NHTSA Complaint #10112474 — 1996 FORD EXPLORER

ON OR AROUND THE DATE INDICATED, A GENTLEMAN FROM STAPLES OFFICE SUPPLY WAS LOADING A CHAIR AND DESK INTO THE BACK OF MY FORD EXPLORER WHEN THE HATCH COLLAPSED. LUCKILY, I WAS STANDING THERE AND CAUGHT THE HATCH BEFORE IT FELL ON HIS HEAD AND BACK AND POSSIBLY REALLY INJURED HIM. APPARENTLY, THE LEFT HYDRAULIC ARM OF THE HATCH SHEARED COMPLETELY OFF THE BRACKET WELDED TO THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, BOTH SIDES ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE OTHER ARM COULD SHEAR OFF AT ANY TIME. NOWHERE ON THIS VEHICLE IS THERE RUST AND THESE WELDED BRACKETS ARE IN THE INTERIOR SEAL OF THE REAR HATCH AND ARE IN NO WAY EXPOSED TO WATER. WE WERE ABLE TO UNHOOK THE ARM TOTALLY WITH THE LITTLE PINS HOLDING IT IN PLACE. THEN THE HATCH WOULDN'T CLOSE PROPERLY ONCE THE ARM WAS REMOVED. (I WAS TOLD THIS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE CHANGE IN WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION.) I CALLED FORD (NATIONAL 800 NUMBER NOT THE LOCAL DEALER) AND ASKED THEM ABOUT IT. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE WOMAN IMMEDIATELY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD NO COMPLAINTS ON THAT AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A BODY SHOP WHICH GAVE ME A QUOTE OF $468 TO WELD NEW BRACKETS ON (BOTH SIDES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO PREVENT FUTURE INJURIES). THE HYDRAULIC ARMS THEMSELVES WORK FINE. UPON VIEWING YOUR SITE, I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL THE YEAR AFTER THE CAR WAS MADE DEALING WITH THE RIGHT SIDE HYDRAULIC ARM AND IMPROPER WELDING. (RECALL # 97V137000) I BASICALLY JUST WANT IT FIXED AND WANT THEM TO FIX ANYBODY ELSE'S SO NOBODY ELSE WILL GET HURT. WHAT IF A MOM IS UNLOADING GROCERIES WITH HER KID AND THE DOOR COMES CRASHING DOWN ON THEM??? HOW MANY INJURIES OR DEATHS WILL IT TAKE FOR THEM TO FIX SOMETHING LIKE THIS??!! *JB