I sent this email to ford in september 2014 I was in an auto accident where by another vehicle hit a deer which landed on the driver side window which shattered into thousands of tiny shards of glass. For over 2 years, I have being dealing with thousands of tiny shards embedded through out my body (face, lips, hands, arms, legs, neck, chest) which over time are working their way out. It is very painful and leaving scars and disrupting my sleep on a regular basis. When the vehicle was repaired, I turned on the heat for the first time and hundreds of shards of glass blew out the heater vents. My vehicle VIN number is [xxx]. I think you should test the windshields of similar cars from that lot to make sure the safety glass was properly kilned or whatever treatment process so that others do not potentially experience the same incident. I question also if the impact exploded the glass in a similar way the rear window hatch glass that is frequently found on-line and if the manufacturer of the windshields had some type of quality control issue. At a lost of words given this is the second email I am sending to your corporation regarding this incident. I can be reached at information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
2010 Ford Escape visibility complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 90, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The vehicle was parked in a driveway on a fairly cold day (temperatures in the low 30s). After loading the rear of the vehicle and upon closing the liftgate, the rear window shattered. Prior to this happening, there were no signs of a chipped/damaged window. The liftgate was not slammed harder than usual and there were no items blocking it from closing.
While shutting my rear hatch after removing my recycling, the rear window exploded. There was no contact to the window and it hadn't been opened. There's no explanation as to why the window would just explode on its own.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. The contact stated that the vent controls failed without warning. The contact was unable to use the air conditioning and heating function. Years before, the dealer replaced the power steering control module and the ic module, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body sensor and blower motor failed. The contact later experienced an extremely strong vibration in the steering wheel and the power steering warning light flashed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for further inspection to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v284000 (steering). The dealer replaced the parts. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,411.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. The contact stated that when the liftgate door was closed, the rear window suddenly shattered. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 58,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. The contact stated that the rear driver and passenger side power windows released independently due to faulty springs. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where both power window regulators were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000.
After loading the vehicle, I shut the rear gate. The rear window exploded upon impact and shards of glass flew all over the street and the back of the vehicle scaring the kids.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. While parking and attempting to close the hatch door, the glass shattered. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the wiper motor and the glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,297.
The rear lift gate window glass exploded as I was closing the lift gate. According to your website, this defect has already been investigated and closed: date investigation opened: apr 27, 2011; date investigation closed: aug 18, 2011; the federal safety agency action number: pe11016; component(s): structure , visibility.
Rear glass exploded for no reason.
The rear window of the car suddenly exploded. I closed the tailgate, and a moment later, the rear window exploded without provocation. More of the shattered glass went into the car than went outside it. It did not injure me, fortunately, but hundreds of shards of glass went everywhere. The most ridiculous thing was that there was no seeming cause. Nothing was touching the window. The temperature was chilly but moderate (40's). There was no indication that anything was amiss; the window just exploded. Looking online, it seems that this problem has been reported in 2010 and some 2011 ford escapes, and there was even an inconclusive investigation in 2011 by the ntsb. But at this point, there is no recall on the window.
Shut the rear hatch to our ford escape and the window exploded.
My car was parked in front of a friends house and we were unloading bags from the trunk. A friend closed the trunk (not just the window, the entire door) when the back windshield exploded shooting shards of glass all over the ground, my car and the people standing nearby. No one was seriously injured thank goodness but we were all shocked. The door was closed in a normal matter but it sounded like a gun had been shot into the window when it happened. We had no idea what had just occurred but after looking into it myself, many other ford escape owners seem to have had the same issue with their windows exploding for no apparent reason. This is a huge safety issue as well as an inconvenience. What if someone had been sitting in the back seat or my dog had been in the trunk where she often sits? They would have been severely cut by the flying glass or worse. Ford is a large company and for the most part has a good reputation. Why would they allow an issue that has been going on since 2005 go on like this with no apology or recall? It is sad that large companies take advantage of customers and allow them to pay exorbitant fees for a mistake on their end. Shame on you ford.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, she heard a loud abnormal noise and discovered that the window had shattered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.
My car was parked at my mothers in front of her garage. I was inside the barn with her and we heard this noise. I looked outside and my rear window on the hatch had exploded. It was only about 70 degrees and cloudy outside, the vents were open and the drivers side window was part way down for air. No one was near the car when it happened. It just exploded for no known reason. Nothing left to it.
I was cruising at a low speed on a warm day when I heard a loud explosion, the left rear window exploded.
In august I had gone into my office and looked out and my back window was down..I thought I didn't remember lowering it. Found out it had just dropped on its own...no noise from the motor, just dropped. August 31st I pulled up with friends to eat and we got out and I looked back and the other rear window had fell also. So now within 15 days both windows, back behind drivers seat and the one behind the passenger seat will not go back up and I am being told it will be over $500 to repair. I don't understand how these two windows could become non working in less than 15 days apart. No one at ford will help me...I would appreciate any assistance you could give me. Thanks
During a partly sunny, lows 80's degree day my back window exploded while no one was touching it. The glass was everywhere throughout my car and I cut several cuts while cleaning it up.
