Hatchback/liftgate problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer - part 2

2003 Ford Explorer "eddie bauer" ~49,000 miles. Vehicle was parked and shows no evidence of impact. Weather conditions were near standard. Plastic panel below rear window split in two and has ~1/16" gap. Split is vertical and very near center of panel. It passes under center of "Ford" oval symbol. Not sure if there is danger of rear window or broken panel pieces falling off vehicle. No repair has been undertaken, still attempting to get manufacturer to repair apparent defect.

Panel below rear window cracked while vehicle was parked. I'm concerned of a safety hazard after reading on internet that the panel can fall off after this crack. It has not been fixed yet because Ford claims it is not covered under its extended premium warranty.

I own a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT 4wd. Approximately 12 months ago, the rear trim panel beneath the rear window crack down the middle. I contacted my nearest dealer who informed me that while Ford had recognized that it was a problem, they did not plan to issue a technical service bulletin or recall. The dealer service reps even agreed that there is a significant problem with Explorers and mountaineers. I have seen many other Explorers and mountaineers with the same problem as well as many complaints on-line. Today the rear hatch left latch broke off causing the entire rear lift gate window to nearly fall off. The problem could possibly be related due to the earlier crack causing the weight of the rear glass to shift, place too much strain on the left latch. The dealer is repairing the broken latch, window molding and rear hatch struts, under an extended service plan but still will not repair the previous cracked trim panel. This is indicative of Ford's failure to back up their product and they have lost a long term customer.

Panel below glass on lift gate develop a crack.

Without impact, '03 Ford Explorer liftgate panel cracked from glass, around Ford emblem, to bottom of panel. Very common problem. No cooperation from Ford.

Cracking in the liftgate panel. The panel below the glass on my Explorer has cracked down the middle.

2003 Ford Explorer. Liftgate panel cracked from right under glass all the way to bottom of panel right thru the middle of Ford emblem. Appears to be common problem with this model. From all I read Ford will not fix problem even though it is their fault.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed a seven-inch crack in the plastic molding of the hatchback door hinge. Recall # 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments) was found. The dealer stated that his VIN was excluded from the recall, however the contact feels that it should be included. The current mileage is 46,000 and failure mileage was 34,000.

I own a 2003 Ford Explorer. Six months ago I notice a split on the back of my vehicle near the rear window. The split was on the body of the vehicle. At first I thought someone damaged my vehicle. Then I noticed when it gets really hot the split closes up and disappears. I called Ford to see if there was a recall they said no. I tried to explain to them that there ought to be. I took a survey. There were at least 1 out of every 5 Ford Explorers had the same issue. I contacted the dealership and they said that it was caused by stress on the vehicle(what ever that means) I think Ford needs to repair this problem because it can become "unsightly".

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer. I have, or it looks to be several stress cracks below the back glass of the hatch. They range anywhere from an inch to seven or eight inches. I took this to the Ford house in haltom city, they said there was nothing that could be done but to check with other owners to see if this is happening to their Explorer. I have since noticed literally at least 75 Explorers with the same thing. The ones I have spoke with have the same problem. Ford does not want to replace this cost. I think after 2003, Ford changed the way they made the back hatch and it doesn't have the same seven or eight inch molding under the glass. I am afraid that if I open the glass section on mine or close it, it will break the glass or the glass will come out. What can we do about this?.

I have 2003 Ford Explorer XLT. One morning in mid-March of this year, I observed a crack in the platic panel under the window on the tailgate. My wife and I knew we had not had any type of impact in that area that would have caused the panel to crack. I took the vehicle into the Ford dealership and spoke with a service technician about it. Since the vehicle was just over 3 years old and have just over 30k miles on it, the cracked panel was not covered under warranty. However, the technician told me that he had seen a number of these problems and it was caused by the way the panel was attached. I had the crack repaired - cost over $400. I sent a letter to the Ford customer response center in detroit with pictures and copies of the repair invoice asking them to reimburse me for the repair cost. After 30 days, I had not heard from them. So I sent copies of the letter by certified mail to the Ford dealership, the customer response center and to the ceo of Ford. The dealership called me and said this was a Ford problem, not a dealership problem, so the dealership was not going to take any action. I finally received a call from the Ford customer response center, and they wanted to know if I would accept a 50% reimbursement for the repair. I agreed only to find out the next day from the Ford dealership that information about this problem could be found all over the internet. I am very upset that the Ford motor company could be so unethical to negotiate a settlement that is clearly evident a design flaw. I believe they should should be required to reimburse any owner of a 2003 Ford Explorer who has this cracked panel repaired. I also think a class action suit should be brought against Ford seeking compensatory and punitive damages for failing to reimburse for the repair and acting unethically by trying to place some of the blame on the owners by trying to negotiate the reimbursement amount for a flaw that is clearly their own fault.

