NHTSA Complaint #10198204 — 2007 FORD EDGE

2007 FORD EDGE THE WINDSHIELD OF THIS VEHICLE HAS AN UNACCEPTABLE REFLECTION FROM THE DASHBOARD THAT RESTRICTS AND INTERFERES WITH DRIVER VISION. ALSO THE LIGHT COMING IN FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM HAVING A CLEAR VIEW THE CLOCK OR THE MESSAGE CENTER WHILE DRIVING. THESE ARE EXTREMELY SMALL LETTERS AND NUMBERS AND SUFFER FROM THE REFLECTION FROM THE WINDSHIELD. *JB THE SEVERITY OF THE REFLECTION IS NOT CONSTANT AS LIGHTING CONDITIONS VARY. HOWEVER THE CAMEL DCOR ON THE DASHBOARD ON THE FORD EDGE PROVIDES A CONSTANT FILM APPEARANCE ON THE WINDSHIELD. MOST ANY TIME A QUICK GLANCE OUT THE SIDE WINDOW WILL REVEAL A CLEAR AND CLEAN VISION. PAGE 268 OF THE FORD EDGE OWNER?S GUIDE CAUTIONS, ?AVOID CLEANERS OR POLISHES THAT INCREASE THE GLOSS OF THE UPPER PORTION OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DULL FINISH IN THIS AREA HELPS PROTECT THE DRIVER FROM UNDESIRABLE WINDSHIELD REFLECTION?. ON THE EDGE, FORD INSTALLED A U TYPE ONE INCH CHROME TRIM ON THE DASHBOARD WHICH EXTENDS TO 10? OF THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT PROVIDES A BEAUTIFUL REFLECTION INTO THE WINDSHIELD. TWO ATTENDEES AT A NEW OWNER SEMINAR BY A DEALERSHIP COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS REFLECTION. FORD SHOULD RESEARCH MEANS OF REDUCING EXCESSIVE WINDSHIELD REFLECTION AND PROVIDE CUSTOMERS WITH REMEDIAL ACTION. POLAROID EYE GLASSES HELP. PERHAPS FORD SHOULD PROVIDE THESE. THIS WINDSHIELD VISION IMPAIRMENT IS NOT LIMITED TO FORD PRODUCTS. ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS A MUCH SLANTED WINDSHIELD WILL EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. CONSEQUENTLY CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO DEVELOPING A VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD WHICH SPECIFIES THE LIMITATIONS ALLOWED FOR WINDSHIELD REFLECTION WHICH RESTRICTS VISION. ROY J. CUMMINGS 3233 N. TULSA AVE. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73112 405 942 3136 [email protected] FORMER HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY PROGRAM MANAGER, RETIRED TRANSPORTATION SAFETY INSTITUTE OKLAHOMA CITY, OK USDT OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY