The rear-window defroster over heated on the passenger side causing that window to chatter. At one spot at the bottom, the rubber frame around the glass started to melt and burn just before the window chattered. If I had not been standing close to see what was happening, and turn the control off, I believe this could have started a fire that could have burned the entire truck and areas around it threating people and property. This is also a safety concern for anyone sitting in the back seat at the time of window chattering, as small shards of glass could hit passengers possibly causing eye and other injuries. Due to my incident, I did research on YouTube an other Ford forums that document many others being a victim of this same problem over several years including 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and maybe more. Owners over the years have documented and informed Ford about this problem, apparently without any trucks being recalled or getting much help from Ford about this problem. Ford and NHTSA should be concerned and Ford held accountable for this defect. Many owners were told buy the service men that replaced their back glass because of this issue, that this was quote a "common problem caused by the defroster" on this trucks. If there are "safety concern" that yell "RECALL!", this is for sure one of them.

- Ozark, AR, USA

There was frost on the rear window. While the car was in park and warming up I turned on the rear defroster. I started to smell a burning smell. There was a loud bang and back left window panel completely shattered. No one was injured thankfully, but if the glass would have blown out and we had our baby or passengers in the back there could have been injury. I am not only concerned about the glass shattering, but the fact that there was a burning smell. I have found several forums where people report the same issue across many years of F150s (2010-2019). Defroster is turned on and the back window shatters. I contacted Ford and they will not do anything because the vehicle is out of the warranty period. Sounds like there is something faulty that they need to fix or issue a recall. I reached out to my insurance company and after I get a few quotes I may file a claim depending on the replacement cost and my deductible amount. Only other "symptom" was the smell of burning right before the glass shattered.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. After the rear defroster was activated, the rear passenger window shattered. The contact stated that the insurance company was called and an appointment was made with bergstrom Ford of oshkosh (located at 3355 jackson St, oshkosh, wi 54901, (920) 966-0077) to have the vehicle diagnosed and repaired. The manufacturer was also notified. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the contact activated the defroster and the rear window shattered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repair. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Belle Mead, NJ, USA

Approximately one year ago, the side mirror and rear window defrosters stopped working intermittently. A Ford dealer checked the rear window on 1/3/2017 and told me the only way to fix the problem was to replace the entire rear window. I decided not to complete the repair due to cost. On 1/21/2017, the rear defroster was working and I turned it on shortly after starting the vehicle. After about 15 minutes of driving, while driving slowly on a residential street, I heard a loud bang. My daughter started crying in the rear seat and asked me what happened to the back window. The passenger side rear window had completely shattered. There was no evidence of an impact or anything that could have broken the window besides the rear defroster being turned on.

- Jackson Center, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While the vehicle was parked and activating the rear window defroster, the rear window shattered after several minutes. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Monroe, WA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 70 mph, the rear window defroster was activated and the rear windows shattered. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be repaired. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 02/14/17 updated 02/15/17.

- Pleasant Prairie, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 35 mph, the contact activated the rear window defroster. Moments later, the rear window shattered without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the rear window needed to be replaced. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

- Monroe, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 2 mph, the rear defroster became inoperable and melted the rubber strip. In addition, the rear passenger glass shattered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the defroster and rear glass needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. The VIN was not available.

- Spring, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving 55 mph, the rear passenger side window exploded and shattered while the defroster was activated. In addition, the contact stated that the defroster previously functioned intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,900.

- Carrollton, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2012 Ford F-150. While driving approximately 45 mph with the rear window defroster engaged, the defrost warning indicator was intermittently illuminated. The contact turned the defroster off and back on, and the defrost warning indicator would not illuminate. The contact pulled over and discovered that the rear passenger side of the rear window shattered and the wiring inside the window was melted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the defrost wiring shorted out which caused the window to shatter. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 09/10/15

- Momence, IL, USA

Driving down the road and had turned on the rear window defogger. I hear a loud pop which startled me. I later noticed that my passenger side rear window had spidered or shattered completely. The rear window is a three-panel window with the center window having electronic opening.

- Northville, MI, USA

2012 Ford F150 turned on rear window defrost and passenger side panel exploded in rear window.

- Clinton, IN, USA