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
i see many fords on the road with the same problem. so it must affect many explorers.
- Jamie M., Muskogee, OK, US
Paid for this out of pocket to have repair if needed. Ford should pay for this, it is clearly a design fail.
- danshelley, Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada
rear crack just like other owners report. about 4 inches long, 1mm thick.
- biffbuff99, Harrison Township, MI, US
When I bought my Explorer used it had the crack below the rear window. In hard rains or heavy snow the crack leaks into my interior.
- marlenew, Numa, IA, US
I replaced it with another I got from a junk yard, and it cracked too!
- jimhenry2000, Honey Brook, PA, US
While driving down the road after panel was cracked it blew off the car , Gone .!!!! pissed off, Ford knew about this and did nothing to fix. They should pay for repair .
- luvsnest, Jacksonville, FL, US
God damn piece of crap! FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS.FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS.FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS.FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS.FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS.
- airblainer, Carrington, ND, US
The rear panel was fixed the first time under warranty. It broke again after it was just out of warranty and has been broken since then. It expands and contracts with the temperature changes.
- czammit, Saint Peters, MO, US
FORD SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR BAD QUALITY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Anthony G., West Union, OH, US
Here it is 2014 and I have a 2002 Explorer XLT with the vertical crack on the outside rear lid by the Ford Emblem. I have had this fixed 2 previous times that cost me over $500.00 each time. Now it's cracked again so the hell with it.
- abbott211, Hendersonville, TN, US
Yes, the back panel cracked below the rear window...too much for the repair. Looked lousy and embarrassing. Piece of crap. Worst car in the universe.
- roselady, Billings, MT, US
had problems getting the rear window to open & then latch - noticed crack had developed.
- Robin H., Brentwood, TN - Tennessee, US
I have seen many Explorers with this problem, I can't afford to pay for it, other things on this car are breaking and need more attention. Rear window regulators (cables), timing chain replacement, rear axle bearing replacement, front seat motor switch replacement, transmission fluid flush and replace are a few of the recent things
- Joseph B., Galt, CA, US
We have multiple cracks in two areas. As a result, during heavy rain the water gets in, and the bottom of the gate gets wet ( The carpet inside by the latch).
Also the backup sensors stopped working due to this problem. I think it has to do with the water getting in.
When it first happened, we contacted Ford. Their replay was that it was cosmetic and did not affect safety.
Well, with the backup sensors not working, now it is a safety issue, is it not?!
We would fix it but it seams very expensive to buy the plastic panel and have it paint it. However, we know someone who took that route and the paint is peeling now.
- hmk, West Chester, PA, US
We first thought someone had keyed it as they have done all over this vehicle since day one.
But as we looked closer we found it is cracked. From what I have been reading Ford should be responsible especially if it cracks off . We need to drive from Florida to MN and I am worried it will fly off. We called our local dealer and they acted like what are you talking about??? Are now going to call insurance company.
- Barb V., Maplewood, MN, US
click to see larger images
I noticed this crack a couple of months ago after washing my 2002 Ford Explorer. Called my insurance company to file a claim. They said it is a defect in the panel, they gave me this Facebook page. I haven't taken it to my Ford deal, they said it should be a recall. I don't have $400.00 to get it fixed. Ford needs to take responsibility and fix it! (Warrenville, IL)
- Robin L., Warrenville, IL, US
Had panel replaced and subsequently cracked again. As of 2/2012 has 3 vertical cracks. Not worth the price to replace only to have it break again. Just living with a bad looking rear end. The rest of vehicle is still fairly good looking. Bummer that Ford won't replace with better materials.
- znarfski, Fresno, CA, US
I am quite surprised on how many Explorers I've found searching the web that have complained about the same problem. Some pictures I've seen show the SAME EXACT location and crack type that I have.
- ralyel69, Miller Place, NY, US
Just let me know what material I can get to repair it, since I don't believe FORD will even bother to answer this.
- Ford S., Glenolden, PA, US
Already had to replace the transmission that Ford knows is faulty but won't recall. the rear panel has been cracked for years.
- Tami O., New Boston, MI, US