NHTSA Complaint #10043034 — 2003 FORD EXPLORER

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number	10043034
Vehicle	2003 FORD EXPLORER
Component	STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
Date of Incident	October 11, 2003
Date Filed	October 16, 2003
Mileage	12 miles
Crash	No
Fire	No
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	TX

Consumer Description

WE BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER XLT LATE SATURDAY NIGHT OCTOBER 11TH. THAT LATE NIGHT AFTER BRINGING THE XLT EXPLORER HOME WE PRESSED THE BLUE LIFTGATE BUTTON FOR LIFTGATE. THE GLASS WENT UP BY ITSELF AND THE SHOCK ROD DISCONNECTED FROM THE BALL BEARING SLAMMING BACK DOWN. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE SOME COULD SERIOUSLY GET HURT INCLUDING CHILDREN WHEN THE WEIGHT OF THAT GLASS COMES DOWN. I CONTACTED FORD AND HAVE ONLY RECEIVED A MERRY GO ROUND AND NO SUITABLE ANSWERS. I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE GOTTEN IT CHECKED OUT... WITH NO SUITABLE ANSWERS EXCEPT IT WAS FACTORY RELATED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. WE DO NOT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELSE OR SOMEONE FROM GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND FORWARD TO ALL OTHER REGULATORY AND SAFETY AGENCIES FEDERAL/ STATE/LOCAL SO A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION IS DONE. *LA FACTORY MIS-INSTALLATION OF STRUTS CAUSING LIFT CYLINDER DETACHMENT AT FIRST USE.PCO

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