Component
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS
72 NHTSA complaints about visibility:windshield:critical fasteners issues across 2 makes and 3 models.
Data updated August 2026. Counts render from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation standardized component field; severity flags cross-reference NHTSA ODI complaint flags for owner-reported crash, fire, and injury markers. This page is for informational purposes and does not replace NHTSA recall notices or a vehicle-specific inspection. Methodology · Corrections.
NHTSA ODI component intake brief
ODI category VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS
72 filings · 3 models · 2 makes · vintage August 2026
- FILINGS SPARSE 72 ODI rows
- MODELS 3 nameplates citing this part
- MAKES 2 manufacturers in corpus
- CRASH 0.0% 0 crash-flagged
- RANK #317 of 696 categories
- SEV QUIET 0 deaths · 0 injuries
Filing-volume peers
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS sits SPARSE on ODI intake volume (#317 of 696 standardized categories) with a QUIET severity stamp (0 reported fatalities across 3 models). Open Ford Explorer (category leader) →
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD:CRITICAL FASTENERS model-concentration reading
The standout signal for visibility:windshield:critical fasteners is model concentration: Ford Explorer accounts for 70 filings (97.2% of this category) out of 72 total.
Sparse categories can swing on a single high-volume nameplate; treat the leader row as the actionable signal, not the category headline alone.
Next step: compare Ford Explorer against EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS:SWITCH on filing totals before treating visibility:windshield:critical fasteners volume as a purchase signal.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ford Explorer | |
| 2 | Mercedes-Benz E300 | |
| 3 | Ford Escape |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2014 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the windshield frame dislodged, and the contact was able to perform a self-repair with sealant. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to in
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the side fasteners on the driver's and passenger's side of the front windshield detached and separ
While driving on the highway, windshield trim flew off (2 different times, passenger and driver side). It scared me at first when it started to come loose because it flapped around and I wasn’t really
The front windshield gasket on our 2017 Explorer is disintegrating, cracked and brittle. Today a chunk broke off as I was driving.
I was driving my 2016 Ford Explorer on I-65 October 19, 2023, in the afternoon. I thought something flew off of one of the two semis in front of me and hit my windshield on two separate times, within
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front windshield molding separated and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to th
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while receiving a routine inspection on the vehicle, he was informed that there was corrosion around the windshield of the vehicle. The con
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the front windshield trim on the passenger’s side detached from the vehicle. The contact stated he heard a
the windshield seal and trim are deteriorating and coming off. because of the risk, i have scheduled an appointment (April 2023) to repair at the dealer i purchased the vehicle from. windshield could
The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the front windshield trim separated and detached from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted, and the dealer stated that
While driving on the freeway the passenger side windshield side panel flew off the car completely. It looks as though the clips that hold it on all failed. This seems to be a known issue with this m
The windshield piece flow off while we were traveling around 45mph. We did not know what happened until the next day when we saw it missing.
The window trim on the passenger side flew off while I was driving on the freeway. Also, my backup camera has been malfunctioning, the camera works off and on. It will work, then black out. At times
While driving on highway the trim on the side of the windshield flew off .
The windshield pillar trim flew off the vehicle traveling 60mph down a highway. It was sudden and loud which was extremely distracting. The windshield pillar trim caused the vehicle behind to swerve.
I know it was a Friday in April 2021 not sure what Friday. I was driving down I95 and noticed weather stripping from right side of windshield flapping and hitting the side of the car. Suddenly a piece
I have had the windshield replaced for the trim coming loose on both sides. I was able to use duct tape to keep them in place until replacement. That was a few years back. Then it happened again. Now
While driving under 80 mph on the highway my passenger side panel flew off and almost hit the vehicle behind me. I was able to locate the panel after having to drive in reverse on the shoulder for a f
While I was driving the passenger side panel started to fly off. I pulled over to the side of the road and secured it. My husband placed black tape on it to hold it down until it gets repaired.
Windshield trim piece covering passgener side windshield pillar flew off while driving at highway speed. Sounded like something hit the vehicle, but once we stopped, I realized a piece of the car had
Related Vehicle Components
Verify with NHTSA · consumer-reported counts are not verified defect findings.