What 1,312 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Ford Escape Gas

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW SUDDENLY BECAME SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE WINDOW WAS FOUND TO BE SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

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JUST AS THE LIFT GATE CLOSED, THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. *TR

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AT APPROXIMATELY 9:00 AM IN THE MORNING, THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW WAS CLOSED INSTANTLY SHATTERING EVERYWHERE. *TR

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OUR FORD ESCAPE WAS PARKED AT THE GROCERY STORE. AFTER PUTTING GROCERY BAGS IN THE BACK I SHUT THE TAILGATE AND THE BACK WINDOW EXPLODED. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THIS SINCE ITS PAST THE FACTORY 3 YEAR WARRANTY. NO EXPLANATION FOR HOW THIS HAPPENED HAS BEEN PROVIDED. *TR

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ON MY WAY TO WORK THIS AM, I WAS IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC DUE TO A LIGHT SNOWFALL LAST NIGHT. OUT OF NOWHERE,MY REAR WINDSHIELD IMPLODED, SHATTERING THE ENTIRE WINDOW. WHEN I HAD THE BODY SHOP LOOK AT THE BROKEN GLASS, THEY FELT THE HEATING COILS MIGHT HAVE BEEN TOO HOT. THIS WAS BASED ON THEIR VISUAL EXAMINATION OF THE BROKEN GLASS. IT COST ME $450 TO REPLACE THIS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE SITES ON THE INTERNET TALKING ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE WITH WINDOWS ON THE FORD MODELS. SHOULD THIS NOT WARRANT A RECALL? I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS REPORTED AND THERE IS NO RECALL. CAN YOU HELP? *TR

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TIME OF INCIDENT: 7:45AM, DRIVING 40MPH, APPROX. OUTSIDE TEMP: 70 DEGREES, CONDITIONS: DRY 40 MINUTES INTO DRIVE TIME ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT, HEARD LOUD EXPLOSION OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT DOOR. THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR GLASS LITERALLY EXPLODED OFF THE MIRROR MOTOR AND IMPACTED THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT LEFT AN OUTLINE OF THE MIRROR ALONG WITH PUTTING GASHES IN THE WINDOW, A GASH IN THE RUBBER MOLDING AND A WHITE POWDER RESIDUE, AND THEN PROJECTED APPROX 6 FEET AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. I WENT BACK TO LOCATE AND RETRIEVE THE MIRROR GLASS SO I COULD BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF MY DEALERSHIP. I AM ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THERE WAS NO OBJECT THAT HIT THE MIRROR GLASS. THE SEPARATION OF MIRROR GLASS FROM THE MOTOR WAS CLEAN. NO REMNANTS OF MIRROR GLASS ON MOTOR ASSEMBLY OR WITHIN THE MIRROR HOUSING ITSELF. THE MIRROR HOUSING HAS NO DAMAGE TO THE OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. MY VEHICLE ALSO HAS NO DAMAGE OTHER THAN AT THE POINT OF IMPACT ON PASSENGER WINDOW - ALL CONFIRMED BY MY DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SUBMITTED PICS W/DESCRIPTION TO FORD COMPANY. FORD COMPANY RESPONDED WITH "UNWARRANTED" STATING AN OBJECT HIT THE MIRROR PER THE GREEN ARROW POINTING TO THE PLACE OF IMPACT ON THE PICTURE. CLEARLY FORD COMPANY IS INCORRECT AND OUTLANDISHLY SO. THE ALLEGED POINT OF IMPACT IS AN AREA NO MORE THAN 3/16 INCH. THE PLACEMENT OF THE IMPACT IS SUCH THAT IT WOULD HAVE PROJECTED THE MIRROR GLASS IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION. THE SPEED OF THE ALLEGED OBJECT WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED. THE TRUTH IS, THERE WAS NO PHANTOM OBJECT. FORD COMPANY FURTHER REVIEWING AND WILL CONTACT ME THIS WEEK. *TR

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CLOSING REAR LIFT GATE AFTER THE CAR REMAINED STATIONARY OVERNIGHT, THE WINDOW SHATTERED ONTO THE GROUND AND INTO THE TRUNK. LOW TEMPERATURE FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE WAS 19 DEG F. SUBSEQUENT CLEAN-UP EFFORTS REVEALED SCRATCHES TO CAR BODY AND RESULTED IN PERSONAL INJURY (LACERATIONS). FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST BASED ON VEHICLE MILEAGE, DESPITE EXPLICIT REFERENCE TO PE 11-016 AND TO FORD TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN 10-22-10. *TR

