NHTSA Complaint #10607918 — 2005 FORD EXPLORER

I WENT OUT TO MY 2005 FORD EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER TO REMOVE ITEMS INSIDE BACK CARGO AREA AND NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC TAILGATE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW HAD VERTICALLY CRACKED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THROUGH THE WHOLE PIECE. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE TO SHOW CAUSE FOR THE SPONTANEOUS WIDE CRACK. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. PARKED DAILY IN GARAGE AND NOT EVEN DRIVEN DAILY. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THE GLASS WINDOW PANEL MIGHT BE COMPROMISED AND COULD CAUSE DEADLY DAMAGE TO PASSENGERS IN MY CAR OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD BEHIND ME SHOULD IT COME LOOSE OR SHATTER, INCLUDING THE CHANCE THAT THE BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER COULD COME UNATTACHED AND ALSO FLY OFF INTO THE WINDOW OF A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. I HAVE JUST RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME SPONTANEOUS CRACKING AND HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. *TR