2003 FORD EXPLORER Structurebody Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONNECT THE REAR TAILGATE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS), DID NOT INCLUDE THE VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A FRACTURE ON THE LIFT GATE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE PANEL REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000. UPDATED 04/26/12*LJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GLASS ON THE REAR HATCH BOTTOM MOLDING WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR GLASS HATCH HOUSING WAS CRACKED IN HALF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR HATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK AT THE REAR HATCH BACK UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS BECOMING WIDER WHEN THE HATCH BACK WAS OPENED AND CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW HATCH WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 03/21/12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR PANEL CONNECTED TO THE BACK REAR WINDOW CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW AND HAS WEAKENED THE REAR VIEW WINDOW. THE SEAL HAS ROTTED OUT DUE TO WATER SEEPING INTO THE DEFECTIVE CRACKED PANEL. UPDATED 04/09/12 WATER SEEPED INTO THE CRACKED PANEL AND CAUSED CORROSION AND ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. UPDATED 05/07/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR TAIL GATE DOOR DEVELOPED A CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

BACK GLASS HATCH HAS A HAIRLINE CRACK TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBELM. JUST SUDDENLY APPERARED, AFTER NO IMPACT. *TR

I NOTICED A CRACK ON THE REAR HATCH TRIM PANEL UNDER THE WINDOW OUT OF NOWHERE. ALSO, THE PAINT ON MY HOOD AND QUARTER PANELS HAS BEEN BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF IN HUGE CHUNKS. IT WOULD SEEM THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THESE ISSUES SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE GLASS SHIELD CRACKED AND SHATTERED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,079.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE STARTING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR GLASS GOING DOWN TOWARD THE MANUFACTURER'S EMBLEM. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS BOLT BRACKETS DETACHED FROM THE HINGES, CAUSING THE GLASS TO DETACH. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) BUT THE VEHICLE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO THE BUILD DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE WHICH SEPARATED FROM THE STRUT AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE HINGES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS A CRACKED REAR PANEL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. THE FIRST TIME IT WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY AND FORD REPAIRED IT AT NO CHARGE. THIS TIME THEY WILL NOT. I WAS TOLD IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $300.00 AND IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. THE CRACK DEVELOPS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER, RAN TO THE STORE LAST NIGHT TO BUY GROCERIES. LOADED THINGS INTO MY TRUCK, CLOSED THE DOOR AND THINGS WERE FINE. ARRIVED HOME TO REMOVE THE GROCERIES AND THERE WAS A 6 INCH LONG CRACK ON THE REAR HATCH OF MY TRUCK RIGHT BESIDE THE FORD LOGO AND REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER. I TAKE PRIDE IN MY VEHICLE AND KEEP IT CLEAN AND THE OUTSIDE BODY IS PERFECT; UNTIL THIS HAPPENED. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT I CALLED FORD AND THERE IS NO RECALL IN REGARDS TO THIS, BUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I WANT FORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THIS. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER AND SO HAS BY FAMILY SINCE THE EARLY 1980S. I WILL PROBABLY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD AS THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ISSUE THAT FORD WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE. *KB

DEAR MAYZEL, I APPRECIATE YOUR TIMELY RESPONSE, BUT I MUST ADMIT THAT I AM MORE THAN A LITTLE DISAPPOINTED (AND CONFUSED). I AM READING FORD EXPLORER RECALL #04V442000, "FORD RECALLS 2002-2003 FORD EXPLORER VEHICLES FOR LIFTGATE GLASS" (SEE BELOW), AND IT SEEMS TO COVER MY MODEL YEAR AND MY SITUATION EXACTLY. THE LIFT HINGE HAS STRIPPED OUT THE BOLT THREE TIME, LEAVING THE GLASS TO HANG FROM THE OTHER HINGE (AND STRUTS). CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY THIS RECALL WOULD NOT APPLY? SINCERELY, BILL DASCOMB DEAR WILLIAM, THIS IS MAYZEL FROM FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE READ YOUR EMAIL REGARDING THE BACK HATCH GLASS CONCERN OF YOUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I AM TRULY SORRY TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH YOUR VEHICLE. I HAVE PERSONALLY CHECKED OUR RESOURCES AND VERIFIED THAT YOUR VEHICLE IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS OR CSP'S AT THIS TIME. MANY FACTORS ARE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSING THE REAR LIFTGATE WHEN THE REAR GLASS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GRAB HOLD OF THE GLASS TO PREVENT IT FROM SHATTERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

THE BACK PANEL ON MY EXPLORER CRACKED BY JUST CLOSING THE GLASS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ONLY 65 SO CONSIDERING THE MORE EXTREME TEMPERATURES WE HAVE SEEN IN NORTH CAROLINA WAS DID IT CRACK ON THAT DAY? *TR

