NHTSA Complaint #10108433 — 1997 FORD EXPLORER

THE REAR LIFT GATE DOOR IS TEARING AWAY FROM THE WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE LIFT GATE DOOR HINGE ON THE LEFT SIDE (DIRVERS SIDE). THE DOOR HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM TO CLOSE AND WAS AJAR FROM WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT WOULD COME ON ALL THE TIME, AND OF COUSE THE NUMBEROUS TIME I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY COULD NEVER "DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". NOW IT IS BEYOND THE POINT OF AJUSTMENT. THE WHOLE LIFTGATE HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIAMETLY $1,200. IT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD AS I HAVE TO PULL OUT THE FUSETO GET THE LIGHTS TO GO OUT, IN ORDER TO DRIVE IT AT NIGHT. THE LIGHTS WON'T GO OFF WHEN THE DOOR IS AJAR. WHEN IT RAINS I HAVE TO STOP TO PUT THE FUSE BACK IN AND DRIVE WITHT THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON, WHICH IS VERY HARD TO SEE. ALSO FUMES COME IN FROM THE EXHAUST SO I CAN'T GO FOR LONG TRIPS N IT. IF I DIDN'T LIKE THE CAR SO MUCH I WOULD TRADE IT IN, BUT I REALLY LOVE MY EXPLORER EXCEPT FOR THIS DEFECT IN CONSTRUCTION. (IT HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT.) I AM TAKING IT IN TO BE FIXED NEXT WEEK.*AK