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Ford F-150 windshield crack problems

27 of the 38,391 owner complaints about the Ford F-150 describe windshield cracks, most of them for the 1999 model year.

owner complaints
27
worst model year
1999
typical mileage
80,100
Is there a fix? There are 9 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2021
    2
  • 2018
    1
  • 2016
    3
  • 2015
    4
  • 2014
    2
  • 2007
    2
  • 2006
    1
  • 2004
    1
  • 2001
    3
  • 2000
    2
  • 1999
    4
  • 1997
    1
  • 1996
    1

What owners say

Filed Jul 1, 2026 · Locks · 86,000 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2015 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving approximately 56 MPH, the hood was bouncing and the hood became unsecured and flew open, covering the windshield, and the windshield was cracked. The contact was able to safely maneuver the vehicle onto the shoulder of the roadway and subsequently had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact stated that the hood latch appeared to be locked in place; however, the support bar had no tension nor screws missing. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired because the contact was unable to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

Filed Mar 30, 2026 · Visibility · VA

Around the 1st of February 2026 the weather had turned cold around 6 degrees Fahrenheit and I had just had my vehicle inspected in January so I know everything was fine then. My wife and I had driven to her office about 2 miles from our home and I of course had the heat on and defrost on. We went into the office to clean because that a weekly job for us usually under an hour. When we came out my windshield was cracked on the passenger side starting at the bottom going straight up about 8” long. The weather stayed cold and a few days later it cracked more and then more and then more. It’s moving over towards the drivers side horizontally about eye level. There is no rock strike where the crack started, it seems to me that when heat was applied to the windshield something expanded or contracted or flexed while we were inside the office because it was cracked when we came out to leave. I haven’t taken it to a Ford dealership to have it looked at or filed an insurance claim. It’s been about two months now I need to get it fixed before the whole windshield collapses into my lap. I realize the safety issue with a cracked windshield and it could cause me and others on the road to get hurt. I’ve only driven it to doctors appointments and to pick up medication at the store a mile away. I’ve never had a vehicle that has had the windshield crack due to clod weather when it was heated up and then cooled back down. Either the glass was manufactured incorrectly or it was installed incorrectly or the framing expanded or contracted causing it to bind the glass. If you could please look into this for me it would be greatly appreciated.

Filed Jan 6, 2025 · Visibility · 85,986 miles · FL

The contact's son owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 60 - 65 MPH with the defroster activated, the rear windshield started to crack. The driver drove the vehicle to the contact's residence and parked the vehicle. The dealer was contacted; however, the contact was prompted to leave a voicemail. The contact had not heard back from the dealer. The contact had made an appointment with a local glass replacement company. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer to determine if the failure was caused by an impact before receiving assistance with the replacement. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 85,986.

Filed Mar 1, 2023 · Visibility · MI

Windshield very easily cracked and not even where it was struck.

Filed Nov 18, 2022 · Visibility · 20,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving at an undetermined speed, a rock struck the front windshield causing a crack. The vehicle was taken to an auto glass shop where the windshield was replaced, and additional adhesive was needed to secure the windshield. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V090000 (Visibility). The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline. The failure mileage was 20,000.

Filed Oct 24, 2021 · Visibility · TX

Front windshield cracked down the middle for no apparent reason. No rocks or anything hit it. Cracked while parked

Filed Jun 4, 2021 · 80,100 miles · MI · fire

The contact owns a 2016 Ford F-150. The contact stated while attempting to enter the vehicle using the key fob, the key fob failed to unlock the door. The contact used the key to manually unlock the door. The contact noticed that the windshield was cracked and was burned. In addition, the dashboard on the passenger’s side was melted, the sun visor was melted and burned, the air bags were also melted. The vehicle was towed to a collision shop, the contact was informed that the cause of the fire was undetermined however, the fire might have started from the air bags. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 80,100.

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Visibility · 112,000 miles · NE

I woke up and remote started my truck before leaving for work on a 40 degree fahrenheit day. I was 2 minutes into my drive and then all I heard was a huge bang, I seriously thought someone had just shot a gun. I looked back and my rear window was just completely shattered for no reason. This makes me very upset because I had just gotten the truck back from getting a new windshield that cracked for no reason 2 days ago, thanks.

