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
Just like every other owner of this vehicle, I closed the lift gate one day and it had a long crack going down the right side of the Ford logo. Great job yet again, Ford.
- Christopher S., Tampa, FL, US
I bought this truck used in great condition for the miles it had. Then using the tailgate often I saw that a crack was coming out. Then the whole panel next to the FORD logo cracked with the closing and driving of the back door. Ford needs to get these fixed since every 10 Explorers I see, 8 to 9 are cracked. REALLY?
- Tony G., Hollywood, FL, US
click to see larger images
Ford should continue to support the cost of the repair with the assistance program. Its an unacceptable customer irritant, that affects quality.
Fix it Ford!
Update from Aug 8, 2015: It cost $450 (Canadian) to fix the defective panel and could happen again, because the panel is poorly designed.
Update from Jan 26, 2016: OMG the panel cracked again at 158k in December. Ford you're losing loyal customers over this poor design & poor panel material.
FIX IT!
- glassrover, Beeton, ON, Canada
I've noticed this same crack in other 2004 Ford Explorers and I'm wondering if its a recall.
- Alan W., Gwynn Oak, MD, US
Ford initially provided a fix now refuses to repair.
- bradsmgtd, Sun City, CA, US
I see these all the f*ing time. My dad owns two Explorers; a white 2005 which my mother bought new, this one is yet to crack but only has 140,000. I bought this Eddie Bauer one from my old substitute teacher/neighbor for $2000 with 200,000 miles on it because everything but the transmission was tip-top. Drove it for literally two months, shut trunk hatch as one unit with normal force and it cracks right along the Ford logo.
My dad owns am auto repair shop and I see these and the Mercury Montaineers roll in with this damage all the time, it's really annoying and makes the car look like crap without any fault of the owner. I really wish Ford would offer some sort of aftermarket fix for this.
- tony sicero, East Lansing, MI, US
Panel cracked right by the emblem with the Ford symbol. Now I have two cracks. Called Ford and they said that there was not a recall for it. I would need to repair and pay for it. Strange thing is...Ford also made the Lincoln Aviator same year had the exact same problem and they did do a recall for that. Not cool on Ford. Not happy
- Ericka S., Kansas City, MO, US
click to see larger images
I had heard about this problem and my hatch didn't crack till after this cold winter. But, this is the first winter that this explorer has been kept outside, not garaged. My garaged is under my house and insulated. It never gets below freezing in the garage. I called Ford and asked them if they can help financially with the repairs. They said no.
- Joseph G., Windsor Locks, CT, US
Body of Explorer looks great except this! Being this is a problem across the board, Ford should make it right or disclose the flaw!
- burkefl, Orange Park, FL, US
Ford needs to fix this defective part. I'm now seeing cracked Ford Explorers every time I'm driving on the road or pulling into store parking lots. Why should the consumer pay for what is clearly a defective part?????
- Dj R., Tampa, FL, US
I am petrified that these two cracks in my rear panel are going to cause harm to me or someone else. I am afraid that when opening or closing of the rear hatch panel the entire glass is going to come crashing down on whoever is there!!!!
This to me seems very dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!
And should have been noticed a very long time ago...I see PLENTY of explorers with the same problem just in my everyday driving. How could this not be seen as a RECALL???????
- Joann K., Bronx, NY, US
I drive down the road and see Explorer after Explorer with this same problem, yet when I called Ford customer service to complain they stated there was no such issue with the Ford Explorer. They decided to be willfully blind, even though at least 99% of the vehicles have this very same crack across the back of the rear panel, below the glass window. Ford's lack of action in addressing this obvious engineering flaw is ground for a class action lawsuit.
- putnab7, Frisco, TX, US
Ford sucks, this vehicle has had the best of care, always garaged at night, low miles and the back lift gate cracked and the assholes won't fix it. I only buy Dodge for my two companies now. Chevrolet isn't any better. These jerks wonder why the Japanese and European car companies do so well in the US.
- Tracy S., Tucson, AZ, US
Water does leak through the crack. Ford needs to fix this.
- Patricia A., Blue Island, IL, US
On a sunny June day in 2009 I drove to a country furniture store within 10 miles of my home. I purchase a table for my kitchen with chairs. The furniture was loaded into the back of my 2004 Explorer by the store owner. Within 1 mile of my leaving the store I was startled by a very loud pop. I quickly pulled to the side of the road to check the furniture, thinking a chair shifted. I could find nothing to explain the noise. However later while unloading the furniture I noticed a crack starting at the top of the panel around the FORD logo in the back door. I concluded this was the cause of the loud pop noise.
Shortly afterwards I called Ford's toll free number and complained but received no satisfaction. I have continued to complain whenever the Explorer is in for service at the dealerships in Richmond & Lexington, Kentucky. Now when I'm out on the roads I always check out all Explorers 2002-2005 for the crack...it is no surprise to see most of them with the same or similar annoying crack. I take excellent care of my Explorer and believe faulty materials or poor design caused this crack. I hold Ford Motor Company accountable for this defect.
- Glenda F., Irvine, KY, US
Concerned about water intrusion into latch area or other issues due to crack.
- gregmn, Chanhassen, MN, US
A second crack has occurred this past weekend 1/2/15. I'll post photos later.
- jstatripca, Canyon Country, CA, US
The crack on the rear lift gate on my Explorer really looks bad. This is my third Explorer and if Ford does not fix this, there is not going to be a number 4.
- Severo C., Mission, TX, US
When my wife discovered the crack it was 1 inch long. I was washing the car 2 weeks later and noticed the crack went from the top just under the window to the bottom of the door. Went to get an estimate from the body shop and was quoted $450 to repair. I have not had it repaired yet.
- steve1955, Lake Havasu City, AZ, US
Why is there no recall for this issue? I see other vehicles with the same cracks on the rear panel. Seems like a class action suit is necessary.
- David G., Brooklyn, NY, US