MyCarTSB

2005 Ford Escape Wipers & Visibility Problems

37 owner-reported wipers & visibility complaints from NHTSA data

37
Complaints
1
Fires
Jan 2011Dec 2009
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (37)

mediumVISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Dec 2021

My 2005 ford escape was sitting in my carport for 2 days. I went out to go to the store and the back window was shattered in a million pieces all over the driveway and back bumper. That was also glass inside the car. I called the police and they came out and looked at it and took pictures and I took pictures also they said it had not been vandalized that it must have exploded from the inside out. I read about a lot of other people having the same problem. Ford needs to have a recall on this. It could have happened while I was driving or children could have been hurt sitting in the backseat this is not like

NHTSA #: 11443555
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jun 2017

THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INTO TINY SHARDS INTO A RADIUS OF 15 FEET FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. NO CRACKS OR PROBLEMS. THE WINDOW WAS SHUT WITH NORMAL FORCE AND EXPLODED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA #: 11001168
mediumVISIBILITY,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Apr 2016

THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLS JUST EXPLODED TODAY AROUND 2:30 P.M. I HAD ARRIVED ABOUT 2:15 P.M.AT MCDONALDS RESTAURANT. I WAS SITTING WITH A FRIEND WHEN AN EMPLOYEE CAME INTO LOBBY LOOKING FOR THE OWNER OF THE GRAY FORD ESCAPE IN THEIR PARKING LOT. I SAID, "YES IT IS MY CAR." EMPLOYEE THEN CAME AND TOLD ME THAT THE "REAR WINDOW OF MY CAR WAS BROKEN ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT. I WENT AND SAW WHAT HAPPENED. I HAVE NOT OPENED THE REAR GATE OR WINDOW IN OVER A WEEK. ALL I DID WAS PARK IT AND IN 15 MINUTES OF BEING INSIDE OF MCDONALDS THE WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. I HAVE READ WHERE OTHER PEOPLE WITH ESCAPES & MARINERS HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR YEAR. YEARS OLDER THAN MY 2005 AND AS NEW AS 2014 & 2015. IS THEIR A RECALL THAT FORD IS FIXING THIS PROBLEM, AS THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO I CONTACT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY EXPENSE OF REPLACING IT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA #: 10854242
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jul 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE GLASS DID NOT SHATTER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE WINDOW AS IT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA #: 10735165
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Apr 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW HATCH BOLTS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA #: 10704607
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Oct 2013

DRIVING AT 8AM BETWEEN BOULDER, CO AND LONGMONT, CO, ON OCTOBER 15TH, 2013. THE TEMPERATURE WAS AROUND 30 DEGREES, WHICH IT HAD BEEN AROUND FOR THE WHOLE DRIVE, ABOUT 45 MINUTES AT THAT POINT. I HAD JUST COME DOWN FROM ABOUT 8000FT ELEVATION TO ABOUT 5000FT ELEVATION (WITH A GOOD BIT OF UP AND DOWN AND SOME BUMPY ROADS IN BETWEEN), BUT HAD BEEN AT THAT ELEVATION ON CITY STREETS FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THERE HAD BEEN LIGHT SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS, BUT NONE ONCE I WAS ON THE PLAINS. I HAD BEEN RUNNING MY REAR DEFROST OFF AND ON (THOUGH I DIDN'T NOTICE IF IT WAS ON OR OFF AT THE EXACT TIME OF THE INCIDENT), AS WELL AS HEAT AND FRONT DEFROST. I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH ON A SMOOTH HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE, THEN SAW THAT MY REAR WINDOW WAS GONE, COMPLETELY SHATTERED. I HAD OPENED THE REAR WINDOW TO LOAD THE CAR BEFORE LEAVING. *TR

NHTSA #: 10548035
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: May 2013

TODAY THE REAR WINDOW OF MY SUV SHATTERED COMPLETELY. NOTHING HAPPENED TO IT TO MAKE IT SHATTER, NO VANDALISM OR ROCKS HIT IT. IT WAS PARKED AND NOT BEING DRIVEN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO IN A SIMILAR SITUATION. IT WAS ALSO PARKED AND IT SHATTERED ON ITS OWN. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS A WARMER SUNNY DAY. TODAY WAS A COLDER TEMPS. I STARTED TO READ ONLINE THAT MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THIS. SOME WERE DRIVING AND HAD CHILDREN AND PETS IN THE CAR. LUCKILY I WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE BOTH TIMES BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL I AM DRIVING AND THE GLASS SHATTERS AND EXPLODES EVERYWHERE LIKE IT DID WHILE IT WAS PARKED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10510469
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Jan 2013

