FaultScore

Ford F-250 window and wiper problems

91 of the 5,731 complaints filed about the Ford F-250 are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1999.

91

Complaints

2%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

3

Fires

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers complaints by model year

1991 F-250 2 2.2%
1993 F-250 1 1.1%
1994 F-250 4 4.4%
1995 F-250 1 1.1%
1996 F-250 1 1.1%
1997 F-250 14 15.4%

Median failure at 99,000 miles

1998 F-250 3 3.3%
1999 F-250 22 24.2%

Median failure at 50,000 miles

2000 F-250 10 11.0%

Median failure at 34,550 miles

2001 F-250 8 8.8%

Median failure at 39,000 miles

2002 F-250 6 6.6%
2003 F-250 1 1.1%

Median failure at 300,000 miles

2004 F-250 2 2.2%

Median failure at 113,500 miles

2006 F-250 3 3.3%

Median failure at 2,460 miles

2007 F-250 1 1.1%
2008 F-250 1 1.1%

Median failure at 10,120 miles

2009 F-250 2 2.2%

Median failure at 35,900 miles

2011 F-250 4 4.4%

Median failure at 57,500 miles

2012 F-250 2 2.2%

Median failure at 52,500 miles

2013 F-250 3 3.3%

Median failure at 134,000 miles

What owners said

2013 Ford F-250 at 134,000 miles Panacea, FL

VISIBILITY

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the front driver's side window was distorted due to the manufacturer's solar-tinted window. The contact was unable to view the driver's side mirror while the window was rolled up. The sticker label on the front driver's side window listed Ford Window Tint Carlite Solar Tint Tempered AS2. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

NHTSA complaint #11557593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford F-250 at 134,000 miles Panacea, FL

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-250. The contact stated that the front driver's side window was distorted due to the manufacturer's solar-tinted window. The contact was unable to view the driver's side mirror while the window was rolled up. The sticker label on the front driver's side window listed Ford Window Tint Carlite Solar Tint Tempered AS2. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

NHTSA complaint #11557593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford F-250 at 72,256 miles Oldtown, MD

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW EXPLODED ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF MY TRUCK. IT EXPLODED SO HARD (LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST). IT THREW GLASS ALL OVER THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK, ALL OVER MYSELF. ONCE I STOPPED, I NOTICED THAT I HAD BLOOD ON MY SEAT. THE GLASS ACTUALLY WAS STUCK IN MY SKIN ON MY ELBOW. IT TOOK ALMOST 10 MINUTES TO GET IT OUT OF MY HAIR. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD OR GOING BY ME TO THROW ANY DEBRIS AT THE WINDOW. I HAVE PHOTOS IF NEEDED

NHTSA complaint #11208435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford F-250 at 38,000 miles Celina, OH

VISIBILITY/WIPER

MY REAR WINDOW SHATTERED ON A COLD MORNING WITH NO IMPACT. I SUSPECT THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS FAULTY. GLASS GUY SAID HE REPLACED THIS WINDOW ALL THE TIME WITH THAT COMPLAINT.

NHTSA complaint #11176652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Ford F-250 at 67,000 miles East Helena, MT

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DEFROST MODE ACUATOR FAULTY

NHTSA complaint #11140146 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2003 Ford F-250 at 300,000 miles Castlewood, VA

VISIBILITY/WIPER

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WE PULLED OVER THEN WHEN I PUT THE TRUCK INTO DRIVE TO PULL OUT IT BARELY MOVED. WE WERE ALMOST HIT BC THE TRUCK WOULDN'T MOVE SO I PUT IN IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD AND IT DID FINE. SO I TRIED TO PULL OUT AGAIN N DRIVE AND AGAIN IT WOULDN'T GO NO MATTER HOW MUCH GAS I GAVE IT. IT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING IS DROWNDING OUT OR IT ISN'T GETTING GAS. BUT LIKE I SAID. IT WON'T GO FORWARD IN DRIVE OR 1ST OR 2ND. ONLY IN REVERSE WILL IT MOVE NORMALLY. THIS IS MAJOR!!! I CAN'T HAVE MY KIDS AT RISK BC THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE TRUCK ABOUT 3 WEEKS SO IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING.

