2002 FORD EXPLORER Structurebodyhatchbackliftgatehinge And Attachments Problems

PROBLEMS WITH 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW HATCH.*MR THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES FOR THE BROKEN REAR WINDOW HATCH AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET. PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB THE REAR WINDOW HATCH FAILED WHEN THE HYDRAULIC LIFT CYLINDERS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE HATCH LITERALLY FLEW OFF WHEN THE HATCH WAS OPENED. ONE OCCASION WHEN THE CYLINDER FLEW OFF, THE CYLINDER FLEW OFF AND HIT THE CONSUMER IN THE BACK OF HIS HEAD NECK, SHOULDER AND SPINE AND SUBSEQUENTLY THE CONSUMER HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL FOR HIS INJURIES. *JB MULTI-INCIDENTS PE04045.PCO

WHEN UNLOADING THE VEHICLE LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED. *AK PE04045.PCO

THE LIFTGATE LATCH APPEARED TO BE FAULTY. IT BROKE WHILE MY WIFE WAS CLOSING THE LIFTGATE AND THE LIFTGATE CAME CRASHING DOWN, SHATTERING GLASS EVERYWHERE. DEALER WOULDN'T WARRANTY, SUGGESTED THAT TRY TO USE MY CAR INSURANCE TO COVER THE COSTS. *AK PE04045.PCO

REAR WINDOW WAS IN THE UP/OPEN POSITION FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES AND SHATTERED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT. IT SEEMED TO BOW SLIGHTLY PRIOR TO EXPLODING. UPON INSPECTION, THE HYDRAULIC STRUTS SEEM TO HAVE LOCKED IN PLACE, WITH THE RESULTING PRESSURE ON THE GLASS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE RIGHT HINGE ALSO SHEARED OFF. SHATTERED GLASS SPREAD OVER A FEW FEET TO THE INTERIOR AND SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. WAITING FOR DEALERSHIP TO REOPEN AFTER HOLIDAY WEEKEND TO DISCUSS THE MATTER.*AK PE04045_PCO

ON MAY 15, 2004 WHILE AT A WALMART IN NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, THE REAR HATCH HINGE BOLT ON MY WIFE'S 2002 FORD EXPLORER SHEARED OFF AND FELL ON HER HEAD CAUSING A CONCUSSION AND OTHER RELATED INJURIES. *AK PE04045_PCO

ON MAY 8, I WAS PLACING SOME ITEMS IN THE REAR OF MY 2002 EXPLORER THROUGH THE HATCHBACK (THE GLASS PART, NOT THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR). I HEARD A POP WHEN THE GLASS RAISED UP. SINCE IT WAS DARK AND I WASN'T SURE WHAT THAT NOISE WAS, I SLOWLY STARTED TO CLOSE THE GLASS WHEN IT EXPLODED. AS IT TURNS OUT, THE RIGHT PNEUMATIC SHOCK MOUNT HAD BROKEN OFF THE GLASS AS IT LIFTED. THE GLASS MUST HAVE BEEN BROKEN BY A PORTION OF THAT SHOCK MOUNT IN THE PATH DURING CLOSING. LUCKILY, I ONLY RECEIVED A CUT ON MY HAND AS GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE; IN MY SHOES, HAIR, PURSE, ETC. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT MY THREE-YEAR-OLD WAS NOT WITH ME, AS SHE NORMALLY WOULD BE STANDING BY MY SIDE IN THAT SITUATION. I CAN ONLY IMAGING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. MY HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD...

ON A HOT DAY, I OPENED THE GLASS LIFTGATE & THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT GLUE CAME UNDONE, CAUSING THE LIFTGATE TO NOT SHUT PROPERLY. I THEN REMOVED THE STRUT SO THAT I COULD CLOSE THE LIFTGATE WITHOUT BREAKING THE GLASS, & CONTINUE TO DRIVE. I NEVER OPENED IT AGAIN. A MONTH LATER, THE GLUE ON THE HOLDING STRUT & THE GLASS ON THE DRIVER SIDE BECAME UNDONE. (ALSO, ON THE FIRST WARM DAY OF THIS SPRING SEASON, I POWERED DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT WINDOW, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT TO GO BACK UP, ALTHOUGH THE POWER WAS WORKING. IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THIS IS ALSO ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INFERIOR BONDING PRODUCT USED ON THIS WINDOW. THE INTERIM REMEDY WAS THAT I TAPED THE WINDOW UP WITH DUCT TAPE TO PROTECT THE VEHICLE FROM THE ELEMENTS & THEFT.) IT'S CLEAR THAT SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED IN 2...

