2018 Explorer Windshield moldings side and bottom breaking down too soon

[peterk9]

I have this exact issue.

It presented oddly and sounded like I had something in my windshield vents. The bottom molding around the windshield dry rotted and separated in the middle. This resulted in a tapping/slapping noise. Because of how that is positioned, it was almost impossible to recreate/force the issue. Investigated the blower doors, etc.,and the changing weather meant that the piece might be more or less stiff on a given day along with the heat from the engine. I ended up having to cut out the centerpiece while on a long drive; these are mostly "decorational" as they don't impact the water sealing but will need to be replaced. Absolutely unacceptable. I've never had a ford before now and I never will again; all of the door and window molding is doing the same thing, even the sunroof which is especially bothersome.

Also of note, the hood wasn't painted/baked long enough and immediately bubbled and I was told it wasn't covered. So frustrating; now I know why the dealership was willing to cover the engine for life... they knew the body wouldn't last that long.

Welcome to the Forum.
A slight detour from the topic.
Has the hood been repainted or is it OEM? The bubbling is caused by corrosion and aluminum panels are covered for 5 years, unlimited mileage. Seeing that yours is a 2018, it is likely more than 5 years since it was bought.
Further conversation of the bubbling should be done in this thread; List of Useful Threads - Hood Paint bubble issue only

Peter

 

[ExPlat]

Please delete...

 

[capttech]

I have this exact issue.

It presented oddly and sounded like I had something in my windshield vents. The bottom molding around the windshield dry rotted and separated in the middle. This resulted in a tapping/slapping noise. Because of how that is positioned, it was almost impossible to recreate/force the issue. Investigated the blower doors, etc.,and the changing weather meant that the piece might be more or less stiff on a given day along with the heat from the engine. I ended up having to cut out the centerpiece while on a long drive; these are mostly "decorational" as they don't impact the water sealing but will need to be replaced. Absolutely unacceptable. I've never had a ford before now and I never will again; all of the door and window molding is doing the same thing, even the sunroof which is especially bothersome.

Also of note, the hood wasn't painted/baked long enough and immediately bubbled and I was told it wasn't covered. So frustrating; now I know why the dealership was willing to cover the engine for life... they knew the body wouldn't last that long.

 

[capttech]

Welcome to the Forum.
A slight detour from the topic.
Has the hood been repainted or is it OEM? The bubbling is caused by corrosion and aluminum panels are covered for 5 years, unlimited mileage. Seeing that yours is a 2018, it is likely more than 5 years since it was bought.
Further conversation of the bubbling should be done in this thread; List of Useful Threads - Hood Paint bubble issue only

Peter

Hi!

No, the hood was not repainted and is OEM. The original bubbling started in 2019 to appear in small spots. I took it in in 2020 and it had, at the time, under 25k miles on it and they said it was not covered. It's plain to see that it was not baked long enough - I'll move over to that thread. Thanks!

 

[peterk9]

View attachment 453737

That is unrelated to what you are posting about. There is a thread on that recall. Recall 24S02 2011-2019 Ford Explorer SUV Recalled Over Trim Piece Issue

Peter

 

[Zubis Explorer]

On Feb, 2024 I received a recall letter from Fom0co. (Safety recall 24S02/NHTSA Recall 24V031), stating that the Exterior A-pillar may detach while driving increasing the risk of a crash. They will let me know via mail when the parts become available to bring the vehicle in for the free repair. we will see when that happens.

 

[peterk9]

On Feb, 2024 I received a recall letter from Fom0co. (Safety recall 24S02/NHTSA Recall 24V031), stating that the Exterior A-pillar may detach while driving increasing the risk of a crash. They will let me know via mail when the parts become available to bring the vehicle in for the free repair. we will see when that happens.

Welcome to the Forum.
Please post that in the thread I linked in post #25 as this thread is on a different topic.
Thanks.

Peter

 

[Zubis Explorer]

Welcome to the Forum.
Please post that in the thread I linked in post #25 as this thread is on a different topic.
Thanks.

