6.5
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $450
- Average Mileage:
- 79,300 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 622 complaints
Most common solutions:
- Ford should pay for it (396 reports)
- not sure (86 reports)
- paid to have rear panel replaced (48 reports)
- file complaint with NHTSA to get a recall issued (26 reports)
- start a class action suit and get damages reimbursed (17 reports)
- dealership replaced the entire panel (10 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
click to see larger images
I have a folder of pictures of Explorers with the same defect. Ford should provide a remedy.
- Mick O., Lake St. Louis, MO, US
I have not seen an Explorer with an UN-CRACKED panel yet..
- carminepro, Branchville, NJ, US
click to see larger images
The first time in 03 was a pain, the second time in 08 was a real pain, and the 3rd time 2011 was a triple pain in the a€£¥', and I'm finally going to fix it again, after it has been cracked for 4 or 5 years and listening to my wife gripe forever! It seems like everything is plastic, the plastic valve cover cracked in 05 and oil burned and smoked off of the header for ever! The plastic thermostat housing has cracked a couple of times and also the intake manifold! This will be my last Ford for sure!
- wylec, Highland, UT, US
I noticed it a couple weeks ago. Called my insurance and adjuster came, said they wouldn't fix it because this was in a lawsuit against Ford and Ford should fix.
- Cynthia T., Evansville, IN, US
Every Ford Explorer from this model/body style I see on the road has this same crack under the rear window! CLEARLY this is a defective panel that I feel Ford should repair free of charge.
- Roger W., Hendersonville, TN, US
I am unhappy that Ford has not acknowledged the problem to me. I was led to believe that the problem occurred when someone probably backed into me in a parking lot on a cold day. I have had the panel replaced but now find that it is a recurring problem on this vehicle.
- jforsyth, Southern Pines, NC, US
Shipped my 2002 Ford Explorer from Guam to Seattle when I retired from the Navy. Once we got our vehicle we noticed the back panel above the Ford emblem and below the read window was cracked. The body shop guy said water gets in there, then freezes and the break. Not sure how much truth there is to that. It was not worth getting fixed at the time. As I drive around and see other 2002 Explorers I see the same crack in them too.
- Robert H., Burley, ID, US
In normal driving I have noticed hundreds of other Exploders with the same panel on the rear lift gate to be cracked. It is obvious that this is a flawed materials issue that once again Ford has continually chosen to ignore. The crack runs the entire vertical length of the panel. In checking with the Ford dealer the cost of repairs would run approximately $450.00 with no guarantee that it won't crack again.
I have posted two other complaints on this site for two separate transmission failures one at 86,000 miles and the other at 124,000 miles. Maybe the Ford management team are avid hockey fans and hope that I go for the transmission replacement "hat trick" - well guys I can assure you that I won't fall for it.
- forddown, Falls Church, VA, US
My 2002 Ford Explorer XLS has been beautifully made, and holding up well cosmetically. There is a growing list of replacements and repairs that I have made that I feel were for parts that wore out prematurely. One of those things is the rear hatch door window. As part of the window, a plastic painted panel has cracked right down the middle. It may be due to exposure to elements or just plain deteriorated materials. I have not repaired it but have noticed the amount of Ford vehicles with this same body style that have cracks in theirs.
- Sharon J., Summerville, SC, US
I notice this after getting off work at night. one cold winter night in January. when I first looked at it.. it. looked like some one had tried to break in to my automobile. I have noticed one of every three ford explorer that I see on a daily basis have the same defect. and that's a lots. this is a manufacturer defect. I am requesting to be compensated for this. you can call me 901-335-4275 or email me. ltennial@centurylink.net
- Linda T., Byhalia, MS, US
Thought I was lucky, because I have had all the problems that come with this vehicle. Nope it showed me. I am now one of the unfortunate ones who now has a cracked rear panel behind the stupid Ford emblem.
- intamernet, West Valley City, UT, US
Crack in the tailgate panel under the window. Can't open the rear door as normally one would. Must hold the rear panel and lift the door open while pushing on the crack so it doesn't keep getting bigger.
- mheywood, Christiansted, Virgin Islands, US
The rear panel has cracked right under where the handle for the panel is. So every time it is used, it has the potential for cracking more. It is about a 6 inch horizontal crack right now. I would use the window more, but that window has already SHATTERED twice since i have owned the car (once after the recall and yes I went to the dealership and had it allegedly fixed-)The second shattering was on our vacation in DC!
- Susan R., Longwood, FL, US
The pnnel under the back window cracked shortly after we bought it, never had it fixed but have seen lots of other Explorers with the same problem.
- kkraft, Wahpeton, ND, US
Dear Ford:
Stand by your product and acknowledge that you had a design flaw (or many) and do right by your customers. I am certain that you had no issues in taking our money.
- Raj R., Brooklyn, NY, US
This is a common problem with this year's Explorer. Ford should replace this panel since they have known about this since it was manufactured.
- curly708, Orland Park, IL, US
Every explorer I see that is my body style has this issue.
- andrew76240, Gainesville, TX, US
I have seen so many Explorers having the same issue with cracked rear body panel.
If it's not a design defect, I don't know what you would call this.
- Pat C., Bayside, NY, US
click to see larger images
I purchased a 2002 Ford Explorer and in June 2004 the lift gate was cracked. I contacted Ford and was told they would not fix the problem. I take pride and care in my vehicles. It is unacceptable for Ford to not replace the lift gates that have a possible manufacturer defect. I see many Fords with the same issue and believe that this is a serious problem in which Ford should be held accountable.
- robinlove, Loveland, CO, US
Dealership said a lot of these Ford Explorers had this problem and that I should wait because Ford will likely having a recall to correct. Waited year after year and still nothing was done. Ended up just sealing it with a silicone caulk. The back window latch also failed to secure and SUV would not pass inspection. I sealed the window with silicone caulk in order to pass inspection. 50% of the Ford Explorers I see have this same panel cracking problem.
- timspa, Export, PA, US