The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced it will begin looking into concerns of shattering glass on the rear liftgate of 2010 and 2011 model year Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner SUVs.

Notice of the investigation on the NHTSA website said the federal agency received 18 reports from consumer complaints, alleging the windows "shatter spontaneously" during opening or closing of the SUVs' liftgates. In one such complaint, the consumer and her 10-year-old son received cuts from glass fragments.

In November, Ford had issued a "technical service bulletin" stating that cold temperatures might play a role with the rear glass breakage on some Escape and Mariner SUVs built "on or before 10/15/2010."

The NHTSA notes that it is working with Ford to look into the issue, which could affect about 200,000 Escape and Mariner SUVs.

The Ford Escape and its twin, the now-retired Mercury Mariner, are two models currently in Consumer Reports' Ratings of new SUVs that made the list of Recommended small SUVs.

If you own either of these SUVs or their previous year's counterparts, have you experienced any issues with the rear glass?

2010-11 Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner Defect Investigation Summary (Campaign ID #: PE11016) [NHTSA]
Feds investigate 2010-11 Ford SUVs for shattered rear windows [The Detroit News]
Feds probe Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner windows shattering [USA Today]