Peter

I just did, Thanks!!

 

[Rugerman7]

Am I the only one having issues with windshield moldings breaking down? My Explorer is only 2018 and all the rubber moldings on my windshield are cracking and breaking down.
Ford does not cover it and they call it normal. Is there a recall or something? Any ideas what to do to save money to replace it please ???

My 2017 is doing the same thing. I even had a windshield replaced in 2020 with new rubber from Ford and it rotted. I called the Safelite because they installed the windshield and the told me that it was a problem with 2017 to 2020 Explorers and some Exepeditions too. They also said that my windshield would not leak because of it. It was just for looks.

 

[J_C]

Rubber will rot slower if you put a very thin coat of silicone grease on it, after washing away the top oxidized layer, but don't let any get on the windshield including transfer when washing it later. If you use too much grease it will become a dust magnet.

 

[Ltmjc212]

Am I the only one having issues with windshield moldings breaking down? My Explorer is only 2018 and all the rubber moldings on my windshield are cracking and breaking down.
Ford does not cover it and they call it normal. Is there a recall or something? Any ideas what to do to save money to replace it please ???

There is an open FORD RECALL for the A Pillar Trim Detachment 24S02

 

[Steve8316]

There is an open FORD RECALL for the A Pillar Trim Detachment 24S02

This thread has been dead for a year. But the post you quoted is over 4 years old.

 

[Ltmjc212]

I’m well aware of the age of the initial post and comments but since no recent updates have been posted for the 2024 open recall I thought I would provide one.

Both sides of the A Pillar trim and the Cowl Grille on my 2018 have significantly deteriorated and need to be replaced. Parts were expected to be available sometime in the “later part of 2024”. Well that time period has come and gone. I contacted Ford on 03/27/2025 and was advised that the parts still are not available. The earliest projections concerning the parts availability is May 2025 but that is subject to further push back.

 

[J_C]

I guess I'm going to unsubscribe from this topic. No point in getting updates that aren't updates.

I check my A pillar trim pieces regularly and they aren't the slightest bit loose, but mine has low miles and is garage kept, so minimal stress on them. I do now have the tiniest bit of hood paint bubbling along the front edge, which I'm sure will get worse.

The lower windshield cowl molding, mine looks like new except it is slightly lifting off the glass in the middle. I wonder what would happen if I put a coat of AT-205 Reseal on it. I've been dressing the other rubbers with silicone grease every now and then and they are looking great, but the overmolded rubber on the cowl piece looks like a different rubber formulation and the grease just seals from oxidation and acidic rain, doesn't reverse shape deformation.

 

[Odrapnew]

I guess I'm going to unsubscribe from this topic. No point in getting updates that aren't updates.

I check my A pillar trim pieces regularly and they aren't the slightest bit loose, but mine has low miles and is garage kept, so minimal stress on them. I do now have the tiniest bit of hood paint bubbling along the front edge, which I'm sure will get worse.

The lower windshield cowl molding, mine looks like new except it is slightly lifting off the glass in the middle. I wonder what would happen if I put a coat of AT-205 Reseal on it. I've been dressing the other rubbers with silicone grease every now and then and they are looking great, but the overmolded rubber on the cowl piece looks like a different rubber formulation and the grease just seals from oxidation and acidic rain, doesn't reverse shape deformation.

EDIT: Sorry J_C, I quoted the wrong person.

 

[Odrapnew]

I’m well aware of the age of the initial post and comments but since no recent updates have been posted for the 2024 open recall I thought I would provide one.

Both sides of the A Pillar trim and the Cowl Grille on my 2018 have significantly deteriorated and need to be replaced. Parts were expected to be available sometime in the “later part of 2024”. Well that time period has come and gone. I contacted Ford on 03/27/2025 and was advised that the parts still are not available. The earliest projections concerning the parts availability is May 2025 but that is subject to further push back.

The recall you posted is different than the subject of this thread.

Recall = Plastic A-Pillars detaching
This Thread = the rubber trim breaking down and deteriorating.