I REMOVED SEVERAL BAGS FROM THE BACK OF MY ESCAPE (BY OPENING THE DOOR), NOT OPENING THE GLASS. AFTER CLOSING THE DOOR, I WAS GATHERING THE ITEMS WHEN THE GLASS SUDDENLY SHATTERED. IT WAS A COOL MORNING (LOW 30'S, THE REAR DEFROSTER HAD BEEN ON DURING A ~5 MINUTE DRIVE TO WORK), BUT THE GLASS HAD NOT BEEN TOUCHED, OPENED OR OTHERWISE IMPACTED. MY HAND WAS CUT BY THE GLASS. I LATER LEARNED THAT SEVERAL OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10493531
mediumVISIBILITY/WIPER
Filed: Sep 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA #: 10473817
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2012

THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE BLEW OUT WITH NO WARNING. I PRE-STARTED THE CAR FOR APPROX. 3 MINS, TURNING ON THE HEAT AND DEFROST. I LEFT MY DRIVEWAY AND NO MORE THAT A HALF A MILE AWAY THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED, BLASTING GLASS THROUGHOUT THE ROADWAY AND CAR. THE ONLY INJURIES I HAD WERE TO MY NECK. PIECES OF GLASS STRUCK MY NECK CAUSING TWO MINOR LACERATIONS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10443263
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2011

DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH DOWN THE STREET WITH MY MOTHER AND HEARD A VERY LOUD CRASH ALMOST LIKE A TREE LIMB FALLING ONTO THE CAR. THE REAR WINDOW HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. THERE WAS SHATTERED GLASS EVERYWHERE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA #: 10438173
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Mar 2011

THE REAR HATCH WINDOW ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE EXPLODED OUTWARDLY WHILE PARKED IN THE LOT WHERE I WORK. GLASS BLEW OUT IN A RADIUM OF 15-20 FEET AND IT WAS JUST LUCK THAT NO VEHICLES WERE PARKED BEHIND MINE OR THAT ANYONE WAS WALKING BEHIND THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW BLEW OUT WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT DAMAGED THE INTERIOR AND THE HATCH ITSELF AND REQUIRED THAT INTERIOR PANELS BE REPLACED AND THE HATCH REPAINTED IN ADDITION TO REPLACING THE GLASS. THE GLASS SHOP WHERE I TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR NOTED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEMS FOR 2004-2006 ESCAPES. THANKFULLY, MY INSURANCE CARRIER PAID FOR ALL REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT MINUS THE DEDUCTIBLE. HOWEVER, THE INTERNET IS FULL OF SIMILAR REPORTS AND A TV STATION IN MY CITY DID A REPORT ON A SIMILAR INCIDENT ON AN ESCAPE PARKED IN A GARAGE ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE MY WINDOW BLEW. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD REFUSES TO RECOGNIZE. IT IS AMAZING THAT NO ONE HAS OF YET BEEN REPORTED INJURED FROM FLYING GLASS. *TR

NHTSA #: 10393101
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2011

2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS PARKED INSIDE A SECURED GARAGE OVERNIGHT. AT SOME POINT OVERNIGHT, THE REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR OR GARAGE WHEN THIS OCCURRED, AND THE GARAGE WAS STILL SECURE IN THE MORNING. PEA-SIZE GLASS PIECES WERE FOUND UP TO 10 FEET AWAY FROM THE CAR, AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS WENT INTO THE REAR CARGO AREA OF THE ESCAPE. THE PIECES OF THE GLASS WERE MANUALLY CLEANED UP FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE GARAGE FLOOR. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW IDENTICAL PART AT A LOCAL AUTO GLASS REPAIR SHOP. THE OWNER OF THE ESCAPE PAID FOR THIS NEW WINDOW COMPLETELY WITH HIS OWN MONEY. DUE TO THE FULLY RANDOM NATURE OF THIS EVENT, I BELIEVE IT TO BE VEHICLE DEFECT WITH THE REAR WINDOW GLASS OR SOME PART SUPPORTING THE GLASS. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD DIRECTLY AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA #: 10379435
mediumVISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
Filed: Jan 2011

