6.5
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $450
- Average Mileage:
- 82,250 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 268 complaints
Most common solutions:
- Ford should recall based on 2002-2005 complaints (124 reports)
- Ford should fix it if reported,being it's a known defect!!! (75 reports)
- not sure (36 reports)
- part needs to be replaced (14 reports)
- replace (10 reports)
- re-initiate the charity repair solution (4 reports)
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS A DEFECTIVE PART. I WAS AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND AND CAME BACK AND NOTICED THE CRACK. I THOUGHT SOMEONE DID A HIT AND RUN AT FIRST, HAD THE PLACE I LIVE CHECK, THERE CAMERAS AND NOTHING SHOWED UP BUT JUST A DEFAULT IN THE PART.
I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD HASN'T TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE, HOPEFULLY THEY WILL TAKE OWNERSHIP ON THIS.
- Eden H., Chatham, IL, US
My vehicle just developed the crack this past November. I called Ford and the lady I spoke to said my warranty was up and that there had not been a recall on my vehicle. I asked her how that could be since the problem involved Ford Explorers 2002 - 2005 and mine was a 2005. She explained that it depended on what facility it was manufactured in. I asked what difference that made if it was a Ford defect. She said they only recalled vehicles from certain locations. I am a loyal Ford owner as are all my sons. I cannot believe Ford wants to treat loyal customers like that. I am a senior female getting ready to retire and I cannot afford to buy a new car and have now been put in the position of either paying to get something fixed that was not my fault or driving around with an ugly crack on the back panel. Shame on you FORD!!
- Karen W., Mission Viejo, CA, US
It is well documented that Ford is well aware of the problem...and for a while was helping the owners with help towards fixing...but apparently that has stopped...4 out of 5 has this problem
- Reza B., Santa Ana, CA, US
I think the same as every other explorer in this year range, it has the crack. My window hasn't fallen out yet so I haven't gotten it fixed. Plus, I figured if I paid to have it fixed it would just crack again.
- Eric S., Pleasant Dale, NE, US
I have had my Ford for a long time now and one day I notice a crack near the Ford Emblem. It just appeared out of nowhere and I have noticed it on other Ford vehicles. This is definitely a defect and should be replaced by Ford.
- tanyanm, Fruitland, NM, US
Very disappointed in Ford for knowing this would happen while manufacturing but did nothing to fix.
- Kelly O., McIntosh, NM, US
Aug 012009
Explorer XLT Sport V6 4.Ol Sohc Flex Fuel
- Automatic transmission
- 30,000 miles
click to see larger images
The cracked rear lift gate panel is a real disappointment. One I didn't expect from a quality manufacturer. What's worse, Ford has not recognized its responsibility to fix it given the grand scale of occurrences. It makes me very unlikely to purchase another Ford product.
- sncraven, Kansas City, MO, US
click to see larger images
Ford should reimburse. 75% Ford Expl with same problem. Tried going thru Ford. Didn't want to hear about it. Said it wasn't a safety issue.
- Roy T., Concord, NC - North Carolina, US
Every Ford Explorer I have seen here in Florida from 2002-2005 models have this crack. I noticed this and was very meticulous about closing the hatch evenly at all times. One morning I went outside to load the car for a get away and my rear panel was cracked. Ever since then I get noises coming from the back sounding like something is uneven on the window. Ford...you are the trusted brand. Stand behind your design!
- jachfletch, Ocala, FL, US
As noted by many others, I now have a crack in my tailgate by the Ford blue oval emblem! Ford should repair/replace the tailgate.
- Mitch W., Westwood, NJ, US
Nothing was supposed to be wrong or any other issues or problems when I purchased my 2005 Ford Explorer.!!!
- rdbutler, Bowlegs, OK, US
This was the second time the rear panel had cracked. I sent Ford an e-mail about my 2nd time experience and never received a reply back. Ford should be held responsible for the defect.
- Edward H., Pollock Pines, CA, US
There was no hard or exaggerated slamming of the back hatch and one time it split open.
- Jeff T., Ukiah, CA, US
Overall this is not a bad vehicle, but for the price I don't feel that I should have problems with:
1. Air Conditioning. - Works when it wants to.
2. Transmission out at 76K - Just when the warranty is out.
(I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Galant, that has over 200,000 miles and the same engine and transmission)
3. Crack on the back panel. Just appeared out of nowhere.
- crd236, Richmond, CA, US
Worst car ever, two trannys, rear differential replaced within 5 years, last Ford product I will ever buy new.
- Beth F., Stockton Springs, ME, US
I see many Explorers with the same cracked panel and Ford does nothing to make it right. Fix your problem Ford ..
- kevinmissouri, St Charles, MO, US
The rear panel cracked spontaneously. Since this happened, I have seen multiple Ford Explorers with cracks on the rear panel, therefore I know this is a defect in workmanship/materials and feel Ford should replace it. I contacted Ford myself and received an email telling me it was not covered, and that I should have it fixed and retain the receipts in the event they decide to cover this in the future. Then I might get my money back. I really like my Explorer and have never had any other problems with it, but this crack is VERY obvious and makes my vehicle look bad.
- Annette J., Carthage, MS, US
Ford should fix this. I take exceptional care of my investment and I should not have to pay for this.
- Margaret L., Virginia Beach, VA, US
My sister-in-law has a Ford Exp. and I noticed the crack on the back of her vehicle. When I asked her about it she said it just happened out of nowhere one day for no reason. At the time my Ford Exp. was OK- no crack. Well, that didn't last long. The following year when it started to get cold, out of nowhere the crack appeared. I was really upset and asked the dealership about it when I took my Explorer in for its routine maintenance. They said it was not a factory defect and not covered by the warranty. What a bunch of bull !!!!
Now that it has happened to me I have seen a lot more Ford Explorers around here from certain years that have the same crack in the same place. Now something tells me that if all these vehicles have the same problem that it's a defect and should be covered and fixed by the Ford company. Every time I see a Ford Explorer around the same year as mine I look to see if the back window tailgate has a crack in it, and almost everyone of them do.
- cstidham, Anderson, CA, US
The crack in the rear panel of my 2005 Explorer has now blown out my rear window. The crack has been there for some time, today I closed the upper part, gently, and the window blew out.... glass went everywhere... my kids almost got blasted by the glass. This problem must be settled by Ford Motor Company, before someone really gets hurt.
- Matt N., Clearwater, FL, US