I have a 03 Explorer. And my hatch cracked in 07. When I took it to the dealership after seeing other models with the same problem. I was informed there was no recall on the part and it cost me roughly $800. 00 to fix. I feel as though Ford should recall the part and refund all the customers who has had the same problem, and had to spend $$ to get it fixed.

The plastic trim panel on the rear hatch of my Ford Explorer xls cracked from top to bottom, with no provocation. I understand this is a common problem. My local dealer service rep said they had repaired "dozens of them", after he told me Ford would not stand behind this obvious defect. The crack expands and contracts noticeably with temperature changes, and I believe the composite is not properly formulated resulting in instability of the material during temperature changes. Clearly, this is a manufacturing defect for which Ford should provide a remedy. My Explorer still looks great, and this is the only blemish. At the quoted cost of over $700 to replace the entire hatch assembly (the only option offered), I will live with the annoying crack and tell everyone I see about Ford's unwillingness to help.

Crack in back hatch by Ford emblem.

We purchased a certified used 2003 Ford Explorer eddie bauer 4x4 in June 2006. One morning in mid-Feb 2007, we discovered a crack in the lifegate glass applique that started from the top down, approximately 8" left from the center of the gate. There was no evidence of impact to the plastic, but rather a stress crack. Since that time, the crack has grown wider and all the way through the plastic applique. Now, another crack has started on the right hand side approximate 6" from the center of the liftgate. We contacted the local dealership in mid-Feb 2007 and they stated we would have to pay for the cracked liftgate and it would cost approximately $800. We continue to observe other Ford Explorer's in the local area with similar cracks in their liftgate plastic applique.

- the contact stated that there was a crack on the panel on the rear gate underneath the window on the 2003 Ford Explorer. When opeing s the liftgate it felt shaky and unstable. The contact stated this causes the door ajar warning light to remain illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership, and they informed her the back panel on the rear liftgate needed to be replaced. The vehicle currently has 120,000 miles.

- the contact stated that while driving the 2003 Ford Explorer with 43000 failure mileage) a crack on the rear of the vehicle made the hatchback fly up while driving. There was recall 04v442000, but this vehicle was not included. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer about the crack, or the hatch flying up. The current mileage was 44264.

Rear liftgate had a crack just below the glass on the 2003 Explorer. I am concerned that the glass will become loose and fall out and hurt someone. This same problem happened on my 2002, Ford Explorer. I have seen several Explorers with this same crack. Ford should replace the liftgate with a better designed one.

Just noticed a large crack in panel underneath rear window of 2003 Ford Explorer XLT. The crack just appeared without any reason. Dealer refuses to pay for replacement. We have not repaired yet because we are seeking dealer reimbursement. There are a huge number of cases of this same problem in 2002 and 2003 Explorers. One website that lists many others with same problem is autobeef. Com. Dealer estimate was $648. Please acknowledge receipt of this complaint and inform us on how to proceed.

Rear liftgate body panel below glass window developed a crack from top to bottom today after closing the liftgate. The dealer says it is not covered and they have seen this before. This is clearly a design defect since this panel is broken but not the glass in the liftgate.

Upon going out to my truck this morning to put my sons stuff in the back, I noticed that I have a crack in the panel just below my liftgate glass. This struck me as unusual as I don't even use the liftgate window. I decided that I would do a search for a recall that I may not have been privy to. . . And I have found hundreds of complaints, but no recall. The dealers are refusing to replace this item even when it is under warranty, they say it isn't covered. If there is obviously a defect and this many people are having the same issue . . . Why isn't something being done about it. If it keeps cracking the glass is going to fall out!! the dealerships are saying that if you still have warranty that they will replace it no charge, but at the same time even if you do have warranty . . . It isn't covered. There should be a recall on this. . . As it does pose a hazard if the window falls out due to the crack in the structure. Does anyone know if anything can be done about this or who we need to contact???.