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THIS MORNING AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED! THE SOUND IT MADE WAS A LOUD POW, AND SOME GLASS SHARDS FELL ONTO MY SEATS. THERE WERE NO LARGE TRUCKS AROUND OR SIGHT OF DEBRIS FLYING MY WAY. I HAVE TO WAIT A FEW DAYS FOR THE GLASS TO BE SHIPPED FROM FORD BEFORE I CAN HAVE IT INSTALLED, AND I HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE OF $500 THROUGH MY INSURANCE, AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SUNROOF EXPLODING IN FORDS, AND IT'S NOT LIKELY THAT A ROCK CAN CAUSE THIS KIND OF DAMAGE ON TOP OF A CAR. FORD SHOULD BE PROVIDING WARRANTIES FOR THIS TYPE OF DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10375439
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2011

I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH AND WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE ROAD. THE ROADS WERE COVERED WITH A LIGHT DUSTING OF FLUFFY SNOW, AND IT WAS CHILLY.. ABOUT 21 DEGREES. THE DEFROSTER HAD BEEN ON, BUT I HAD PHYSICALLY TURNED THE DEFROSTER OFF ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE 'EXPLOSION'. I HEARD A HORRIBLE NOISE AND WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED TO SEE THERE WAS VERY LITTLE OF MY REAR WINDOW LEFT. WHAT?!!?! HOW COULD SUCH THINGS HAPPEN? AND WHAT A MESS! THERE WAS GLASS EVERYWHERE, PAINT HAD BEEN CHIPPED, THE SHOCKS WERE HANGING OUT, THE WIPER AND MOTOR WERE AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE...THINGS WERE DANGLING EVERYWHERE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS A SUNDAY AND NOTHING WAS OPEN TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR UNTIL MONDAY. SO FAR, MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT HELPFUL, BUT I'VE STILL HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. WHY DO I EVEN NEED TO PAY ANYTHING FOR SOMETHING I DID NOT CAUSE?? MY CALLS TO FORD HAVEN'T REALLY GOTTEN ME ANYWHERE YET, EXCEPT TO ONLY REITERATE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR SUCH ISSUES. I AGREE THAT WITH THIS MANY VOICED COMPLAINTS, FORD SHOULD AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS AN ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10373960
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2010

BACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODING ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10372677
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2010

THE REAR WINDOW IN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 5 DEGREES CELSIUS AND IT WAS RAINING. I WAS USING THE WINDOW DEFOGGER AND THE REAR WIPER. THE EXPLOSION SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS FLEW INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO GLASS ON THE REAR BUMPER. MY DAUGHTER AND TWO OF HER FRIENDS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND GLASS FLEW IN TOWARD THEM. I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS QUITE STARTLED BY THE LOUD EXPLOSION! THE DRIVER'S SIDE HYDRAULIC LIFT WAS HANGING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE LIFT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO A CHUNK OF GLASS AND IN PLACE IN THE FRAME OF THE WINDOW. MY GUESS IS THAT THE HYDRAULIC LIFT FAILED, EXERTED PRESSURE ON THE WINDOW, AND CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. *TR

NHTSA #: 10372594
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2010

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAFFIC WAS CRAWLING, IT WAS SNOWING. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, SO I TURNED TO LOOK OUT THE BACK TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED, AND LOW AND BEHOLD, MY REAR WINDOW WAS SHATTERED (MOSTLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR) AND ALL OTHER NON-GLASS PARTS WERE HANGING IN MIDAIR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD EVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN, AND WE GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT TO LOOK FOR BULLETS, SNOWBALLS, ETC, AND FOUND NOTHING. JUST ABOUT 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, I HAD TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER. SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF BOTH OF US. WILL FIND OUT WHAT THE REPAIR COSTS ARE TOMORROW AT THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA #: 10371874
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2010

I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I STARTED MY CAR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE FOR CLASS, AND PUT ON THE FRONT AND REAR DEFROST. WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AND STARTED DRIVING, THE REAR WINDOW IMPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES. *TR

NHTSA #: 10369871
mediumVISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
Filed: May 2010

SUNROOF SHATTERED IN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE FOR NO REASON. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE DEFECT. WHEN CHECKING ON LINE THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS INCLUDING TIMES WHEN THE GLASS BROKE WHILE DRIVING. ORDERED NEW GLASS FOR SUNROOF AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10332263
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2009

