I was driving down the highway at 75 mph and suddenly heard a loud pop on my window. On the passenger side window I could see a rubber strip violently flapping in the wind. I pulled over to see what it was and the trim/panel alongside the windshield in between the doors had snapped off and the rubber strip was torn and hanging barely on. I cut the piece and noticed the other side (driver's side) was peeling back also. It's only a matter of time before this too gets caught in the wind and snaps off. Now my car looks all busted up and these pieces are not cheap, running more than $230 for each side. The service man at Ford told me he sees a lot of Explorers with this happening and that the trim is not ever meant to go back on. Meaning if I were to ever have to replace my windshield I would have to buy these again! That is insane. Ford needs to make better parts for their vehicles that last.

Update from Aug 23, 2019: I have called Ford twice to complain about this and get nothing from them! I am so disappointed in the Ford company. They need to make this right and do a recall.

Two months after the first panel flies off, same thing happens to my other side. Only there was a vehicle behind me and it hit her. We both pulled over and luckily she was kind and didn't get my insurance information but it could have been way worse. Now I am driving around with a beat up looking car. I have also seen numerous other Ford Explorers driving around without the panels also.

Driving down the highway 75MPH and the trim blows off! Ford needs to fix this issue. Went to the dealer and wasn't covered because I have over 36k miles. Auto Care doesn't cover it because they don't cover trim. Quote through body shop was $290.00! Upper and lower piece plus labor. I have a good friend in the service department and he got me a deal on the parts at his cost. Still $160.00 and I do the work! Again more and more are showing up with this issue he tells me. If more people will complain maybe they will do something about it. What is happening is the glue is getting hot over time and the trim becomes loose and then it tears off.

Most window replacement people are also calling in and asking for this part as well because they can't put the trim back on properly or soon after replacing the windshield, it comes off and they get blamed for it.

Please complain if you have had this happen. Maybe if more people do, Ford will own up to the bad design. Like the car but this is a PITA issue!