Hatchback/liftgate problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer - part 2

2002 Ford Explorer - panel below rear window (applique) cracked. Ford dealer claims it happens when weather is to hot or cold.

On a 10 degree night, I woke up to find a nasty crack in the rear liftgate under the glass. It not only cracked, but separated and made about an 1/8" gap. Another crack beside it forming a triangular shape as well. Looks like it will fall out any time. My insurance won't cover this because it is a known Ford issue!!!!!!! tell me how that is fair, that we pay the money for these very expensive vehicles, and there is a well known defect in them, but we have to pay for it. I can't blame the insurance companies for denial. It is Fords place to pay for this. It is unethical for Ford to treat their customers like this and very bad for business. I can't use my back hatch anymore for fear that it will crack again and pieces fall out. I carry full coverage insurance and do my part to take care of my vehicle, now I can't afford to cover something that is Fords fault!!!!!! come on Ford, cut us some slack. Ch .

I own a 2002 Ford Explorer. On Feb 3rd the lift gate split in 2 pieces. Manf. Defect. Ford is aware of this happening and has neither offered any kind of monterey assistance or issued a recall. They told me that I needed to pay the repair out of my pocket because it is no longer under warranty. They understand this is a hazard but are not willing to do anything about it. The only thing holding my liftgate closed is the 2 pumps on either side of the gate. Obvious hazard!! there are hundreds of vehicles just like mine where the tail gates are failing. Does someone need to die before Ford does anything about it???.

The upper rear window liftgate was opened to access cargo and as soon as it was in the up position, the glass exploded sending shards of glass within the vehicle and outside the vehicle. Husband was showered with glass and just missed being hit by the attached lower panel that fell on the exterior of the car. This is a serious safety hazard. If passengers were sitting in the third row seats, they would have been showered in glass. If this happened while a parent is holding a child while retrieving items from the back, they could incur serious injuries. Glass shattering over your head for no apparent reason is extremely hazardous. This is a serious design flaw. The vehicle did go in for the recall sent out a couple of years ago to replace a bracket. Obviously, this did not do a thing to prevent this window from breaking, Ford knows there is a problem and tried to do the cheapest thing possible to fix it, instead of replacing the entire rear liftgate assembly. Ford should be taking responsibility for this defect and albeit my opinion, I believe that a class action lawsuit should be on the horizon. We will be contacting the dealer tomorrow and finding out what they have to say. With all the information that is on the internet on the number of people having this same problem, this is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed and resolved before it causes a death or life changing injury.

The back liftgate or hatch back of my 2002 Ford Explorer limited has a large vertical crack that has just magically appeared. The crack is about 4 inches long and another 1 inch beside it. It is located directly under the rear glass. I was on a website that has about 65 of the same complaints for this year's model of Explorer. I feel that Ford has an obligation to pay for this since they did have a recall.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer. The panel below the rear window spontaneously cracked. It is a vertical crack the height of the panel to the left of the Ford emblem. I have not had any success in getting Ford or my dealership to make a repair to my vehicle. The estimated cost of the repair is $571. 20. I am concerned that this crack may affect the stability of my rear window.

My lift gate on my 2002 Ford Explorer eddie bauer just cracked last night and upon research I found out that this is a common problem with this year Explorer. It is a defect with the rear lift gate and Ford needs to address this problem. There are thousands of people with the same problem as I have that I found while doing a quick search. This piece is going to need to be replaced and then painted to match the color of the vehicle which is going to cost $500 or more which should be Fords responsibility.

Noticed cracked panel (applique) below rear hatchback window on my 2002 Ford Explorer XLT (SUV) 1st thought was someone hit me while I was parked. Then realized that there was no evidence of that temp was 19 degrees outside. After going online to car complaints found many other complaints. Contacted Ford CO. They told me to get an estimate. Metro Ford gave me estimate of $302. 89, called Ford CO. Back they said they won't pay. I can't afford to pay for this fix, even if I did, bet it will crack again when temp is below freezing again. It has to be a design flaw in the part. Online complaints say Ford knows it's a flaw but they are not helping us consumers.