I LIFTED THE TOP PORTION OF THE TAILGATE TO RETRIEVE ITEMS FROM CAR. AS IT LIFTED, THE BOLT THAT HINGES THE RIGHT TOP SIDE OF THE TAILGATE BROKE OFF, THE HYDROLIC PORTION LET GO AND THE TAILGATE CAME DOWN ON MY HEAD. I WAS UNABLE TO CLOSE THE TAILGATE AFTER THAT, AND IT WAS HANGING DOWN ON AN ANGLE, UNDRIVEABLE AS IT CONTINUED TO FALL FURTHER DOWN AND MAKE "CRACKING" NOISES. IT IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED, HOWEVER FORD IS NOT TOO CONCERNED! MY CAR IS 500 MILES OVER WARRANTY (1 1/2 YEARS OLD), AND THEY SAY I AM RESPONSIBLE TO PAY A PORTION OF THIS BILL.*AK PE04045_PCO

I WAS OPENING THE DOOR TO GET MY DAUGHTERS DIAPER BAG AND HINGE BROKE. MY HUSBAND WAS TRYING TO PUT IT BACK AND THE GLASS SHATTERED IN HIS HANDS. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE STANDING NEXT TO THE VEHICLE AS THE GLASS SHATTERED. THIS COULD HAVE TAKEN MY ENTIRE FAMILIES EYE SIGHT. THE GLASS LITERALLY EXPLODED. THIS ISSUE IS DEFINITELY UNSAFE!!! ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE YOUNG CHILDREN AROUND. AND MOTHERS ARE OPENING UP THE HATCH TO GET OUT A DIAPER BAG WITH A CHILD IN HAND. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS HATCH. WE TOOK IT TO FORD. THIS SHOULD BE A MANDATORY SAFETY RECALL.*AK PE04045_PCO

REAR HATCH LIFT ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER GLASS SHATTERED WHEN I CLOSED IT AFTER PLACING A DIAPER BAG IN THE BACK I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TEXAS FORD TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A RECALL I WAS TOLD NONE. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE MY GLASS BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THAT I SHOULD FILE ON MY INSURANCE. *JB PE04045.PCO

WHILE STANDING UNDER THE RAISED LIFTGATE (TOP HALF) LOADING GROCERIES, THE GLASS SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY SHATTERED CAUSING MY WIFE AND I TO BE SHOWERED BY SHARDS OF GLASS AND THEN HIT ON OUR HEADS AND BACKS WITH THE FALLING LIFTGATE ASSEMBLY. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED US HEAD, NECK AND BACK TRAUMA AND ALSO A SCRATCHED CORNEA TO MY WIFE'S LEFT EYE. FORD REFUSES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS INCIDENT.*AK PE04045.PCO

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH SUNROOF OPEN. WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE HATCHBACK AFTER LOADING SWIMMING EQUIPMENT, GLASS SHATTERED. *LA THIS OCCURRED TWICE, INCONVENIENCING THE CONSUMER'S DAILY ROUTINE. *PH PE04045.PCO

IN AUGUST, 2003, THE VEHICLE BACK WINDOW HINGE BROKE WHILE LOADING GROCERIES, IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TAILGATE FRAME AND THE GLASS CRACKED. BOTH WERE REPLACED TAKING OVER 7 DAYS. THE SAME COMPONENT BROKE AGAIN IN JANUARY, 2004, CAUSING THE REAR GLASS TO CRASH ON MY WIFES HEAD. LUCKILY SHE ONLY HAD A MINOR BRUISE AND BUMP FROM THE IMPACT. I ASKED THE MANAGER OF MAINTENANCE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND HE SAID IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.*AK PE04045_PCO