Filed Nov 22, 2020 · Visibility · 100,000 miles · IL

After parking, shut my drivers side door and the rear windshield started to crack and fall apart. Noticed my rear defroster melted the rear window decal. After online research I believe I am having the same problem others drivers have had with a defective rear defroster that over heats the rear window and heat stresses it to a point where a simple door shutting action will be enough to crack and shatter the windshield.

Filed Jun 25, 2018 · 800 miles · OH

A small chip in the windshield resulted in a big crack after the weathers temperature dropped to freezing.

Related recalls

Visibility: sun/moon roof assemblyReported October 24, 2025 · 174,853 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Expedition, Lincoln Navigator, 2021-2023 F-150, 2022 F-250 SD, F-350 SD, and F-450 SD vehicles. The moonroof wind deflector clips may be inadequately attached to the moonroof frame, which can result in the wind deflector detaching from the vehicle.
Risk
A detached wind deflector can become a road hazard and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and repair the moonroof wind deflector as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 10, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25SB7. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning October 30, 2025.

Recall number 25V729000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshieldReported June 28, 2024 · 4,361 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2024 F-150 vehicles. The windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Risk
A windshield that detaches from a vehicle during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 10, 2024. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 24C20.

Recall number 24V486000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkagesReported March 10, 2023 · 222,454 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Risk
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the wiper arms, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 13, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 23S10. This recall expands previous recall number 22V‑250.

Recall number 23V163000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported November 15, 2022 · 483,082 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021-2022 F-150 vehicles. The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
Risk
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2023. Remedy parts are expected in the 3rd Quarter of 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S71. This recall expands previous recall number 22V‑142.

Recall number 22V842000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkagesReported April 14, 2022 · 652,996 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 F-150, Expedition, 2020-2022 Super Duty F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, and 2020-2021 Lincoln Navigator vehicles. The windshield wiper arms may break, causing the windshield wipers to fail.
Risk
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace both front windshield wiper arms, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters, informing owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 24, 2022. Remedy parts are expected to be available 3rd Quarter 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S26.

Recall number 22V250000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported March 11, 2022 · 157,306 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 vehicles. The front windshield wiper motor may become inoperative, causing the wipers to fail.
Risk
Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the front windshield wiper motor, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 22, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S12.

Recall number 22V142000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield: critical fastenersReported February 18, 2021 · 79,017 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 F-150 and 2020-2021 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty vehicles. During manufacturing, the windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach in a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Risk
In the event of a crash, if the windshield separates from the vehicle, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove and reinstall the windshield, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21C06.

Recall number 21V090000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported November 9, 2005 · 199,942 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
Risk
After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673 or lincoln/mercury at 1‑800‑521‑4140.

Recall number 05V520000 · Recall details

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motorReported August 8, 2001 · 1,083,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, and light and medium duty pickup trucks. A switch located in the plastic cover of the wiper motor gear case could malfunction and overheat, potentially resulting in loss of intermittent wiper function, loss of wiper park function, complete loss of wiper function, or ignition of the plastic cover material. Switch malfunction is most likely to occur when the intermittent setting of the wipers is being used, or when snow or ice obstructs the blades from returning to the "parked" position at the bottom of the windshield. These vehicles were built at the following assembly plants: atlanta plant from 2/11/00 through 7/31/00; chicago plant from 2/14/00 through 8/4/00; kansas city plant from 2/26/00 to 9/4/00; kentucky truck plant from 2/18/00 to 8/31/00; michigan truck plant from 2/23/00 through 8/3/00; norfolk plant from 2/21/00 through 7/27/00; wayne stamping and assembly plant from 2/25/00 through 8/15/00; and wixom plant from 2/15/00 through 8/8/00.
Risk
Loss of visibility while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the date code on the wiper motor. Motors built with the suspect time frame will have the wiper motor gear case cover replaced. Owner notification began august 20, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 01V258000 · Recall details

Questions about the Ford F-150 windshield crack

Which Ford F-150 years have windshield cracks problems?

The model years with the most reports are 1999 (4 complaints), 2015 (4 complaints) and 2001 (3 complaints).

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