8.2

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$320
Average Mileage:
67,150 miles
Total Complaints:
615 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace window regulator (300 reports)
  2. not sure (223 reports)
  3. fixed it myself so I don't have to be ripped off by Ford (24 reports)
  4. replace window regulator with 2006 and newer regulator (16 reports)
  5. replace elevator cable (15 reports)
  6. Ford paid for most of the fix (10 reports)
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This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #575

Aug 082012

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

Was drivng on the freeway when the driver's side window just fell down into the door. The truck only had 30,000 miles. Service rep at the dealer said they see it all the time on these trucks and I was "lucky because another customer had it happen at 11,000 miles." This week, with just over 34,000 miles the passenger side window did the same thing. A different service rep at my local dealer told me they see it a lot. After reading all these complaints about the broken regulator it seems I can look forward to the rest of the windows doing the same thing. Both windows weren't covered because even though my mileage is low my warranty had already expired.

Ford told me there is nothing they can do about it since there is no active recall on my vehicle. There is obviously a serious defect but Ford is putting it on the customer instead of taking responsibility for their faulty product. I have owned Fords for most of my life but will never purchase another one. They were happy to take my money every time I bought one of their vehicles but won't stand behind their product. Terrible business decision as they're obviously losing a lot of customers. A recall is a no brainer but I guess they'd rather lose customers rather than covering the repairs for their defective product.

- tpca, Tracy, CA, US

problem #574

Aug 182012

F-150 Crew Cab 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,100 miles

Ford needs to recall these window regulators. Today, the third regulator failed and I'm sure it is only a matter of time until the 4th one fails. Ford...you are really close to losing another customer.

- jstover, Salem, VA, US

problem #573

Sep 152010

F-150 Lariat 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,000 miles

Shortly after buying truck used with 69k on it, the drivers window went down and didn;t come back up. Had to replace regulator.

- bmarkey, Lyle, WA, US

problem #572

May 142012

F-150 Larit 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,398 miles

had only bought truck two weeks earlier, 2004 with 47000 miles was thrilled. looked like it have never been outside a garage, was in perfect condition.

- Richard O., Sierr Vista, AZ, US

problem #571

Feb 012012

F-150 LT V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,200 miles

I have fixed the regulator on my 2004 f-150 5 times 3 under the warranty and two on my own. Now I have the two back widows broke and have not fixed them to date. I am a bank risk manager and tell every customer not to by Ford truck and tell them about my issues and this web page.

Fix the problem and I will stop, don't and keep missing sales

- Joe J., Houston, TX, US

problem #570

Jun 112012

F-150 XLT 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

I'm on my 4th regulator repair, at least I think--I seem to lose track it happens so often. I hardly even roll my windows down. What a joke. It costs $400 plus EVERY time. LISTEN FORD: RECALL THESE POS REGULATOR!!!! DO THE RIGHT THING!!

- John B., Lehi, UT, US

problem #569

Apr 252012

F-150 4x4 Triton 4.9L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,224 miles

getting to leave work after a long day . get into my beloved ford pickemup start it - air on - window down a small amount--ooopps window goes bye bye --all the way down - dam - what happened ? get home find out how to take door panel off - major pain- find out a piece of plastic that the window rides on broke -plastic did i say plastic yes some someone thought that would work well i guess -- not--- so i have the window up - held with visegrips put the panel back on next move estimate -- fords going to beat me up on this one - i just spent $378.52 on a sparkplug change - remember the good ol days of changen your own plugs? sooo pissedoff now maybe a chevy next time

- Edward N., Rosenhayn, NJ, US

problem #568

Jan 052012

F-150 Lariot

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,299 miles

Well i replaced the front passanger window mechanism in 2011 in November then the rear window regulator in this January now again the front passanger window unit again in March. All work done by Ford dealers who say they are supprised about this issue.

So much for the ford built to last moto, it looks like they are built to require maximum repair.

- Charles Y., Medford, NJ, US

problem #567

Mar 042012

F-150 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

My supercab driver's side window fell just not long after the warranty went out 37,000+ miles. Dealer fixed of course at my cost with lame excuses for the cause. The passenger front fell today just as we were pulling into the driveway (our saving grace) without any warning. We were not rolling it up or down. I have plastic covering it now as of course it's supposed to rain today and be windy. After reading the many posts all over the internet, I'm waiting with great anticipation for the back one's to go. I now know that I'll need to bring an extra tarp anytime we want to take a weekend trip or vacation!!!! I love Ford, greatly appreciate they did not take the bail-out - but this obvious flaw is absurd and they should be fixing at no cost but better yet manufacture a part & system for these model years that will last! This is absolutely a safety and security issue and Ford - MAN UP ON THIS ONE!!! My next vehicle will likely not be a Ford and that pains me.

Thanks to all the folks that have posted do it yourself video's and tutorials for this problem. I'll be trying to fix myself as soon as the part comes in.

- Buck M., Kennewick, WA, US

problem #566

Mar 142012

F-150 Lariet 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

I have searched the internet and this seems to be a chronic problem with 2004 and later new body style f-150's.

