44 problems related to hatchback/liftgate support device 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.
Awoke the morning of may 10, 2017 to find the entire back liftgate and window exploded outwards and inwards of our Ford Explorer. The vehicle was parked in front of our home, we are rural, so no evidence of someone purposely breaking it. Our sheriff in cascade county, montana, stated it appears to be something internal probably the lift struts exploding. This seems to be a problem as stated on many online sites, and many Ford Explorers have this problem. This particlar model VIN number did not show up as recalled, although we sit here looking at the damage caused by this problem. We would appreciate someone looking into this, as it could happen to anyone and prove to be very dangerous if this vehicle were being driven when this explosion occured. Please check into this ASAP.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while accessing the power liftgate, the hinges fractured and caused the door to abruptly close. There was no injury. The liftgate was completely removed and placed in the vehicle temporarily. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. Js.
The brackets connected to the liftgate released while the car was parked and locked and blew the back liftgate panel out along with shattering the glass.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while closing that the liftgate both hinges fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where both hinges and struts were replaced. In 2005, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 04v442000 (structure) however,the remedy was insufficient. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000. Js.
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.
While driving at approximately 35 mph, the top portion of the liftgate on the vehicle opened independently and then the driver side hinge fractured causing the liftgate to fall and hang by only one side. In addition, the compression rod was bent when this occurred. In order to continue driving the vehicle the compression rod had to be removed and the liftgate had to be temporarily fastened with harnesses. The vehicle was then taken to a body shop to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 83,000.
Crack in rear liftgate body panel. May fail during opening/closing and cause injury. This is a known problem with 2002-2005 Explorers. Ford knew about the problem and covered it up. There is a class action lawsuit in progress.
The contact owns a 2003 for Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he engaged the liftgate and the hinges fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed a large fracture under the rear liftgate glass near the manufacturing emblem. The fracture was approximately six inches long. The vehicle was not inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 for Explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate window detached from the hinges and crack the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the hinges needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the vehicle was under recall NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred and the door was still cracked. The manufacturer was notified and they stated that she needed to keep her receipts in case of another recall. The failure mileage was 160,000. Ap.
Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle it was found that the hinge for the liftgate was broken. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic and was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who informed him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments). The failure and current mileage was 110,308. Pmb.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the hinges for the rear lift gate fractured. The contact mentioned that the glass fell down into the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and had the hinges were replaced. The manufacturer was contacted who stated that there was a recall for the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments) but the vehicle was not included since the recall was only issued for the 2002 model year Explorer. The failure and current mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate detached from the hinges of the vehicle. The dealer was notified and stated there was a recall but the contact's VIN was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments). The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the rear liftgate glass bolt brackets detached from the hinges, causing the glass to detach. There was a recall associated with the defect under NHTSA campaign id number 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments) but the vehicle was ineligible for the recall repair due to the build date. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated while the rear lift gate was open the hinge failed causing the gate to fall on the contacts head. The dealer was stated the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign recall number: 04v442000: structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated the approximate failure and current mileage was 68,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). After the repairs were performed the contact attempted to open the lift gate which separated from the strut and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the hinges. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated there were two large cracks below the rear liftgate, located near the manufacturer’s emblem. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they were unable to provide assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact was closing the rear liftgate when the rear glass detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to grab hold of the glass to prevent it from shattering. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostics or repairs. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments) that could have been be related to the failure but the manufacturer stated that the contact's VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
Almost every older model Ford Explorer that I see on the road has the same issue with the cracked panel below the rear glass on the liftgate. For a while I was having a problem closing my back lift gate. There seemed to be a problem with the latch. I later realized that there was a recall (#04s20) on (what I thought had nothing to do with the cracked panel) liftgate glass hinge and ball stud bracket. Right after the repairs were done by the dealer on my vehical in January 2011, I realized that the liftgate worked perfect. It was then determined that the misalignment caused problems with the liftgate closing correctly. . . . . Which caused damage to the panel. . . . . Which resulted in the crack. . . . . . . Ford has done a recall on what has resulted in the crack but they have not stepped forward to take responsiblity for the damage that has occurred due to the defect. . . . . It is unfair for us to have to pay out of pocket for damages due to a maufacturing defect. . . . . . . Please investigate and resolve as appropriate.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the window on the rear hatch developed a crack and the hinge was bent due to defective material. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the repairs associated with NHTSA campaign id number 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments) were previously performed. The manufacturer would not provide further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 53,000 and the current mileage was 64,000.
Metal cracked into from liftgate window to bottom of liftgate. Just went to work one day and came home to find this huge crack in the liftgate door. I had not opened the liftgate that day. After doing research and personally witnessing other Explorers with this problem, I found there are hundreds of Ford Explorer owners with same problem.
