7.2
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $420
- Average Mileage:
- 65,200 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 40 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace trim (27 reports)
- not sure (12 reports)
- replaced windshield and trim 3x, same issue! and now again (1 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My window trim has flown off TWICE now. First time having to be replaced costing well over $500.00 with parts and labor. Luckily the second time I was able to retrieve the part however it still cracked. When getting it fixed the second time the sop noticed that the other side was loose and also getting ready to fall off... There should be a recall on this, it happens way too much and really no need or it as much as you pay for a car!! RIDICULOUS!!
- nsoltis, Vanderbilt, US
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The window trim on my 2013 Ford Explorer flew off during my drive home from work today. Just noticed it as I got out of the car at home. Looks like CRAP now. So, I'll be shopping around for the replacement tonight after I get off from my 2nd job.
- Scott K., Oak Lawn, IL, US
Crappy design if the part will just fly off while driving. Shame on Ford---should be covered on recall
- lauren0424, Richmond, TX, US
First in June the left flew off. Now, the right hand side has flew off while driving. Very bad design if parts are just flying off of vehicle while driving.
- lauren0424, Richmond, TX, US
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I drove through a touchless car wash and when exiting through the blower that dries the car off, the right front windshield trim (A pillar) blew right off. No prior damage or issue of any kind. The cheap plastic screws/bolts were all broken. Dealer estimates $600 and says they see it all the time and that it is ridiculous - cheaply made and inexcusable. Have to fix it because not only does it look awful, but it makes a loud vibrating noise once I reach 30 mph. Very annoying!
I'm extremely disappointed. We have owned 3 Explorers and 2 Expeditions and have always had great luck before now.
- Carol S., Alpharetta, GA, US
The passenger side blew off while driving out of State Labor Day Weekend! The drivers side blew off Oct. 4 while I was driving 75 mph. Luckily, I was able to open y window and catch the piece before I lost it!! That piece scratched my drivers door and without that piece on, all you hear is wind sound and crackling!! I plan on taking it back to dealership to replace it with a vehicle that will sty together at least until I pay it off!! I have always purchase Ford vehicles but definitely have been looking at the GMC Terrain at which point, I will go buy that if Ford doesn't get me an Explorer that stays together while driving!!!
- Susan L., Taylor, MI, US
MY Windshield Trim Flies Off (DRIVER-SIDE) while driving on freeway For my 2013 Ford Explorer. I called Ford Manufacturer and request for them to replace this part - since this is manufacturing problem. why would this part just fly off - I have also seen several vehicles with this issue - Ford dealer wants to charge me $400.00 dollars to replace the part an for labor since its not covered under the warranty DUE TO THE MILLEAGE they say it's wear and tear ) REALLY!!!! WOW I REALLY THINK THIS IS UNFAIR FOR THE CONSUMER - FORD NEEDS TO STEP ITUP AND FIX THE PROBLEM. for the existing and to avoid future issues UGGGGGGG..
- Janet G., Fontana, US
Same problem as many others are having. Right side trim came off driving 65mph on the highway... At first there was a flapping sound, then sounded like something hit the windshield. Later figured out it was the sound of the trim cracking off. Looks exactly like the pictures others have posted about this problem.
- Ryan S., Broomfield, CO, US
Driving down the highway the windshield molding few off the passenger side of the truck! This is ridiculous, the truck is only 3 years old!
- Andy A., Broomfield, CO, US
Both sides of the window trim flew off my SUV while driving on the highway. The left side flew off first while driving at 70 mph, and then about one week later the right side flew off while driving 55 mph. It was unbelievable and luckily there was no one directly in line of the flying debris either time. It now makes a weird sound on both sides as I drive. I really can't believe my car parts are flying off the car as I drive
- Carrie H., Vienna, VA, US
This time it was the driver side once again. Both sides have been replaced twice. The first was on warranty but I paid for the last 2 and am on the hook once again. Every glass shop I have talked with said this is a reoccurring problem with this vehicle. Ford needs to step up and come up with a proper fix
- Earl B., Calgary, AB, Canada
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I was driving on the highway doing 65MPH and both moldings/trim on the left and right side of the windshield flew off. This could have caused a very bad accident or hurt someone extremely bad, thankfully it did not. Ford is saying this is not covered under there warranty,I just bought this suv 6 months ago. They want me to pay $500 to fix it. I have seen several others complain of the exact same thing. This should be a safety recall. I am left with all the nuts and bolts of the windshield exposed. I have filed a complaint to have this further investigated with National highway safety administration.
