I opened the liftgate glass to my Ford Explorer in order to load groceries into the back. The glass came down on my head and I pushed it back up off of me when it exploded all over the place. The molding came down onto my head and my back (I was still leaning into the car). Because it was very cold out, I was wearing a heavy coat with a hat and the hood pulled up onto my head, so this cushioned the impact onto my back and head. Glass was everywhere. There have been several recalls on this piece of equipment since we have had the truck, but the last one was about 5 years ago. The dealer told me it would be my responsibility to fix. I don't believe that liftgates should just be falling off of cars or exploding, even if the car is 8 years old.

- Paramus, NJ, USA

Rear defroster had been on to un fog the glass. Rear liftgate glass shattered after pressing the release button to release the liftgate. Vehicle is a 2002 Ford Explorer. Weather was 19 degrees F with windchill of 10 degrees F.

- Avon, IN, USA

I got a Ford Explorer 2002 and the hatchback door is cracked, I had a Ford Explorer 2003 before and it had the same problem and I had seen other Ford Explorer from year 2000 to 2004 with this problem. I contacted the Ford headquarters company and I was told that they couldn't fix the crack because I had to contact you to complain so this will become a recall and they will fix it for me otherwise they are unable to fix it. I only buy Ford cars because I like american cars and also I feel I am helping the economy keeping jobs for the american people but I could buy any other brand! I really appreciate you taking the time to read my complain and maybe find a solution for this problem. Thank you.

- Davenport, FL, USA

2002 Ford Explorer, the back lift gate / panel directly under the glass, cracked for no reason. One day heading to lunch I noticed this piece cracked. Now, I have been noticing this on other Ford Explorer and even found a website containing lots of other 2002 Ford Explorer owners complaining about the same issue. Contacted Ford Motor Company on 12-21-09 and no recall has been made on this vehicle with this problem. I feel that it is the responsibility to Ford Explorer owners to get this fixed at no cost to the owner. Please let me know what I need to do, in order to get this corrected. Michael smith thank you for your time.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. Cracks have developed under the rear window door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but no assistance was provided because there were no recalls.. the failure mileage was 40,000.

- Jackson, MO, USA

Following the NHTSA campaign #04V442000 recall replacement of the hinge on the rear hatchback of my 2002 Ford Explorer, cracks in the body have appeared in the paneling around the rear tailgate window. These cracks appear to be stressed induced and may pose a hazard to the rear window if the framing around the window continues to degrade and crack.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

Driving on highway, no debris, and our sunroof exploded. As the screen was closed no injuries, but potential for cut and eye injuries by razor sharp glass. No one behind us affected. Huge noise very startling.

- Vancouver, 00, USA

I took a trip from home in ok to canton, tx on return heard loud noise when I stopped to have the vehicle inspected I found out the front drive shaft was coming out. In March of 2008 I noticed a noise coming from the rear of the Explorer. When I had it inspected I was told the rear end needed to be replaced. This cost me over $2000. My transmission is now slipping and after reading other complaints I fear the worse if I have my transmission checked. Who do we contact to have a lawsuit started? my truck now has approximately 110,000 miles. I have replaced the front drive shaft, rear end assembly. My air bag light stays on and the rear panel below the back window has cracked. I have all the complaints listed except for the gear shifter breaking off in my hand.

- Blackwell, OK, USA

2002 Ford Explorer with cracked rear tailgate applique. Have seen many more on the road. Ford says there is no defect. They want $350 to fix.

- Eastport, NY, USA

2002 Ford Explorer developed a crack below the rear hatch window extending down and to the right of the Ford emblem. Since then I have observed these on dozens of Explorer. My vehicle was not involved in an accident, nor was the hatch being used when this occurred. I feel it is a safety issue since the glass could fall out on the highway. Ford in no way acknowledges the issue that has hundreds of complaints on message board.

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

The rear panel below the rear window of my 2002 Ford Explorer cracked. While in the car wash, two thirds of the rear panel fell off the back of the vehicle. I have found out that this is an expensive replacement and that Ford has been made aware of the problem. My concern is if it fell off in a car wash what would happen if it fell off while I was driving 55-65 mph on the highway? also, I am not thrilled about the idea of having to spend $500 to fix a piece of my vehicle that should remain intact.

- Amherst, NH, USA

2 cracks in the hatchback above the logo.

- Summerville, SC, USA

Crack in hatchback directly below window.

- Berryville, VA, USA

Noticed what appeared to be a small scratch just below the glass on the plastic portion of 200 Explorer liftgate. On Friday Feb 6, 2009 there was a split from top to bottom. Ford is doing nothing about this problem even though it seems to possibly be related to the liftgate hinge recall already issued by the NHTSA.

- Newport News, VA, USA

When I saw a crack on the Ford applique, I went to my local Ford dealer to see who I should contact about this problem. I've never had any problems with my Explorer; took excellent care of it; no dents, dings, accidents. The dealer told me I must have slammed the trunk too hard in cold weather. If that were the case, I should have cracks in all four doors (and the hood). They wanted to give me the name of a body shop to have it repaired. I said, no, this should be Ford's responsibility. I contacted Ford's corporate office, they replied that there's no recall nor is it under warranty and that I would have to pay for the repair. I will not! this was not something that I did! this is poor workmanship! I have had numerous Ford Taurus station wagons before this Explorer, and have had no problems with them... I placed this complaint on "auto beef". my complaint was #304, there are now 315 complaints on the same problem. I'm afraid this could fall of while driving.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

When I saw a crack on the Ford applique, I went to my local Ford dealer to see who I should contact about this problem. I've never had any problems with my Explorer; took excellent care of it; no dents, dings, accidents. The dealer told me I must have slammed the trunk too hard in cold weather. If that were the case, I should have cracks in all four doors (and the hood). They wanted to give me the name of a body shop to have it repaired. I said, no, this should be Ford's responsibility. I contacted Ford's corporate office, they replied that there's no recall nor is it under warranty and that I would have to pay for the repair. I will not! this was not something that I did! this is poor workmanship! I have had numerous Ford Taurus station wagons before this Explorer, and have had no problems with them... I placed this complaint on "auto beef". my complaint was #304, there are now 315 complaints on the same problem. I'm afraid this could fall off while driving.

- Tinley Park, IL, USA

My 2002 Ford Explorer has 2 cracks from top to bottom in the back rear panel. I noticed the first on around January 2007 and the second one January 2009.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer and all of a sudden the O/D light started flashing I have read other peoples experiences and this has led me to file a complaint about this and now that I realize that im not the only one well I hope you can help I was expecting for this vehicle to last longer than my 1994 Dodge Ram. And another thing the side of the windows started pealing off my back door is cracked because it would not close right and none of my three of my windows have stopped working at one time. This car is full of malfunctions and I thing that there should be something done about it I bought it brand new and paid 25,000 for this piece of junk.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

Approximately a year ago the top panel of the back tailgate began cracking on the right side of the "Ford" symbol. Yesterday morning I came out to find another crack in the panel in the exact same spot except on the left side of the "Ford" symbol. The first crack is about 1/8" wide and split approximately halfway down the back panel. The second crack spans from the top of the panel to the bottom and is approximately 1/4-1/2" wide. I did not hit anything and there is no structural damage to the car otherwise. The panel has not been corrected or fixed yet.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer and the panel below the back window hatch has multiple cracks. I found on the internet that this seems to be a common problem for the 2002 Ford Explorer. I contacted Ford and Ford said that because it's out of warranty that they won't cover the repair. This seems to be the common answer that Ford is giving to everyone that is experiencing this problem too.

- Shoreham, NY, USA