Body problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer - part 1

There is a crack down the middle section of the liftgate for quite some time. The liftgate has been unlocking and opening automatically by itself. On only rare occasions has the liftgate opened all the way while driving. On the morning of 7/28/2022 while the vehicle was parked in my driveway the liftgate was discovered to have again unlocked by itself and opened slightly and now with one of the two hinges holding the glass sheared leaving the liftgate glass hanging by only one hinge. With the glass now hanging without having both hinge supports functioning and the inability to close and lock the liftgate, 1) the glass could fall out while driving and 2) with the liftgate unable to now close and lock, contents of the back storage area could fall out of the vehicle while driving. On 8/1/2022 the vehicle was inspected by the foreman of the service dept. At healy Ford, goshen, n. Y. I was told to take it to a body shop for realignment repair. Apparently a recall on 9/13/2022 # 04v442000 did not include my VIN. However, in driving around I do see many 2003 Explorers with the identical crack on the liftgate.

Rear window lower panel plastic cracking up, replaced three times, still cracking due to no support and bending too much, I called Ford does not care if continues cracking up, it looks ugly also panels can cause an accident to other cars getting into their windshields loose parts. They know about the problem and not fixing it.

The rear panel of my 2003 Explorer cracked today for no reason. Not sure if this is a safety concern. When I "googled" the problem, it seems this is a common problem that Ford once addressed.

The rear lift-gate has a cracked panel.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate hinge fractured which caused the lift gate to remain unlocked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate glass strut brackets and glass hinges was fractured and tilted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. However, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer and stated that the VIN was not included under NHTSA campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The failure mileage was 100,000. Pam.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the back panel on the lift gate has cracked. This has caused the contact to get pinched when trying to close the lift gate. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The contact also stated that the hinges have broken on the lift gate, however the vehicle was repaired for this issue under NHTSA recall number 04v442000(structure), however the failure has continued. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000. Rg.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the lift gate opened independently and caused the driver's side hinge to become fractured. In addition, the compression rod was abnormally bent. The contact made a temporary adjustment to the lift gate in order to continue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.

Plastic rear panel below the rear gate glass cracked directly beside the Ford oval. The panel is now split into two pieces. Contacted Ford dealer and Ford customer service (via email) and Ford will not stand behind the failure of this panel. This is a common complaint with Explorers and Ford has not even as much as tried to help the customer with repairs.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hitch was cracked. In addition, the door ajar warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The mechanic did not diagnose or repaired the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

1. Transmission does not let you accelarate. Pressure builds up while you are pressing on the gas pedal and it doesn't increase your speed until 10 seconds or so of pressing the gas pedal, and than it explodes and you are thrust back with the acceleration. Very dangerous when you are trying to change lanes or are entering the highway. Lack of acceleration has almost got us into a few accidents. 2. Sensors are not functioning, constantly telling me that the doors are open. I don't know when a door is actually open or not. 3. The rear hatch is cracked and I'm afraid it doesn't provide enough stable prorectection for the rear glass to be held in place properply.

Tl - the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, she heard a loud noise. After inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that the rear door hinge fractured causing the door to hang down. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 99,600. Pm.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the rear lift gate glass hinge corroded and fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was previously included and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that both of the hinges were corroded and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he noticed that the lift gate was fractured near the manufacturing emblem. The failure caused the interior lights and the anti-theft alarm to activate. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04v442000 (structure). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The current mileage was approximately 140,000.

I used my key remote and popped open the back hatch and while the hatch was up the hinge snapped dropping the hatch on my head nearly knocking me out cold.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while turning at various speeds, the body of the vehicle began to bounce abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was stated that the body mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the back panel below the window became cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

The back lift gate has a crack. I have noticed this on practically every other exploer of this year. I contacted Ford several years ago and they said since it was a defect that was not a danger they would not recall or repair it.

