Body problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer - part 2

Tl - the contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the sun visor became detached. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure 148,000 and the current mileage was 154,000. Dr.

While the vehicle was parked for 2 or 3 days under the carport in the driveway, the back panel under the window cracked for absolutely no reason.

The rear window hinge pin (passenger side) has corroded and broken allowing the window to fall off of the rear tail gate. I noticed the broken hinge before using the lift gate which has prevented it from falling off thus far. I have read that this is a very common problem on this vehicle and Ford will not own up to the problem.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after exiting the vehicle, she noticed that the rear hatchback window panel was fractured. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and advised the contact that they were unaware of the issue. The failure and current mileages were approximately 92,000.

There is a crack to the left of the Ford isignia on the rear lift tail gate. The crack runs from the bottom of the rear panel just below the rear window to the bottom of that panel. The panel is the top half of the lift gate where the gate opens to enter items without opening the entire tail gate. I understand from other Ford Explorer owners that this can cause the rear window to blow out because the panel is no longer secure due to the crack. Obi# 10487645.

Vehicle was parked. Operator opened rear hatch glass, at which time the right hinge separated. This caused the glass to slam down. Fortunately, the operator was able to jump out of the way to avoid injury. The glass did not break, but the struts are bent. Both the right and left hinges appear to be defective and in need of replacement. The rear hatch is not usable until the hinges and struts are replaced.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the panel on the exterior of the rear lift gate was fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

After a day of shopping I pulled into my driveway and parked my SUV. I went to open the rear window hatch when the left side came apart from the vehicle and landed on top of me. Fortunately the right side of the window was able to stay intact while my husband was able to run to my aid to lift the door up. I am four months pregnant and my three year old son was standing by my side. I have read that many complaints about this issue have been made to the Ford corporation regarding this problem but they continue not to rectify the issue at hand; while leaving vehicle owners helpless when this situation occurs. I read that this was a good avenue to report this issue since Ford continues to ignore the problem and wonder if my husband would not have been in shouting distance what would've happen to my son, unborn child and myself!!!!!.

The rear panel cracked for no apparent reason.

Rear hatch window hinge (left side) broke and released the glass while driving. Window fell to one side. I had to make an immediate emergency stop. It was difficult to prop window to a safe position and lock down. It must remain locked down until I can fix it.

The hinges that hold on the rear window are starting to break. The 02 and 03 model Explorers were recalled for this but Ford refuses to issue a recall for the 2004 models even though this appears to be a huge issue affecting a large numbers of Explorers. I have caught it before total failure but many people have had the glass come loose and injure them. It is a huge safety issue.

Vertical crack down the middle area of the rear lift door around the Ford emblem.

The contact owns a Ford 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the lower portion of the lift gate glass exhibited a long stress crack. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. The VIN was unavailable.

The plastic piece of molding underneath the rear glass window cracked and fell off. Nothing was done to prompt this. I have read that thousands of other vehicles have this same issue.

The left rear lift gate window hinge broke causing the window to fall and bruise my daughter's arm. Terrible design and fraught with peril.

My 11 year old daughter went to close the rear window gate and the right hinge broke off at where the hinge attaches to the window. My wife and daughter tried to get it lined up with the hinge again but was not able to do anything with it and had to drive home with the windows hanging by the struts. Later when I got home I noticed that the right strut was not decompressing as well which probably put some pressure on the hinge. I tried to push it back up manually it wouldn't budge. I was able to remove the right strut and close and latch the window but now it's crooked and obviously not working. I did research and see there are tons of complaints about this same thing happening on 04 Explorers. I am very concerned that the window will fall off and this almost caused bodily harm to my daughter when it failed and fell.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a 6-inch crack from the base of the rear window to the license plate. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, but denied any assistance with repairs to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.

After a cold spell in January the panel under the rear window fractured from the window down. We took the car to the Ford dealer and was told this is very common and it would be around $400. 00 dollars to fix. If this is common why is Ford not correcting this without the customer having to pay out of pocket. It seems this is a manufacturing problem not a consumers!.

Update on rear cracked panel: rear back panel replaced twice. Ford service told me it would cost approx $800 to replace cracked panel again then suggested I take my '04 Ford Explorer to a body shop for a repair at a cost of approx $200 which I did. That repair lasted about 3 months. . . Panel has cracked again. If the glass falls out someone is going to get hurt. It is ridiculous that Ford will not take full responsibility for this defective part.