CRACK IN REAR PANEL OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

ALMOST EVERY OLDER MODEL FORD EXPLORER THAT I SEE ON THE ROAD HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE. FOR A WHILE I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM CLOSING MY BACK LIFT GATE. THERE SEEMED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE LATCH. I LATER REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL (#04S20) ON (WHAT I THOUGHT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRACKED PANEL) LIFTGATE GLASS HINGE AND BALL STUD BRACKET. RIGHT AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE DONE BY THE DEALER ON MY VEHICLE IN JANUARY 2011, I REALIZED THAT THE LIFTGATE WORKED PERFECT. IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THAT THE MISALIGNMENT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH THE LIFTGATE CLOSING CORRECTLY.....WHICH CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PANEL.....WHICH RESULTED IN THE CRACK.......FORD HAS DONE A RECALL ON WHAT HAS RESULTED IN THE CRACK BUT THEY HAVE NOT STEPPED FORWARD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE THAT HAS OCCURRED DUE TO...

FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFTGATE PANEL HAS CRACK AND IT EXPANDS DURING COLD WEATHER AND IT AFFECTS REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SECURITY AS REAR LIFTGATE FLIES OPEN WHENEVER IT FEELS LIKE IT WHEN DRIVING. *TR

I WAS JUST DRIVING ALONG AND I HEARD A POP NOISE AND THE PANEL UNDER THE BACK WINDOW WAS CRACKED. *TR

REAR HATCH CRACKED NEAR THE FORD LOGO. *TR

I HAVE 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND AFTER 7YEARS A CRACK HAS FORMED FROM THE REAR WINDOW DOWN TO THE FORD LOGO ON THE REAR PANEL OR TRUNK DOOR. *TR

METAL CRACKED INTO FROM LIFTGATE WINDOW TO BOTTOM OF LIFTGATE. JUST WENT TO WORK ONE DAY AND CAME HOME TO FIND THIS HUGE CRACK IN THE LIFTGATE DOOR. I HAD NOT OPENED THE LIFTGATE THAT DAY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH AND PERSONALLY WITNESSING OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW HINGE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) YET THE FAILURE RECURRED. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT ANY FURTHER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,634 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 02/23/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE PANEL HAS SINCE BEEN REPLACED. UPDATED 04/28/11 UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF UPDATED 01/04/12 *LN

CRACK IN PANEL BELOW REAR GLASS OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER. PANEL JUST CRACKED FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT. WENT TO TRADE IN FOR NEW EXPLORER AND DEALER EVEN COMPLAINED ABOUT DAMAGE. *TR

CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR HATCH WINDOW. *TR

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE HATCH BACK OF THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER DEVELOPED A CRACK DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE. THIS DEFECT CAN BE SEEN AROUND MANY OTHER 2003 FORDS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE HATCHBACK PIECE IS RATTLING AND SEEMS LIKE IT WILL COME OFF. *TR

THE FORD EXPLORER'S MOST FREQUENT PROBLEM - IS IT CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THIS OCCURS ON EXPLORERS FROM MODEL YEARS 2002, 2003 & 2004. WITH MOST AFFECTED EXPLORERS NOW PAST THE STANDARD WARRANTY PERIOD, MOST OWNERS WILL END UP HAVING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. BECAUSE THE CRACKED PANEL IS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT, THERE IS VERY LITTLE CHANCE OF A RECALL. FOR A SHORT TIME IN LATE 2006, FORD STARTED A "SPECIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM" FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY EXPLORERS, WHERE FORD PAID FOR ALL BUT $100 OF THE ~$450 REPAIR COST. HOWEVER SINCE JANUARY 2007, PEOPLE CALLING FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE BEGAN TO REPORT BACK THAT APPARENTLY FORD HAS ENDED THE BRIEF ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. *TR

MY 2003 EXPLORER CRACKED FROM THE BACK WINDOW TO THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD TOLD ME ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO RECALL INITIATED. I HAVE 3 OTHER FRIENDS WHO ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS IT IS BY NO FAULT OF THE OWNER AND APPARENTLY IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION CRACK IN LIFTGATE BELOW THE GLASS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT AND TO REPAIR IT MYSELF. *TR

THE UPPER PANEL ON THE BACK LIFT GATE, CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT HAS 2 CRACKS STARTING FROM ONE SINGLE ONE. IT HAPPENED DURING THE WINTER, SO WATER MUST BE ABLE TO GET IN UNDER THE SEAL AND FREEZE AND CRACK THE PANEL. I HAVE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THIS SAME CONDITION. THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE PANEL ITSELF TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR

REAR APPLIQUE "REAR LIFTGATE PANEL" BELOW THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED IN HALF. NO IMPACT INVOLVED. *TR

THE TRUNK, ON THE HALF PART KEEP ON CREAKING I REPLACE IT ONCE OUT OF PACKET COST BECAUSE FOR D DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

THE REAR LIFT GATE CRACKED DOWN THE CENTER. EVERY FORD EXPLORER LIFT GATE I SEE HAS A CRACK DOWN THE CENTER. THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE GATE. THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

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...

