6G Bronco Hardtop Tailgate Window defroster cables have come loose

[Bronco2023srb]

Im trying to take a survey of the 6G Bronco community to see if this is a common problem that should warrant a TSB from Ford.

Problem: Both of my tailgate defroster cables have detached from the rear window circuitry. The first detached at around 5,000 miles as I wiped the inside of the glass gently with a microfiber towel. The second detached sometime recently around 19,000 miles I dont know how I just found it detached.

Issue: My Ford dealer service manager says that this is not a Ford warranty item. The only thing they can do is sell me a new glass. This is not an inexpensive OEM part. See attached OEM part price from online.

Survey questions: 1.) Have any of you experienced the same defrost cable failure on your Hardtop tailgate glass? 2.) What was the mileage at time of failure? 3.) Are you in a warm or cold weather climate?

Thanks for your response.

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[Rspayde]

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/broken-rear-defroster-lead.80882/

 

[BOLD Renegade93]

Happened to me around 25,000 miles (10k ago) and had the glass replaced under warranty. Dealer said they had a guy who could solder at one point but he left so they got a new rear window approved under warranty. Live in Northwest Louisiana so warmer climate. Don’t accept the “no warranty” BS. I didn’t have to press my service manager too hard to get it fixed on their dime.

 

[Lowcountry Bronco]

I'm just down the road from you in Beaufort so same climate. I had my passenger side pop off around 8k ish miles at the time, took it to my local dealer, OC Welch, last week and they reglued/resoldered it, was in and out in less than an hour and yes, it was covered under warranty, so far it's still holding.

There's plenty of posts of this happening so it's definitely an issue and should be covered under warranty but some have gotten the the same push back that you have. You have two Ford dealerships in Charleston, try the other one if you have to or bring it down to Beaufort.

 

[BroncoChallenger]

Some dealers will try not to cover something like this, because 'glass isn't covered under warranty' even though the rear defroster specifically is. Basically the dealer is trying to get around having a warranty claim for it.

Definitely don't accept the 'not covered' argument because it definitely is. They may have to actually TALK to Ford to get it approved though, something some dealers don't like to do.

 

[alzito]

Im trying to take a survey of the 6G Bronco community to see if this is a common problem that should warrant a TSB from Ford.

Problem: Both of my tailgate defroster cables have detached from the rear window circuitry. The first detached at around 5,000 miles as I wiped the inside of the glass gently with a microfiber towel. The second detached sometime recently around 19,000 miles I dont know how I just found it detached.

Issue: My Ford dealer service manager says that this is not a Ford warranty item. The only thing they can do is sell me a new glass. This is not an inexpensive OEM part. See attached OEM part price from online.

Survey questions: 1.) Have any of you experienced the same defrost cable failure on your Hardtop tailgate glass? 2.) What was the mileage at time of failure? 3.) Are you in a warm or cold weather climate?

Thanks for your response.

My FE came from The factory new with the connector disconnected, my guess is during the roof replacement when it was stuck at dirt mountain with the 2021 Webasto roof mess. Dealer handled it under warranty, they reattached it with a special adhesive. I believe it was Permatex 21351

https://www.permatex.com/products/s...-defogger-electrical-conductive-tab-adhesive/

 

[BroncoDave24]

Does it look like these are soldered on or glued from the factory? I am guessing they used a conductive cement. If they were silver soldered, that connection probably would not fail. Is there any tinning on either mating surface or does it look more like cement was used? Did it tear the foil in any way?
We need to figure out how to repair these since they will be failing in the future after warranties expire.

 

[helifino16]

That problem plagues a lot of people. Read the threads for several suggestions to fix.

I used these to cover that up and remind me to be careful.

 

[lethalchristy]

That problem plagues a lot of people. Read the threads for several suggestions to fix.

I used these to cover that up and remind me to be careful.

^^ These!


Both of mine popped off and Ford replaced the whole rear glass under warranty. After that I put these on and haven'thad an issue since. Ford should include these from the get go or come up with another solution if this is still happening lol.

 

[Robs]

Im trying to take a survey of the 6G Bronco community to see if this is a common problem that should warrant a TSB from Ford.

Problem: Both of my tailgate defroster cables have detached from the rear window circuitry. The first detached at around 5,000 miles as I wiped the inside of the glass gently with a microfiber towel. The second detached sometime recently around 19,000 miles I dont know how I just found it detached.

Issue: My Ford dealer service manager says that this is not a Ford warranty item. The only thing they can do is sell me a new glass. This is not an inexpensive OEM part. See attached OEM part price from online.

Survey questions: 1.) Have any of you experienced the same defrost cable failure on your Hardtop tailgate glass? 2.) What was the mileage at time of failure? 3.) Are you in a warm or cold weather climate?

Thanks for your response.

Same thing happened with my 2023 black diamond. I first tried to use the permatex kit to repair it but that failed twice. Then went to the dealer and he had their glass guy resolder the connections. That lasted about two weeks. Then returned to the dealer who had the glass replaced under warranty without any pressure from me. I’m in the northeast so defroster is crucial. This happened at about 25k miles. Push the dealer. If he refuses find another dealer

 

[91Blue]

Thank you for posting this & attempting to conduct a survey with a goal of Ford issuing a TSB to help fellow owners. I have a 2022 Bronco Outer Banks 4 Door with OEM Hard Top original equipment. The driver’s side connector detached. The vehicle is a daily driver for an office job & has not seen a really rugged terrain, nor have I put more then 12 pack of beer in rear cargo area. So this connector detached due to weather changes or regular driving. I noticed that it had come off around 15K miles. I took to the deal for warranty repair because I found many posts all over forums for this known issue. On my first dealer visit, the issue was not addressed because the dealer informed me that they had come to know that Ford had determined that the repair had to be completed by a glass shop- so they would coordinate with me on scheduling that appointment. Then I was notified that Ford had determined that an entire new rear window would need to be installed & Ford had determined this was not a warranty issue. I bought a Permatex adhesive kit - but after reading these posts. I am going back to the dealership. Honestly, I’d rather glue it back on myself & not have to deal with dropping at dealer & not having the vehicle - but sounds like that won’t last. @Robs if I can’t get into the dealer soon & I attempt the adhesive, I would like to know how you were able to remove the metal contact piece from the cord for gluing? Thank you both.

 

[Raskew]

This just happened to me this week.

UUUGH!

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