NHTSA Complaint #10223102 — 2002 FORD EXPLORER

AFTER SEEING OTHER 2002-2006 FORD EXPLORERS ON THE STREET WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF HAVING A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL RIGHT BELOW THE REAR WINDOW I DECIDED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WE COULD DO ABOUT IT. I KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL TO REPLACE THE HINGES BECAUSE THE DOOR WOULD SLAM SHUT WHICH I BELIEVE CAUSED THE CRACK. I TALKED TO FORD WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED AND THEY SAID BASED ON MY MILEAGE THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT 500. MY QUESTION TO FORD WAS WHAT DOES THE MILEAGE HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT I BELIEVE WAS A RECALL DEFECT THAT ULTIMATELY CAUSED THIS PROBLEM? I NOTICED ON THE NEW MODEL EXPLORERS THEY REDESIGNED THEM SO THE GLASS OPENS UP WITHOUT THE PANEL. AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS I AM NOW CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW COULD ACTUALLY FALL OUT IF THE DOOR IS SHUT AND COULD BREAK AND CAUSE AN INJURY. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT AND HOPEFULLY GET THIS RESOLVED SOON. *TR