Trunk Lid Lock problems of the 1996 Ford Explorer

1996 Ford Explorer ,opened liftgate and support shock popped off of bracket the ball on bracket broke off,now talked to local dealer service manger to see if there was a recall,but he said there wasnt,but he seen other Explorers do the same thing,now luckily this happened when I was opening the gate,not when I was under the gate,which made me think that this could a very potental injurie,or even a life threating hazzard if it was a small person like a child,if this gate lets loose when someone is under it. This gate is very heavy and slams very hard without the support of both shocks.