2007 Ford Focus REAR WINDOW SEAL

MONICA BAYTOS

MEMBER
2007 FORD FOCUS
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
36,000 MILES

The original warranty is void. The extended warranty does not cover glass or window seals.

I was in a rear end collision. I was hit straight on from behind. I am not sure but I think the collision loosened the rear windshield on both sides for about a four to six inch length. The dealership claims the car was built like that. I never noticed the gap before until the accident.

My question is, they are stating it would not be in my best interest to have the wind shield removed an re-sealed. Please let me know if you agree. They state the possibility of additional damage is greater in the removal and replacement-i.E. Broken glass, a worse alignment, a potential of several leaks. They also advised that the seals are permanent and if no glass broke during the accident, there should not be the potential for glass breaking now. Do you agree?

The vehicle which hit me was a huge land rover which majorly damaged the bumper, took out a panel but surprisingly all the inside parts to the bumper are intact. The force with which I was hit was significant-it was not a simple tap. Pretty sure she was moving when she hit me and not stopped behind me and just starting due to the traffic light going green.

I have a six year loan on the vehicle and do not plan on getting rid of it any time soon so I want it repaired. (I bought it used-four months ago).

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,328 POSTS

I agree with both of you. The windshield is basically glued into place and normally would have broken if the body was damaged in that area. Also, anytime you remove and replace glass, there is a risk of damage.

My question to you is this. Is the window leaking now? Also, there shouldn't be any gap as you described. If what they are saying is true, that is how the window always was, have them show you another one like it. Or, if you can take a picture of it and upload it for me to see, I should be able to tell you if it is normal.

Here is my major concern. The vehicle doesn't have a full frame under it. Most of the structural integraty of the vehicle is in the body itself. If the body was damaged (bent) chances are it should have been totaled. If they said that it was an easy repair and missed something, they may be trying to protect themself. Therefore, I would like both you to look at another one of the same year to compare it, and if possible, upload some pictures for me to see.

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Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 AT 9:53 PM

MONICA BAYTOS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I am picking the car up supposedly tomorrow and it is at the dealership so I should be able to get two pictures -one from mine and one from another FOCUS-same year. They are stating they did leak test it and it did not leak. If it was leaking before, I would not have bought the vehicle since the day I signed for it, I first took it to my mechanic to look it over and on that day in AUGUST it was one of the worst storms we had last summer in Northeast Ohio. (Hail and blinding rain storm) I am sure one of us would have noticed the water in the back of the vehicle and/or trunk area if it was leaking at that time. I had called a friend during that so she could verify how bad the storm was.

Thanks for the reply-will try to have the pictures by Monday. (I already took the pictures of the other damage so I can show you those, however, I did not notice the window until before I left the car so I will get the window pictures on Friday.) I am not going to leave the body shop until they put in writing that the car was leak tested. That way if it does leak in a few weeks, the matter can be looked at again. Especially when they all stated that the seal does not move or leak once it is set unless there is damage to the window or frame itself. They stated unless the car needed repairs in that area, they would not touch the window. I did not see any damage to the window itself but I did not get to test the re-defroster before I took it to be repaired. All rear lights including the center trunk light were working properly. Even the trunk light inside was working.

There is also a story which I am thinking is not a story and possibly they have repair records which show that the previous owner had the back window reset or replaced and when it was done, it was done wrong and nobody said anything. It seemed kind of strange that they suddenly came up with that story. For some reason the 2007 version is made that way but the older models and the newer models are not. Their other problem with fixing it which makes no sense to me is that the car is past its initial warranty period.

My concern is not the defect or damage of course since nobody would notice it and the re-sale value will not be there since it was in an accident anyway. I plan on keeping the vehicle because well, I like it. My only concern is the vehicle does not leak because it did not leak before the accident.

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Thursday, November 12th, 2009 AT 9:14 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,328 POSTS

I understand, and it shouldn't leak. I look forward to seeing the pictures. I'm not that far from you. I'm in South Western PA. Actually, I think I remember the storm because we got it too. The only thing we didn't get was the hail.

Regardless, let me know what you find out and I'll look at the pictures.

Joe
PS: This is the first time (in 18,000 postings) that someone was within 10000 miles of me. It's kind of neat.

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