS TO HAVE A FAULTY ELECTRICAL PART, THE SMART JUNCTION BOX, REPLACED. SINCE AUGUST 23RD MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNSAFE TO OPERATE WITHOUT THIS PART AS MY TURN SIGNALS, HEAD LIGHTS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE, AS WELL AS POWER WINDOWS, INTERIOR AND DASH LIGHTS, POWER LOCKS, RADIO AND CLOCK DISPLAY AND MY ABILITY TO UNLATCH THE REAR DOOR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INFORMATION MYSELF I WAS FORCED TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK TO BE SCHEDULED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. ON SEPT. 7TH THE FORD MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE PART I TOLD HIM I NEEDED WAS CORRECT AND SAID PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN TWO WEEKS. ON SEPT.21ST, I CALLED TO ASK IF THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. IT WAS THEN THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE NEGLECTED TO MENTION THE PART WOULD NOT BE ORDERED UNLESS I PAID IN ADVANCE. I PAID FOR THE PART ON SEPT23. ON SEPT. 29TH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT WORDEN-MARTIN CALLED TO SAY THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. I ASKED IF IT WERE POSSIBLE TO HAVE A USED PART PUT IN TEMPORARILY WHILE I WAIT. I RECEIVED A REPLY THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $350 TO HAVE THAT PART PUT IN WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PART WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY AND NO COMPENSATION IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WERE TO FAIL. NOT WANTING TO THROW AWAY $350 FOR A FAULTY PART, I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. AFTER WAITING TWO WEEKS I NEVER RECEIVED A CALL, SO I CALLED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ON THE PART. I WAS TOLD THE PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL OCT. 25TH. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THEIR DISTRIBUTOR AND NOT FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THE PART SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BE AVAILABLE OCT. 15TH BECAUSE THE PART, ORDERED BY MANY, WAS BEING REDESIGNED. ON OCT. 19TH I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER.

NHTSA complaint #10361480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

SUNROOF SHATTERED IN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE FOR NO REASON. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE DEFECT. WHEN CHECKING ON LINE THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS INCLUDING TIMES WHEN THE GLASS BROKE WHILE DRIVING. ORDERED NEW GLASS FOR SUNROOF AT MY OWN EXPENSE.

NHTSA complaint #10332263 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

THE REAR GLASS HATCH IMPLODED JUST AFTER EXITING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. MOST OF THE GLASS WAS CONFINED TO THE CARGO AREA, A LITTLE GLASS REACHED THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS AND ONLY A FEW SHARDS REACH THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT AREA. CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WE 32 DEGREES WITH SNOW AND RAIN, REQUIRING THE USE OF THE REAR WINDOW HEATER TO KEEP OFF ICING AND USE OF WINDSHIELD FLUID TO PERMIT VIEWING WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE CINCINNATI OHIO AREA. THE ONLY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION WAS A LOW HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR JUST MOMENTS BEFORE IT HAPPENED. REPAIRS THE NEXT DAY FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH WIPER, WIPER MOTOR OR SHORTS IN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE WINDOW DEFROSTER ELEMENTS OF THE GLASS. NO INJURIES WERE CAUSED TO MY 2 PASSENGERS BY THE FLYING GLASS. HOWEVER SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED JUST 20 SECONDS EARLIER WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE SHOCK TO ME, THE DRIVER, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, SINCE THE FIRST IMPRESSION I HAD WAS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STRUCK, THEN UPON REALIZING THAT THE WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT I THOUGHT WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SHOT AT.

NHTSA complaint #10297321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE ON INTERSTATE 90-WEST, AND UPON REACHING THE CITY OF BRATHNALL CITY LINE I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND NOTICED THAT MY REAR WINDOW HAD EXPLODED. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY, I NOTIFIED THE 911 POLICE EMERGENCY , AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE. A POLICE ARRIVED WITHIN 10 MINUTES AND ASSISTED ME. I HAVE JUST NOTICE THAT THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAD COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORD ESCAPE, WHEN WILL THE NHTSA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? ARE YOU WAITING FOR THE LOSS OF LIVES TO OCCUR FIRST BEFORE YOU WILL DO SOMETHING?

NHTSA complaint #10295432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED.

NHTSA complaint #10274633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

I WAS DRIVING HOME THE TEMP WAS ABOUT 25 DEGREES AND MY BACK WINDOW EXPLODED , NOTHING HIT IT JUST SHATTERED INTO 1000 PIECES. THE SOUND SCARE THE PROVERBIAL .... OUT OF ME . THE REAR DEFROST HAD BEEN ON EARLIER BUT I HAD SHUT IT OFF 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO INCIDENT. I HAD GLASS REPLACED, WHICH WAS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE , BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE COST OF WIPER MOTOR.

NHTSA complaint #10258638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT DEFROST AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE DEFROST SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER FOR OVER A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 01/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/09/09.

NHTSA complaint #10252303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANG AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED. SHE CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE DEALER. A REPRESENTATIVE TOOK THE REAR GLASS DEFROSTER MECHANISM (THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE COMPONENT'S FORMAL TERM). SHE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RELEVANT RECALL AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

NHTSA complaint #10246145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW

I STARTED UP MY CAR AND LET IT RUN FOR APPROX 10 MIN. PUT MY REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON FOR ABOUT 10 MIN WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. SITTING AT A LIGHT, MY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. I WAS NOT MOVING, MY CAR WAS WARMED UP. NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED. POLICE REPORT PROCESSED. FORD FIXED IT FOR A HUGE AMT NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.

NHTSA complaint #10220172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE REAR WINDOW HAS EXPLODED! THE FIRST REAR WINDOW EXPLODED 12.11.07 ON A MILD (55') RAINY DAY WHILE DRIVING APROX 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC. YESTERDAY (2.11.08), THE SAME WINDOW GAVE WAY ON A SIDE STREET AT APROX 35 MPH WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC. YESTERDAY MAKES THE THIRD WINDOW I HAVE REPLACED IN LESS THAN 12 MOS. THE FIRST WINDOW (REAR RIGHT PASSENGER) EXPLODED IN WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY RAMP WITH NO TRAFFIC ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. MOST PEOPLE GO A LIFE TIME WITH NEVER HAVING AN EXPLODING WINDOW WHILE I HAVE HAD 3 ! THE GLASS REPAIR SHOP I WAS REFERRED TO BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT BY OBSERVING THE BROKEN WINDOW, THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT AT NEITHER TIME WAS THE DEFROST MECHANISM TO BLAME. IF I HAD NOT BEEN CLOSE TO MY OFFICE ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS..........I AM CONFIDENT THAT NOBODY WOULD EVER BELIEVE MY STORIES!

NHTSA complaint #10217804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.