I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER 2002 XLS. WHILE OPENING MY REAR WINDOW DOOR THE LEFT HINGE (LATCH) BROKE AND THE WINDOW EXPLODED THROWING GLASS EVERYWHERE INCLUDING PASENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE VENDOR AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT ANYMORE RESPONSABILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. I COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SINCE IN THE INCIDENT THERE WHERE PEOPLE INVOLVED AND HAPPENED IN MY WORKPLACE PARKING LOT. PE04045_PCO

THE CONSUMER LEANED OVER INTO THE REAR COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKE AND FELL ON TOP OF THE CONSUMER'S HEAD. THE HINGE WAS REPLACED, BUT IN THE PROCESS, THE "FLIP OPEN" REAR WINDOW SHATTERED, SUBSEQUENTLY THE ENTIRE REAR WINDOW ALONG WITH THE LEFT AND RIGHT HINGES WERE REPLACED. (PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW WOULD OPEN WITHOUT ONE OPENING THE ENTIRE REAR DOOR TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE) *AK *SC PE04045_PCO

CONSUMER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE BECAUSE THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WHEN HE OPENED THE REAR HATCH. WHEN HE CLOSED THE HATCHBACK THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED. A RECALL WAS ISSUED. BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE OF VIN, PER MANUFACTURER. *AK PE04045.PCO DOB IS 12/02_061704_PCO

UPON CLOSING THE HATCHBACK THE STRUT LOCKED UP AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. PIECES OF GLASS LANDED IN CONSUMER'S EYES. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED SINCE HE WORE GLASSES. VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WHEN THIS OCCURRED.*AK PE04045.PCO DOB IS 10/01_061704_PCO

WHILE OPENING THE REAR LIFT GATE THE DOOR HINGE BROKE AND CAUSED THE DOOR NOT TO CLOSE/LATCH PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM RE-EVAL SINCE PE OPENING AND DET TO BE VALID PE04045_PCO

GLASS EXPLODED OUT OF THE BACK WINDOW, INJURING MY DAUGHTER. FORD STATES THAT THERE IS A CAMPAIGN, NOT A RECALL. SO I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF THE FAULTY PLUNGER MECHANISM. FORD REPLACED THE GLASS, BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE ME THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN, SO I TURNED IN THE LEASE SINCE THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY (4 KIDS). THEY ARE SUING ME BECAUSE I TURNED IN THE LEASE EARLY.*AK PE04045.PCO

THE HINGES ON THE BACK HATCH WINDOW SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO SAG AND LEAN OUTWARDS WHEN THE DOORS WERE OPENED. *AK THE HINGE ON THE BACK HATCH WINDOW SEPARATED FROM THE BODY AND CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BE HELD ON BY ONE HINGE. THE WINDOW WAS HANGING FROM THE HINGE ONLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HINGES. (HATCH DOOR PROBLEM) *SC *JB PE04045_PCO

TAILGATE WINDOW SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT. DEALER STATED THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER TWISTED AWAY FROM THE BRACKET. *AK *JB *NM PE04045.PCO

REAR WINDOW FELL OFF THE HINGES. *AK PE04045_PCO

CONSUMER WAS ABOUT TO START VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT REAR HATCH DOOR WAS AJAR. WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO CLOSE THE DOOR, THE GLASS EXPLODED OUT OF THE FRAME, WHICH FELL APART. THE HYDRAULIC PISTON HAD A BENT INSERT WHICH CAUSED THE INFRACTION. *AK PE04045.PCO

PROBLEMS WITH REAR WINDOW HATCH.*MR THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR GLASS LIFT STICKS WERE REPLACED. THE REAR WINDOW FELL OUT WHEN IT WAS OPENED.*TS *JB PE04045.PCO PURCHASED 03/02. DOB 02/02, OLD STYLE DESIGN (THROUGH GLASS) STRUTS FELL/DETACHED (MOUNT ROTATED AND STRUT DETACHED) AND THEN FELL ON HER HEAD (BRUISE, HEADACHE). RECEIVED EMER. MED ATTANTION. DATE WAS 7/24/2003. FINALLY REPLACED ENTIRE GLASS ASSEMBLY (GLASS, WIPER MOTOR, TRIM, STRUT)

