While driving I heard a loud pop followed by a strong smell inside the cab of the truck. Earlier in the day I had used the rear defroster and when I tried to use it just before this loud pop, the light on the dash button would not come on. Unbeknownst to be at the time, as it was dark out, 1/3 of my rear window had shattered. The next day in the light I found the window damage. The window clearly exploded outward, as the remaining glass was pushing outward and the broken glass was in the bed of the truck. Ford refuses to repair the issue, as it says it is glass, but it seems clear the defroster has a role in causing the glass to break, evidenced by the no longer functioning button and the burning smell when it happened.
2012 Ford F-150 visibility complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 129, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I drove to my doctor's office and parked. I heard what sounded like ice falling on my back window (it had been frosty that day). I didn't notice the damage at that time. I then drove to another location and heard it again, and when I exited the truck and circled around the back, I saw the shattered glass panel and small hole on the passenger's back window. I had used the defrost button that day. I have since cleared the panel of glass pieces and secured a temporary panel in place. This glass panel is right behind my 6-year-old son's booster seat, where he always sits.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact activated the rear window defroster. Moments later, the rear window shattered without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the rear window needed to be replaced. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. While driving approximately 2 MPH, the rear defroster became inoperable and melted the rubber strip. In addition, the rear passenger glass shattered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the defroster and rear glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. The VIN was not available.
2012 f150 ecoboost rear power window shattered spontaneously after turning on defrost. Vehicle was stationary at the time and has 38,000 miles on it. Ford motor company has refused any compensation for this known problem documented by multiple other ford f150 owners. My local dealership documented and photographed the shattered window. I will be out of pocket $1000 to repair this. Time for ford motor co to admit a problem here and issue a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. While driving at a low rate of speed, the rear window and side view mirrors were foggy. The contact applied the rear defroster and the rear glass shattered without warning. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution other than suggesting that the vehicle be taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
Back passenger side back glass just shattered this am. Temperature was about 60, raining, humid in the cabin, with rear defroster on. After parking the truck, I shut it off, then heard a very loud pop, like a rock hit my glass. I got out and viewed the glass from the outside, and there appeared to be smoke coming from the mid-line, lowest point of the glass. The frame was dry in only this area, and the shatter webs out from this area.
I remote started my f-150 supercrew in the morning, it was approximately 22 degrees f outside. I drove to the corner store (0.1 miles away) to grab a bite to eat. I turned my truck off, went in, then started my truck back up to head to the gas station (0.2 miles away) & fueled up. I turned my truck back on and hit the rear defrost button to clear some ice on the rear window. After driving for about 3-4 minutes (roughly 3 miles), while on the freeway, I heard a loud "pop". I noticed that the rear window had shattered. It was the window pane located behind the driver seat. There was no impact to the window and would've been extremely unlikely since I was driving. Must be an electrical issue (a short, a surge, or something). My truck is out of the 3 year warranty window, but has just under 22,000 miles on it. The dealership would not pay a penny to replace my window. I called the ford customer care line and they stand behind the dealer decision to not pay anything for it. This is clearly an issue with their vehicles. I've searched this site and seen the same problems on 2010 - 2015 models of the f-150. This problem is not being addressed what-so-ever by ford. What happens after I get this window replaced and use the defroster, only to have my new window shatter as well? I guess I have to pay for that one too. My grandmother and grandfather worked for ford. My family has been long time ford customers. This is my third ford vehicle. That trend has just ended. Considering a trade in to chevy or dodge.
Started up truck, windows were foggy so turned on front and rear defrost. Rear defrost light came on and went off. Pushed rear defrost button again and light would not come on. Parked the truck got out and heard a loud pop. Rear window driver side completely shattered. There is no impact and believe the rear defrost is defective and shorted out causing the rear window to shatter. Was not covered under ford extended warranty and dealer wanted $950 to replace.
Rear window shattered as a result of faulty defrost system. Vehicle was in motion with defrost activated. Window shattered producing a loud pop. Defrost failed to work going forward and spider web in window was apparent once damage was inspected.
Driving on 03/04/2016, 7:45 a.m., 26 degrees f. Heard loud bang. Rear driver's side window of powerslide unit had shattered and spiderwebbed over whole surface. No signs of any impact.
I was driving on the highway on my way to work and all the sudden a noise that sounded loud like a gun shot went off and my driver side rear window had just shattered.
Drivers side rear window shattered while using defrost. Occurred while vehicle was not moving and parked. A visual inspection was made to insure that no foreign object was the cause. Shards of glass was noted covering the back seat and floorboard. This could be a major safety issue if a child or other person was in the back seat at the time of the incident.
Driving down the highway I sprayed my windshield cleaner and turned them off but the wiper stayed wiping on low. It was freezing at the time and almost caused an accident.
I remote started my 2012 f150 lariat at work. 5-10 minutes later I went to get in and closed the door and boom the drivers side rear window spider web cracked into a million pieces. I know for a fact lots of people are having issues with this and it needs fixed by ford. Here is the forum I found with lots of other cases. Http://www.glassbytes.com/2014/08/the federal safety agency-receives-more-complaints-of-shattering-f-150-back-lites/.
