NHTSA Complaint #11179944 — 2015 FORD F-150

THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED DURING DEFROST MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN WHEN THE GLASS SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT, THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING UNDER 20 MILES PER HOUR, THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 DEGREES, AND THE HEAT SETTING INSIDE WAS SET TO "MAX". THE REAR GLASS PANES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE SLIDING WINDOW SHATTERED SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH A SOUND THAT COULD BE DESCRIBED AS A "GUN SHOT". BROKEN GLASS FELL INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK AND ON TO THE SEATS AND FLOOR. NORMALLY MY CHILDREN ARE SEATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ON THIS PARTICULAR MORNING, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS EMPTY. THE EVENT OCCURRED ABOUT 3 MILES FROM MY HOME, SO THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY BEEN RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. I BELIEVE THAT THE SAFETY RISK IS A RESULT OF A MATERIALS DEFECT COMBINED WITH A HEATING SYSTEM FAILURE. THE GLASS IS LIKELY EXPERIENCING SEVERE THERMAL SHOCK DURING DEFROST MODE. THERMAL SHOCK LEADS TO SHATTERING EVEN IF THE GLASS IS TEMPERED. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS REAR WINDOW ASSEMBLAGE AND ASSOCIATED HEATING COMPONENTS IMMEDIATELY. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CONTACTED AND A CASE NUMBER WAS ASSIGNED. AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE, A COPY OF THE INVOICE WAS HAND DELIVERED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WITH A REQUEST THAT FULL REIMBURSEMENT BE RECEIVED FOR REQUIRED REPAIRS DUE TO MATERIAL DEFECTS AND FAULTY HEATING SYSTEMS.