- Doug C., Haymarket, VA, US

problem #565

Feb 222012

F-150 Super Cab 3.4L V8 Xlt

  • Automatic transmission
  • 71,000 miles

I was on my way to work when my front passenger side door window dropped. I looked down to see if I had hit the window button somehow and I tried to roll it back up. The window just raddled and didnt roll up. I had to run home and clean everything out and put a bag over the window. I called my local ford dealer and they knew immediately what the problem was. Now looking online I cant wait for all my other windows to do the same. I thought buying American was the way to go but I guess I was wrong! I cant believe Ford is ok with loosing customers that have been so loyal to this American car maker!

- nburchett, Chesterfield, VA, US

problem #564

Feb 122012

F-150 FX-4 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,007 miles

This will be the 4th regulator on 3 different windows! I haven't even had the truck a year. There should obviously be a recall as this is a huge design flaw. I've spent $1200 on windows alone now. Gonna sell this pile if it happens again.

- de., Bozeman, MT, US

problem #563

Jan 012012

F-150 XLT SuperCab 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

click to see larger images

window does not roll up window does not roll up window does not roll up

I didn't know this was a common problem until I researched the replacement technique. My right rear window on my 2004 F-150 SuperCab failed on Christmas Day as I was driving 100 miles to my Son's house. The window just kept slowly sliding down into the door. I finally wedged it with some booklets from the owner's manual wallet. Found a replacement on Amazon for $85 with free shipping and installed it today. The old one had mis-fed the cable onto the motor pulley. When the cable overlapped and bound the end pulled out of the window lift block. You can see the problem clearly in the attached photos. This is a design flaw.

- napabill, Clearlake, CA, US

problem #562

Jun 102006

F-150 Lariat 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

I rolled the power drivers door glass up and it fell into the drivers door. regulator broke could not roll window up. Drove it for a day this way until I could get it to a dealer for repair.

- Richard F., Forest Hill, MD, US

problem #561

Mar 012008

F-150 Lariet 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

I have a 2004 F-150, and in 2009 the drivers side window fell and would not roll up. Since then all four windows have done the same thing. This always happens about 10 months apart. The cost is about $450 per window. This is a problem that Ford is not willing to deal with as I have addressed this issue with them. I will not be buying anymore Fords.

- Derek M., Gulf Breeze, FL, US

problem #560

Sep 052011

F-150 XL

  • Automatic transmission
  • 115,700 miles

My family and I were on our way in to town one HOT day (110'). All the windows up, Air on. Then for no reason at all the drivers side window fell down inside the door. It wouldn't role up, so we had to ride with all the windows down. I have 3 kids in elem. school... It was hell for them and me to listed to how hot n sweaty they were. Its like sitting in front of a blow dryer on high heat n not able to escape it. Now I priced the repair.. $the cheapest I found was $376. Now WTF! I'm already paying for this over priced POS, now I have to invest more $$. So I was even more irate when I found out this is going to happen to all the windows.

So FU*K the ford company... I put a 2X4 under it n called it "GOOD ENOUGH". It is inconvenient yes when at the bank, mailbox or drive through window. But I wil NEVER BUY FORD again! FYI it's not just the truck. My moms ford van also has the same problem. Also my friends Ford taurus.. same thing happend!

- Antoinette D., Spicewood, TX, US

problem #559

Sep 092009

F-150 FX4 5.4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

super glue and a nail, took couple hrs. but got it done on driver side

- dbeam, Newville, PA, US

problem #558

Jan 012012

F-150 SuperCrew 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,319 miles

Went just over a year with no more window problems, however, I prayed every time I rolled down my passenger rear window for my dog that it wouldn't drop - well, it finally did on January 1, 2012! Came out of a movie and thought I had forgot to roll up my window, but nooooo, it had dropped! Thank goodness no one took anything from my truck. Back to Ford to give them more cash for something they should have recalled. I realize that things go wrong, but this issue is not only a big inconvenience but also a safety issue. Damage to the inside of the vehicle if the window rolls down in the middle of the night and there's storm - how would you know that the inside was getting wet. Or that your vehicle was stolen because someone easily could get into your vehicle because the window was open. Not fair Ford! This should be a recall issue AND, people like me should be compensated in some way for the cost of these repairs! This was the FOURTH of ALL 4 WINDOW regulators to fail. NOT RIGHT!

- Leslie B., Hayward, CA, US

problem #557

Nov 052010

F-150 SuperCrew 5.4L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,452 miles

Now I'm really pissed off! Two weeks after my second window dropped, my driver's side window proceeded to drop while I was driving. No way! Ford just loves taking my money! And I love my F150, but this window issue is ridiculous! My service guy gave me the number to call to complain but I never got to it. This was the THIRD of ALL 4 WINDOW regulators to fail.

- Leslie B., Hayward, CA, US

problem #556

Dec 272011

F-150

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

This is the 4th window regulator that had to be replaced. Not happy that any of them had to be replaced. If it was an older vehicle, then I could understand, but this is a newer (or was the first time it happened). Ford will not call it as a recall. I think they should. At a cost of around $1400.

That's crap.

- Ginger W., Ruston, LA, US

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