NHTSA Complaint #10314696 — 2003 FORD EXPLORER

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT WITH THE CRACK IN THE BACK PANEL NEXT TO THE EMBLEM. I CAME OUT TO MY CAR AND IT WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY FROM THE WINDOW SEAL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH. I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER THAT FORD GAVE ME TO CALL AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL AND THE PART. THERE ARE SEVERAL THOUSAND PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME COMPLAINT. THE LOCAL BODY SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN FORDS DESIGN OF THE PANEL. THEY HAVE ZERO REINFORCEMENT NEXT TO THE EMBLEM TO CLOSE THE DOOR WHICH IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DOOR, WHERE NORMAL PEOPLE PUSH TO CLOSE IT. THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE EXPLORERS FROM 02-03 IS VERY WELL KNOWN AND QUITE POSSIBLE OVER TIME COULD CAUSE A WEAKENING IN THE REAR WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE AND EVENTUALLY LOSE IT'S SUPPORT AND FALL. *TR