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AFTER UNLOADING ITEMS FROM REAR CARGO AREA, TAILGATE WAS CLOSED, AND THE REAR TAILGATE WINDOW EXPLODED IN MY FACE SPONTANEOUSLY. IT SEEMED AS IF THE RECIPROCATING ARMS PERHAPS DID NOT COLLAPSE COMPLETELY AND WENT THROUGH THE WINDOW. AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ASSISTED IN CLEANING UP THE DEBRIS WAS CUT BY THE GLASS. *TR

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I FILLED MY GAS TANK AT A HOLIDAY GAS STATION/STORE IN ESCANABA, MI ABOUT 6 P.M., NOVEMBER 21 WHILE TRAVELING. I FILLED THE TANK, LOCKED THE VEHICLE, AND WENT INTO THE STORE FOR A SNACK. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE, AN EMPLOYEE WAS SWEEPING UP GLASS FROM MY BACK WINDOW WHICH SHE HEARD EXPLODE. THE WINDOW WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THERE WAS NOTHING AGAINST THE BACK WINDOW OR THE HATCH BACK THAT WOULD CAUSE STRESS. FISHING EQUIPMENT WAS LYING FLAT ON THE FLOOR. I DROVE 200 MILES HOME WITH NO WINDOW. BESIDES THE EMPLOYEE WITNESS, I FILED A POLICE REPORT WITH THE ESCANABA POLICE. I CONTACTED A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE PICTURES. I SENT DOCUMENTATION ALONG WITH THE PICTURES TO THE DEALERSHIP. THAT WAS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR FORD. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE BODY REPAIR MANAGER TOOK PICTURES AND SENT THEM TO FORD WHO CAME BACK DENYING THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE GLASS "BECAUSE IT CANNOT BE PROVEN THAT THIS WAS A FORD GLASS DEFECT. I DROVE 200 MILES ROUND TRIP WASTING AN AFTERNOON OF MY TIME. I HAVE CONTACT AND TALKED WITH FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS A HALF DOZEN TIME. I ASKED THE WITNESS TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TO VERIFY THAT I WAS NOT EVEN IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE GLASS EXPLOSION. GLASS FEW FROM 10 TO 15 FEET IN SMALL, DEADLY PIECES. LUCKILY, I OR SOMEONE ELSE WAS NOT STANDING BEHIND THE CAR. I HAVE NOT OPENED THE BACK WINDOW FOR MONTHS FINDING IT EASIER TO REMOVE ITEM BY LIFTING THE HATCHBACK DOOR. IN CONTACTING FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, I WAS TOLD THAT ONCE A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, IT COULD NOT BE REVERSED. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY AND WAS TOLD THAT ONCE A DECISION WAS MADE BY FORD, IT COULD NOT BE REVERSED AND WAS GIVEN AN ADDRESS TO WRITE MY COMPLAINT. *TR

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ON 22 NOV 2011 MY 2011 FORD ESCAPE XLT AUTO AWD 2.5L I4 REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED AFTER CLOSING TAILGATE/HATCH! I LOOK INSIDE SOON AFTER TO SEE IF ANYTHING HAD BEEN IN THE WAY TO CAUSE IT AND THEIR WAS NOT! THIS WOULD HAVE ONLY BEEN MY THIRD TIME OPENING THE HATCH PART AS I USUALLY OPEN THE GLASS PART MOSTLY AND WHICH I ALSO DID THAT DAY AND THERE WAS NOT INDICATION ON MY DASH THAT ANYTHING WAS STILL OPEN SO LATER THAT DAY I HAD TO OPEN MY TAILGATE AND I CLOSED IT AND MY WINDSHIELD EXPLODED! I HAVE SINCE HAD IT REPLACED AND AM WRITING TO YOU TO INFORM YOU OF THIS SO THAT I WILL NOT HAPPEN TO OTHERS! I HAVE LOOKED ONLINE AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND YOUR SITE TO SEE THEIR ARE OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODING WHICH TO BE COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OCCUPANT AND THEIR FAMILIES! I WOULD LIKE IF POSSIBLE FOR A REVIEW OF ALL 2011 FORD ESCAPE MODELS TO SEE IF AN UPGRADE TO THE HARDWARE OR SUPPORT EQUIPMENT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND MAYBE A SAFETY BULLETINS TO ALL 2011 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS TO BE AWARE OF PROBLEM AND HOW TO PREVENT IT! I WAS WONDERING IF MAYBE IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH CABIN PRESSURE????? I SAY THIS BECAUSE WHEN YOU OPEN THE BACKSEAT WINDOWS I HEAR AN ECHOING OF SOUND IN MY SUV AND I WONDER WITH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO CLOSING REAR GATE THE PRESSURE PUSHING OFF BACKSEATS IS CAUSING REAR WINDSHIELD TO BLOW OUT??????? V/R, CONCERNED FORD OWNER.... *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON CLOSING THE REAR HATCH DOOR, THE GLASS SHATTERED AND CUT THE CONTACT'S FINGER. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CALL THE CONTACT BACK AT A LATER DATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,500.

