2004 Ford Escape visibility problems

Filed May 31, 2014 · Body, Visibility · 123,000 miles · OH

Opened rear window when bolt connecting window to hinge broke. Window shifted downwards and had it not been caught could've shattered and inflicted lacerations to hands, arms, face, and chest. Inspection of blot show corrosion due to being improperly sealed from water and other elements.

Filed May 16, 2014 · Body, Visibility · 173,000 miles · WV

The rear hatch glass hinge bolts sheared on both hinges during hatch closure. The rear hatch glass is only held on by rear shocks. The inside bolts both have some corrosion. The rear glass is not damaged.

Filed Feb 20, 2013 · Visibility · 124,000 miles · CT

As I was sitting in my car with my 9 year old in the backseat, in park, with the engine on, waiting for my older son, we heard a loud explosion and the back windshield had shattered into a million pieces. I thought someone had shot or thrown something at the car but once I got outside and looked at it I could tell by the way the glass had blown outward (for the most part) that something that I could not explain must have happened/malfunctioned with the windshield. It was very scary and, as I was a half hour from home and it was raining, pretty inconvenient. The explosion was so forceful that it damaged both the rear wiper system and the hydraulic arm which lifts the rear window. I am glad my dog was not traveling in the back of the car as plenty of glass ended up in the back of the car. Also, now I have to pay for all of this to get fixed? This is a problem.

Filed Jan 14, 2013 · Visibility · 96,266 miles · WI

I was driving on the expressway. The roads were clear, flat, and smooth. Outside temp was in the 20's. I have been driving for about 30 minutes, after letting the vehicle warm up for 15 minutes, when the rear window exploded for no reason on the express way. There were no bridges or overpasses for anything to fall on it. The rear window defogger had been on for about 15 minutes prior. I recently purchased the vehicle used from a private party. I had driven it less than 200 miles since my purchase. Approximate time of incident 16:36.

Filed Nov 4, 2010 · Visibility · 47,904 miles · PA

2004 ford escape - rear window exploded after rear defroster was turned on for short period. Outside temperature was approx. 28 degrees and frost was on windows. Vehicle was started to defrost windows before traveling.

Filed Oct 13, 2009 · Visibility · 73,000 miles · IN

The rear window of my 2004 ford escape limited exploded on oct 4. The vehicle went through a car wash approximately 20 minutes before it occurred. The temperature outside was around 50 degrees fahrenheit. There were no known cracks or damage to the window. The vehicle was sitting at an atm machine when it spontaneously shattered.

Filed Feb 14, 2009 · Visibility · 71,000 miles · NJ

I was on my way to work 7am. It was snowing lightly and I briefly turned on the rear window defroster to melt the snow. Approximately 1 mile from home I turned off the defroster while sitting at a red light and heard an extremely loud pop. I looked around and did not observe anything unusual. When I looked in my rearview mirror I saw the defroster wires hanging with pieces of glass attached and the rear windshield wiper motor assembly hanging by a thread, I realized the loud noise was my rear windshield exploding. I headed back home to arrange to have the glass replaced - final cost $369.15. The rear wiper motor was damaged during the explosion. After the windshield was replaced it made a loud vibrating noise that was not there before. Research on the internet indicates that other ford escape (04, 05 & 06) owners have experienced the same exact potentially dangerous occurrence. These complaints can be viewed at: www.carcomplaints.com I called ford owner services at 800‑392‑3673 and filed a formal complaint. They told me the vehicle was out of warranty and no recall issued but I should bring the vehicle to ford dealer for inspection and the dealer would decide if repair expense would be covered. The ford dealer told me the vehicle was out of warranty and no recall was issued and that ford motor would decide if repair expense would be covered. Dealer told me that ford will not cover any of the repair expenses. The new windshield wiper motor will cost $150 for the part and $50 to install. I am concerned that if the damaged motor is not replaced, it could cause a major electrical problem not to mention the safety issue of not being able to see out of the tailgate window. The dealer offered to charge me only for the part and absorb the labor to install motor. For obvious reasons this should be a recall and ford should be held responsible for the repairs; not the consumer who unknowingly purchased a defective and dangerous product.

Filed Jan 25, 2009 · Visibility · 52,000 miles · MI

Went to pull car out of garage and found that the rear window had exploded. Found parts of the window more than 20 feet from car. The car has not been driven for a couple of days. Nothing had failed or hit the window to have caused this.

Filed Jan 17, 2009 · Visibility · 63,692 miles · WI

Reporting an exploding back window issue on a 2004 ford escape. Once in 2005 and now again in 2009. The only thing both times had in common was the running of the rear window defroster. Ford has no recalls or bulletins and will not pay for second repair as it is out of warranty. I am concerned for the safety of people driving these vehicles and passengers they may have. There is no reason for this to happen once but twice is not acceptable. I was given nothing for my trouble and they are not researching this defect. Oh wait, I got a free oil change. The dealership I was dealing with was awesome...but the correspondence from ford motor leaves a lot to be desired! Someone needs to check into this issue.

Filed Nov 2, 2008 · Visibility · 83,000 miles · NY

I have a 2004 ford escape the rear window blew out while the car was parked. This is the second time on the escape that this has happened to me personally. I have numerous friends that have had the same problem with these rear windows. I wonder if there is a design flaw with the rear window? Very dangerous. I have the window company coming to replace another window.