6.6
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $420
- Average Mileage:
- 76,900 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 551 complaints
Most common solutions:
- Ford should recall (226 reports)
- repair or replace tailgate (143 reports)
- not sure (104 reports)
- replace the panel (30 reports)
- need a redesigned tailgate (22 reports)
- ford needs to pay for being fixed (14 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My Ford SUV has been my baby since 2003. Tough as nails and very dependable. I used to see all those other Ford SUV's with the crack under the rear window by the emblem and wondered why so many people had an anger management problem. Then I found out why first hand. I took my Ford through the car wash in November. I recall it was very cold out that day. I drove through the wash and the last cycle came on...Heated blowers. Next thing I heard was the crack of a gunshot. I thought the rear window had shattered. When I checked I had the symbolic Ford crack under the rear window like everyone else - I had just joined the p.o. Ford owners club.
- crackednwacked, Sanatoga, PA, US
I have seen the crack under the rear window on many Explorers and have talked to the dealerships about it and their response is that Ford is unwilling to fix the problem.
- Shawn H., Denver, CO, US
Whenever since my back cracked panel underneath my window has been broken, I can't set my alarm on my SUV because it won't quit going off, so therefore I can't lock my SUV. I want this problem fixed.
- Dawn E., Piketon, OH, US
This problem is annoying and should be fixed at Ford's expense.
- Millissa J., broken bow, OK - Oklahoma, US
The panel NEEDS TO BE FIXED TO PREVENT THE PANEL TO CRACK. IF YOU LOOK AT THE HATCHBACK, IT IS NOT SET RIGHT. THE WHOLE DOOR NEEDS FIXING TO PREVENT THIS PANEL TO CRACK.
- janerussell, Santa Rosa, CA, US
Ford needs to fix the problem, like how my transmission went at 85000 miles and they know of the problem but ate not doing anyhting about this is is a joke.
- Sebastiano D., New Britain, CT, US
Ford needs to do a recall since there are so many cars with the same problem.
- bigjeff777, Santee, CA, US
I have seen several Ford Explorer's with the crack on the rear panel. This should be a defect and Ford should recall. Mine has been cracked for several years. I was trying to figure out what I did to make it crack and then I started seeing more cracked rear panels on Ford Explorer's than I could count. And I live in a remote area.
- Russell C., Red River, NM, US
click to see larger images
As much as Ford is proud of their name, you would think a crack on pretty much every Explorer on the road, right next to their logo, would get their attention. They should be ashamed! I will never buy another Ford if they don't recall it and I've always bought Fords!
- gotovrit, Plant City, FL, US
Every time I see an Explorer, I see the same crack.
- hjones15, Bedford Hills, NY, US
They need to recall and fix the cracked back door panels. I have no heat and a cracked back door panel because they were trying to save money and used plastic instead of metal. I wonder if Ford Executives would drive around with no heat, cracked back door panels, paint peeling off hood? Oh, but they would not be able to drive the 2003 Ford Explorer until they bought a new motor and rebuilt the transmission because they blew up also before hitting the 100,000!!!!!!!
- andersona, Freeland, PA, US
I found out long ago that I was not the only one having this issue of the rear tailgate up panel having a crack in the plastic. I took it to Ford and they looked at me like I had two heads, and said you were the first complaint with this problem. I had the car for several years when I took it in with this problem. Hmmmm, no recalls no mention. How weird, I'm the only one in the world with this problem?
I asked further and they said $300 for a new panel plus paint and labor to finish it. $500 to $600.
Ya, ok, I'll get right on top of that. I bought some narrow stick on plastic molding and created my own "cover up"
Why do dealerships lie to our faces, yet when we go to buy our new cars or trucks, they agree with everything we say and the BS continues. Do dealership sales and service people grow up to be politicians?
- jerryontario, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
When I talked to a Ford service person, he said he'd seen numerous cracked back panels, but Ford would not pay to fix them. Not acceptable!
- Jewell M., Burgin, KY, US
The cracks in the rear panel are bad and getting worse. The large crack is separating and I'm afraid the window is going to come out. The rear panel rattles when I'm driving. I can't understand why Ford will not fix this problem. If you walk through a parking lot you can see all the Explorer's that have cracked rear panels. I would think Ford would be embarrassed by this problem. After all, Ford used to be proud of their products.
- Jacqueline M., Rio Vista, CA, US
click to see larger images
I am very unhappy that Ford has decided not to institute a fix for this well-know issue.
- Cary K., Anaheim, CA, US
It's ugly to look at, it's annoying and every other one other I see has the same problem. Are the Ford people stupid or what? Maybe they just don't give a sh*t!!!
- Raymond B., Box Elder, SD, US
3 cracks on the lift gate below the window, haven't seen a 2003 Ford Explorer without this problem yet.
- Michael S., Lompoc, CA, US
Shows how much Ford cares about their product after it leaves the dealership. Should be a warning to all potential Ford buyers.
- cwilloughby, St. Augustine, FL, US
I just thought I would add my cracked window panel to the list.
I bought my Explorer NBX new in October 2002.
In February 2008 driving to Denver on a very cold day, we all heard a loud crack that you could feel too. As there was no debris on the freeway, I thought it was not a rock, but maybe someone has shot the car. I pulled over a few miles later, and taa daa, there was a 1/4 inch crack in the rear window panel.
I talked to the dealer. No help. I wrote to Ford. No help.
As it does not leak, I have not had it fixed to date. I consider it free advertising for Ford Quality.
- kindofirritated, Colorado Springs, CO, US
Worse vehicle I ever owned, continually replacing the wheel bearings along with the cracked panel. I eventually had the panel replaced, because water was going into the back of the vehicle.
- Walter & Christine P., Evansville, IN, US