KnownFlawsCar problems by yearCheck a VIN

July 12, 2004 Service bulletin

Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns. tt

Ford technical service bulletin 031501 for 1999-2004 Ford Explorer, 2001-2005 Ford Escape and 2000-2005 Ford Focus and others.

Bulletin number: 031501
Component: Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system: windshield: electrical heating element
Summary: Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns. Tt

Owners of these vehicles have filed 2,678 complaints in the visibility category.

Vehicles covered

Ford Explorer 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Ford Escape 2001-2005 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Ford Focus 2000-2005 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Ford Taurus 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Ford Windstar 1999-2003 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Ford Expedition 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Ford Mustang 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Mercury Sable 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Mercury Grand Marquis 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Ford Escort 1999-2002 1999 2000 2001 2002
Ford Contour 1999-2000 1999 2000
Lincoln Town Car 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Ford Crown Victoria 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Ford Freestar 2004-2005 2004 2005
Ford Thunderbird 2002-2004 2002 2003 2004
Mercury Mountaineer 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Mercury Villager 1999-2002 1999 2000 2001 2002
Mercury Cougar 1999-2002 1999 2000 2001 2002
Lincoln Continental 1999-2002 1999 2000 2001 2002
Lincoln Navigator 1999-2004 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Ford Excursion 2000-2004 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Mercury Mystique 1999-2000 1999 2000
Lincoln LS 2000-2004 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Ford Explorer Sport 2001-2003 2001 2002 2003
Mercury Tracer 1999 1999
Lincoln Aviator 2003-2004 2003 2004
Mercury Monterey 2004-2005 2004 2005
Ford Zx2 (Escort) 1999-2003 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
Lincoln Blackwood 2002-2003 2002 2003

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used Ford Explorer?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history