This is just a question for conversation, ideas and opinions.

I have a 2014 F150 Platinum. My rear window defroster failed, for no visible reason in 2018. Diagnosis: replace entire rear window. Fortunately, but not without a battle, the window was replaced under warranty. The rear window defroster failed again, in the replacement window, two to three years later, but has not been replaced, which is not a good thing in central NY weather. However, the defroster is not just for clearing iced up windows but is also needed during warmer, hmid weather for clearing fogged up windows.

Anyway, since this isuue has taken place, I've noticed many, many people have experienced the failure of this most needed feature, but also have seen many who have also experienced their rear windows shattering. These catastrophic failures appear to be spread over several model years.

I have always been of the opinion that this was definately a design failure that Ford has ignored and never addressed, outwardly anyway.

As for myself, I have written, in great detail to the following email addresses at Ford: 'jim.farley@ford.com'; 'jfarley@ford.com'; 'jemmert@ford.com'; 'fordIR@ford.com'; 'elena.ford@ford.com'; 'rkelley4@ford.com'.
Not one response, not one acknowledgement. Only one read receipt has been received, and that was from Elena Ford, who is the great, great granddaughter of Henry Ford, and has held numerous high ranking positions at Ford, including, but not limited to; Chief Dealer Engagement Officer , Chief Customer Experience Officer, Vice President of Global Dealer and Customer Experience, among several others. But, she has never responded.

I also have noted that thousands of documented complaints have been filed with the NHTSA for several model years. Ford has sold between 4.5m to 5 million F150 series trucks between 2009 and 2015 in the US alone. I would also think that most have never filed a complaint because they know it gets them nowhere.

So, I guess my question is, why has this issue never been escalated to a class action lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company? I have to assume that this problem has touched owners all across the country, and of several model years.
I will admit that I do not know how one would start something of this magnitude, but it certainly would appear to have more than enough impacted owners.

Just another frustrated and pissed Ford owner.

 

Twelve year old vehicle. You own it. The vehicles that I see with heated rear windows not operating are because something/ object has damaged the lines on the inside of the glass .The heating lines are damaged easily from objects in the passenger compartment. The same system of the lines inside of the glass has been used for over 40 years. Class Action Lawsuit= think not.

 

You might have a better chance winning a class action lawsuit over a 60k mile tire that only went 59k miles.

 

I worked for Ford when the shattering was happening and it was a issue with the glass itself having too much of a mineral in it like iron ? Most failed within the 3 - 36 time frame and was covered and if you where out of warranty alot where replaced under goodwill. Ford evaluates goodwill by if you bought your vehicle new or CPO from a dealer and if you do service at a dealership. If that's the case ask your service manager to arrange a meeting with the district service representative (I think Mr Farley or any of the Ford family are too busy or don't even see your e mail) If you bought it from a used car lot or else where and never did any service at a dealership don't waste your time. The rep does have time and mileage limitations.

 

I have seen various reports that seem to suggest that most of the defrost failures have to do with the sliding glass door, and the contact pins becoming corroded.

 

x2

 

Being such a long term issue, you would think that Ford would have issued a recall or a technical service bulletin [that had some teeth].

 

keep in mind, the issues you see reported online and this forum, is a VERY small sample size of F150 owners. does it stink for the people who had the problem? sure it does. but Ford / NHTSA didn't deem it to be widespread / severe enough for a recall. and most people if the rear defogger fails, just do what we did before they become standard in trucks, live without it.

 

I did purchase the vehicle new at a Ford dealership, and have had work done there. However, minor things like changing oil, wheel alignments, etc I've had done at shops closer to home, as the dealership is 20+ miles away, which is inconvenient when you have to leave the vehicle. So, I don't know how goodwill would pan out. Although, it wouldn't hurt to inquire.

 

at this point you are well outside of the goodwill window with ford, IIRC it stops at 7 years from the in service date of the vehicle