Ford Explorer rear liftgate panel has crack and it expands during cold weather and it affects rear liftgate latching security as rear liftgate flies open whenever it feels like it when driving.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate hinges were fractured. 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 id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that a crack had developed on the liftgate of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 56,000.
Rear applique "rear liftgate panel" below the rear window cracked in half. No impact involved.
Liftgate glass applique damaged/cracked - service procedure.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. She stated while utilizing the rear liftgate to remove items from the trunk compartment, the rear liftgate fell causing the glass to shatter. The contact was not injured. The manufacturer was contacted and although the exact same failure of her vehicle is related to NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000- structure, structure body, hatchback/liftgate, hinge and attachments as a result of NHTSA action number pe04045, her VIN was not included. No repairs were made to date. The failure and current mileages were unknown.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatchback window hinge was fractured. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments) yet the failure recurred. Both the dealer and manufacturer was informed of the failure who advised the contact that any further repairs would be at the contacts expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 139,634 and the failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
My 2003 Ford Explorer developed a crack in the rear applique from the bottom of the glass to the liftgate. After contacting my dealer, I was told to email Ford, as this was a common complaint. After doing so, Ford told me that although that are thousands of other complaints about this obvious defect in the vehicle, there are no recalls for this problem. Most of the people have paid out of pocket for the repairs. This is not possible for me. I am not in a position to do so. If the crack gets worse, I will have to put in a claim to our insurance company. Upon going online and googling Ford defects, there are thousands of complaints about this ongoing problem with the Ford vehicles. Please let me know, how to get a recall on this.
Dear mayzel, I appreciate your timely response, but I must admit that I am more than a little disappointed (and confused). I am reading Ford Explorer recall #04v442000, "Ford recalls 2002-2003 Ford Explorer vehicles for liftgate glass" (see below), and it seems to cover my model year and my situation exactly. The lift hinge has stripped out the bolt three time, leaving the glass to hang from the other hinge (and struts). Can you explain why this recall would not apply? sincerely, bill dascomb dear william, this is mayzel from Ford's customer service department. I have read your email regarding the back hatch glass concern of your 2003 Ford Explorer. I am truly sorry to hear that you are having this issue with your vehicle. I have personally checked our resources and verified that your vehicle is not involved in any recalls or csp's at this time. Many factors are used to determine these such as warranty status, vehicle history, customer contacts, dealership comments and so forth. I have reviewed if any available coverages may assist in your repair request. There is not active esp to cover the part or the repair and the vehicle is outside of any applicable warranty. We recommend that your vehicle be inspected by a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealership to determine the cause of any symptoms your vehicle may be experiencing. Once you have the repairs completed, I strongly suggest that you keep the original receipt for the repairs, so that in case a recall will be issued in the future, these receipts may be reviewed by your dealership's service manager for a possible refund. Thank you for contacting Ford. Sincerely, mayzel customer relationship center Ford motor company.
We have owned the subject 2003 Ford Explorer XLT since it was new. The rear liftgate hinge holding the rear glass failed. I understand that this failure is the subject of NHTSA recall #04v442000. Ford informs me that they will not fix this continuing safety defect because they replaced the hinge once before in 2006. I have no record of such a repair, not do I agree that Ford's policy of only performing one replacement is valid. Even if they did replace it once, the design is clearly defective and the safety issue still remains. I would expect NHTSA to direct Ford to properly fix the problem, rather cause me to pay Ford for yet another replacement for the ineffective one they previously performed.
Large spontaneous stress crack appeared, bisecting the upper liftgate body panel on my 2003 Ford Explorer. Ford refers to this part as liftgate glass applique.
I have a 2003 Ford Explorer it has a crack in the rear panel under window of liftgate I had it replace before for the same problem now Ford refuse to fix the crack saying the have no records of this problem.
2003 for Explorer eddie bauer - the rear liftgate panel under the rear glass has a crack all the way through it. No known cause. There appear to be a large number of vehicles with this problem.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the contact pressed the button on her key fob to open the glass on the rear hatch. As a result, one of the two hinges fractured as the window was opening. She attempted to close the glass, but apparently it was misaligned. Due to excessive pressure, the glass shattered and debris fell onto the contact and the ground. She called the dealer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments) and was informed that the coverage date for the recall expired. The dealer would have to personally petition to the manufacturer for the vehicle to be repaired. The manufacturer stated that they would not assume financial responsibility for the repair. The contact's insurance company is in the process of notifying the manufacturer on her behalf. As of September 24, 2008, the vehicle has not been properly repaired. The failure mileage was 58,600 and current mileage was 59,600.