Two problems related to side/rear glass have been reported for the 2004 Ford Escape. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Ford Escape based on all problems reported for the 2004 Escape.
I was driving on the expressway. The roads were clear, flat, and smooth. Outside temp was in the 20's. I have been driving for about 30 minutes, after letting the vehicle warm up for 15 minutes, when the rear window exploded for no reason on the express way. There were no bridges or overpasses for anything to fall on it. The rear window defogger had been on for about 15 minutes prior. I recently purchased the vehicle used from a private party. I had driven it less than 200 miles since my purchase. Approximate time of incident 16:36.
My wife and I were commuting home when the rear windshield in our 2004 Escape shattered on its own; we were traveling approximately 70mph. We took it to the dealer and they informed us it's not covered under warranty saying, "well. . . You guys must have hit something or something must have hit it because glass just doesn't shatter like that. " upon further insistance that it does, the dealer still refused to repair it under warranty and we can't believe this repair isn't covered (we just passed the 12,000 mile mark).