NHTSA complaint #11092593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford F-250 at 65,000 miles Cantwell, AK

VISIBILITY/WIPER

"STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE" SCCM (FORD P/N 3F944) PLASTIC BODY BROKE, ALLOWING THE "MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH" (FORD P/N 13K359) TO SEPARATE FROM ITS ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND BECOME INOPERABLE. THE SCCM PLASTIC BODY IS QUITE FLIMSY AND THE PLASTIC IS BRITTLE - INSTEAD OF JUST BREAKING, IT SHATTERED LIKE GLASS. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED AT NIGHT DURING A RAINSTORM 3-4-16. HAD JUST EXITED ONTO AN URBAN ARTERIAL FROM A FREEWAY. INSTANTLY THE WIPERS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HIGH BEAM BECAME INOPERABLE. VERY DANGEROUS DRIVING HOME (1 MILE FROM THE EVENT). NEXT DAY I WAS AMAZED AT HOW EXTENSIVELY THE PLASTIC SHATTERED, HAVING NO RECALL OF TREATING IT HARSHLY - JUST USING THE DEVICE IN THE NORMAL FASHION.

NHTSA complaint #10840088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Ford F-250 at 66,500 miles Satsuma, AL

VISIBILITY/WIPER

DRIVING 2009 FORD F-50 SUPER DUTY FX4 ON INSTERSTATE AT 65 MPH, AS I EXITED TO ANOTHER INTERSTATE I EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT WOBBLE IN THE FRONT END WHICH ONLY STOPPED WHEN I BROUGHT THE PICKUP TRUCK TO A COMPLETE STOP. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AND THEY GAVE ME A SHOPPING LIST OF $3300. THIS INCLUDED WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THEY ALSO DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM AND COULD NOT HELP. LOOKING INTO THIS ON GOOGLE, I FOUND HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS COMMONLY CALLED "DEATH WOBBLE" ON THE INTERNET. THIS VIOLENT SHAKING HAS OCCURRED ONCE MORE TWO WEEKS LATER. I AM PARKING THE VEHICLE UNTIL I DECIDE WHAT I NEED TO DO. I AM AFRAID FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY AND OTHER MOTORISTS.

NHTSA complaint #10817038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Ford F-250 at 215,000 miles Marietta, GA Fire

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD F-250. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE WINDOW WIPERS WERE ACTIVATED AND A STRONG BURNING ODOR AND SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE THE CABIN. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND NOTICED THE WIPER MOTOR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED. THERE WERE NO FLAMES PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WIPER MOTOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01V258000 (VISIBILITY); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY CONSISTED OF REPLACING THE WIPER MOTOR GEAR CASE COVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.

NHTSA complaint #10733270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford F-250 at 50,000 miles Pittsburgh, PA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA complaint #10716378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford F-250 at 21,000 miles Sebastopol, CA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WINDOW WAS DETACHING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN MADE THE CONTACT AWARE THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE SUN ROOF FAILURE. THE SUN ROOF WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000.

NHTSA complaint #10678572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Ford F-250 at 100 miles North Hollywood, CA

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

CHROME AC/HEATING VENT BEZELS REFLECT SUNLIGHT TO DRIVER'S EYES AND IMPAIRS VISION. THIS LOSS OF VISION CAUSES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION ESPECIALLY WITH LIGHT SENSITIVE PEOPLE.

NHTSA complaint #10494709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Ford F-250 at 8,100 miles Cheyenne, WY

VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SAT IDLE FOR TEN MINUTES WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR WINDOW GLASS HAD FALLEN FROM THE VEHICLE AND SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER TOOK PICTURES OF THE SHATTERED GLASS AND SENT THEM TO THE MANUFACTURER. APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS LATER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD COVER A PERCENTAGE OF THE REPAIRS TO THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 8,100. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10493037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Ford F-250 at 5,300 miles Temple, GA

VISIBILITY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE SUN SHINED ON THE WINDSHIELD, IT WOULD EMIT A GLARE OF RANGING COLORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,300.

