Carrier/rack problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer

When the Explorer was bought used in 2015 the cracks that are common in the glass lift gate cover panel did not exist. We purposely did not open the glass part of the lift gate to avoid cracking it. Eventually it cracked on its own just from opening the full tailgate. Then recently the lift gate latch keeper bolts/studs rusted to the point of failure behind the cracked panel and the glass lift gate released on its own. Luckily the Explorer was parked. However, the interior lights came on as a result. This drained my battery in this summer's heat. I had to purchase a new battery. To avoid this battery issue from happening again, I rigged the lift gate latch with zip ties through the holes to temporarily hold the lift gate shut. It won't hold long like this so I need to fix the attachment parts that rusted behind the glass and then the colored cover panel that is now badly cracked, the cracking of this very poorly designed and poor choice of material body part let water get behind it and hold there after it cracked like virtually all those on other Explorers. This trapped water caused rust of the latch attachment studs behind it. Ford's issuance of vsb's about this issue are proof they were fully aware of there bad material choice for this panel and I feel they should still be on the hook to repair and replace parts despite failure occurring after the vehicles warranty expiration, based on such a poorly designed and widespread tailgate issue that is later in the vehicle's life a safety issue, since the glass lift gate can open upon latch attachment bolt failure, due to rust.

I get a strong smell of rotten eggs when driving. It only happens when I drive for a long time. My back hatch is cracking in 3 or more spots I am afraid that it will probably fall off and cause damage to someone driving behind me.

My car was parked in front of my residence on the street, it had not been driven that day. The back window in the tailgate exploded, causing damage to the tailgate. No one was driving it, it had not been touched that day. There was a prior crack in the tailgate which I have seen on other Explorer's, and since learned that it is a defect in the care.

2 vertical cracks in upper rear hatch below window.

My rear hatch in the back of my Explorer has a crack in it. Which I think has caused the back window to shift which in turn has caused my door ajar light to flash while the door chimes go off and the interior flicker while you are driving down the road but there are no doors open . The lights flickering make it hard to drive in the night. I think Ford should fix this problem for everyone.

Cracked rear hatch. I had heard about this problem and my hatch didn't crack till after this cold winter. But, this is the first winter that this Explorer has been kept outside, not garaged. My garaged is under my house and insulated. It never gets below freezing in the garage. I called Ford and asked them if they can help financially with the repairs. They said no.

Rear panel cracked in the shed. I have had to replace my transmission a year ago replace front hubs several times. And just last week I had to replace the back wheel bearing again. I don't understand why Ford has not done a recall on these things. I see a lot of Fords with the same crack on the back hatch. This is just crazy. If I new we couldn't check transmission fluid I would have never got this truck. I will never buy a Ford again. We also have a 1994 diesel that we had to put a transmission in at 80,000 miles it sits in the shed and now my husband drives a chevy. Our Ford diesel only has 134,000 on it what asham. It will not even crank when its cold. Bad work Ford!!!!.

Leaving work at end of day, pulled out of parking space and rear glass shattered. The edges of the back hatch pulled away from the truck and curled up causing the glass to blow into the truck. A crack in the plastic of the hatch (which I have seen on many of this year model) has not been recalled and I have emailed Ford many times about this problem for fear of water getting in behind the panel. My belief is that water did get behind the panel and that is what caused the plastic panel to pull away and blow in the glass. Luckily my children were not sitting in the 2nd or 3rd row seating or this would have been a much larger problem. I believe Ford should have this problem addressed and recalled before someone gets seriously hurt from that flying glass.

In the middle of the rear panel under the rear glass near the rear wiper cracks. The first time we paid to have the panel replaced. Because we were concerned that the glass would come loose causing an accident. Less than 18 months and the cracks have reappeared only now there are two cracks in the same location. We have seen multiple cars on the road with this same crack. The dealer says they have seen as well. Called Ford regarding this issue. However, Ford refuses to acknowledge that there is a default in the panel which can causes the rear glass to fall out causing serious accidents.

Upon opening the rear glass hatch, the passenger side of the hinge broke when fully open and the window fell down, hitting me in the head. The panel below on this same window to the left of the Ford logo plate had also cracked about 6 months ago.

Rear glass lift gate: cracks appeared in the rear hatch on both sides of the rear Ford logo. ( I now notice many Ford Explorers with same cracks). Top right glass hinge twisted significantly and top left glass hinge twisted slightly. The fastening bolts for both glass hinges are rusted through. This resulted in the rear glass window shifting, apparently causing the cracks in the tail gate. I contacted sunshine Ford's service dept. In newburgh, NY and was told Ford is not responsible for fixing/replacing this defect. They chose their words carefully. They emphasized that "my model year" was not recalled for this defect. I asked if "any" Explorers had a recall for this defect. They would not say; but instead repeated,"my model year" was not recalled for this defect. Nhtsa has already received consumer complaints of injuries from owners whose lift gate glass broke off its mounting hinge while open, and caused head injuries. It is only a matter of time before a rear lift glass panel detaches from an Explorer in motion on a highway. That could easily lead to a multi vehicle accident along with multiple fatalities. I checked and Ford had a similar part recall for 2002 & 2003 Explorers. Ford changed the part then and has not met the # of complaints to be forced to recall 2004 and up Explorers. Unfortunately, I think many Explorer owners check with the dealer as to whether or not there was/is a recall and give up upon hearing no. We need to get anyone we know with this problem to file a complaint with the NHTSA. It is only a matter of time before some innocent person dies as a result of this "known" defect! as I understand it, this is a known defect for which Ford is not willing to take responsibility. Ford should fix this problem at no cost.

Cracked panel below rear window, went to garage and found this, cracked all the way thru.

Rear lift gate hinges cracking at pin causeing rear gate glass to shift down and tailgate not to latch correctly.

Purchased this vehicle as used on 4-19-13 and had noticed the crack to the left of the Ford emblem. Upon closer look today there is a second crack about 8 inches to the right of the emblem.

Liftgate has a crack and the hinge to the liftgate broke due to crack. It is hazardous to drive due to possible falling while driving or parked.

Of the numerous issues with this vehicle, the worst is the transmission (40,000 miles ). Same old story. Started with clunking and hesitation and surging when shifting into reverse and now is 'clunking' into gears 2 and 3 during normal driving. The rear drivers side window motor has been replaced twice. The rear window panel has a vertical crack to the left of the Ford symbol that just mysteriously occurred even though we don't even use the window. The truck stalls when the cruise control is applied below 45 miles an hour. My wife and I really loved this truck but like many others we have become embarrassed by our purchase. If this kind of fraud were to occur with any other product we would have some sort of recourse but not surprisingly the motor company's seem to enjoy a certain level of protection. The 'better business bureau' won't even listen to car complaints. Given the severe and ubiquitous nature of the complaints about this vehicle it comes as no surprise that no remediations is forth coming from this organization, the manufacturer or any other. The cost of these vehicles is a burden to say the least and is financially devastating to those of us who purchased them in good faith only to have a 30,000 dollar vehicle become useless and dangerous before reaching 50000 miles. Like all the other 'victims' of fraud, I am wasting yet more of my time by complaining about it.

Sun visors have been replaced twice. Horizontal plastic panel with the Ford logo has cracked and been replaced 3 times. Current one on vehicle is cracked. Sent an e-mail to Ford and was told basically "too bad--out of warranty ". Formoco has known of this problem on both the Ford and Mercury but has done nothing to fix it because it is not a safety issue. And of course this " damage " will lower the value of my vehicle when I sell/trade it for something other than a Ford.