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THIS MORNING MY WIFE OPENED THE TOP PORTION OF THE REAR TAIL GATE, AS SHE CLOSED IT, THE GLASS SHATTERED GIVING HER MINOR CUTS ON BOTH ARMS. THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE WAS 62 DEGREES F AND SUNNY. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF TAMPERING. I'VE TRIED TO CONTACT FORD REPS AND HAVE HAD NO LUCK!! PE04045.PCO

ON TWO OCCASIONS THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDER THAT SUPPORTED REAR WINDOW SLIPPED OUT OF THE BRACKET THAT WAS DESIGNED TO SECURE IT. THE THIRD TIME THE INCIDENT OCCURRED THE CYLINDER POPPED OUT OF THE BRACKET AND SHATTERED THE WINDOW. *AK PE04045.PCO

WHEN LOWERING THE LIFTGATE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED.*AK PE04045.PCO DOB IS 11/01_061604_PCO

2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW EXPLOSION. UPON SLOWLY CLOSING THE REAR GATE WINDOW, THE GLASS EXPLODED IN MY WIFE'S FACE WITH THE BRACKETS AND FRAME FALLING DOWN CAUSING REAR GATE BODY DAMAGE. PERSONAL INJURY RESULTED (CUT ON WIFE'S HAND). BRACKET PARTS WERE FOUND AS FAR 8 TO 10 YARDS FROM THE ORIGINAL LOCATION AND BROKEN GLASS THROUGHOUT VEHICLE. FORD HAS BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH AND APPEARS TO BE POSTURING DEFENSIVELY. CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS BEEN VERY BAD. FORD REPLACED THE WINDOW BUT WOULD NOT REPAIR BODY DAMAGE WITHOUT SIGNING A GENERAL RELEASE OF LIABILITY. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS IN THEIR CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION PROGRAM OR "SOFT RECALL". DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY SAW A FEW MORE VEHICLES JUST RECENTLY WITH SAME PROBLEM UPON FURTHER DISCUSSION. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND ENCOURAGE A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES. IF FORD DOES'NT PUT CONSUMER SAFETY FIRST, I ENCOURAGE...

NHSTA#01I010000 REF. 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR WINDOW LIFT ARM TWISTING AND CAUSING THE REAR WINDOW TO BREAK. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 1.5 YEARS AND THE WINDOW HAS BROKEN TWICE AND THE ARM TWISTED A THIRD TIME. WHEN WE GOT THE VEHICLE BACK THE SCREWS WERE STRIPPED AND THE LIFTGATE WAS DAMAGED. MY DAUGHTER WAS STANDING BELOW THE WINDOW WHEN IT BROKEN AND GLASS FELL ALL OVER HER. LUCKILY NO GLASS GOT INTO HER EYES OR MOUTH BUT I BELIEVE THE REAR WINDOW BRACKET IS A SAFETY HAZARDS WHICH DEMANDS CORRECTING. I KNOW THAT FORD DID RE-ENGINEER THE REA WINDOW FRAME AND LIFT BRACKETS. BECAUSE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FORMAL RECALL, I CAN NOT GET THE NEW REAR LIFT GATE BUT RATHER THAY KEEP REPLPACING THE BROKEN WINDOWS. MEANWHILE I KEEP PAYING FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE IN THEIR SHOP. PLEASE HELP! PE04045_PCO

THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERED INTO PIECES. *AK CONSUMER REACHED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW AND IT MOVED APPROX. SIX INCHES WHEN IT SHATTERED. *PH *JB PE04045.PCO GLASS SHATTERED WHEN CLOSING. WILL CK. DOB AND DESIGN VERSION.

THE REAR LIFTGATE CYLINDER BROKE WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. *AK PE04045_PCO DOB=12/01. OLD STYLE MOUNT. GLASS OPENED AND WHEN CLOSING, HEARD "POP" NOISE AND GLASS ASSEMBLY CAME DOWN. NO INJURY. 06/14/2004. WILL TAKE PICS OF "ROTATED MOUNTS" AND EMAIL TO ME.