NHTSA complaint #10438088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Ford F-250 at 180,000 miles Cedar Hill, MO

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD F-250. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING RAINY WEATHER, THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE WOULD BECOME WET AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO START INDEPENDENTLY, THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH AND THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD ILLUMINATE INDEPENDENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND MADE A COVER FOR THE PART. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE GENERAL ELECTRONIC MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 240,000.

NHTSA complaint #10393940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Ford F-250 at 10,120 miles Great Falls, MT

VISIBILITY

MY HUSBAND WOKE UP AND WENT OUT TO START HIS TRUCK SO IT WOULD BE WARM FOR OUR 1-YR OLD TWIN BABIES TO GET IN THE CAR. WHEN HE WENT TO PUT THE BABIES IN THE BACK SEAT, THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS BLOWN OUT FROM THE INSIDE OUT; THE GLASS LOOKED BUBBLED. HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE GLASS SHOP AND WAS ADVISED THAT BECAUSE FORD DOESN'T USE THE PROPER SEAL ON IT'S REAR WINDOWS THAT THIS CAN OCCASIONALLY HAPPEN. THE WINDOW BLEW UP FROM THE HEAT INSIDE THE CAR...IT'S 30 DEGREES HERE THIS MORNING. WE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE THAT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WE WERE ADVISED THAT IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SO I'M LOOKING AT $800 FOR A WHOLE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS CONCERNS ME AS IF ONE OF MY BABIES WAS IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED, WE WOULD HAVE SOME SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES....THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THEIR FAULTY SEAL, OUR WINDOW EXPLODED.

NHTSA complaint #10306639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Ford F-250 Cincinnati, OH

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

THE DASHBOARD'S REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD IS TERRIBLE! IT IS ESPECIALLY BAD ON A BRIGHT, SUNNY DAY OR WHEN I'M PULLING INTO MY GARAGE. THE GLARE MAKES IT SO DIFFICULT THAT I MUST ROLL DOWN THE SIDE WINDOW AND PUT MY HEAD OUT TO BE ABLE TO PULL INTO THE GARAGE! WHEN I DRIVE IT IN THE DARK, THE STREET LIGHTS LIGHT UP THE DASHBOARD AND THAT TOO REFLECTS INTO THE WINDSHIELD. I'VE REPORTED THIS TO FORD EXECUTIVE OFFICE (KAREN JONES) AND THEY SAY IT'S JUST THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESGNED. THEY CLAIM IT'S NOT SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVE NO PLANS TO MODIFY THE VEHICLE. I DISAGREE! THEY HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY TRUCK AND SEEN THIS!

NHTSA complaint #10185735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford F-250 at 1,400 miles Payson, AZ

VISIBILITY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT LIGHT REFLECTS ONTO THE DASHBOARD, RESULTING IN VISIBILITY ISSUE WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN ALERTED. UPDATED 8/16/2006 - THE PROBLEM IS NOT PRIMARILY A GLARE PROBLEM. THE GAUGES ARE RECESSED WHICH MAY ALSO BE A CAUSE OF THE VISIBILITY ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10163404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford F-250 at 2,460 miles Clarkston, MI

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

WHILE DRIVING THE F-250 ON A RURAL EXPRESSWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IMPLODED INTO THE VEHICLE WITH NO APPARENT PRIOR IMPACT TO THE GLASS. THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AT THE TIME WAS AROUND 17 DEGREES F AND THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73 DEGREES F. DRIVER WAS HIT WITH SHATTERED GLASS BUT NO MAJOR CUTS OCCURRED. THE WINDOW WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND THE OWNER HAD TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10147273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

1997 Ford F-250 at 99,000 miles Warwick, RI

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON RT 295 DURING A RAIN STORM AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING ALONG WITH OTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONETS IN MY TRUCK. I DRIVE A 97 FORD F250 4X4 XLT. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INJURED. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO BE FIXED WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY GEM MODULE AND FUSE BOX. I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE WINDSHIELDS ON THE MODEL OF MY TRUCK IS KNOWN TO LEAK AND DAMAGE THOSE COMPONETS. I COULD OF GOT INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT DAY, RESULTING IN DEATH OF ME OR OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10145770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford F-250 problems