When we had the cold snap a few weeks ago, a plastic panel, under the rear window cracked. The cost to repair this is about $450 to $550. Searching on line, this seems to be a problem over a number of model years, as there are several hundred reports. In the past week, I have seen 7 more Explorers with a similar crack. Ford customer service says there is no recall. It is not a safety issue, but it is expensive to repair.

Rear body panel applique Ford series part #402a30.

Cracked panel below rear window. Also, rear window appears loose.

The rear passenger window hinge broke causing the glass to fall on top of me and hit me in the head and knock me down to the ground.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that when opening the rear lift gate, the hinge fractured and fell back, striking him in the head. The contact received a minor injury as a result. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 70,900.

2004 Ford explore. In 2008 the rear back panel cracked and was replaced by Ford at a cost of $100 to me. It is now 2011 and the rear back panel has cracked again but this time the crack(s) appear on either side of the Ford emblem. Ford needs to recall these back panels because they are defective.

1-"miles to e" have always registered as dashes after a fill up since 2004. Dealer says nothing is wrong and to add gas additive (which doesn't work) or I can have it fixed at my expense. Dealer has been sold and new dealer now has "no record" of my previous complaints-- whenever I had the car in for service I asked them to check it. I see plenty of other complaints for this same problem but Ford refuses to fix this as well. 2-back hatch below window has cracked recently. Husband had same vehicle different year and his cracked as well. Dealer acknowledges many vehicles with same problem but says there is no recall and Ford will not fix it. I see there is now a class action suit for this defect. Just wanted to go "on record" as another unhappy Ford owner (of over 40 yrs).

My 2004 Ford Explorer's rear trim underneath the rear window blew off the truck at 60mph. The (whole trim) shot through the sky like a boomerang. It sent a motorcyclist behind me off roading. It very well could have lead to his death as there were tree's a few feet away. I have not replaced any parts yet in fear it may happen again.

Rear panel cracked under window. There was no damage to vehicle, an di have seen several Ford Explorers with the same crack.

I am the owner of a 2004 Ford Explorer, with apprx. 50,000 highway miles. In 2007 I walked outside to find the rear back panel under the window with the Ford emblem was cracked. I took it to the Ford dealership , it was still under warranty. The total cost for reapir was 403. 47, I had to pay 250. 00 & the warranty covered the difference of 153. 47. Here it is 2011, I walk outside to find the rear panel under the window with the Ford emblem cracked again, the only difference this time is , I have no warranty. This apaprently is a defect on Fords part, the same crack 2 times on the same vehicle after being replaced and Ford has not recalled yet. Their is not one day you drive and not find Ford Explorer owners driving around with cracks on the rear panel. Come on Ford own up or lose consumers.

I have a 2004 Ford Explorer, and one day the car is fine the next there is a crack on the rear panel I though it was my fault but then I started seeing more explores with the same crack it has to be a defect.

The rear door panel underneath the glass on my 2004 Ford Explorer cracked. This is a common problem with hundreds of complaints filed. Ford motor CO should fix the problem.

The tail gate on the 2004 Explorer should be recalled,it will only get worse and lots of people will die when the back windows just start falling out. Every Explorer I see it like this! built Ford tough. . Lol. . . . . I guess it's ok for a few hundred to die until Ford maybe recall it, it's there responsibility!!!!!!! I will never buy another Ford till this gets fixed. Think of all the lawsuits in the making Ford. . Bad business!!! fix my found on road. . . Before you get sued. . . My back window will fall out soon and guess who`s getting sued. Fix your junk Ford you lied to me quality is job 1000 making money and lying is job 1. . Your sickling boycott Ford I already have 3000 plus with this problem just wait Ford you'll get yours. . .

Crack appeared on plastic panal just to the left of Ford emblem the car had 92k miles when occurred. Body shop estimate $500. 00 to repair.

Rear applique has cracked down the middle for no reason. I contacted the a dealer and they were aware that this was a defective item from Ford, but Ford has not issued a reacall. I contacted Ford and was told they are not aware of this issued.

The hatch below my rear window has cracked on both sides of the Ford logo on my Explorer. It seemed to have happened over night. I am concerned that it may not be strong enough to hold the window in while driving. Ford has had three years of models with this some problem and hasn't made it right by it's owners.