Problems with 2003 Ford Explorer STRUCTURE

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear lift gate detached from the hinges of the vehicle. the dealer was notified and stated there was a recall but the contact's vin was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments). the manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 55,000.

All 4 of the wheel bearings had to be replaces in a matter of 5 months the rear window has a crack in the fiberglass covering right down the middle said not covered not a health risk but the molding is still cracked from the bottom of window to the bottom of the molding piece brake lights stay on until u get back in and tap the brakes then the light shuts off. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer xlt. the contact stated that a crack was found in the rear door panel. the crack was noticed while the vehicle was parked in the contact's garage. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileages were 125,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that while parked, he noticed a fracture on the rear lift gate panel. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 90,000. *tr updated 5/24/13 *cn updated 06/12/2013 *js

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 there was a loud squeaking coming from the rear window. the contact noticed that the driver side of the rear windshield hinge was crooked and the panel was fractured. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they advised that the hinges need to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 118,000 and the current mileage was 121,000. updated 6/4/12 *cn

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.

Back glass hatch has a hairline crack to the left side of the ford embelm. just suddenly apperared, after no impact. *tr

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. 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.

Door adjar sensor fails in 2003 ford explorer its all over internet. *tr

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.

I went to leave for work one morning & i noticed the rear panel was cracked. it wasn't like that the night before, so it literally happened overnight. my mechanic said it was cosmetic & common problem with these trucks. i was told the window would be fine, but there is a chance of the panel piece falling off. i haven't had it fixed yet due to the expense, but i am afraid a piece may fall off while driving which could injure someone. to add insult to injury, a week later, my transmission started slipping & the o/d light was flashing. i had it towed & sure enough, it had to be rebuilt. it also needed a new hub bearing and both front ball joints had to be replaced. *kb

There has been no accident. under normal wear and tear of car went to open hatchback glass one day to load groceries and dropped low on my head because hinge holding the glass door came loose. had to ease it back up in place , have not been able to open glass door since for fear of it falling and breaking to pieces. the second complaint is the hatchback door is cracked under the ford emblem and to the side . i have seen many many explorers with this same exact crack as mine. they have also complained!!!! ford only recalled explorers up to i believe that were made up to february 2003. my car and others i have spoke with their and mine was made in 8/2003 so we were not covered!!! that is bull!! ford should stand by their products. *tr

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 vehicle had developed a crack on the tailgate of the vehicle under the rear window. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated there had not been enough complaints to issue a recall and referred her to nhtsa. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 80,000.

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.

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

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

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated while the rear lift gate was open the hinge failed causing the gate to fall on the contacts head. the dealer was stated the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign recall number: 04v442000: structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments. the vehicle was not repaired. the contact stated the approximate failure and current mileage was 68,000.

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

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated while opening the rear hatch the lift gate hinge failed off causing the lift gate to hang on by one hinge. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated the hinge needed to be replaced. the contact did not have the hinge replaced. the contact stated the lift gate could have fallen off while driving. the failure mileage was 123,000.

I bought 2003 ford explorer in 2008, used, and in 2011 i opened my back glass and the hinge snapped on the left side and the glass started falling, and the only thing that saved the glass from breaking was the right side hinge held. i called the ford company and they said that i could take it to a dealer and have it inspected, but there was no saftey recall on my vehicle. i looked online and in 2004 the 2003 ford explorer was recalled for this very problem. *kb

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated there were two large cracks below the rear liftgate, located near the manufacturer's emblem. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified and they were unable to provide assistance. the approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

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.

My 2003 ford explorer limited blew a spark plug right out of the engine. very scary & very loud while going to the grocery store. i thought for sure the engine blew. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that there was a crack on the rear liftgate, extending up to the window. the contact expressed concern over the possibility of the window separating from the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was cosmetic and they would be unable to assist with repairs. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. the failure mileage was 74,000 and the current mileage was 77,130.

Crack in rear panel of my 2003 ford explorer. *tr

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.

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 the defect.....it is unfair for us to have to pay out of pocket for damages due to a manufacturing defect.......please investigate and resolve as appropriate. *tr

Rear hatch cracked near the ford logo. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear lift gate panel was cracked due to defective material. the dealer denied assistance with the repair because the warranty expired. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 56,543 and the current mileage was 60,000. updated 08/07/12*lj

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

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the vehicle was parked when the contact noticed that there was a large crack in the rear lift gate panel. the crack was located under the tail gate window. the failure was diagnosed or repaired. the failure and current mileages were 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

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that the window on the rear hatch developed a crack and the hinge was bent due to defective material. the manufacturer was notified and stated that the repairs associated with nhtsa campaign id number 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments) were previously performed. the manufacturer would not provide further assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 53,000 and the current mileage was 64,000.

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 that the rear lift gate fractured directly underneath the window seal. she noticed when the door was ajar the warning light would illuminate as if she had opened the doors. the dealer advised her that they were aware of the failure, but there was no recall. the vehicle was not inspected nor was it repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that the rear hatch door has fractured under the glass. she noticed the fracture once the temperature became cooler. the vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. the failure mileage was approximately 75,500.

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

Crack developed in the panel below the rear hatch window. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that there was a crack on the rear lift gate that extended across. there were also three other smaller cracks. the vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. the contact stated that the rear window looked as if it would explode. the current and failure mileages were approximately 83,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that there was a crack on the rear liftgate from the top of the manufacturers emblem up to the window. the vehicle was not inspected or repaired fro the failure. the failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 130,000.

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

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 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

Paint on hood bubbling with corrosion under hood. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that the lift gate hinges were fractured. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in nhtsa campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). the vehicle was not repaired. the failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.....updated 10/11/12 *bf updated 10/16/2012 *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. the contact stated that a crack had developed on the liftgate of the vehicle. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 56,000.