Rear Defrost Tab and ESP

[everett2008]

Hi Everyone! I'm a new member, so first post. I did a search but couldn't find my exact issue. I see the read defrost tab is a common problem and mine has fallen off. My question is when I asked the dealer they said it wouldn't be covered by my ESP because they would have to replace the glass and glass damage isn't covered. This seems wrong to me. Does anyone have an insight? I read the ESP and it does cover electrical problems with heated glass but not glass damage/breakage itself. TIA!

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

Hi Everyone! I'm a new member, so first post. I did a search but couldn't find my exact issue. I see the read defrost tab is a common problem and mine has fallen off. My question is when I asked the dealer they said it wouldn't be covered by my ESP because they would have to replace the glass and glass damage isn't covered. This seems wrong to me. Does anyone have an insight? I read the ESP and it does cover electrical problems with heated glass but not glass damage/breakage itself. TIA!

I recently had an issued with the dealer and coverage under my Ford Premium Service Plan.

The service advisor told me the engine vacuum pump and labor (mounted on the rear of the engine and leaking oil) was not covered by my plan. I had brought the vehicle to the dealership for leaking oil and leaking coolant.

They provided me with an estimate for my cost. I insisted that the part and labor was covered, but I was told “the computer” said the part was not.

I called the telephone number listed on my ESP, and spoke with a very helpful person who said the part and labor was covered (I have a $100 deductible), and gave me their name and phone contact information for the dealer. They also said they would note in the computer that it was covered (for my plan).

I recontacted the service advisor and told them they should call the ESP employee. The advisor checked the computer first and said the part and labor was now covered. I authorized repairs, which also included other defects and covered parts and labor.

I found the dealer and service advisor to not be helpful at all, although it was a Ford ESP purchased though their dealership (and I have been a customer for some time).

You may want to call the Ford ESP to check on coverage. The plan employee asked for the Ford part number(s) of the item(s) being denied by the dealer.

If you can’t get coverage, you may want to try this: https://frostfighter.com/defroster-repair-tab-bonding-kit-2000.htm

 

[5280tunage]

Including my experience with this same issue, mine fell off but it was during the 3/36 and yes, they did have to replace the glass, as I think they are afraid of repairing these given the likelihood of the glass shattering. It should be covered as it's electrical in nature, assuming the glass isn't actually damaged, and especially knowing how common this issue is on these. another alternative is to check with a local glass shop, and see if they have a process for repairing.

I will say, they told me that "Ford" will only make this repair/replacement once per vehicle. Which is such BS. it's poor quality design that is causing this for everyone. Lots of things like this on these. Every day I pucker a little bit with things I know are always within inches of falling apart on this thing. Cup holders, door handles, defroster cables, seatbelt receptacle covers exploding, etc. Sort of an egg delivery vehicle.

 

[everett2008]

Luckily, we haven't had any major issues with ours. Just this and the sticky back hatch button. I will definitely check again.

 

[DerekW]

defrost tab also has fallen off on my 2022, dealer covered it under warranty, and they replaced the other defrost tab.

 

[VBreithaupt]

There are kits available to reattach them from permatex.

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

Mine was pulled off and I use the kit to reattach. So far so good. Make sure the temp. is warm enough and that you follow the instructions closely and take the time. I would also unravel the cord a couple turns it takes some of the tension off the wire to plug.

 

[everett2008]

There are kits available to reattach them from permatex.

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

Mine was pulled off and I use the kit to reattach. So far so good. Make sure the temp. is warm enough and that you follow the instructions closely and take the time. I would also unravel the cord a couple turns it takes some of the tension off the wire to plug.

We've looked into that and will go that route if we can't get it fixed under warranty.

 

[everett2008]

defrost tab also has fallen off on my 2022, dealer covered it under warranty, and they replaced the other defrost tab.

Fortunately or unfortunately, ours didn't fall off that quickly. It's a 2019.

 

[5280tunage]

Luckily, we haven't had any major issues with ours. Just this and the sticky back hatch button. I will definitely check again.

