NHTSA Complaint #10450049 — 2012 FORD ESCAPE

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 2/29/2012. I PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AFTER RETURNING FROM WORK THE FOLLOWING DAY (3/1/2012). I WAS SITTING IN THE VEHICLE WITH THE IGNITION OFF, WHILE TALKING ON THE PHONE. THE CAR SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES WHILE OFF AND STATIONARY. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS AROUND 35-40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. SUDDENLY, THE REAR WINDOW SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED, AND GLASS WAS DISTRIBUTED BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE CALLED, TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF SOMEONE THROWING OR SHOOTING A PROJECTILE AT THE WINDOW. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, AND NO EVIDENCE OF HUMAN INVOLVEMENT WAS FOUND. THERE WERE NO PROJECTILES OR ITEMS IN THE VICINITY THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BREAK. I WAS IN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT HAPPENED, AND THE NOISE WAS VERY LOUD. AFTER SHATTERING, THE WINDOW SUPPORTS WERE IN THE EXTENDED POSITION OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE REAR WIPER ASSEMBLY REMAINED IN IT'S ORIGINAL POSITION. ALL OF THE GLASS EXCEPT SMALL AMOUNTS AROUND THE HINGES AND WIPER ASSEMBLY WERE SHATTERED. I SUSPECT THAT A DEFECT IS TO BLAME, CAUSING THE WINDOW TO SPONTANEOUSLY BREAK IN THIS MANNER. *TR