CONSUMER STATED AFTER HER HUSBAND HAD DRIVEN FORD EXPLORER FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR, PARKED/ WENT IN THE HOUSE AND ATE, THEN DECIDED TO GO BACK OUT AND UNLOAD THE STUFF HE HAD IN THE TRUCK. WINDOW IN THE BACK EXPLODED. WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE HE WAS CLOSING IT. ALSO, FRAME WAS ALSO BLOWN OUT. SHE STATED THAT HER HUSBAND FORTUNATELY WAS NOT HURT ALTHOUGH HE DID GET GLASS INTO HIS FACE AND HAIR. *AK THE LIFT GATE GLASS EXPLODED WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE AND DAMAGED THE LIFT GATE AND BUMPER COVER. *SCC PE04045.PCO

PROBLEMS WITH REAR GLASS HATCH SUPPORTS. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 4 OCCASIONS TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM. *TS *JB IT ALSO FELL ON WIFE'S HEAD BUT NO INJURY. ON 3RD OCCASION (1/02), LT STRUT DETACHED AGAIN AND STRUCT GLASS AND SHATTERED GLASS. DEALER REPLACED "ENTIRE" LIFTGATE ASSEMBY. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS AROUND 5,000 MILES. OWNER GAVE PERMISSION TO RELEASE INFO TO MFR. OWNER WILL CK. DESIGN VERSION OF LIFTGATE DURING REPLACEMENT. 061704_PCO PE04045.PCO

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS AND THE BACK LIFT GATE HATCH HAS BROKEN ON BOTH SIDES AND COULD CAUSE INJURY IF FALLS ON EITHER ME, MY DAUGHTER, OR ANYONE ELSE WHO OPENS THE GLASS HATCH. WITH THE SIDE THAT IS NOW BROKEN IT IS PUTTING A LOT OF STRAIN ON MY HINGES WHERE CONNECTS TO THE CAR AND IS PULLING MY GLASS OFF AND HAS DENTED MY CAR. *NLM PE04045_PCO

THIS WAS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT WAS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2002 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE BRACKETS CONNECTING THE LEFT CYLINDERS TO EACH SIDE OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS COULD ROTATE OUT OF POSITION IF EITHER THE URETHANE BOND OR TORQUE ARE NOT SUFFICIENT. THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *JB PE04045.PCO

ON JUNE 1ST, 2003 I HAD THE REAR GLASS HATCH OF MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER OPEN BRIEFLY TO REMOVE GROCERIES. MY DAUGHTER WAS IN REAR 3RD SEAT. I STEPPED BACK FROM VEHICLE TO ASSIST DAUGHTER IN GETTING OUT AND GLASS IN REAR HATCH EXPLODED (WITHOUT BEING TOUCHED OR MOVED). I WAS HIT BY GLASS SHARDS AND IF I HAD NOT JUST STEPPED BACK, THE 4 X 6 METAL ATTACHMENT WOULD HAVE HIT ME IN THE HEAD AS IT IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE ONLY BY THE GLASS AND DEFROST CABLES. MY DAUGHTER WAS SHAKEN BUT FORTUNATELY NOT HIT BY THE EXPLODING GLASS. A NEIGHBOR ACROSS THE STREET HEARD THE EXPLOSION AND THOUGHT IT WAS A GUN SHOT. GLASS SHARDS/PIECES WERE STREWN THROUGHOUT OUR 3 CAR GARAGE, SOME LANDING ON THE TOP OF OUR OTHER VEHICLE PARKED NEXT THE EXPLORER. THE LOCAL DEALER TOLD US IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT BUT...

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED UNDER CARPORT. THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS EXPLODED, WHEN THE HYDRAULIC CYLINDERS FAILED AS WELL AS THE LOWER HALF OF BODY OF GATE. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE "NORMAL," AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT PARKED IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN FOR A SHORT TIME THAT DAY. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD US HE "HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE".*AK PE04045.PCO *SC *JB

HATCH WINDOW EXPLODED AND SHATTERED UPON ROUTINE CLOSING. HAD CAR INTO DEALER 3 PREVIOUS TIMES TO REPAIR HATCH, THE STRUT HAD BROKE OFF ON THE LEFT SIDE EACH TIME. EACH TIME THEY REPAIRED OR REPLACED THE STRUT AND SAID IT WOULD BE FINE. THIS TIME THE STRUT DID NOT JUST BREAK OFF THE WHOLE WINDOW EXPLODED AND LEFT CUTS ON THE CONSUMERS HANDS AS WELL AS GLASS IN HER MOUTH AND ON HER HEAD. *NLM PE04045.PCO DOB IS 06/02_061704_JF

THE VEHICLE'S TAILGATE GLASS EXPLODED WHILE THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE IT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM BROKEN LIFTGATE GLASS AND WIPER MOTOR AND ARM WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE SQUEAKS WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. SWAY BAR BUSHINGS REPLACED. IGNITION SWITCH HARD TO INSERT KEY AT TIMES. CYLINDER AND TUMBLER REKEYED. BOTTOM DOOR MOLDING (PASSENGER SIDE) PEELING OFF. RUBBER GROMMET ON ANTENNA BASE OFF. RESECURED RUBBER GROMMET FOR ANTENNA BASE. *TT PE04045_PCO

WHILE CLOSING THE REAR LIFT GATE, THE ENTIRE GLASS PORTION EXPLODED. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. (RECALL#04V442000) THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. SCC PE04045.PCO. *JB

HYDROLIC ARM ON BACK LIFTGATE BROKE 3 TIMES AND WAS "REPAIRED" AT THE DEALER. IT BROKE A FOURTH TIME, CAUSING THE LIFTGATE WINDOW TO SHATTER. THE GLASS AND FALLING DEBRIS SCRATCHED THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. PE04045.PCO

LAST SUMMER (JULY 2002) DURING A MILITARY MOVE FROM GA TO AZ I NOTICED THAT MY WINDSHIELD HAD A LARGE PIECE OF GLASS MISSING ON THE OUTTER RIGHT EDGE THAT YOU COULD NOT SEE UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY GOT RIGHT UP ON THE WINDSHIELD. PART OF IT WAS VISIBLE TO AND PART OF IT WAS HIDDEN BEHIND THE RUBBER SEAL THAT IS AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. THIS WINDSHIELD WAS ACTUALLY INSTALLED WITH THIS PIECE MISSING FROM IT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BUILT AND SENT TO THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO, THE REAR GLASS HATCH, GAS SHOCK TWISTED FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AND CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BE OFF CENTER BY ABOUT AN INCH OR MORE. AFTER FIXING IT THREE TIMES IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS (THE WINDSHIELD AND THE GAS SHOCK) HAVE BEEN FIXED BY MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THUS FAR HAVE HELD UP. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT...

NHTSA#14956-01-F-061-000 LIFT GATE GLASS BRACKET ROTATION OF THE BRACKET COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE THE LIFT CYLINDERS TO DETACH FROM THE GLASS: CONSUMER STATES HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS PE04045.PCO

FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FIVE MONTHS, OUR EXPLORER BACK WINDOW HAS EXPLODED, PROPELLING THE WINDOW AND FRAME OUTWARDS, CUTTING MY HUSBANDS ARM AND SHATTERING GLASS ALL OVER HIM AND OUR DRIVEWAY. HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE TAILGATE, BUT WAS JUST LOWERING IT, WHEN IT FLEW OUT. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED, MY DAUGHTER WAS RAISING THE WINDOW, AND THE FRAMEAND WINDOW FLEW OUT, AND HIT HER IN THE SHOULDER, SPRAYING GLASS ALL OVER HER AND IMBEDDING IT IN THE GARAGE WALL. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE BACK WINDOW WITH A COMPLETELY RE-DESIGNED WINDOW. WE TOLD THEM THAT WE DIDN'T WANT THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE WE WERE AFRAID OF FUTURE INJURIES AND WERE ACTUALLY AFRAID TO USE IT AGAIN. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US IT WAS FORDS PROBLEM, NOT THEIRS, AND SO WE CONTACTED FORD. A REPRESENTATIVE PROMISED TO GET BACK WITH US AFTER TAKING THE INFORMATION, BUT IT HAS BEEN...

REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED IN CONSUMER'S FACE. CAUSE OF EXPLOSION IS UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK PE04045.PCO

WHILE OPENING THE REAR TOP HATCHBACK, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED IN MY WIFE'S FACE WHILE MY 4 YEAR OLD SAT IN THE REAR SEAT. MY WIFE RECEIVED MINOR SCRATCHES FROM THE FLYING GLASS. MY SON WAS SHAKEN BUT NOT INJURED AS THE SHATTERED GLASS FLEW APPX 15 FEET OUTWARD AND TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. SINCE THE BOTTOM PANEL OF THE TOP HALF OF THE REAR GATE IS ONLY ATTACHED TO THE CAR BY THE GLASS AND THE DEFOGGER CABLE, THIS FOUR FOOT BY SIX INCH METAL PANEL SLAMMED TO THE GROUND JUST MISSING MY WIFE'S LEGS. I WAS IN THE HOUSE AT THE TIME AND HEARD WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A SMALL EXPLOSION WHEN IT BURST. IT WAS TERRIBLY FRIGHTENING TO MY WIFE AND SON. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHO AT FIRST TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND I SHOULD GO TO A...

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN AN PARKING LOT. RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE I ATTEMPTED TO PLACE MY ITEMS IN THE BACK SECTION OF THE SUV. WHEN THE HATCHBACK GLASS WAS OPENED THE LEFT HYDRAULIC LIFT SHATTERED THE REAR GLASS. THE GLASS FLEW TO THE FRONT SEAT AND 3 CAR LENGHTS OVER IN THE PARKING LOT. I HAVE TAKEN MY FORD EXPLORER BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE REAR PANEL WAS REPLACED AFTER A MONTH OF WAITING. BUT WE ARE NOT FULLY SATISFIED WITH THE REPAIR. FORD IS SENDING REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT HAVE A BULDGE IN THE BOTTOM PANELS. SO WE ARE ON OUR SECOND DOOR AND STILL WAITING FOR A NEW PART. IT IS FUNNY HOW YOU CAN BUY A VEHICLE THAT LOOKS PERFECT BUT WHEN YOU GET REPLACEMENT PARTS YOU GET LESS THAN PERFECT. MAKES ME WONDER IF THEY ARE REALLY FORD PARTS. THE PROBLEM WE...

WHILE PARKED WITH REAR WINDOW OF LIFTGATE RAISED FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT WAS SHATTERED. OCCUPANT DID GET CUT BY PIECES FLYING OF GLASS. TEMPERATURE THAT DAY WAS ABOUT 70 DEGREES. A WITNESS SAW THE INCIDENT, AND TOLD THE OTHER PARTY THAT THE YOUNG LADY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS. GLASS/ASSEMBLY IS BEING ORDERED AND GLASS HAS BEEN MODIFIED. A FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD HER THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN INCIDENT LIKE THIS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK PE04045.PCO

CONSUMER STATES ATTEMPTED TO OPEN LIFTGATE TO UNLOAD GROCERIES WHEN THE LIFTGATE BLEW OUT CRASHING ON THE TOP OF THE ROOF OF THE TRUCK, SHATTERING THE GLASS TO THE LIFTGATE WINDOW. VEHCLE HAS BEEN SHOP FOR 14 DAYS. BODY ROOF WAS BADLY DAMAGED. *TT PE04045.PCO

MOUNTING BRACKET ON GLASS LIFTGATE BECAME DETACHED FROM STRUT-LIFT MECHANISM JOINT UPON REACHING MAXIMUM EXTENSION CAUSING GLASS TO FALL ONTO MY HEAD. REPORTED TO DEALER BUT NOT REPAIRED/REPLACED DUE TO PARTS N/A. OFTEN HAVE DIFFICULTY TURNING IGNITION SWITCH AFTER INSERTING EITHER OF THE FACTORY KEYS. IT REQUIRES A "JIGGLING" MOTION TO ENGAGE AND TURN IGNITION. PE04045.PCO