The contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the hatchback support gate would not properly support the glass. Also, the child safety locks do not work properly. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer for inspection. She notified the manufacturer and they stated that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V137000 (structure:body:hatchback/lift gate:support device) or NHTSA campaign id number 96V070000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch). The failure mileage was 120,000 and current mileage was 129,000.

- Clovis, NM, USA

The contact owns a 1996 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate assist gas cylinder bracket snapped at the welding point, which caused the liftgate to close without warning. As of October 16, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V137000 (structure: Body: Hatchback/liftgate: Support device). The failure mileage was 132,000 and current mileage was 134,000.

- Worcester, MA, USA

Vehicle is an SUV with a rear liftgate / hatch that raises upwards when open. On this day I was loading some item is the rear of the vehicle when the liftgate suddenly fell and stuck me on the head. The liftgate is normally supported by a gas type strut on each side. There are ball type pins attached to the liftgate and the body for these gas struts to attach to. The upper pin on the right side of the lift gate snapped off and allowed the liftgate to fall. It appears it was rusting through, however there is no other rust on any portion of the liftgate. Only one gas type strut will not support the weight of the tailgate. In only two days I have found four other people who have experienced this same problem with 1995 & 1996 Explorer.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

On or around the date indicated, a gentleman from staples office supply was loading a chair and desk into the back of my Ford Explorer when the hatch collapsed. Luckily, I was standing there and caught the hatch before it fell on his head and back and possibly really injured him. Apparently, the left hydraulic arm of the hatch sheared completely off the bracket welded to the vehicle. Upon inspection, both sides are completely rusted and the other arm could shear off at any time. Nowhere on this vehicle is there rust and these welded brackets are in the interior seal of the rear hatch and are in no way exposed to water. We were able to unhook the arm totally with the little pins holding it in place. Then the hatch wouldn't close properly once the arm was removed. (I was told this was probably due to the change in weight distribution.) I called Ford (national 800 number not the local dealer) and asked them about it. The customer service woman immediately told me that they had no complaints on that and that there was no recall so I would have to pay for it. I took the vehicle to a body shop which gave me a quote of $468 to weld new brackets on (both sides will need to be replaced to prevent future injuries). The hydraulic arms themselves work fine. Upon viewing your site, I see there was a recall the year after the car was made dealing with the right side hydraulic arm and improper welding. (recall # 97V137000) I basically just want it fixed and want them to fix anybody else's so nobody else will get hurt. What if a mom is unloading groceries with her kid and the door comes crashing down on them"?? how many injuries or deaths will it take for them to fix something like this?"!!

- Crawfordville, FL, USA

NHTSA campaign 97V074000, 97V137000, 97V070000. Ford issued a throttle, liftgate, and door assembly recalls. This vehicle was not included in the recalls, but the consumer was experiencing the same problems as those vehicles that were recalled. The vehicle identification number was outside the remedy scope.

- Alpharetta, GA, USA