NHTSA Complaint #10381705 — 2004 FORD EXPLORER

2004 FORD EXPLORER: 1) PLASTIC EXTERIOR PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW IS CRACKED, IN 2006 FORD HAD A REPAIR ASSIST PROGRAM, THEREBY ACKNOWLING THE FAILURES. IT NO LONGER IS OFFERING THAT REPAIR ASSISTANCE?? THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS FAILURE ON INTERNET FORUMS. 2) LEFT REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE FREE FROM THE WINDOW WHEN I OPENED THE WINDOW, I WAS FORTUANTE IT DID NOT FALL ON MY HEAD (THE RISER PISTON WAS THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT IT ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE). I HAD TO PAY $50 FOR NEW HINGES. I AM WAITING FOR THE NON-REPLACED HINGE TO FAIL AS WELL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THESE HINGE FAILURES ON THE INTERNET. THE FORD DEALER NEAREST FORD WORLD HEADQUARTERS IN DEABORN, MI WHERE I BOUGHT THE NEW HINGES TOLD ME THEY HAVE SOLD 10 NEW HINGE PACKAGES IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS TO CUSTOMERS DUE TO THE SAME FAILURE. *TR