Plastic under (attached to) rear liftgate window cracked. Crack runs top to bottom, around the Ford emblem. Entire liftgate needs replacing. Ford says I have to pay for it. I have seen several Explorer on the highway with the same defect. Don't really know if this would be a safety issue, but I'm sure the integrity of the structure would be compromised in a rollover.

Cracked panel below glass on 2003 Ford Explorer, both on mine and my wife's Explorer, both bought brand new within a month of each other.

Rear door hatch has cracked from the bottom of the window to the bottom of the hatch.

In July 2006, my husband and I noticed a hairline crack above the Ford emblem on the back window/liftgate panel. Within 1 week, the crack had gone all the way through the liftgate. In hot weather, the crack is barely visible (because the plastic seems to swell); in cold weather, the crack is at least 1/8-1/4" wide. I'm concerned of wear on remaining components since I have no idea if water/snow just go through the crack or get inside the panel itself. Is there a fix offered by Ford for this since it is apparently a design/component flaw?.

The panel directly below the rear window in my 2003 Ford Explorer has developed large cracks in it. After talking to the dealer, it was very evident that this is a common defect as they said they see a minimum of 10 per year and that Ford will not fix it unless it is under warranty. My vehicle has 68,000,miles on it. . Read more...

Rear hatchback was taken to Ford for a recall regarding the hatchback. Prior to that, there were problems with the hatchback, I. E. Accidentally opening. Now just below the rear window of the hatchback, it is cracking. Similar to many owners listed on this site.

Crack in body of tailgate with no cause; crack starts at the bottom of the back window and runs to the bottom of the plastic panel. I took it to the dealership and they said it is a know defect, but will not fix it. In my neighborhood alone, there are at least 4 other Explorers with the same issue. Ford needs to fix this ! it takes away from the trade-in value of my car.

This morning I noticed a crack in the tailgate of my 2003 Explorer XLT. It was not there two days ago. I took the vehicle to my local dealer and he said that the part is not covered under warranty or recall so I will be responsible for the charges. He has personally seen many of these. I have been on several forum sites and know that I am not the only one having this problem. Is anything being done from Ford's side?.

Plastic under (attached to) rear liftgate window cracked. Crack is 10 to 12 inches long. Entire liftgate needs replacing. Ford says I have to pay for it. I have seen several Explorer on the highway with the same defect.

After having about of freezing weather my wife noticed a crack on the plastic panel attached to the bottom of the rear hatch back window. I took it to our local Ford dealer upon which I was informed that this is a defect in manufacturing and that they replace quite a few of these every year. But being that my warranty expired in August of 2005 they will not pay for replacement. I feel Ford should be held responsible.

Our Ford Explorer was parked in our garage like it is every night. In the morning we went out to put something in the back of the Explorer when we noticed that the back top hatch was cracked. It cracked right down the middle of the Ford sign. When we closed the hatch after noticing it it pinched my fingers. We contacted the dealer where we bought the vehicle and we were told that it was a service bulletin but not a recall and that he understood that it was dangerous and told us to contact Ford customer service. My husband contacted them and was told that they could not fix the problem. Ford gave us an estimate to fix it and it would be about $400. The problem with the hatch being cracked is that if someone was sitting in the third row seat at any time the glass could pop out and hit them in the head. When you do open the hatch your fingers get pinched if they are in the wrong place. We have not gotten the problem fixed yet.

I own a 2003 Ford Explorer. The plastic panel just below the tail gate window has cracked from top to bottom. Upon doing some research on this problem it appears that there are 100's of similar incidents.

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer xls. The rear lift gate on this vehicle has cracked directly below the rear window. We have spoken to the Ford dealership here and they say they are not obligated to fix this piece due the vehicle being out of the initial warranty even though I have the premium esp plan and the fact that temperatures got to below freezing (27 degrees f). This is an engineering defect that should be dealt with since the piece located on the exterior of the vehicle and should be able to withstand freezing temperatures. This is a part I believe should be coverage against defect. Cost of $57. 00 plus installation and painting. I would like any help in this matter.

2003 Ford Explorer rear hatch glass shattered while parked.