Was dring to work on smooth asphalt road with no other traffic visible. Turned on electric rear window defrost. Heard loud noice like gunshot. Felt rush of air. Driver side rear window had shattered.
On 1/12/16 at about 06t00 hrs., on my way to work travelling on main street, the right section of my sliding rear glass window shattered. ( it sounded like a shotgun going off). The temp was around 30f degrees and ice on the window. I activated the defrost and within ten minutes the glass shattered. I thought someone had just shot my vehicle and it caused to swerve into the adjacent lane. Had their been many vehicles on the roadway at that time I would have caused an accident. I went to the local ford dealership in dothan, al and they said that my vehicle warranty was no longer valid and that my extended warranty did not cover the part. I had the same sliding glass rear window replaced in 2013 for failing to close after opening. I have searched online and have noticed similar problems with ford f150 year models 2010-2013.
I used the remote start on my 2012 f150 platinum on a 20 degree january morning. Got in drove to work and realized when I got out the rear right side of the sliding window was totally shattered. No evidence of vandalism or anything hitting the glass. Shattered totally even across the entire window. Vehicle is out of warranty by 2 months but under mileage warranty by 9,000 miles. Ford dealer told me nothing they can do. Called ford and regional customer care called me and said it would take up to 3 days to get me an answer. Decided to forget them and use my comprehensive insurance just to have it fixed asap.
For two years the rear slider and defrost hasn't worked. When accelerating to pass the engine light comes on and the truck starts to chatter.
While driving the vehicle at 30mph or less through the city I tried to turn on the rear defrost but the indicator light did not come on. I thought either a fuse or contact might be the issue but as a continued to drive a few minutes later the rear sidelight window shattered with a loud bang. Broken glass could have injured my son sitting in the rear seat and visibility is now compromised. Nothing struck the window, this was caused by a malfunction of the defrost and or substandard glass or the combination of both and should be recalled. Some posts on the internet have reported large amounts of the glass almost falling onto infants in rear facing car seats. This needs to be addressed for safety for physical harm to passengers and visibility safety.
I started my 2012 f-150 and activated the front and rear defrosters. While idling in a driveway, I heard a loud pop, looked around and realized my passenger side rear windshield panel had shattered spider web style. Luckily I turned off the defroster in time and was able to duct tape the broken window. Unfortunately, tiny splinters of glass were already on my rear passenger seat, and I got some in my hands from taping it up. Thank god nobody was sitting in that seat. Temperature was low 40s, I was trying to get rid of a slight frost.
I turned on the rear window defrost on my truck, switch light blinked several times,and then stayed on, a few minutes later a loud explosion from the rear of vehicle happened, sounded like a gun went off inside cab! Rear ,right side glass panel was shattered. Thank god no other vehicle was in the lane next to me! I swerved out of reaction thinking someone had shot a gun at me. I was traveling at 55 MPH on two lane highway,nighttime, and outside temp was 31 degrees.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. While driving 55 MPH, the rear passenger side window exploded and shattered while the defroster was activated. In addition, the contact stated that the defroster previously functioned intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,900.
Rear window defroster was turned on. 5-10minutes later, with the vehicle in motion on a highway, a rear window panel shattered, emitting a loud bang. I believe that the rear defroster or defect in the window caused it to shatter - no other evidence for sources of breakage was found.
Back sliding window doesn't work, popping sound from the rear end when you accelerate from a stop.
Windshield wipers fail to turn off completely after use. At times turn on by themselves. Both problems occur intermittently. Act similar to intermittent mode, but timing slightly different. Online search for issue revealed numerous other vehicles with similar problem, most caused by the multifunction switch that controls the wipers. Took vehicle to dealer who diagnosed the problem as the multifunction switch and replaced at my cost. Dealer notes included "known issue".
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 ford f-150. While driving approximately 45 MPH with the rear window defroster engaged, the defrost warning indicator was intermittently illuminated. The contact turned the defroster off and back on, and the defrost warning indicator would not illuminate. The contact pulled over and discovered that the rear passenger side of the rear window shattered and the wiring inside the window was melted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the defrost wiring shorted out which caused the window to shatter. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 09/10/15
I was on my way to work. It was approximately 6:30 am. I had my rear defroster on and all of a sudden I heard aloud bang. I pulled over got out looked around the truck to see if there was any damage. I found nothing. I got back in the truck went to back out and notice my back right side window had shattered. It was not hit by anything. I called ford about it and was told that there is nothing they can do on any warranty. The back window installed is around $900.
Ford fixed my rear window, no questions asked....this is what happened....I started my truck, put on the rear defrost, drove out of my apartment complex and as I was about to exit the complex I heard a loud pop/crack noise, I stopped, no one was around, (it was 6am in the morning), I checked the entire truck to see what it was and the back left part of the rear window was completely shattered!, no sign of impact, just shattered...apparently there is no recall out on it, so if it has happened to you or does happen, take it in!, with how many complaints I have already read, it must be a manufacturer defect related to the rear defrost or installation of the window....
Rear window open and closed when it wanted when pushing the switch and now it wont open at all. Fuses are good. Defrost will not work. Popping sound from the rear drive line when you leave from a slow stop.
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