I am very disappointed with FORD Explorer! I purchased this car brand new 02’ and bought it instead of a BMW thinking I would save money on repairs. Well my piece of junk Ford Explorer XLT 02 has had problems since day one. Yes, I had a extended warranty but all the issues it has had from day one was never fixed because the mechanics from Fords said the “computer” could never diagnose the problems so dealership said they could not send the parts to FORD( back east main office) to get paid for them if they found nothing wrong with it!! What?? You mean to tell me we take our cars in for service when it’s under warranty and to get repairs done and if the computer doesn’t diagnose what he issues are the dealership will not get paid for the repairs or parts used?? There is clearly a problem with the car and the Ford mechanic says there an issue but the computer can’t figure out the part, so the service department will not repair it because they will not get paid from FORD!!!????

Now 1/3/2011 This 7”crack appeared on the panel below in my rear tail gate window is just disgusting and after doing a search on complaints with this issue which I should have done first before accusing my husband that he did it when he took the car to work! I felt horrible and thought you know maybe since I had already issues with it maybe I should check if I am the only one that this happened to then to blame him….. What a discovery after doing the research, sure enough I am not the only one that this problem has appeared out of the blue!!!! IT should be replaced by FORD Along with the other panels that I had already replaced because of peeling paint etc. This 7” crack that is on the rear tail gate probably will not be fixed by FORD since they do not honor there warranties when they are paid for and will wait till they expire to have you pay for the repairs!! WHAT A RIP OFF!! I was actually appalled when a Ford Service manager said you need to buy another FORD instead of fixing the problem because FORD back east will not honor the warranty!

I have had transmission problems, electrical etc and the service dept will not fix the problems!! When under warranty telling me to come back when the issue(s) is always there and not intermittent?? What a joke! Mind you my car had issues and it doesn't even have 80miles on it! The transmission will cost me $3000.00 per ford service to replace; I have all ready spent replacing the gear shifter that broke on the freeway and the main steering will column on the car!!! Oh Yes also the front suspension ball joint!! Yes it cost me a pretty penny Total $4000.00 WHAT A RIP OFF! Now add in the $3000.00 Transmission that I am waiting for it to completely go out of wack ( per FORD service dept) before they fix it!! That is a down payment $7000.00 for a brand new car that I have spent in the last year 2010 of owning the SUV!!! I will never buy this kind of SUV or ANY PRODUCT that FORD makes. They do not take care for there customers.

Oh! for you Ford owners there is an attorney in New Jersey who is doing a class action law suit to recall the ford 2002 Explorer as FORD is aware of a design defect regarding the transmission design and now the new ones have the corrected transmissions in them.. Any suggestions on the cracked panel on the rear tail gate window would be great appreciated. Oh don’t worry I am going to contact that attorney again to tell them what just happened. NEVER BUY A FORD !!

This is what so bad, because this happened while my car was at the Ford Sop getting maintenance work done on it. The other thing is that before I left the house to take it to the shop I got in the trunk/hatch back and it was not there. When I got back home later that evening I noticed it and called the shop right away to tell the worker and I spoke with the supervisor and she was going to look at the video tape to see if she could see if anything happened there. I gave them a few days and went up to the shop and they were coming up with this is a commonly known problem to ford and he did show me some internet complaints about the crack in the back panel and basically said they would not fix it, so again, I am stuck with a broken panel.

I have gotten sooooo much work done on this vehicle within a few months then I have spent on my vehicles after having them for years.

This is my first purchase of a Ford vehicle and the last purchase too and I have so many family members that have retired from there and some still are employed there, but I will not even think about buying another Ford product again.

Ok, so this has also happened to me, the dogone crack in the panel below the back window. I'm not happy about it. I'm religious about taking care of my explorer, ie. washing in all kinds of weather, paint claying, waxing with random obital, keeping everything spotless, etc. So, today Dec. 15, I'm filling up with gas when I see a crack in the back panel 8" from the "Ford" logo. It has been cold here lately in the teens, and yes, I have used the window hatch. I take it to my dealer (whom I use with respect) and because it is out of warranty, it would be $500 in parts and labor to fix. I'm sure I'll do it because of how long I keep my cars and how I care for them. My problem is that my wife has an 04 Merc Mount that has the SAME design. I guess my suggestion to her and all of you who read this is: BE SURE TO ONLY USE THE FULL BACK LIFTHATCH IN WINTER TO HELP PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO YOU!!!! What else can I say.....I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT !!!!!!!

I first noticed the crack today (Nov 17th 2010) and thought someone or something has impacted there, but there were no marks,just the crack, and realised it must be some kind of tension crack. When I got home I went on the computer and googled the problem and this is how I came across this site and saw many many people have the same problem, I was astounded, now I am so mad because this should never happen and I'm thinking of the expense of the repair and if the crack is going to get worse. All I have done so far is to put clear silicone caulk in it to hopefully stop water getting down inside. Ford, you have to address this problem.

Update from Nov 18, 2011: As of Nov 2011 I have done nothing to remedy the problem apart from using clear silicone when I first noticed it, now the silicone has gone and the crack is actually wider! Back to the silicone I guess

Update from Nov 19, 2011: When I say wider, it's gaping and all the way down the panel now

I called Ford about the crack in the back panel of my Explorer. They said this is not a safety issue and since my vehicle is eight years old and the warranty is only for three years, they would not fix it. They also said that since they have had so many complaints, the good news is that Ford has fixed this problem in the newer models. That doesn't do me any good. It's scary to read that so many people had the problem fixed and a few years later it happens again. That is not reassuring! I am very disappointed in Ford! It's embarrassing to drive around with this crack. I have taken very good care of this vehicle and it looks the same on the inside as it did when I bought it eight years ago. SHAME ON YOU, FORD!

I complained directly to FORD via an e-mail. Here's what they sent me:Thank you for contacting the Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center regarding the lift gate crack concern on your 2002 Ford Explorer XLT.

Fred, I can only imagine the frustration you’re experiencing after reading your email, and I completely understand why you are writing. Unfortunately, after extensively reviewing your situation, I regret to inform you that there are no warranties or other coverages available that would provide assistance.

Moreover, please be advised that when Ford Motor Company recognizes an on going issue, a recall or Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) is put into place. Recalls or CSP are released to ensure the appropriate corrections are performed promptly by an authorized Ford dealer. Your vehicle is not involved in any recalls or customer satisfaction programs.

I called the 1-800-392-3673. The person I talked to said, "Sorry - there's nothing FORD can do... FRUSTRATED with FORDS!!!!!!