6.4
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $460
- Average Mileage:
- 75,350 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 769 complaints
Most common solutions:
- waiting for Ford to recall (296 reports)
- not sure (205 reports)
- replace panel (117 reports)
- possible class action lawsuit (63 reports)
- call Ford motor company 1-800-241-3673 (27 reports)
- do not buy Ford again (25 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Called Ford and "at this time their are no recalls for your vehicle" but I heard that its common. All I have to do is wait and see what course of action Ford takes with this issue. Buy American, lets boost the economy guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- javalos, Chicago, IL, US
Back lift window cracked through frame. I see why Ford changed this in later models back to the glass lift again. I think they should stand good for this. I see the average cost if we have it fixed is $400 plus dollars. I have spent enough on wheel bearings and oil leaks already and do not want to spend anymore.
- jubobr1, Redding, CA, US
FORD ? REALLY ?? I have spent only a few minutes on the internet and found MANY complaints about this issue and Ford is telling people it isn't an "issue". Since my "CRACK" reared its' ugly head I have noticed almost every 2002 - 2005 Explorer with the dreaded "CRACK" and all I am reading is Ford will do nothing about it. I have joined the Facebook page dedicated to the "CRACK" and intend to be as vocal as I can. I am looking for information on how to join the class action suit. Maybe HBO can film a special....."Cracked in America".
- Don S., Flowery Branch, GA, US
At first I thought that I did something. Then i started noticing other cars and when ever I seen another car I immediately look at the back panel and sure enough it is cracked under the glass-
It is very annoying knowing that this problem exist and that no one from ford has acknowledged any of the complaints-I will now call ford and report the issue-I will in fact let everyone who i see with the same problem know to call ford.
i would like the problem fixed-this is my only car and would like to keep it-
- Marsha B., Newark, DE, US
Back panel cracked and is ugly and looks tacky. Don't know what the complications for leakage into the back door may be. Nice car on the outside except for that. I see the same problem on Explorers all over in just our own town, so there are a lot more of them out there that 543.
- cdennett, St. Louis, MO, US
If the ford company want fix a crack in the plastic panel under the rear window or recall the on going problem. They must not be concerned about selling any of there explorers in the future. If they want fix a crack that goes through their ford name then that tells me what kind of service they have or warranty on standing behind there product. why buy a ford if they want fix the problems.Just go buy a Chevrolet you will get better service and less problems. Its awful that ford company lets a simple fix or recall ruin their business. I just wanted to let everyone know about how ford stands behind their product and warranty.
- Richard J., Anderson, SC, US
click to see larger images
We had a mild cold spell and the crack appeared. A few days after doing some on-line research I saw this was a common problem. I spoke to a lady with a 2005 Eddie Bauer, with the same problem. I guess when the Ford Design Engineers were in Materials class, they missed the section on coefficients of expansion.
- dougsdad, West Palm Beach, FL, US
click to see larger images
I bought the suv used about a month ago and didn't even notice the crack. I am one of the lucky ones...I guess I would say. The spot where mine is cracked is directly in the middle of the Ford symbol and perfectly straight. I was informed the Explorer had been in a former wreck when I bought it, and everything had been repaired,so it looked like a spot where something was just repaired, and I was satisfied with it. My dad actually noticed other explorers on the road with similar cracks around or in the same spot. I think Ford should recall the part that is below the window. It would bother me more if I knew I would be keeping the car longer than about a year, but I just needed the suv for the back seat space for carseats for the kids I babysit.
- atraylor, Lexington, SC, US
I NOTICE A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL ONE DAY WIHCH WAS NOT THERE THE DAY BEFORE. I DID NOT OPERATE THE REAR DOOR DURING THAT TIME THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS CRACK, NOR DID I HIT ANY THING OR WAS HIT.
- Edward H., Elizabeth City, NC, US
Happened after a cold snap. Seems to be a common problem that Ford will not fix. Looks like there is a class action lawsuit against Ford filed 12/22/2010 in CA.
- latesho, Mobile, AL, US
seriously - this is the 2nd problem I've had with the rear hatch. my 3rd and final explorer
- Ed B., Medina, OH, US
Will Ford cover this problem? It seems many people have the same exact problem with the same make and model.
- ford sad, New York, Levittown, US
Thought it was just mine but obviously this is a common problem and Ford needs to do a recall!!
- A O., Harleysville, PA, US
Every single Ford Explorer of this body style that I see on the road (including mine) has this problem. Every. Single. One.
- Edward H., Knoxville, TN, US
I have contacted. FORD and was told that there isn't a recall on this problem. I have noticed numerous models with the same problem. Obviously there is a defect on these models. Any help would be helpful.
- sjtn, Chattanooga, TN, US
So like a week before my panel cracked I was talking about how I see all these explorers with cracked rear panels and was so happy mine had not done it. Then while washing my car in the hot Texas sun it Cracked. :(
- Chris S., Fort, Worth, US
I'm very irritated.. since I bought this car nothing but problems from the windows sticking to transmission problems and cracked ac line.. now this crack on the hatch.. very expensive car and it keeps sucking the money out of you after the warranty is out... big hassle!
- Ronda T., Mannford, OK, US
Went to ford dealer and was told nothing could be done because warranty was over.
- roypa, Johnstown, PA, US
Was backing the boat into the lake when I noticed the rear panel was completely cracked just to the left of the ford emblem. It had happened in the middle of the night. My only wish was that it would have broken the ford emblem off. I am embarrassed that I own a ford. The good thing is I am completely cured of ever owning a ford again.
- Kevin
- Kevin B., Bonney Lake, WA, US
When I first noticed this crack I showed it to my Ford Dealer to see what they had to say. Their reply was yes we have seen this before so it is not uncommon. So if this is the situation and obviously a design defect then why doesn't Ford step up to the plate and put out a recall?? Then just for fun I called different Ford dealers to see if they had the part in stock. Yes they did so that tells me if they are going to keep the part in stock that it definitely is a PROBLEM. I have been treated well by our local dealership but I feel their hands are tied in fixing this problem without any cost to me. My problem is with FORD Motor Co. They need to remember that the best and worst advertising you can get is word of mouth. Personally, unless Ford fixes this I won't buy another Ford product.
- Candice C., Entiat, WA, US