76 problems related to hatchback/liftgate have been reported for the 2003 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2003 Explorer.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate window became detached intermittently. The liftgate door failed to close properly and it developed a crack at the bottom. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lift gate needed to be repaired and the window needed to be replaced. The contact was not included in recall NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure). The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,002.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the tailgate had cracked underneath the rear window. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000 and current mileage was unknown. Updated 04/18/2013.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed a crack on the rear lift gate panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 91,793.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a loud squeaking coming from the rear window. The contact noticed that the driver side of the rear windshield hinge was crooked and the panel was fractured. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they advised that the hinges need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 118,000 and the current mileage was 121,000. Updated 6/4/12.
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.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear liftgate, extending up to the window. The contact expressed concern over the possibility of the window separating from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was cosmetic and they would be unable to assist with repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000 and the current mileage was 77,130.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate fractured directly underneath the window seal. She noticed when the door was ajar the warning light would illuminate as if she had opened the doors. The dealer advised her that they were aware of the failure, but there was no recall. The vehicle was not inspected nor was it repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear lift gate that extended across. There were also three other smaller cracks. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The contact stated that the rear window looked as if it would explode. The current and failure mileages were approximately 83,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear liftgate from the top of the manufacturers emblem up to the window. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired fro the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 130,000.
A little over a year ago I and a friend came out of a grocery store to discover there was a hairline crack in the rear panel of my 2003 Ford Explorer. I drove right over to a Ford dealership to report the incident. I do have an extended warranty for 100,000 miles. It was reported to the warranty company and I was denied repair. I was told I could pay $1,000. 00 to have it repaired or put caulking on it to help to seal the crack. I put the caulking on it as I did not have the money to pay to have it fixed. I am retired and on a fixed income. Over the course of time the crack widened causing the panel and window to shift to the left. On Monday 4/12/10 I opened the hatchback window to place a few items inside and the window came crashing down on my head almost driving me into the ground. The hinges broke and had a friend not been there with me I could not have lifted that window. He and I worked for 45 minutes to get it placed back to where it was not hanging and had to put bungy cords on to hold it in place. I have had a headache for 3 days now. I drove right over to a Ford dealership to report the incident. The service manager took my information and contacted the warranty company who got back to him and stated they would replace the hinges. I told him this is unacceptable!! this crack has widened over the last year and the hatchback has shifted to the left. Replacing the hinges is a temporary fix. Like putting a bandaid on a compound fracture! I think the entire hatchback has weakened and if the big door falls on me I could be killed. At this point I am unable to utilize the hatchback at all and must climb over the back seat to retrieve anything behind it.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the lift gate which includes a plastic part just below the window. The Ford manufacturer informed the contact that there were no recalls and he should call NHTSA. The failure mileage was 116,000. Updated 2/26/10 updated 07/09/10.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While the contact was examining the vehicle she noticed that there was a large crack on the panel under the rear window. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. There were no prior warnings. The current and failure mileages were 115,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The rear window panel has fractured. The dealer was contacted, and he was advised that the Ford manufacturer did not recognize this failure as a defect. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 28,700.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. She noticed that there were cracks on the rear lift gate underneath the rear window. An authorized dealer was notified and informed her that this was a known failure but she would have to pay to have it repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the hatch back had a crack from the end of it to the window. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised her that it was caused by stress from opening and closing of the door. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. When operating the vehicle, the rear hatch door and the rear hatch window became unsecured and opened due to a crack near the rear window wiper. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a crack in the panel attached to the glass of the rear liftgage. The crack was small at first but became larger over time. The vehicle had not been taken to be inspected for the problem. Also, the heated stopped blowing heat and was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the blend door actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000 and the current mileage was approximately 46,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed that the rear liftgate was cracked on her vehicle. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that it was not defective; therefore, she would have to pay for the repair. The contact disagrees and believes the manufacturer should pay for the repair. The manufacturer stated that there was no defect and will not assist with the repair. The failure mileage was 39,000 and current mileage was 54,300. Updated 03-04-09 the back of the liftgate panel below the window cracked. Updated 03/04/09.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed that the liftgate glass applique was damaged and cracked. The dealer stated that because there was no recall for the failed component, the contact would be responsible for the repair costs. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 60,000. Updated 10/16/08. Updated 10/17/08.
