Windshield cracked using defroster

[cory1848]

There is nothing to do with bias. The forums are a snap shot of small quantity, be it Ranger, Explorer etc. Systemic problems bubble up. Case in point was the start up shudder on Ranger...Folks complained to the degree that Ford Engineering was forced to react and issue a TSB. So far the cracking is very limited... Maybe as the winter progresses we will see a rise in complaints but my point is that we test. Problems identified during testing are fixed.

Being that this is your last Ford, some other manufacturer will hopefully fill the bill.

Part of the issue is that complaints are dismissed as operator error until there are enough of them to force a fix to be made. The push back I am getting just in this thread only supports that. I bet a rock hit it, there was probably a chip existing, cant use heat in the cold, etc etc... always point the finger elsewhere besides a defect. Maybe in a few years if this becomes more or a widespread problem, this thread can be used to support that. If not, oh well. Squeaky wheel gets the grease right?

Hoping another manufacture can meet my needs. Will be trading in my Edge next year as well and then I can wash my hands of it all.

Sponsored

 

[The Donald]

There is much testing that goes into a new product. Cold weather testing to temps around -40° for full prototypes, cold room tests etc. If Ford found this was a systemic problem there would have been a fix before introduction to the buying public.

I have to agree with Phil on this, I have been a supplier for Ford in the past and they are ball breakers if your parts are junk. Ford seems to be the best of the big 3 on this point and my family is a Ford family so that is what I choose.

 

[r1ch999999]

Ford is turning into money grubbing b#stards like everybody else.
I have been trying to contact a human at Ford Credit for a week and they just keep hanging up on me saying it's too busy.
Capitalism doesn't blend too well with a pandemic.

Yeah, I can just imagine how much easier it would be to get a human to help you in say, Soviet Russia during a pandemic.

 

[cory1848]

yes they do. drive where theres sand, dust and other debris. the clarity is destroyed by pitting. drive into the sun and you'll know how dangerous it can be.
I dont mind educating you, thats what forums are for.

Thats called wear and tear buddy. Drive in locations where those conditions don't exist and the shield should last the life of the vehicle. That does not meet the definition of consumable. Consumable would be designed to be used up and replaced. A windshield is not that.

 

[r1ch999999]

I understand your bias but have you seen other post on other forums regarding shields cracking in Explorers, Mustangs and F150s while using the defroster? A quick google search eludes to this being a wide spread problem. I am not looking to be pleased, but I expect things to work as designed without damaging things. Is that so much to ask? Like I mentioned previously, this is just another thing added to the growing list of issues with this truck, and I am not alone on that.

I will get the shield replaced and then I will make sure to never use the defroster ever again.

You must be better at google than I am, I did a search for 'ford windshield defroster crack' and found about one post a year on it.

 

[cory1848]

just another question/comment for the OP...to clarify something.

I see you drive a 2019 XLT Sport.

the Lariat is the only model that comes with the in glass heating element. The rest of the models are basic defrost venting.

could you clarify your comparison to the other models as to which system they are using?

Reference post #49. Its not just the rangers...

 

[cory1848]

You must be better at google than I am, I did a search for 'ford windshield defroster crack' and found about one post a year on it.

Took 2 seconds to find this post - https://www.f150forum.com/f118/cracked-my-windshield-morning-407982/

Same scenario. There are more with other vehicles. Search harder if you are actually interested.

 

[VAMike]

I had a non-ford windshield suddenly develop a horizontal crack all the way across on a cold day many years ago, definitely no defrost strips involved. There may have been a small nick at one side acting as a stress riser, but no large/noticeable chips. Temperature changes affect glass, that's just a thing. I'm sure it's easy to find stories of windshields cracking on Fords, but what makes them anecdotes rather than data is that you don't know how many windshields didn't crack (people don't post about that) and you don't know how the incidence of cracking (a number you don't know) compares to the industry average (another number you don't know).

 

[cory1848]

Off to the dealer. As previously stated, I am not optimistic they will do anything to fix this however I will get them to document it so it hopefully becomes part of those stats Matt mentioned. Will follow up once I get back and that will be the end of this post. It has run its course.

 

[Cape Cruiser]

To understand the why of this is to look at the thickness of the glass, much thinner than of cars of the past. Good luck, hopefully your dealer will replace it. Bret

 

[GregM]

Just got back from the dealer. They took pics to send to ford warranty. Did not find any impact nicks and said they should hear back from ford in a few days but with the new year could be at the beginning of next week.
They said ford is fickle with this occurrence but being no impact was noted they said it should not be any problem with the claim. Keeping my fingers crossed

 

[RANGER_MARC]

Just got back from the dealer. They took pics to send to ford warranty. Did not find any impact nicks and said they should hear back from ford in a few days but with the new year could be at the beginning of next week.
They said ford is fickle with this occurrence but being no impact was noted they said it should not be any problem with the claim. Keeping my fingers crossed

Glad to hear that your dealer is taking this incident seriously as a warranty issue. There has been a lot of disagreement among members on this issue, but I am sure that we all wish you well in getting this resolved (at no cost to you). Good luck!

 

[GregM]

Glad to hear that your dealer is taking this incident seriously as a warranty issue. There has been a lot of disagreement among members on this issue, but I am sure that we all wish you well in getting this resolved (at no cost to you). Good luck!

Thanks Mark

 

[The Donald]

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY! I'm celebrating early.

 

[port43]

Not that it matters but once upon a time I had something hit my Pontiac Vibe windshield loud enough that it scared the sh*t out of me. It was winter, I had the defroster on, I saw where it hit but there was no obvious mark or chip. Out loud I said "Huh." then rapped on the spot with the knuckle of my index finger and it cracked from that spot across to both edges of the windshield. Stress happens.

Sponsored