The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating 2010 and 2011 Ford Escapes and Mercury Mariners due to several complaints of shattering rear glass. According to The Detroit News, there have been 18 reported complaints of the glass braking “simultaneously” while opening or closing the liftgate, and one of the incidents reportedly resulted in the vehicle owner and a 10-year-old child receiving cuts from the glass.
The NHTSA investigation adds that Ford issued a technical service bulletin to dealers last November for 2010-2011 Escape and Mariner models. The TSB states that the incidents tend to occur in colder temperatures, and instructs technicians to inspect the glass for signs of impact or external damage, followed by glass replacement.
The investigation covers 200,000 vehicles built on or before October 15, 2010, but that total pales in comparison to a Ford recall that has already been issued for the same problem. In 2004, Ford recalled 955,000 2002 and 2003 Ford Explorers and Mercury Mountaineers for liftgate glass issues. Ford received more than 5,000 complaints for that recall – far and above what NHTSA has received for this latest issue.