There is a vertical crack that just appeared in the rear hatch of my 2003 Ford Explorer. We take very good care of our vehicles and this truck is rarely driven. It is also parked in our garage except when being driven. I have read that this problem is very common in this truck. Our "door ajar" light and warning regularly indicates that the door is not closed properly. It has even flung open while we are driving. We have the third row seat in this model and keep my two 5 year-olds in that seat. It was very frightening when this happened and we had to pull over suddenly to remedy the problem. There is a serious defect in this design which can cause injury to those in the vehicle or around you since the hatch opening out of no where is startling.
2003 Ford Explorer. Consumer writes in regards to humming/whining noise in the rear end of vehicle and a frequent leak in the differential. The consumer stated several components such as the ring an pinion, bearings, seals and gear and pinion were all replaced. However, the issue remained unresolved. Also, the rear hatch was cracked. When the consumer inquired about a replacement and its cost, the dealer advised against the replacement/repair as the new hatches had the same problem. The vehicle overheated and had to be towed to the dealer. A diagnosis revealed a damaged thermostat housing.
The rear hatch on my 2003 Ford explore XLT cracked in 3 separate places. The vehicle is primarily housed in a garage. I called Ford to report the problem. They told me they would not fully cover the defect. They would "help" since it was out of warranty. I feel the cracks are a flaw in manufacturing or product design. They should be covered entirely by the manufacturer.
The rear hatch has developed a crack through the middle of the panel just below the visible glass of the hatch. This crack encompasses the rear Ford logo. This crack occurred without any damage to the vehicle.
Rear tailgate molding below window cracked. Appears to be a prevalent flaw based on internet research. Called Ford and they advised it was a known problem however were not planning to recall. I believe this is related to the prior recall of rear liftgate glass as this part was new post recall.
2003 Ford Explorer cracked rear hatch without impact. Weather conditions were colder than normal. There are two vertical 1/4" cracks that appeared suddenly below the rear hatch lift gate window. We had not used the back lift door or the lift gate window in several days.
Cracked hatch on 2003 Ford Explorer. Worried that panel will fall off. Ford does not want to take care of this problem that is obviously a defect. Have read that many other people around country have same problem no matter what climate is. Feel that it is a safety hazard with the possibility of panel falling off while driving and creating an adverse incident which could cause injury.
Crack in liftgate of 2003 Ford Explorer; note: 2nd time it has cracked, after replacement once. . . Now about 25,000 miles later, same problem with new liftgate. Crack just "appears".
When I got to my car this morning, the middle of the back rear panel of my '03 Ford Explorer eddie bauer series had cracked from between the window to the latch - right under the Ford emblem. There was no accident - nothing that could have caused this damage. Luckily there are only 51k miles on the truck, and the dealer is willing to fix with a $75 deductible.
. . Read more...
Body panel below rear glass on lift gate is cracked from top to bottom. I noticed this on many Explorers of the same approx. Age while shopping for this vehicle.
Rear glass applique under rear hatch has cracked twice, first time under warranty, second time it is not covered.
2003 Ford Explorer- the trim piece below the rear window cracked vertically for no reason. The vehicle was not hit, bumped, or slammed. The crack simply appeared. The dealership stated that the car was not under warranty and that the extended warranty does not cover the damage. It is my understanding that this is not an isolated incident.
Went out to load some things in the back of my Explorer and noticed a crack in the rear liftgate under the glass. It goes from the glass to just above the license plate.
Back hatch split on 2003 Ford Explorer.
The rear window on the liftgate of my 2003 Ford Explorer imploded as I was waiting at a traffic light. The window did not just crack. . . It shattered into pieces. My car was not hit by another car or by an object. An initial problem arose before this event. A crack formed on the molding just below the window where the Ford symbol is located. This is an issue I have read about from other people with Explorers. I have read other cases of the liftgate window shattering but more often during opening or closing of the window. In this case, I was completely stopped at a traffic light when this happened.