2002 Ford Explorer rear lift gate panel below the window cracked at around 65,000 miles. Two weeks later it cracked again. I searched the internet and found a large number of problems reported on the 2002 Ford Explorer with this same issue.

Cracked panel below rear window (Ford calls this an applique).

Crack appeared in winter 2006 in hatch below rear window. This was a florida car up to June 2006. All was fine in florida. I suspect cold has something to do with these cracks. No repair has been made as I am hoping for a recall.

Cracked on the back panel, between the window glass and Ford logo.

I own a 2002 Ford Explorer xls with 51,300 miles. On 11/23/06 two long cracks developed in my lift gate panel just to the right of the Ford emblem. One crack extends the full length of the panel. The other extends from the top of the panel and extends to the top of the Ford emblem. These cracks developed completely without any damage or force being applied to the panel. The truck was parked in the carport. I researched my damage and found others with the same model Explorer with the same damage in the same location. Several of them advised that Ford would not acknowledge or repair the damage. The location of the damage poses a real danger if the panel completely separates. If separation occurs the glass can possibly shatter causing death or injury. I am convinced the damage is caused by a structural defect in the panel which is in no way my responsibility to repair. I am requesting that Ford motor company repair the damage and possibly issue a recall on the panel for the 2002 Ford Explorer. I look forward to hearing from you soon to discuss the damage to my vehicle.

: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked and being washed by hand, the liftgate glass became unfastened and fractured when the gate was opened. This malfunction caused personal injuries. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken to a dealership.

Tl *- the contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The rear window has a crack near the window molding. No incident occurred which would have caused the window to crack. The contact also observed another vehicle, same make and model with an identical problem. Updated 03/07/jb.

2002 Ford Explorer eddie bauer v6 4x4 rear window lower plastic panel completely cracked throughout.

(1) excellent care of vehicle, no accidents (2) rear panel on hatch cracked all the way through on first cold day of fall 2006 (appears to be stress from thermal expansion/contraction) (3) dealer said $350 to replace panel and paint and was not under any warranty from Ford.

The plastic applique panel below the glass on the liftgate has developed two vertical cracks, approx 1/8th" in diameter running the length of the panel (approx 5 inches) to the left and to the right of the 'Ford' emblem. These developed spontaneously over time, one after another. There was no collision or other trauma to trigger these cracks. Research reveals that _many_ other 2002 Explorer owners are experiencing the same defect. I noticed the same condition on several other 2002 Ford Explorers simply driving around town. Ford will not repair this problem which is most obviously a manufacturer's defect.

The tail gate door panel below the glass has to line cracks. It began to separate. It also happen to my father in-law. I have also seen it in many other Explorers.

: the contact stated after shutting the liftgate glass it shattered and rained down. The broken glass cut the arm, leg and foot of the contact. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who informed the contact that a repair would not be performed because the window cylinder did not appear to be damaged. There was a NHTSA recall # 01i010000 which pertains to the side and rear glass. The vehicle was not included in recall due to the VIN.

Rear lift hatch ,the piece of body under the glass, started out as a small crack. Now has split and separated all the way down. Took it to the dealership hoping to be treated with a little fairness. Wrong. . It can be fixed, but at my expense. . Doesn't seem right. It happened on it's own and I'm finding out I'm not the only one it's happened to. The numbers should show there is a problem and should be dealt with by the Ford company.

I have a 2002 Ford Explorer xls (45k miles) that was recalled in September 2004 for the back liftgate. I had the recall work done in August in 2005 at a local Ford dealership. In January of 2006, the liftgate suddenly developed a crack (3-4 inches in length)right below the back window, just to the right of center. After taking it into the dealership, they are claiming that since it is not under warranty, I will be responsible for the costs of repair (about $300). They are claiming that Ford has not issued a recall on this defect because Ford does not consider it a "safety issue". I believe it is definitely a safety issue because the crack is directly under the rear window and will probably grow in size the longer it goes unrepaired. A noticeable crack that suddenly develops under the back window would seem to be an obvious safety concern. Furthermore, it is a "customer service" issue which Ford should address. Also, I had no problems with cracking in the liftgate until after the recall work was done. These appear to be directly related. This is obviously a manufacturer defect and would seem to be a major safety concern. I have done research and I am not the only Ford customer having this same problem with the 2002 Explorer. I am expecting Ford to address this problem and accept responsibility for this defect in the 2002 Explorer.