2 complaints - back rear hatch panel under rear window has multiple cracks live in augusta GA and visit florida and this seems to be a common problem every make body like mine have this crack and some panel has even fallen off. This has to be a manufacturing problem for this large amount of SUV's to have the same problem see more with problems than without. Also recently had problems with window intermittently not going down and back up after ice storm in augusta this year all four windows stopped going up and down. This also seems to be a common problem with this model and body style of Ford Explorers. Owned a 1993 Ford Explorer eddie bauer had approx. 300,000 miles on it before I got rid of it and the most happened to this car was the transmission and rear brake leak which was the most expensive problem I had. Wish I still had the 1993 Explorer because my 2003 makes me hesitant about purchasing another Ford Explorer no matter how much I like them this one will make turn to another make of car. Once a loyal Ford owner not so sure now. You would think that Ford will be as loyal to us as we are of them, it is the little things that make you frustrated and not wanting to purchase another. If you can't depend on the smaller things how can we depend on them with the larger things. Once a loyal Ford owner.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate was fractured near the window. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would look further into the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

A crack on the rear hatch next to Ford emblem.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate was cracked. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 96,000. Kmj.

Rear window hinges broke for the second time. They were fixed once with recall and are now broke again. Also the back lift gate panel has cracked.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT. The contact stated that a crack was found in the rear door panel. The crack was noticed while the vehicle was parked in the contact's garage. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 125,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed a fracture on the rear lift gate panel. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 5/24/13 updated 06/12/2013.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear glass hatch housing was cracked in half. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that the rear hatch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The current and the failure mileages were 120,000.

Back glass hatch has a hairline crack to the left side of the Ford embelm. Just suddenly apperared, after no impact.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the glass on the rear hatch bottom molding was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not repaired. There were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was notified who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 180,000 and the current mileage was 186,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear tail gate door developed a cracked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since there were no recalls related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 112,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford explored. The contact stated that the rear lift gate glass shield cracked and shattered. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor was it repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 166,079.

There has been no accident. Under normal wear and tear of car went to open hatchback glass one day to load groceries and dropped low on my head because hinge holding the glass door came loose. Had to ease it back up in place , have not been able to open glass door since for fear of it fallling and breaking to pieces. The second complaint is the hachback door is cracked under the Ford emblem and to the side . I have seen many many Explorers with this same exact crack as mine. They have also complained!!!! Ford only recalled Explorers up to I belive that were made up to February 2003. My car and others I have spoke with their and mine was made in 8/2003 so we were not covered!!! that is bull!! Ford should stand by their products.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While parked, the contact noticed that the panel below the rear window hatch was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician stated that the rear panel would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000. Updated 03/21/bf the consumer stated the rear panel connected to the back rear window cracked underneath the rear window and has weakened the rear view window. The seal has rotted out due to water seeping into the defective cracked panel. Updated 04/09/12 water seeped into the cracked panel and caused corrosion and electrical problems. Updated 05/07/12.

I noticed a crack on the rear hatch trim panel under the window out of nowhere. Also, the paint on my hood and quarter panels has been bubbling and peeling off in huge chunks. It would seem they should do a recall on these issues since there are so many complaints.

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer, ran to the store last night to buy groceries. Loaded things into my truck, closed the door and things were fine. Arrived home to remove the groceries and there was a 6 inch long crack on the rear hatch of my truck right beside the Ford logo and rear windshield wiper. I take pride in my vehicle and keep it clean and the outside body is perfect; until this happened. I am disappointed that I called Ford and there is no recall in regards to this, but there are hundreds of complaints online about the exact same issue. I want Ford to pay for the repair of this. I have been a loyal Ford customer and so has by family since the early 1980s. I will probably never purchase another Ford as this is just another issue that Ford won't acknowledge.

My 2003 Ford Explorer has a cracked rear panel. This is the second time it has happened. The first time it was covered by warranty and Ford repaired it at no charge. This time they will not. I was told it will cost approximately $300. 00 and it would happen again. The crack develops right in the middle of the panel under the rear window.