THE REAR GLASS HATCH IMPLODED JUST AFTER EXITING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. MOST OF THE GLASS WAS CONFINED TO THE CARGO AREA, A LITTLE GLASS REACHED THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS AND ONLY A FEW SHARDS REACH THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT AREA. CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WE 32 DEGREES WITH SNOW AND RAIN, REQUIRING THE USE OF THE REAR WINDOW HEATER TO KEEP OFF ICING AND USE OF WINDSHIELD FLUID TO PERMIT VIEWING WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE CINCINNATI OHIO AREA. THE ONLY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION WAS A LOW HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR JUST MOMENTS BEFORE IT HAPPENED. REPAIRS THE NEXT DAY FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH WIPER, WIPER MOTOR OR SHORTS IN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE WINDOW DEFROSTER ELEMENTS OF THE GLASS. NO INJURIES WERE CAUSED TO MY 2 PASSENGERS BY THE FLYING GLASS. HOWEVER SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED JUST 20 SECONDS EARLIER WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE SHOCK TO ME, THE DRIVER, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, SINCE THE FIRST IMPRESSION I HAD WAS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STRUCK, THEN UPON REALIZING THAT THE WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT I THOUGHT WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SHOT AT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10297321
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2009

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE ON INTERSTATE 90-WEST, AND UPON REACHING THE CITY OF BRATHNALL CITY LINE I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND NOTICED THAT MY REAR WINDOW HAD EXPLODED. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE FREEWAY, I NOTIFIED THE 911 POLICE EMERGENCY , AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE. A POLICE ARRIVED WITHIN 10 MINUTES AND ASSISTED ME. I HAVE JUST NOTICE THAT THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL OTHER PERSONS WHO HAD COMPLAINED OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORD ESCAPE, WHEN WILL THE NHTSA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? ARE YOU WAITING FOR THE LOSS OF LIVES TO OCCUR FIRST BEFORE YOU WILL DO SOMETHING? *TR

NHTSA #: 10295432
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jun 2009

REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. *TR

NHTSA #: 10274633
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 2009

I WAS DRIVING HOME THE TEMP WAS ABOUT 25 DEGREES AND MY BACK WINDOW EXPLODED , NOTHING HIT IT JUST SHATTERED INTO 1000 PIECES. THE SOUND SCARE THE PROVERBIAL .... OUT OF ME . THE REAR DEFROST HAD BEEN ON EARLIER BUT I HAD SHUT IT OFF 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO INCIDENT. I HAD GLASS REPLACED, WHICH WAS COVERED BY MY INSURANCE , BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE COST OF WIPER MOTOR. *TR

NHTSA #: 10258638
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT DEFROST AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE DEFROST SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER FOR OVER A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 01/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB

NHTSA #: 10252303
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANG AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR GLASS SUDDENLY EXPLODED. SHE CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE DEALER. A REPRESENTATIVE TOOK THE REAR GLASS DEFROSTER MECHANISM (THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN OF THE COMPONENT'S FORMAL TERM). SHE SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RELEVANT RECALL AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 48,000.

NHTSA #: 10246145
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2008

THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT THIS MORNING. I WAS TRAVELING ON A PAVED ROAD DOING APPROXIMATELY 70 KMS/HOUR. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING NOR WERE TEMPERATURES EXTREME. THE SOUND WAS LIKE A RIFLE GOING OFF AND GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10245810
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Mar 2008

I STARTED UP MY CAR AND LET IT RUN FOR APPROX 10 MIN. PUT MY REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER ON FOR ABOUT 10 MIN WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. SITTING AT A LIGHT, MY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. I WAS NOT MOVING, MY CAR WAS WARMED UP. NOT SURE WHAT HAPPENED. POLICE REPORT PROCESSED. FORD FIXED IT FOR A HUGE AMT NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA #: 10220172
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 2008

THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE REAR WINDOW HAS EXPLODED! THE FIRST REAR WINDOW EXPLODED 12.11.07 ON A MILD (55') RAINY DAY WHILE DRIVING APROX 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC. YESTERDAY (2.11.08), THE SAME WINDOW GAVE WAY ON A SIDE STREET AT APROX 35 MPH WITH NO OTHER TRAFFIC. YESTERDAY MAKES THE THIRD WINDOW I HAVE REPLACED IN LESS THAN 12 MOS. THE FIRST WINDOW (REAR RIGHT PASSENGER) EXPLODED IN WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY RAMP WITH NO TRAFFIC ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR. MOST PEOPLE GO A LIFE TIME WITH NEVER HAVING AN EXPLODING WINDOW WHILE I HAVE HAD 3 ! THE GLASS REPAIR SHOP I WAS REFERRED TO BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS STATED THAT BY OBSERVING THE BROKEN WINDOW, THEY ARE CONFIDENT THAT AT NEITHER TIME WAS THE DEFROST MECHANISM TO BLAME. IF I HAD NOT BEEN CLOSE TO MY OFFICE ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS..........I AM CONFIDENT THAT NOBODY WOULD EVER BELIEVE MY STORIES! *TR

