2018 Ford Explorer

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 80 MPH, the front windshield trim on the passenger's side detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a fractured exterior front windshield trim. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The contact was informed that the front exterior windshield trim needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall repair. In addition, the contact was informed that because the entire windshield exterior trim did not detach, the repair was not covered under the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact received NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure), however the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the recall. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline and report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 92,500. The VIN was not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim detached and struck other vehicles on several occasions. The contact stated that the other vehicles were able to continue driving on each occasion. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); and the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the recall repair was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the passenger's side windshield exterior A-pillar trim was replaced for a second time; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that a repair fee might be charged because recall repair was a one-time free repair. The contact stated that the recall repair failed to correct the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the A-pillar trim on both sides of the windshield started to detach. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (STRUCTURE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the A-pillar trim detached and separated from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the A-pillar trim struck the vehicle that was behind the contact’s vehicle. On a separate occasion while driving approximately 60 MPH, the other side of the A-pillar trim detached and separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer however, the contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

I am writing to express my frustration and concern regarding a recall for my vehicle that ha remained unresolved for over a year. Despite numerous attempts to have the necessary repairs completed, I have been informed multiple times by my vehicle's manufacturer that the required parts are unavailable. This delay is a serious safety concern, as my vehicle remains subject to a recall that has not been addressed due to the lack of parts. I have contacted the dealership on several occasions over the past year to inquire about the availability of the necessary parts and have been informed each time that they are on backorder with no clear resolution in sight. This prolonged delay is causing me significant concern, as I have no way of knowing when or if the necessary repairs will be made. As this issue continues to affect my safety and the safety of others, I am seeking your guidance on the steps I can take to ensure that my vehicle is repaired promptly, in accordance with the recall notice. Additionally, J would appreciate any advice on whether there are any regulatory actions that the NHTSA can take to expedite this process and ensure that the manufacturer fulfills its obligation to address the recall in a timely manner. I look forward to your assistance in resolving this matter as quickly as possible. Thank you for your attention to this important safety issue.

In February 2024, I received the enclosed safety recall notice from Ford Motor Company regarding my 2018 Ford Explorer. The notice described a problem with A-pillar applique trim clip attachments that could cause the pillar trim become detached. In March 2024 while driving home from Pittsburgh PA, my left side pillar trim did blow off while I was traveling south on [XXX], and its final resting place is unknown to me. I notified my local Ford dealer (Mike Castrucci Ford, 1020 SR 28, Milford, OH) where I bought the car new about what happened. They said they were aware of the recall, but that as per the recall notice, replacement parts would not be available until the latter half of 2024. Well, it is almost end of the first quarter of 2025, and I have not received any positive responses to my follow up requests to the car dealer as to when I can expect have this issue resolved. Castrucci Ford's responses have been that the parts are on back order. My attempts to contact Ford Motor Company have also been pointless. Therefore, I am contacting the NHTSA, as per the recall letter, to see if Ford can be motivated to expedite getting my vehicle fixed. Thirteen months from the date of the initial recall notice to today should have been ample time to replace these pillars. As a member of the public, I'm wondering if Ford thinks that if they delay fixing the problem long enough, people will finally give up. FYI, I won't. Thank you for investigating my complaint. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was wind entering the cabin of the vehicle from the windshield. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V031000 (Structure); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the passenger’s side A-pillar trim was blown off the vehicle by the slipstream. The contact stated that the driver's side trim was loose. The failure mileage was approximately 18,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.