6.9

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$450
Average Mileage:
54,600 miles
Total Complaints:
15 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. replace trim (4 reports)
  3. replace windshield pillars (3 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

problem #15

Apr 012020

Explorer Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

The window trim broke lose and it I did not realize it and it had beat against the car and scratched it up really bad. I have had so many problems with my Ford that I will not buy another Ford.

- Barbara H., Lake City, FL, US

problem #14

Jul 182019

Explorer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 89,000 miles

click to see larger images

windshield trim falling off windshield trim falling off

Windshield molding on both sides has just blown off while I am driving on the freeway and the driver side passenger door molding has also flown off while drive in the canyon. I have had all threes panels blow off while I was driving within 3 months and I am so mad about it because they are so expensive to replace. Not only are they expensive if it rains it is going to rain straight into my car. This is a horrible hazardous problem that needs to be fixed. I am lucky that one of those panels didn't hit someone else’s car and cause damage or worse because those are big thick molding that could really cause major damage to someone else and their vehicle. I have had other Ford vehicles and I bought this one really excited and has been nothing but disappointing. So long story short 3 different panels/Molding flew off my car in the canyon or freeway on 3 different occasions and it is so dangerous.

- Rebecca H., Sandy, UT, US

problem #13

Jan 042019

Explorer Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 69,000 miles

Driving down interstate heard flapping noise. Looked to passenger side window and saw my windshield trim coming off. Called dealership,

yes they have them in stock. Man said they get this call all the time. Thank god it wasn't raining. There are several clips and you must open door to line up clips. This is a horrible design.

- Mandy W., CAPE CORAL, FL, US

problem #12

Nov 072018

Explorer XLT 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

click to see larger images

windshield trim falling off

as I've read all the various complaints regarding this issue, I'm wondering it there is a "fix" for this. Is it possible to epoxy the two parts together upon assembly? I've spoke to various shops, and was informed that when these parts are removed, more often then not, they should be replaced. So, to keep them from FLYING OFF, could you epoxy the inner part ( the part with the clips) to the outer part (the actual trim) If they should be replaced with the windshield anyway, why not be sure they never come off otherwise. I'm thinking a few drop of an epoxy on the clips, then "snap" them together. Am I wrong ???? I was quoted $227 for both parts - maybe #10 in epoxy will keep these from flying apart

- Dave L., Rice, MN, US

problem #11

Mar 042018

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,724 miles

I was driving when the "gasket" around the window on the driver side started flapping. I grabbed it and tucked it in the window. The next day I took my car to the dealer where I bought it just over 4 years ago. When I purchased the car, I bought the extended warranty to cover the car BUMPER TO BUMPER for 5 years, 60K miles. Imagine my surprise when they said this "pillar moulding" wasn't covered. Last time I checked, the windshield was between the bumpers. I paid for the repair, $697, and left the dealer with a number for Ford.

I called Ford. They wouldn't give me a case number because I paid for the repair. They said I needed to go back to the dealer. But the Dealer wouldn't do anything without a case number. They said they needed to speak to their warranty person. I then called each week until that person said they wouldn't do anything without a case number. Ford grudgingly gave me a number when I called back. That is now in the hands of the dealer.

I still do not understand how this is not a warranty item. This is not a wear item like tires or brakes. I have owned cars for 8, 9, 10 years without ever having anything similar.

I will be pursuing this further.

- Ruth K., Parkland, FL, US

problem #10

Sep 242017

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

Bought my 2014 Ford Explorer in July, made one payment, then Hurricane Harvey came through and attempted to drown her with no prevail. I have her scheduled for carpet cleaning and electrical maintenance for this week. Over the weekend, while driving down I-45 at 70mph I heard flapping and noticed the passenger side window trim about to come off. I went to exit to pull over and check it out, but it flew off before I could get anywhere safe. I get back on the road and hear it again 5 minutes down the road. It is the drivers side this time!! I have managed to keep it attached for a few days by not doing any freeway driving and so I have something to show the dealership when I take it in. If I make ANOTHER claim on my Explorer, it will cost me another $500 deductible to fix, which I'm already having to pay for the flood claim! Come on! This definitely sounds like a common manufacturing issue and should be at Ford's cost, not mine!

- Amber A., Dickinson, US

problem #9

Jun 012017

Explorer Sport V6 Eco Boost

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I have had to have both outside windshield pillars replaced. The local Ford dealership told me this is a very common problem, and sent me to the local window replacement shop because they are less expensive there. The shop keeps the Explorer pillars in stock because it is such a common occurrence for them to have replace them. Ridiculous....Ford should warranty them if it is such a problem, and also the dealer told me that they often fly off while driving....this could cause a wreck, and Ford should be liable for faulty equipment.

