Tailgate problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer

A recall was issued for 2003 Ford Explorers for the hinges on the back window tailgate. The right side hinge on my 2003 Ford Explorer broke, I was fortunate to be strong enough to catch the glass before it snapped the other hinge. When I contacted Ford after seeing the recall notice online, I was told my Ford was not part of the recall. I have also checked on the NHTSA site and it was not listed there either. My complaint is that if Explorers of the same year are recalled and my hinge broke, I believe there may be an issue with a larger range of Explorers than listed.

Noticed upper part of rear tailgate under glass next to Ford emblem is cracked from top to bottom.

I want to bring to your attention a defect in the tailgate panel on the 2003 Ford Explorer. It is cracked and as a result water gets into the inside of the panel and leaks into the vehicle. As a result of the bitter cold days here in the northeast over the last month or so, ice forms on the inside of the windows causing major issues with visibility which is dangerous. It also shorted out the rear wiper motor as well. There should be a safety recall on this since it effects so many people.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the tailgate was cracked. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told the lift gate was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 110,000. Kmj.

Rcall work was done ( Ford # 04s045 ) since that time the plastic trim piece attached to the tailgate window cracked which has allowed water to rust out the mounting bracket that holds the latch and wiper assembly. The result is that the widow no longer closes securely and the window latch in-operable. Has this been addressed in and other recalls? I have observed that 9 of 10 Explorers/mountaineers also have cracked trim pieces. As a result of the rusting bracket I feel that the window could suddenly open and/or shatter. Repairs seem impossible also due to the possibility of shattering the window causing injury.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a fracture in the rear lift gate hinge, making it impossible to connect the rear tailgate door to the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were notified, but the NHTSA campaign id number 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments), did not include the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 160,000.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the tailgate of the vehicle under the rear window. The manufacturer was notified and stated there had not been enough complaints to issue a recall and referred her to NHTSA. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,000. Dt.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was parked when the contact noticed that there was a large crack in the rear lift gate panel. The crack was located under the tail gate window. The failure was diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.

Tailgate is splitting.

Rear tailgate/liftgate door panel cracked in two places vertically while in garage parked.

2003 Ford Explorer XLT vertical crack in fiberglass tailgate panel just below rear window glass (no impact to tailgate occurred - called dealership and they noted this is a common problem).

The rear tailgate on my Ford Explorer has a vertical crack that runs through the Ford medallion on the back. My neighbor had the same problem with his Explorer and replaced it. When I looked on a google search, I find this is a common problem with Explorers. Not replaced, the piece will fall off and possibly create a road hazard.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the tailgate hatch in the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that when attempting to rent a trailer from u-haul, the company would not rent to anyone with a Ford Explorer which she believed to be a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that she would be responsible for repairs. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 120,000. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000-.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. In an attempt to drive the vehicle, the contact noticed a crack in the tailgate below the rear window. The dealer was notified and stated that there were no recalls. The current mileage was 80,000 and failure mileage was 60,000.

2003 Ford Explorer, after having service completed , Jan '07 noticed after several weeks vertical crack on rear hatch panel right of Ford emblem. Didn't think much of it because there was road salt coving the back hatch and I couldn't confirm what had happened. However there was no impact marks. I have noticed a number of other same year Explorers with the same vertical crack. Iwill try to pursue with Ford.

The panel below the rear window of my 2003 Explorer has cracked/broken into pieces. The 6-8 inch break runs to the right of the Ford emblem. Apparently this is a very common defect in 2002-2003 Explorers which Ford refuses to acknowledge.

Ford Explorer 2003. Tailgate cracked in half below window. No precipitating cause. Car under warranty, dealer stated this was manufacturing defect. Replaced at no charge, apparently with another defective tailgate. Tailgate cracked again 9 mos. Later. Dealership required payment of 20% from owner since vehicle out of warranty (38k miles) even though it was admittedly Ford's manufacturing defect. Ford replaced the tailgate with a third defective tailgate that will undoubtedly crack again. Both Ford facilities stated that they'd wish that Ford would do a recall and "accept responsibility for the defect". They'd replaced one a month at the small dealership and "many" at the larger dealership. Pictures available per e-mail if desired.

Following the actions taken by the Ford dealership to correct the fault with the rear door/liftgate recall, a large crack developed on the liftgate from the bottom of the glass to the bottom of the liftgate. I have noticed this same crack on several other Explorers. I have been told that this is not something that Ford recognizes as an item for "recall. " I am unsure of the integrity of the structure of the rear door/liftgate.

Crack in body of tailgate with no cause; crack started at the bottom of the back window and ran to the bottom of the panel.

Consumer received manufacturer's recall 04007, NHTSA recall 04v129000 concerning tailgate cables. No parts were available.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed that the rear tailgate was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated that the contact would have to pay to have the tailgate replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they would pay for r half of the repair cost. The contact stated that he should not have to pay any portion of the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 2/23/11 updated 04/25/11.