10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,000 miles

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problem #3

Apr 042004

Explorer 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles
The rear lift gate door is tearing away from the where it attaches to the lift gate door hinge on the left side (dirvers side). The door has always been a problem to close and was ajar from when I bought the car new. The door ajar light would come on all the time, and of couse the numberous time I took it to the dealer they could never "duplicate the problem". now it is beyond the point of ajustment. The whole liftgate has to be replaced at a cost of approxiametly $1,200. It is a safety hazzard as I have to pull out the fuseto get the lights to go out, in order to drive it at night. The lights won't go off when the door is ajar. When it rains I have to stop to put the fuse back in and drive witht the interior lights on, which is very hard to see. Also fumes come in from the exhaust so I can't go for long trips N it. If I didn't like the car so much I would trade it in, but I really love my Explorer except for this defect in construction. (it has never been involved in a accident.) I am taking it in to be fixed next week.

- Ocoee, FL, USA

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problem #2

Dec 152001

Explorer 4WD

  • miles
Tailgate while in lifted position fell/failed due to left rear bracket coming off, causing minor injury to owner. Child almost injuried due to braket failure.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

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problem #1

Dec 012000

(reported on)

Explorer

  • miles
There is metal fatigue of door panel at hinge at the upper right hand corner of the rear lift gate. The company says the door has to be replaced, that it cannot be fixed as a fix would further fatigue the metal. The bending of the metal is taking place where the hinge attaches and is bending the panel up so that when the door is closed, the bent body work acts as a scoop, drawing rain water, air and, I assume, exhaust fumes into the passenger compartment. I complained to Ford and they have said they will cover approx. $1,000 of the $1300 estimate to fix the problem. However generous that may be, I feel this is a problem than is a design problem and that it may affect many more than just my unit. I have not yet taken the car in for the repair....the earliest I can get an appt. Is 12/11. The dealer has been most cooperative in this but the expense of the replacement of the door is large and, in my estimation, should be 100% covered by the company. Jm.

- Sammamish, WA, USA

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