NHTSA Complaint #10088196 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

THE REAR WINDOW GATE ON OUR 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAS SHATTERED TWICE FROM THE SIMPLE ACT OF CLOSING THE WINDOW.1.) MY WIFE ON BOTH OCCASIONS WAS LOADING THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. THE GLASS IN THE WINDOW SHATTERS AND SPRAY BITS OF GLASS TO A 5 -8 FT RAIDUS. 2) THIS LAST INCIDENT SHE WAS IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT. SHE WAS CLOSING THE WINDOW GATE WHEN THE GLASS SHATTERED AT ABOUT THE HALF CLOSED POSITION. THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW GATE FELL TO THE GROUND, GLASS HIT THE CARS ON BOTH SIDES OUR CAR. GLASS HIT HER IN THE FACE AND ALL OVER HER UPPER BODY. LUCKILY SHE HAD HER SUN GLASSES ON, SO NO GLASS WAS THROWN INTO HER EYES. IT COULD HAVE BEEN ALOT WORSE HAD MY 7 YEAR OLD SON BEEN HELPING HER LIKE HE NORMALLY DOES. 3.) FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO AKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM CAUSING US TO INCURR OVER $1500 IN REPAIR COSTS OR AN INSURANCE CLAIM. THE FORD DEALERSHIP WE USE SAYS THAT IT IS A COMMON OCCURANCE AND THEY HAVE NUMEROUS REPAIRS OF THIS TYPE ON 2002 EXPLORERS. PARTS ARE READILY AVAILABLE BUT IT INVOLVES BODY WORK SO IT TAKES UP TO A WEEK TO GET IT FIXED. *AK PE04045.PCO