NHTSA Complaint #10464252 — 2004 FORD F-150

IN LATE-JUNE 2012 A LOUD CLUNK/THUD/POP/SMALL EXPLOSION OCCURRED IN THE PASSENGER-SIDE DOOR OF MY 2004 FORD F-150 REGULAR CAB TRUCK, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND IDLING, AND THE WINDOW DROPPED INTO THE DOOR FRAME. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I REMOVED THE DOOR PANEL AND DISCOVERED THAT A SMALL PIECE OF MOLDED PLASTIC, 1 1/8" X 1 7/8" (PROBABLE COST TO FORD ABOUT 39 CENTS) ON THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAD DISINTEGRATED/FAILED, ALLOWING THE REGULATOR CABLE TO RELEASE THE WINDOW. I HAVE FOUND A REPLACEMENT WINDOW REGULATOR ON THE INTERNET FOR $70 (FORD CHARGES $175 FOR THE PART) AND WILL REPAIR THE DEFECTIVE ITEM MYSELF. I NOTIFIED FORD OF THE FAILURE OF A LESS-THAN-QUALITY PLASTIC PIECE ON THE REGULATOR AND ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT. FORD RESPONDED: "THERE ARE NO FACTORY WARRANTIES OR PROGRAMS IN EFFECT ON YOUR VEHICLE THAT WOULD PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR YOUR CURRENT VEHICLE CONCERN." HOWEVER, THEY DID ADD: "RECOMMEND THAT YOU KEEP YOUR REPAIR RECEIPTS IN CASE FORD INITIATES A RECALL OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM IN THE FUTURE BASED ON CUSTOMER FEEDBACK OR FURTHER ENGINEERING REVIEW OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS." I SEE FROM THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE BY FORD TRUCK OWNERS THAT I AM BUT ONE OF HUNDREDS WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED, AND OBVIOUSLY, THERE WILL BE HUNDREDS MORE; THE ODDS ARE VERY HIGH THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE PLASTIC PIECES ON FORD TRUCK WINDOW REGULATORS WILL FAIL SOONER OR LATER, AND I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT THE 2004 FORD F-150 TRUCK IS THE ONLY MODEL YEAR THAT CONTAINS PLASTIC PARTS IN THE WINDOW REGULATORS. $70 TO REPLACE A FAILED PIECE OF PLASTIC THAT INITIALLY PROBABLY COST FORD ABOUT 39 CENTS TO PRODUCE IS A SAD COMMENTARY ON QUALITY. *TR