2003 FORD EXPLORER , 70,000 MILES REAR LIFT GATE CRACKED IN MIDDLE SPLITTING OFF IN "Y" SHAPE THERE WAS NO IMPACT DONE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. HEARD LOUD POP TOLD THAT FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING & I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.*TR

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE REAR APPLIQUE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE LIFTGATE. AFTER CONTACTING MY DEALER, I WAS TOLD TO EMAIL FORD, AS THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT. AFTER DOING SO, FORD TOLD ME THAT ALTHOUGH THAT ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE, THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. MOST OF THE PEOPLE HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME. I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO DO SO. IF THE CRACK GETS WORSE, I WILL HAVE TO PUT IN A CLAIM TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. UPON GOING ONLINE AND GOOGLING FORD DEFECTS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD VEHICLES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW, HOW TO GET A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE DAMAGED/CRACKED - SERVICE PROCEDURE. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I JUST NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW OF MY EXPLORER. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED IT. I NOTICED OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS. DIDN'T THEY GET BAIL OUT MONEY FROM UNCLE SAM?!

OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A STRESS CRACK ON THE PLATE BELOW THE REAR HATCH WINDOW, NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. I'VE SEEN DOZENS OF EXPLORERS SINCE THIS HAPPENED WITH THE SAME ISSUE, AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS DEFECT, YET I AM TOLD THAT FORD WILL NOT PAY TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTIVE PART, AS THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT. *TR

I OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I WAS GETTING READY TO GO ON A TRIP WHEN I NOTICED THAT A VERTICAL CRACK HAD FORMED IN THE MIDDLE UPPER LIFTGATE PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSE. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS TO THE SAME DEFECT THAT OTHERS ARE DESCRIBING IN THIS SAME MODEL. AT THE TIME IT WAS ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FORD NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

I JUST NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL & THERE IS NOT. I CAME UPON A WEBSITE, WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM & NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AS MINE IN THE SAME MAKE & MODEL & AROUND SAME MILEAGE. I CONTACTED FORD TO LET THEM KNOW MY PROBLEM, REFERENCED THE SITE I FOUND & HOW TO INITIATE A RECALL OR FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM THE MAIN DRIVER & I CAN BARELY CLOSE THE HEAVY TRUNK SO I AM SURE I DID NOT DO CAUSE THE CRACK & IT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE TRIED TO USE THE TRUNK AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE SO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD BE CONCERNED A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE NOT DONE ANY REPAIRS SINCE I WANTED TO SEE IF FORD WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. OUR CAR WARRANTY WILL ONLY COVER...

TAILGATE IS SPLITTING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT STARTLED ME. IT WAS DARK AND I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE NOISE WAS. I EXAMINED THE CAR AND A VERTICAL CRACK HAD APPEARED IN THE BACK LIFT DOOR PANEL THAT IS JUST BELOW THE BACK LIFT WINDOW. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE NOTICED OTHER 2003 FORD EXPLORES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT STATES WITH THE SAME FLAW. THE FLAW OCCURS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM OR RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF IT. THE FLAW SEEMS TO OCCUR IN OTHER MERCURY MODELS AS WELL, WITH THE SAME ENGINEERING DESIGN. I BELIEVE THIS CRACK IS DUE TO STRESS AND AN ENGINEERING FLAW. I REPORTED IT TO FORD SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AS I CONTINUE TO SEE MORE AND MORE VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR

ON 5-14-09 AT ABOUT 7:15AM I GOT MY CHILDREN'S DIAPER BAG OUT OF THE BACK OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER MY HATCH DOOR WAS FINE. I THEN WENT TO WORK AND IT WAS A WARM DAY BUT NOT HOT. AT ABOUT 6:10PM THE SAME DAY I WENT OUT TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK AND I SAW IT. THERE IS 2 CRACKS THE UPPER PART OF THE HATCH IN TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. ONE STARTS AT THE WINDOW AND GOES DOWN THE OTHER STARTS AT THE BOTTOM AND GOES UP. AT THAT POINT I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THEM TO LOOK AT. THE SERVICE GUY SAID HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE MADE THIS HAPPEN. HE STATED HE COULD TELL IT HAD NOT BEEN HIT OR ANYTHING AND THAT IT WASN'T A FLEX POINT....

THE BACK REAR PANEL OF THE HATCHBACK CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH THE COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO PAY FOR. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER IT HAS A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL UNDER WINDOW OF LIFTGATE I HAD IT REPLACE BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM NOW FORD REFUSE TO FIX THE CRACK SAYING THE HAVE NO RECORDS OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR