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
Same problem here... Its funny how you never seem notice things until it happens to you now every Explorer I look at and it has the same problem. I really hope Ford recalls this.
- Frank B., Pontotoc, MS, US
Anyone who has this problem should file a complaint with the NHTSA (www.nhtsa.gov) they have only received 3 complaints about the cracked applique on 2004 Explorers. Ford will do nothing unless more complaints are filed, 2002-present.
- Thomas Z., Brooklyn, NY, US
click to see larger images
Same problem as everyone else here! Walked out one day and there was the crack. I also thought it could be the cold weather, but I do keep my car in the garage when not driving it. I also had to replace my transmission at 75,000 miles. I owned a 93 Ford explorer before this one and kept it for 13 years never had any problems, but this 2004 one is one thing after another. My next car will not be a Ford unfortunately. I think Ford needs to stand up and take care of this issue.
- sdante, Battlefield, MO, US
Adding to everyone's complaints. I noticed the crack one day out of the blue. I thought maybe something from the road flew up and hit the back or maybe someone tried to break in my vehicle. I noted another Explorer driving next to the other day and noticed the same crack in the same spot. You would think with the amount of complaints for the same problem that Ford would issue a recall. I am thinking since it doesn't seem to be a safety issue...they could care less.
- tiffany8974, Bowling Green, KY, US
I have noticed a crack down the whole of the panel below my rear window. Ford have told me there is no recall! what is going on? I was driving through town yesterday and was behind a 2004 ford explorer that had the same exact crack. I found this site today and found there are many others with the same issue. These trucks are not cheap to buy, what can we do about this?
- Nicola K., Dover, DE, US
Once again, another satisfied Ford Customer, lol. About two weeks ago I was reading AutoBeef and the problems with the Explorer rear Applique cracking and low and behold it happened to mine this past week. The dealership stated there was a recall for this about a year ago and that I would have to pay for it myself. They gave me a quote of $443.91. I think that's ridiculous and can't wait to get rid of and never purchase another Ford vehicle. I will wait about a month or so to see if Ford steps up, if not, here I come Toyota.
- Terence D., Horizon City, TX, US
I am another of the unhappy Explorer owners who went to get something out of the back of the vehicle and noticed the crack below the window. I called a Ford dealer and was told that it would cost $600.00 to fix. My son has a 2002 Explorer with the exact same crack and after finding this web site I see we are not alone. My husband and I have owned many Ford vehicles but this will be the last as Ford doesn't want to take responsibility for an obvious flaw in the plastic piece that is below the window.
- kcva, Mineral, VA, US
I cannot believe this!!!! Right when warranty ends of course this factory defect appears and Ford tells me it is not covered! Telling me that I live in Hawaii and it is because of the weather BS I read this forum from people all over the US Hello ford wake up and serve us Americans like we serve you...........................
- Vanessa 1., Kapa, HI, US
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Why would Ford even sale an Explorer that they know has a DEFECT and apparently this has been going on for sometime. I was driving to work one day last week and it was COLD.....the car had been in the garage...I was about 5 miles away from my house and BOOM....it sounded like a bomb went off. Come to find out...my back rear panel just SPLIT in half and FORD won't fix it. I can't turn it into my insurance company...not an accident. So....I did write the Better Business Bureau concerning this problem. I hope this helps to get my car and all of your cars fixed. FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS AND MAKE THIS RIGHT FOR ALL OF US.
- Pam G., Germantown, OH, US
I HEARD ABOUT A RECALL THAT WAS FOR FORD EXPLORER AND THEY HAD IT FOR 2002-2003 FORDS AND I WANTED TO KNOW WHY THERE ISNT A RECALL FOR FORD EXPLORER XLT !!
- Judith M., Whittier, CA, US
Add me to the list. Was just quoted $380.00 to fix. Known problem and no abuse involved. Ford needs to step up.
- Mark T., Shady Cove, OR, US
to whom this may concern has been having some technical difficulties so if your workers can fix the back rear panel of my car because i heard of a recall that my friend to me on fords year 2002-2003 and i was wondering why there wasn't a recall on ford models year 2004 because my back panel was damaged . and if you guys can fix it i would greatly appreciate it !thank you
- Judith M., Whittier, CA, US
I was shocked when I called the dealership today. I was told by the service manager that he has seen this problem over 20 times recently. Stated that no recall has been issued and would cost me over $300.00 to fix. I almost fell out. We had an in-depth discussion concerning my options...calling customer service etc. Sounded good till I googled "2004 Ford Explorer Hatch Crack". So much for calling FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!! Like most other I take good care of my vehicles. Now I have a huge single crack on the rear of my explorer. I asked if the dealership discloses the problem to people that purchase used explorers off the lot. I was sure that they would offer a $350.00 up front discount. YA THINK!!! I would hate to think Ford would be dishonest about anything concerning their vehicles. Maybe Ford could get a few billion from the US Govt to waste. But before they waste it all they could issue a recall and FIX OUR PROBLEM!!!!!
- Dewayne E., Hartselle, AL, US
I thought I was the only one with this problem until I started asking around and found out that my friends mother's Explorer has the same thing happen a few months prior. What is wrong with these damn things. To make things worse my transmission went out and they are impossible to fix in 2004 explorers:(
- Keith A., Hitchcock, TX, US
my rear windshield panel is cracked and i think that your company ford should pay for the damages caused . therefore , i heard there was a recall on fords year 2002-2003 and i wanted to know why there isn't a recall on the model XLT year 2004 because it was your workers fault and every time i open my panel and close it the clutch doesn't close ! and damages my car!!! if you guys can please help me out on fixing it i would greatly appreciate it thank you!! and can you email me back !! or call (562)-237-0589 please call me back. thank you
- Judith M., Whittier, CA, US
As others have said, I have a cracked panel below the rear window. Dealer says not a warranty issue.
- Liz V., Edmond, OK, US
I walked out of my garage yesterday and looked at the back of my truck and thought it was water running down and touched it just to realize it was a crack.... I couldn't believe it..I have not driven it more than a few miles in the last several months due to illness so was very shocked to see damage to my vehicle. I have always trusted Ford - no one is perfect but they have always taken care of their issues...When I looked it up on line and saw how many complaints there are and Ford has not issued a recall I was extremely upset... We all are in financial straits but this is their problem and they should fix it...
- Debbie D., Suffolk, VA, US
Add me to the list! May be the last Ford I own! Not like it was mistreated in any way. Known problem, time to escalate the complaint process.
- brucer, Arlington, TX, US
I talked to a friend of mine who owns a ford dealership in n.c. He told me that water gets into the panel and then freezes. and there you have it "the Crack". No recall YET hopefully Ford realizes this is a defect and they will take care of the problem
- Brian R., Langhorne, PA, US
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH THE IDEA IT WAS ONE OF THE BETTER OF THE FORD PRODUCTS. THE REAR WINDOW PANEL CRACKED FOR NO REASON.
WHEN I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP MCCOTTER FORD IN TITUSVILLE THEY SAID OH NO...THAT DIDN'T JUST HAPPEN THEY ARE CRACK RESISTANT. BUT YET THEY SALE THE PANELS AND MY PANEL CRACKED WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVE WAY! THEY WANTED 100.00 FOR THE PANEL AND 350.00 TO PAINT IT AND INSTALL. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO DISAPPOINTMENT IN A VEHICLE IN MY LIFE. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS IMMEDIATELY!
- kimmiesue, Titusville, FL, US