- Janis B., Yakima, US

problem #8

May 062017

Explorer Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles

My wife and I were driving on the highway, and at about 75 mph the passanger side windshield trim ripped off and flew away. We are now missing the trim piece and weather stripping under it. Terrible design flaw!!!

- Aaron B., Arvada, CO, US

problem #7

Apr 092017

Explorer Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I thought the interior had a bad wind sound, was going down the road and the driver side trim on windshield blew off. ordered new parts (2) cost $215.00, a week later the passenger side blew off and guess what, the 2 parts on the passenger parts cost $50.00 more dollars then the driver side, so I will be spending a total of 450 dollars to replace the trim...Is there any guarantee this wont happen again? Has anyone else had this problem?

- Nancy C., Minco, US

problem #6

Jan 152015

Explorer LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

My passenger side windshield trim has become detached. I already lost the drivers side trim the day after I purchased this vehicle new approximately 1 year ago. I was on a road trip 1,100 miles from home and unfortunately could not find a Ford dealership with an opening. I had to drive home with a terrible noise of wind gushing in the space where the trim was detached. Once I got home, I had it replaced at the dealership and it was still under warranty. This is the second time I have spent 2.5 hours in the waiting room to get my NEW car fixed. Very annoying. Service says they have seen several.

- Shirl S., Conyers, US

problem #5

Mar 012017

Explorer LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

This is the 4th time this has happened. I do not understand why Ford is not fixing this problem. To summarize my previous complaints, First the drivers side windshield trim flew off while driving, then the passenger side broke loose, then the drivers side (previously replaced) flew off again. The dealership couldn't get us in before a trip and told us a body shop could repair it with two sided body tape. We fell for that and it flew off almost immediately. So 4, FOUR, times. This time it is no longer under warranty and the cost was $396. I think that is a ridiculous amount to pay for a piece flying off your car for no apparent reason. I have now invested 8.5 hours total in the waiting room during repairs and $400 to replace a piece that should never, ever fall off your car unless you are in a wreck. This was my first Ford and I am not impressed.

- Shirl S., Conyers, US

problem #4

Jan 152014

Explorer LX

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

I purchased my 2014 Ford Explorer from the dealership. It was a new vehicle but did have about 4,800 miles on it because it was a demo car. The day after I purchased the car I drove on the interstate and the drivers side black trim running up the width of the side of the windshield flew off on to the interstate, so it was not retrievable. I immediately took it back to the sales manager who set up for a replacement. This was the first replacement and I waited for about 2.5 hours for it to be repaired and it was covered under the standard warranty. (This goes on to happen 2 more times plus one time on the passenger side, reported in separate reports.)

- Shirl S., Conyers, US

problem #3

Jan 152017

Explorer Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,225 miles

The windshield molding is obviously designed to reduce or eliminate wind noises from the sides of the windshield but there was still some wind noise. When the molding flew off my vehicle at about 65 miles per hour it was scary and the wind noise became very loud. The dealership wants me to pay for the repair and there is no guarantee that it won't do it again. That's crazy.

- Rickey M., Houston, TX, US

problem #2

Oct 112016

Explorer LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

I have a 2014 Ford explorer, my passenger side windshield pillar/trim flew off while on the expressway. I called the dealership that stated they would have to determine if this was a defect. I found this forum that has a few complaints about the same problem but yet a recall has not been issued. At the dealership the service man stated they would have to replace both sides? odd, not exactly they are aware that at some point the other side is bound to fly off also. I was told although i have warranty up to 100,000 mi, this is not covered. So next step was to contact FORD who then stated that they and NHTSA do rigorous safety testing and have not come to a conclusion that this is an issue. I was on the expressway this trim flying off my vehicle could of hit a motorcyclist or another windshield and caused damage. Not to mention, it hit my windshield before flying off that scared me. so apparently there are not enough reports. And i was told by a Ford CS rep that forums on the internet are not considered unless it is a ford forum. So please make complaints to NHTSA and Ford Forums so that we can get this issue recalled and solved.

- Laurie T., Harlingen, TX, US

problem #1

Aug 112016

Explorer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

I have taken great care of my car, and have never had anything hit my car or windshield. My car only has about 45,000 miles on it, and while driving my car the two plastic windshield guards just flew off. Luckily they didn't hit anyone or anything, however it is obviously a problem with the manufacturing of the vehicle, considering I didn't do anything to cause them to fall off.

- Ashley K., Lynchburg, VA, US