NHTSA #: 10217804
mediumVISIBILITY
FireFiled: Feb 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNFAMILIAR NOISE WHEN SHE ACTIVATED THE DEFROSTER. THE NOISE STOPPED AND SHE PARKED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE EXPLODED OUTWARDS. THE WINDOWS APPEARED TO HAVE BURST FROM WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE DEFROSTER CAUSED THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 64,000.

NHTSA #: 10217115
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jan 2008

THE DRIVER'S WINDOW OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED MAKES A HORRIBLE SQUEALING SOUND WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR ABOUT A YEAR. WHEN TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, I HAVE NOTED THIS PROBLEM. I ALWAYS GET THE SAME REPORT "WEATHER STRIPS ARE DRY" AND WERE LUBED. THIS FIX DOES NOT ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. SINCE THE CAR WAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER A YEAR OLD WHEN THE PROBLEM BEGAN, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE WEATHER STRIPS HAVE DRIED OUT. *TR

NHTSA #: 10215278
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2007

AFTER A COLD NIGHT WITH FREEZING RAIN, VEHICLE HAD A SMALL LAYER OF ICE ON REAR WINDOW WHICH WAS EASILY SCRAPPED OFF AFTER HAVING REAR DEFROSTER ON. DEFROSTER WAS ON APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. AFTER PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND GOING APPROXIMATELY 100 YARDS THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. THE WHOLE WINDOW SHATTERED INTO TINY PIECES. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED BUT NOT BY FORD WHO CLAIMED THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE. *TR

NHTSA #: 10211085
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Feb 2006

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW FORD ESCAPE ~ 1.5 YEARS AGO. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ~ 40 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY BACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. SHARDS OF GLASS BLEW INTO MY TRUNK AS WELL AS THE BACK SEAT. WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY EXPLAINED THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT HELP ME. I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY REFERRED ME TO A LOCAL GLASS SHOP SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS SO OVER-PRICED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A FOREIGN OBJECT HITTING MY EXTERIOR WINDOW, SO I WOULD LIKE TO WARN ALL FORD ESCAPE OWNERS OF THIS HAZARD TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES. *NM

NHTSA #: 10150233
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Dec 2005

DT: THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WENT OUT IN THE MORNING TO TURN ON THE DEFROSTER. AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE WARM UP FOR A WHILE SHE GOT IN THE VEHICLE. WHILE TRAVELING TO WORK SHE REALIZED BACK WINDOW WAS SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

NHTSA #: 10145201
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Jun 2005

DRIVING 2005 FORD ESCAPE ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AROUND 85 DEG. AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING. REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO ROCK OR OTHER PROJECTILE FOUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE ON DOOR OR SURROUNDING AREA. HAD NOTICED "SQUEAKING" NOISE FROM THAT GENERAL AREA FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE WINDOW SHATTERED. NO PASSENGERS IN REAR SEATS, BUT WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES IF PASSENGERS PRESENT. POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.

NHTSA #: 10126480
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Nov 2004

WHENEVER USING THE AIR CONDITIONER, USING DASH CONTROLLER TO DIRECT THE AIR OUT THE DASH VENTS, AIR ALSO COMES OUT THE DEFROSTER VENTS, CAUSING CONDENSATION TO FOG UP THE LOWER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SELLING DEALER, SOUTHWAY FORD IN SAN ANTONIO TX, AND RED MCCOMBS FORD IN SAN ANTONIO TX. BOTH DEALERS WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE COMPLAINT, BUT OFFERED NO REPAIR. THEY BOTH CLAIM IT IS A "NORMAL OPERATION" I REQUESTED FROM BOTH DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE THE FORD REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE LOOK AT THE CAR. AS OF YET, NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME. *AK

NHTSA #: 10098288
mediumVISIBILITY
Filed: Oct 2004

WHILE DRIVING SUN ROOF EXPLODED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA #: 10097625

Other 2005 Ford Escape Issues