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
The cracked rear panel isn't a huge deal but its annoying and looks bad.
- johnnyripper, Glassboro, NJ, US
The panel on my rear door broke off in 2008 I was shocked by this so I had it replaced and now 4 years later it broke off again. Ford should compensate all owners who have experienced this problem. I am mad as hell. I will never purchase a ford again !
- Donald P., Akron, OH, US
click to see larger images
My parents bought this vehicle new. They had this problem within the first 20,000 miles, and the dealer replaced the broken piece. They had the same issue two more times before I inherited it. I owned it for a whole year before the piece cracked and then broke off in the car wash. The dealer said it would cost $167 for the piece, plus paint. I said, it wasn't my fault, and that Ford should fix it, but since there isn't a recall on it, they cannot give me a break. I called for, and they basically just said, thanks for you input, sorry you are having a bad time of it.
It's obviously just a crappy design job, and Ford actually did do a recall for older Explorers.
Ford obviously doesn't care about this issue at all.
- Doug G., Midland, TX, US
This truck is very reliable & I love it but the back crack makes it look so ugly I HATE it!
Once I seen other trucks exactly the same as mine with the exact crack & I thought FORD must do
Something about it cuz its not just one its many trucks!
- fisherca, Garden Grove, CA, US
it makes it look like i got in a wreck and i dont like it
- acornett, Hobbsville, NC, US
two explorers both cracked hatch, replace 05 once and it cracked again
- rhauffe, Glendale, AZ, US
Why does a company like Ford risk customer loyalty over a verifiable problem among Explorer owners.
I bought my Explorer new 2002. I still own it. They knew the transmission was total CRAP right away, they did not care, they knew the back panel was going to crack early on, they did nothing about it, they knew the black portion of door between windows fades and chips, yet again NOTHING! Really Ford, Do you not have a clue that we are not idiots out here? We are your PAST customers and not your future if YOU do not get a clue and start appreciating your car/truck owners.
Never again unless you own up and make it right!
It is never to late, unless you just do not care....
- Danna G., Eudora, KS, US
well i know ford will do nothing at all to fix this problem but i thought it was a trickle of water but up close there is a crack from back window straight down to bottom of that panel if this problem has occurred with so many vehicles why doesn't ford recall and man up ...i have always had liked fords and have owned 3 now but you know the more people i talk to they have no faith in fords anymore due to there faulty response ti issues that are there fault ........thank you ...signed not impressed
- Marilyn W., Orillia, Ontario, canada
Ford, what the heck!?! This is known issue. I see many other explorers with the same issue. I guess I will count my lucky stars I got the manual transmission and dodged a HUGE bullet with the abysmal auto transmission. My wife and I were about to buy a new Expedition as well. After reading about the issues with the 5.4 V8, NO WAY. I can't believe Ford will not recall that issue or the auto transmission on his model Explorer. I liked the features and feel of the Expedition too. My money is going to get a GMC Yukon now. Ford will never see another dime of my money.
- Daniel D., Arvada, CO, US
As so many others the back panel under my window is cracked, when I went to the dealership they told me it was not Fords problem to fix. After paying, $300 to have it fixed 6 months later the crack was back. Ford should step up to the plate and take responsibility for this, I was told because it's not a safety issue there will not be a recall issued. It causes other problems with the latch, isn't that enough cause? So fed up...it looks like crap!
- Kristen M., Mt. Laurel, NJ, US
Unsightly cracked rear panel allows moisture/water into locking mechanism causing "door ajar" and alarm problems. Dealership quotes @ $200 in parts to repair crack with additional cost for damaged lock sensor.
- charleyk, Santa Cruz, CA, US
I noticed that the trim piece below the back glass started to buckle in the hot weather, but then would contract in the winter. One cold day while shutting the back glass, the trim cracked. I have noticed several Ford Explorers on the road with the same problem. I have not fixed my trim to remind me to never buy a Ford product again. I have owned 1995 and 1997 Explorers and have been pleased, but something happened in 2002 when the body style changed that compromised the quality of the Explorers.
- Scott L., Shelbyville, TN, US
its bull crap. i take really good care of my vehicles and if a lot of ppl have had this happen then it should be fixed free of costs.
- ripson, Herriman, UT, US
Black plastic panel under the rear window has a large crack in it. It looks terrible but I am the second owner of the vehicle and I didn't try to take it to Ford. Definately a vehicle with problems. If it were a horse it would need to be shot !! Might do it anyway !!
- enigma.lover.2010, Lexington, NC, US
click to see larger images
This rear tail gate is ready to fall off. With 3 large cracks vertically, the rear window may fall out. and it grinds around when moving the vehicle.
- Kathy B., Kansas City, MO, US
You know, it's not bad enough I had to have my transmission replaced when I only had under 50k miles. I had to replace all my bearings & struts many times, but now I have a cracked panel right below my rear window. This is obviously a manufacturing defect. I've seen many 2002 explorers with the same crack, and some of them have two cracks. Fords should step up to the plate and take responsibility for this crack as well as the faulty transmission. They should issue a recall asap. Actually, they should have issued a recall long ago. we've owned many Fords and I'm never buying another one if they do not acknowledge they made a vehicle with nothing, but issues, that are not only costly to repair, but very dangerous.
- Debra M., Brighton, MI, US
Almost got into red explorer parked next to mine one day w/exact same cracks in rear hatch - also, window doesn't stay up, have to open whole hatch if I don't want to get clunked on the head. Along w/tranny, 4 wheel drive not working, etc, etc, etc.
- Kris D., Snowflake, AZ, US
Can't believe this problem can't be fix by Ford! It seem that the whole world has this problem beside 101 other problems. They should be taken to court!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Felix R., Virginia Beach, VA, US
This panel has cracked again. The length of the panel and split at the bottom. I contacted Ford and received an e-mail telling me it was my problem. Having found your will web site I am further armed to tell them I don't find their answer satisfactory.
- Cherie G., East Moriches, NY, US
Another common problem for the 2002 Ford Exploder. Ford won't stand behind it. Not much else to say other than KMA FMC.
- Mike N., Louisville, KY, US