The rear window has two clamps that attach to the vehicle. The clamps are deteriorating and crumbling to pieces. I have also seen this on other ford escapes. With the clamps falling apart it will only be a matter of time until the rear window will shift or fall off. This same vehicle is rusting also. The rear hatchback is rusting out and other components. Ford motor company refuses to take care of the problem.
The rear windshield exploded while I was parked. I was behind the car and was showered with glass as were my personal items in the back of the car.
When I closed my hatchback the rear window shattered and glass flew everywhere. I had a couple cuts on my hands from the glass falling.
On 3/22/14 I purchased a used 2010 ford escape at rountree ford in swanzey nh. On 3/23/14 I parked the vehicle, let my dogs out of the back cargo area, when I closed the tailgate the rear window shattered into a million pieces for no apparent reason.
My 2010 ford escape was parked. I open hatch, closed it and the entire rear window shattered and fell out!
Right after the warranty went out the vehicle starting slamming from 1st into 2nd upon acceleration. The idle is very rough and quite loud, the engine makes a funny noise and I take extremely good care of my vehicle, getting all of the scheduled oil changes on time, replacing the air filter, etc. I also explained to them that the vehicle wasn't idling properly and that the engine used to be quiet. The windshield is extremely thin as well, a small pebble hit my windshield causing a 8 inch crack in a matter of minutes to where it was beyond getting it fixed. Then liftgate started giving me problems. When you press the button, it would make the sound, but sometimes open, then on may 17, 2013 it just quit working all together. On may 18, 2013, I took it to reynolds ford for a scheduled oil change right before a trip to mexico and upon telling them about it, they wanted $250 just to look at it before parts and labor. Now, the rear blinker doesn't work and you can't replace it due to the fact that you can't get the liftgate to open in order to remove the rear taillight assembly. So, when you are trying to make a left turn, vehicles behind you don't know you are turning and almost hit you (safety hazard). You also can't change a flat tire since you can get to the jack, which is in the rear compartment accessed through the liftgate. This is a serious problem as there is no manual release for the hatch to get it open period, once the latch doesn't work, it just doesn't work.
Upon closing the rear hatch of the 2010 ford escape, the rear lift-gate glass shattered. Glass poured into the vehicle, onto the ground, onto other owners' personal property, and over the person who closed the rear hatch. While no injury was caused as the operator was dressed for cold weather, there seems to be a safety issue both to the end user and others who may be around the place where the incident happened. In addition to the loss of time and hassle of cleaning broken glass from personal property as well as the personal property of others, the missing glass in effect makes the vehicle less safe to operate under normal conditions with no rear protection from the elements. Personal auto insurance has covered the loss. Though until the repairs can be completed there will be an increased risk to operate the vehicle. Furthermore, there does not seem to be a resolution to prevent the incident from recurring.
Vehicle was parked in my driveway. This happened at about 10:30 a.m. I had removed some items in the rear of the vehicle and then shut the rear tailgate. The rear tailgate glass had not be opened and was closed as usual on the liftgate. The liftgate was closed in the normal fashion. I was in the process of walking away from the car after closing the tailgate when the rear tailgate glass exploded. Nothing had struck the glass from either the inside or outside to cause this to happen. I received some minor scratches on my hand. The glass exploded as far as 6-8' behind and to the sides of the vehicle as well as all over the interior of the vehicle.
8 am removing packages from rear of escape. Upon simply closing the hatch door, the glass shattered to bits. I have opened and closed that hatch door dozens of times. It closes well . No need to slam. Shocks balance well. I checked the web and found many similar occurrences. I immediately recorded (camera) the aftermath with the hopes that ford may come to the pump. I had the car fixed at the dealer $1200 out of pocket. Ford canada will not even acknowledge the federal safety agency #10039131 tsb 10-22-10 per phone call to ford help line.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 ford escape. The contact stated that while traveling various speeds, the rear window suddenly shattered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
On sunday, november 3, 2013, at approximately 8:40am, I returned to my car with several bags of groceries. I opened the rear door and placed the bags inside. When I shut the door, the rear hatch window exploded into a thousand pieces. There was glass everywhere inside the car and in the lot. It was a cool morning (maybe 45 degrees f), but not particularly cold.
This is now the third issue with my 2010 ford escape where the rear window shatters while closing the gate. This is a known issue with ford and they will not fix. Glass shatters into thousands of pieces and projects 10-15 feet in any given direction. Yet, ford will do nothing to fix. This is very unsafe where I have had glass shot at my face and I also have a dog that is often put in the back of the vehicle. The only way ford will do something is if I pay. I also wonder how many people have not filed complaints thinking this is a fluke accident and may have gone through insurance. I know it is no fluke since this is the third time this has happened and talking with ford they acknowledge the issue. There should be a recall on this vehicle. I have filed two other complaints with the federal safety agency.
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