Windshield trim

[Panspeter]

Has anyone else experienced the chrome trim across the top of the windshild blistering. I have a 2005 that is now going on its second set of trim and have seen a couple other birds with the same problem. Both times the trim has been replaced with the factory warranty but my concern is what is going to happen when the warranty is gone. It appears that after a year and a half the little blisters appear and the next time I will have to pay to have the trim replaced. Of course the piece is not real chome as we know it but a chrome like substance on plastic. Has there been a recall that anyone is aware of?This has to be a defect that others are concerned about.

[George]

I do not know of a recall, but I am aware of at least 4 owners that have had the same thing happen to them....Mostly 2003 Birds, same strips.
One owner said that there was no copper coating under the chrome, which is what holds the chrome to the part. I'm not sure if that is correct. However, almost all had replacements under warranty. See their comments:

Here's what one said: "Chrome windshield trim? I had parts of the chrome trim around the windshield replaced by the dealer under warranty. First the drivers side, then the passengers side for bubbling under the chrome. Now the top piece is doing it! Cheap stuff, but not inexpensive. Keep an eye on these pieces. I just noticed the top piece seemed to be delaminating or whatever you call it when the chrome starts coming off the plastic. Right at the back where it meets the top so it is really hard to see without removing the hard top or lowering the soft top."
Another said: "I had it replaced also. Side parts showed pitting, but the middle part was peeling also. This was caused by the latch pins of the top. I guess someone in the garage had tried to close the soft top without first putting the pins in the right position. This might have caused yours to peel as well. $170 with shipping to Europe"
Another: "I had all 3 of mine changed also."
Another: "They rejected my warranty claim, so I rejected their offer to fix it. Of course, they wanted to charge me $116 list plus $95 per hour to install it. I got it for $84 and my friendly neighborhood body shop will install it as a favor for nothing. I do urge anyone that might still be under warranty to look very carefully at these pieces. They will go bad for no reason at all. I keep mine clean and "waxed" all the time."
Finally: "I had to have mine replaced under warranty as well. On mine it was just the side pieces the middle was ok."

[jetbird]

I have the same problem on my 03 bird. I have the dreaded buble in 2 places and I have not replaced the defective pieces yet. Has anyone done the replacement themselves. If it's not that difficult, I may try it myself. Does anyone know what causes the problem?

Thanks,

Jim (jetbird):

[George]

Jim:
There was a guy, a while back, probably 2-3 years ago that did it and wasn't too happy.
He said; "You have to remove the inside trim - which is the pain. There is a screw that goes through the body piller, and some sheet metal screws on the outside."
So I guess if you're going to do the work, you may want to do all 3 pieces while it's open, IMHO.

[65Thunder]

Mine is a 2005 model year and having the same corrosion problems. On the right hand side piece where joining the top piece. In reviewing the shop manual, it is a laborious task to remove/replace them.

[Panspeter]

Thanks guys for responding. I had a hunch I wasn't alone. All three trim pieces on my 2005 began to peel. This will be the second time I have had them replaced. I fear the third time will be about another year and a half and then I will have to pay for it myself. It starts out small and you hardly notice it but once a chunk comes off it looks ugly quick. The body man at my dealership suggested next time maybe I should consider just painting it black. You would think Ford would just make the piece right and be done with it.