- angeleyes1523, Salem, NH, US
Upon talking to glass and auto shops in the area, they say that the windshield moldings for the 2013 and 2014 explorers break regularly and were poorly designed. The glass shop owners mentioned frequently having to replace the moldings upon replacing the windshield, suggesting the moldings are delicate to the touch. Overall, the defect is not a game changer but very frustrating due to the very visible nature of the windshield and the driving noise that results. More annoying is that Ford is unwilling to admit to the flaw and address the issue for owners.
- John C., Houston, TX, US
WINDSHIELD CRACKED AND HAD IT REPLACED. BEFORE THE 30 DAY WARRANTY THE RIGHT TRIM FLEW OFF (60 MPH) AND IT WAS REPLACED. AFTER THAT REPLACEMENT, THE LEFT TRIM FLEW OFF (65 MPH) AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN IT REPLACED DUE TO EXPENSIVE PRICE PLUS INSTALLATION. I WAS TOLD BY THE GLASS SHOP THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS PART DEFECT. AS HE INSTALLS BUT DOES NOT PROVIDE WARRANTY AS PARTS FLY OFF EASILY.
- Carmen M., San Juan, Puerto Rico
This is the 2nd time in 4 months that the same trim piece flew off traveling 70 miles per hour on the freeway. This time I knew what it was but it was equally as irritating. Now the windshield on that side makes a significant and scary vibrating noise when I drive over 60 miles per hour. I am even afraid that the windshield could come loose. I know this is silly but the noise is pretty intimidating.
I am frustrated!!! I have no other option but to take it back to the dealer and again pay to have it replaced. And then how long will the next one last? I cannot afford to keep replacing the piece and yet I cannot stand the noise and since the vehicle is new to me, I want it to look nice.
I feel helpless in this situation. I have no control over this happening and there is nothing I can do to prevent it from happening other than to never drive over 70 miles per hour, and this is NOT an option.
I have heard that this has happened to several Explorer owners yet Ford is not willing to admit that it is a design flaw and rectify the situation. Is there a solution???
- txaggie82, Houston, TX, US
The windshield trim on the passenger side of the vehicle flew off when traveling at 80 miles per hour on the highway. It was loud and frightening and I did not know what happened. I had recently bought the vehicle less than a month prior.
The Repair center said that the previous owner had probably recently replaced the windshield and they may have tried to replace the existing trim. Once the trim has been taken off, it must be replaced or it will come off.
I took it to the Ford dealership to repair and they checked for Recalls but there were none. I paid to have it repaired.
- txaggie82, Houston, TX, US
click to see larger images
I've only had the car for a year... the original owner purchased in May of 2012 - found this out when I took it into the Dealer thinking it was still under the 36,000/3 year warranty (2015-2013) . WRONG! Dealership contacted FORD to try and get them to cover it and they said NO... said it was "TRIM" piece and they don't cover them. Scares the HELL out of me because living out here in California I am scared to drive it on the freeway at 70 miles an hour in 100+ degrees... #1 I am going to loose the other piece of trim that is loose and #2 the window is making all kinds of creaking noises now! Was told it would cost me $500 to replace the trim!! I DON"T have $500! I am Disabled and need the vehicle to tow my scooter and get to appointments.. Now I just want to stay home!
Use to have Fords when younger. After having grand kids I had gotten Toyota and Honda Vans. Now that they are older I decided to go back to a Ford Explorer... I AM SO DISAPPOINTED WITH THAT DECISION! If they can't produce quality materials that don't FLY off when you are driving.. how is that protecting me and the other drivers! SHAME ON YOU FORD!
- Debb W., Riverside, CA, US
I'm really disappointed that this happened, since this is not a usable/wearable item. Who would think they have to worry about a piece of their car flying off? Seriously.
I will be contacting Ford to ask them to address this issue since it's obviously a manufacturing defect (weak clips, weak glue, weak brace).
Also, I see a crack developing one the actual brace (underneath the nice shiny black cover). I will try to upload pictures later this evening, hopefully I can still edit this post.
- Jesus D., San Antonio, TX, US
This passenger side windshield trim makes a noise. I thought at first it was a speaker humming. At high speeds it loosens and flies off. We have seen other 2013 Ford Explorers with either one side or both with this trim missing. Our dealership will be replacing it again for the 4th time. I don't think it is a shop repair problem, I think it is an inherent Ford problem. It has had all of the original trim removed all the way to the frame and cleaned prior to the last replacement of trim and kit. The shop manager did the work and had other person double check his work.
- kathiehood, Harper, TX, US
The passenger side windshield rubber trim and plastic panel came off at 65 mph and I had to use duct tape to hold the windshield together and also avoid rain water from seeping in.
Interested in putting together a class action law suit because this is definitely a poor manufacturing process or cheap glue/rubber seal usage; previously owned couple of expeditions and never had any problem with such things.
- Sam P., Tampa, FL, US