I had that sticky button several times. I have several posts on here about it, for me if I banged on the rear hatch trim, just to the side of the button I could get it to work. On the third replacement, I finally took the old button apart to figure out what's going on. Ford used a crumby design that relies only on energy stored in a rubber material to provide enough force to pop the button back out, rather than any sort of mechanical spring or something like a metal tab that pushes it back out. It's definitely something that in my experience is also very impacted by cold temps, which makes sense, given rubber isn't as flexible in colder temps. Before I replace the button this last time, I put some silicone spray in and filed down the edges of the slot just a little, to ensure there is less resistance. So far (say about 15 months) it hasn't stuck since.

 

[scottdm]

We've looked into that and will go that route if we can't get it fixed under warranty.

Our dealer used the conductive adhesive to reattach ours under warranty. Was a quick fix and seems fine.

 

[Expy7]

Hi Everyone! I'm a new member, so first post. I did a search but couldn't find my exact issue. I see the read defrost tab is a common problem and mine has fallen off. My question is when I asked the dealer they said it wouldn't be covered by my ESP because they would have to replace the glass and glass damage isn't covered. This seems wrong to me. Does anyone have an insight? I read the ESP and it does cover electrical problems with heated glass but not glass damage/breakage itself. TIA!

Throw a big enough of a piss fit. I had my back glass replaced entirely about 3 times and had it "repaired" in between replacements. I was in my 3/36 though. Call ford customer service and through a big enough of a fit. I'm not sure if this is really what fixed it because I got a carport this year and didn't have to deal with the rear defrost too much so can't confirm, but Ford said they sent out an engineer and they had to replace some sort of "harness" in the back. Since they did that, it hasn't fallen off.

I also had the sticky back button they had to replace like 3 or 4 times. They finally just replaced the entire back plastic piece that is on the inside of the hatch. Haven't had an issue since then.

 

[HILLY]

Funny enough reading this thread now. I had noticed that the RHS tab came undone this weekend. I was careful about it, but added solder to the tab and with a spade tip I was able to reattach to the glass.

 

[jera0005]

This problem appears to be an issue on all makes of cars, hence all of the aftermarket solutions to the problem. Ford ESP denied me as well, frustrating. I tried the adhesive kit, which failed. I soldered it back on myself. It was an easy fix, you won't break the glass either. Take the little metal tab out of the plastic holder otherwise the plastic will melt. Hold the metal tab with a needle nose pliers.

 

[lubbers6]

Hi Everyone! I'm a new member, so first post. I did a search but couldn't find my exact issue. I see the read defrost tab is a common problem and mine has fallen off. My question is when I asked the dealer they said it wouldn't be covered by my ESP because they would have to replace the glass and glass damage isn't covered. This seems wrong to me. Does anyone have an insight? I read the ESP and it does cover electrical problems with heated glass but not glass damage/breakage itself. TIA!

Mine has fallen off several times. Put on again at dealer. Last time they charged me $225. A month later fell off. Put on for free. Now, a week later it fell off again. Dealer told me they can’t put it on again without replacing glass. That’s fine, but I’m not paying. I’m over 36k miles. Any suggestions.
It just falls off while driving.
2022 Timberline.

 

[HILLY]

If you have a steady hand at soldering, I would try it yourself. Really isn't a reason everyone getting the glass replaced unless the conductors have somehow suffered excessive damage.

 

[JimW]

My dealer repaired mine 2 times then stated I need to buy new glass. Dealer said not covered under warranty. I called ESP and they said it was covered. The dealer will need to replace the rear defroster not the "rear glass" and it will be covered under warranty.

 

[Meeker]

I asked a glass guy about soldering - he said don't do it. I used this instead: Permatex 21351 Electrically Conductive Rear Window Defogger Tab Adhesive
I did it in the middle of winter, but I put it in the unheated garage with a floor heater in the back and it hasn't come off in 5 months.

 

[MaxPower]

They don't need to replace the glass. When this happened to my '21 a few months ago they just replaced the tab. It was an easy fix.