Component
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR:CRITICAL FASTENERS
9 NHTSA complaints about visibility:glass, side/rear:critical fasteners issues across 5 makes and 7 models.
The visibility:glass, side/rear:critical fasteners is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 9 filings from 5 manufacturers and 7 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 3 filings, followed by MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 and KIA OPTIMA. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD F-150 | 3 |
| 2 | MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 | 1 |
| 3 | KIA OPTIMA | 1 |
| 4 | GMC SIERRA 1500 | 1 |
| 5 | FORD EXPLORER | 1 |
| 6 | FORD ESCAPE | 1 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET CAMARO | 1 |
Recent Complaints
Rear window is held in place with a piece of trim, which is held in place by double-sided tape. It is a safety issue as the window can become dislodged and injured occupants. Ford is aware of this as
The contact owns a 2019 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop sign, the middle rear sliding window suddenly exploded causing shards of glass to enter the rear cabin of the
The contact owns a 2020 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while detailing the rear interior of the vehicle, the contact discovered water surrounding the rear windshield casing and the water was leak
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the passengerâs side rear door glass fastener installed between the V-shaped glass and the door glass had fractured. The vehicle was ta
The contact owns a 2022 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal movement near the rear of the vehicle. The contact became aware that the rear window was detach
2 of my windows drop when i go over a speed bump....i have already gotten the motors replaced for the windows (front driver, and back driver sides)....i don't even use the POWER up/down FOR the back w
The rear sliding glass window frame has come loose on my 2015 F-150 (4Door), twice. It is a huge safety risk as the frame and middle glass window is left hanging causing potential danger for all passe
The rear window is separating from the roof. It seems to be a common problem with certain Camaros and other type GM convertibles. The original roof was replaced on this vehicle for same problem. Th
2003 MERCEDES BENZ CLK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SUNROOF GLASS BONDING SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF WAS RUSTED. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED THAT THE RUST WAS LEADING TO STRUCT
Related Vehicle Components
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve visibility:glass, side/rear:critical fasteners issues? ▼
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.