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WHILE CLOSING THE REAR HATCH, THE GLASS/HATCH EXPLODED INTO AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR HITTING MY DAUGHTER IN THE FACE. THERE WAS NOT UNUSUAL TENSION OR BINDING WHILE CLOSING THE REAR GLASS HATCH. DID NOT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL EFFORT TO CLOSE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, THE ENGINE WAS OFF,TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE APPROX 50 DEGREES. VEHICLE WAS WARM AS IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN UPDATED 11/28/11 *BF *TR

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REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODED WHEN MY COLLEAGUE WAS PUTTING HIS BELONGINGS IN THE BACK OF MY SUV. BRAND NEW CAR AND THE THE CAR WASN'T TURNED FOR MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. *TR

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THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT REST, AFTER UNLOADING GROCERIES FROM THE REAR. THE GLASS HATCH WAS SUCCESSFULLY CLOSED BUT THEN SHATTERED. *TT

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MY HUSBAND SHUT THE LIFT GATE ON OUR 2011 FORD ESCAPE AND THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INTO A THOUSAND PIECES. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 2,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN EVER THE DRIVERS SIDE VISOR WAS USED IT WOULD EITHER MOVE CLOSE TO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK IF THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07/15/11

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I WAS CLOSING THE BACK HATCH ON MY 5 WEEK OLD 2011 FORD ESCAPE WHEN THE BACK GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY RELATED TO ME THAT THE BACK GLASS WAS NOT COVERED. SO, OF COURSE I HAD TO RE-PLACE MY BACK GLASS FOR APPROX $400. EXACTLY 2 DAYS AFTER THE NEW GLASS WAS INSTALLED, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. WHEN CLOSING THE LIFTGATE THE BACK GLASS SHATTERED. THIS TIME THE GLASS COMPANY REPLACED IT FOR FREE, BUT WHEN CONTACTING THE FORD COMPANY AND DEALERSHIP THEY WERE VERY RUDE AND DISRESPECTFUL. AFTER CONTACTING THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, STILL NOTHING WAS DONE. IT HAS NOT HAPPENED SINCE, BUT NOW I TRY NOT TO PUT ANYTHING INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR SO I DON'T HAVE TO LIFT THE HATCH. *TR

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THIS IS A MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE OCCURRENCE: I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE WORK, TEMPERATURE AT 27 F. I LOADED GEAR IN MY TRUNK OF THE VEHICLES NOT USING THE RAISED GLASS OPTION, BUT THE FULL DOOR. UPON CLOSING THE DOOR, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND THE GLASS FELL ON MY HAND ON THE WAY DOWN, CUTTING IT UP. THE PISTON RODS ON EITHER SIDE BOTH BROKE OUT...LOOKS LIKE THE PLASTIC CRACKED ON BOTH. PRIOR TO SHATTERING, THE WINDOW APPEARED TO HAVE BUBBLES IN IT. DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND COSMETIC. FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT HAVE SAID THAT THEIR GLASS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY...SO MILE 1, IF IT SHATTERS LIKE THIS, THE CONSUMER IS HELD LIABLE. FILING WITH INSURANCE COMPANY AND LOOKING FOR A COMPANY THAT WILL COVER A WINDOW FAILURE. *TR

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I CLOSED THE REAR HATCH OF THE ESCAPE AND THE REAR GLASS EXPLODED. THE CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE AND THE GLASS WENT EVERYWHERE, COVERING THE CARGO AREA OF THE VEHICLE AND THE DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NOTHING EVEN CLOSE TO TOUCHING THE GLASS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN IT SHATTERED. I RECEIVED A SMALL CUT ON MY HAND FROM THE GLASS THAT I WAS ABLE TO TREAT MYSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABOUT A WEEK OLD AT THAT TIME AND WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

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