On a cold day, I discovered that the body panel below the glass on the rear gate of my 2002 Ford Explorer cracked. Nothing hit the vehicle to cause the crack. The outside temperature was around 32 degree f at the time.

Rear hatch cracked two spots.

Upside down "y" crack found in liftgate/hatch from bottom of rear window to bottom of hatch door, to the left of the Ford emblem. Brought car to dealership where I purchased it 3 yrs ago, but was told it wasn't covered - out of warranty. Am concerned about the stability of the rear window and liftgate. This product defect should be recalled by Ford and replaced at no charge.

Crack below rear window.

In November 2005, the rear liftgate applique of my 2002 Ford Explorer cracked overnight. The crack is directly in line with the rear windshield wiper. The local Ford dealership claims that they have seen several Ford Explorers with this same problem and it is caused by cold temperatures and windshield washer fluid getting into the plastic applique and forcing a crack. The night this occurred the temperature reached 10 degrees above zero. Because of this crack, I no longer can use this portion of the liftgate for fear that it will cause further damage to my vehicle. I called the Ford customer service line where the representative did an investigation into my claim and no warranty or recall will cover this defect. The approximate cost of the repair is $300. 00. This is an obvious defect in the manufacturing of the vehicle and should be recalled and repaired at Ford's expense. This should not have happened to a vehicle that is made for inclement weather.

Rear liftgate on my 2002 Ford Explorer eddie bauer has a crack in it. I worked for Ford for 2 1/2 years and can not believe that they will not fix this problem. I personally have seen hundreds of the same thing happen to other people. With Ford hurting for business you would think that they would repair these to keep their customers. I personally own two Ford products and unless they fix this problem then I will purchase my next vehicles from a different manufacturer.

The contact stated the plastic on the hatchback under the window cracked. The dealer and manufacturer offered no free remedy. No repairs have been made.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate is cracked and leaking. He notified Ford who stated that complaints have been made for the same failure. The current mileage is 65,590 and failure mileage was 37,000.

I have developed a crack in the plastic applique beneath the liftgate window. It appeared as a scratch and has morphed into a full blown crack about six inches long.

I have a cracked panel in my Ford Explorer 2002. This panel could break in half while driving and cause a serious accidents. Ford refuses to do anything about it.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The rear hatch lift-gate under the Ford emblem has developed cracks. Consequently water has entered the doors and lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and she was advised that she would have to pay between $600-$700 to repair the vehicle. She notified the manufacturer of the failure, but was referred to NHTSA. The current mileage was approximately 120,000. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

I own a 2002 Ford Explorer. On 3/20/05 I noticed a crack on the back panel just below the upper lift gate. The crack is to the right of the Ford emblem and extends from the top to the bottom of this plastic panel. Upon contacting my dealer, I was informed by their body shop that this repair was covered by the original warranty. When I went to the body shop at the dealership I was told that the orginal warranty had expired, my original warranty started 6/29/01. I have only just reached 36,128 miles to date. I had purchased an esp premium care contract, but was told that it would not cover the repair my vehicle required even though I was told at the time I purchased the esp that it offered "bumper to bumper coverage. " if I want this crack repaired it will have to be out of my pocket to the tune of $450. In any event, I feel that this should be a recall item as it seems as though it will inevitably weaken the upper liftgate window frame. I only learned about the upper liftgate hinge recall with this visit to the body shop. I have never received any recall info. From Ford. This crack seems as though it could only add to the dangerous situation only ready imposed by the upper liftgate. At the very least, I feel that my extended service plan should cover this repair ensuring the safety of my upper lift gate window. I paid over $900 for the esp coverage.

Rear liftgate structure below the glass has cracked. Crack is 6 inches long and growing. It seems this is a issue that is related to the design flaw covered (recall 04s20). This flaw will eventually effect the structural integrity of the rear liftgate structure and make unsafe.