Hatchback/liftgate Hinge problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer - part 1

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that after opening the rear glass lift gate window, the two plastic hinges attached to the window fractured causing the window to fall and separate from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 141,500.

My car was parked outside of the grocery store. I opened the rear hatch to load my groceries. As I reached up to close the hatch the right side of it collapsed and fell right on my head leaving a large lump. Upon investigation I found that the hinge on the right side of the hatch had snapped and the weight of the hatch has twisted the hinge on the left side. Luckily, I broke the fall of the hatch or there would have been shattered glass everywhere. Definitely a safety issue.

Our 2004 Ford Explorer - my son opened the liftgate and the right hinge snapped leaving the window dangling in my 10 yr olds face. After much reading online, we have discovered that the rear window lift gate glass hinge has been a problem for many Ford owners. The rusted out plastic pieces are snapping off and allowing the glass to fall from the hinge. I was able to rush to the back of the car to grab the glass before it fell. My entire right side is sore from trying to hold the glass and trying to shut the window lift gate so I could get the car home. With one adult and three kids, I was stuck trying to figure out how & what to do with this window dangling. We are shocked that Ford has yet to recall the 2004 models but has recalled previous years. This is obviously a huge problem & it needs to be addressed. Someone is going to get very hurt. The hinges & struts need to be recalled on this model.

The right hinge on the rear window lift gate is corroded and as a result is half broken off. The window rattles due to it being loose. The left hinge is now starting to do the exact same thing. There have been times when I turn the vehicle on and the message center will indicate 'rear liftgate ajar' and it is the window hatch that is ajar. I feel this issue w/the hinge will ajar from the latch. I called a local dealership to see if this was a recall and he stated not on my specific vehicle after giving him my VIN. I feel this is a huge safety issue. I refrain use of the window in the fear it will fall on me. Now my fear is the window will fall completely off while driving.

Upon opening the rear lift gate, the hinges completely gave out and the lift gate fell away from the truck. I was fortunate in that I was able to catch and hold it, as my 5 year old son was standing beneath in order to hand me his beach toys, at the time of the incident. I had to hold the (very heavy) lift gate until a mechanic arrived to detach electrical components and placed the lift gate inside the 2004 Ford Explorer. I then had to drive home with no lift gate while exhaust fumes filled the truck. It should be noted that prior to this incident, the tailgate cracked, which I see is a common issue with this particular vehicle and the subject of a class action lawsuit.

The left (driver side) rear lift gate hinge broke making the rear lift gate and window unusable. This occurred when I was going to close the door, thankfully it was only the window section that was being closed as I'm sure the door itself is pretty heavy.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the hinge on the rear lift gate window separated from the vehicle and the glass shattered on the ground. One person was injured as a result. An authorized dealer was notified, but did not offer any assistance. The manufactrer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,990 and the current mileage was 130,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact attempted to close the rear lift gate window and the hinges fractured causing the glass to fall and shatter over her head. She suffered minor injuries as a result. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where she was awaiting a diagnosis of the failure and repairs. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.

2004 Ford Explorer lift gate glass fell off after upper left hand hinge snapped. Secondary failure of left hand gas shock shearing near mounting boss on gate. 1) the glass lift gate was getting harder to close. I believe corrosion loosened the hinge joint to the glass. 2) the failure was immediate and without warning. The back gate came crashing down and the right hand side came flying up. 3) short term fix - visqueen and duct tape. Long term fix - will be to disassemble and replace the hinge/shock assembly.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate glass hinge was fracturing from the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the hinge would need replacing and there were no recalls for the vehicle. Any repair to the vehicle would be at the contacts expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 150,100.

I was driving down the street and heard a noise. We turned around and the liftgate had fallen off its on hinges and was hanging loose on both sides. We had to hold it on and drive the car back home. The car has not been driven since that date in 2010. Ford needs to be responsible for the 2004 model and all of its defective products. This is the second complaint that I have filed against Ford concerning this car. The first was a #2 valve falling in the engine and causing the engine to blow up. Nhtsa please do something about Ford. Someone has to make car manufacturers responsible to the consumer. Every time that NHTSA is contacted nothing is done until millions are negatively affected.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. While sitting idle, the contact pressed the passenger rear window release button and the hinge fractured from the vehicle. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The vehicle had not yet been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 74,800. Updated 06/03/bf updated 06/07/10.

2004 Ford Explorer right rear liftgate hinge pin has corrosion causing the hinge to break loose from the glass. When opening the window it broke and fell on my husband while loading cargo. The right side shock (strut) has seemed to get stuck at times making it hard to close the hatch.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. While manually opening the rear lift-gate, it spontaneously closed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection, and the lift-gate hinge kit was ordered for the repair, because the lift-gate hinge had fractured. The failure mileage was 69,400. The current mileage was 69,450.

The rear lift glass hinges on our 2004 Ford Explorer broke during use of the lift glass. The pin broke right through the hinge. This is a vehicle that has been parked in a garage with only minimal use of the actual lift glass. We are now searching junk yards for replacement hinges but assume these will also be bad.

1. The events leading to the failure were normal use of the vehicle. 2. Rear lift-gate hinges on 2004 Ford Explorer XLT began failing with a loud bang from the rear of the vehicle. The rear window began to sag and over the course of several months cracks appeared in the hinge structure. I have purchased new hinges, but at this time I still need to install them.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate glass strut became disengaged from the hinge, which allowed the glass to loosen. The glass appears that it could fall out at any moment while driving various speeds. The contact found recalls on the 2002 and 2003 Explorers, but not for 2004. The dealer stated that there were no recalls for her vehicle and it could not be repaired according to NHTSA campaign id number 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). The failure mileage was 90,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. While attempting to shut the rear glass on the liftgate, the hinges failed and prevented the glass from closing. The hinges were bent back into place in order for the liftgate glass to close, but currently it cannot be used at all. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer for repair. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 91,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the glass on the hinge of the rear windshield would glide up and down, as if it were not secured or molded properly. The manufacturer stated that the entire hatch needed to be replaced in order to correct the failure at an estimated cost of $1,200. The failure and current mileages were less than 40,000. Updated 12/30/08 updated 12/30/08.

The rear hinges on my 2004 Ford Explorer are faulty, they cracked and are barely holding my glass window up. For Ford, this is not a new issue; the 2003, 2002, and 2007 models have a recall on this issue. Ford will not recall the 2004 models that have the same issue. This is costly and is dangerous. While driving, the hatch could possibly causing the glass to break.

The back glass hinges on 2004 Explorer broke causing the glass to come off my vehicle. Luckily I caught it and had my husband come undo all the pieces so nothing else was broken.

2004 Ford Explorer was parked in my driveway and, after opening the liftgate and attempting to close it, the right hand hinge fractured and landed on my hand. Luckily my husband was right beside me and he was able to lift it and there was no injury to my hand. The left hand hinge was fractured on one side and we had to remove the hydraulic arms to close the liftgate and duct tape it closed. After reading online that the 2002/2003 Explorers had been recalled I hoped they would also include the 2004 models. I checked with the dealership and it was not covered. My truck was manufactured in March 2004 and there is a good chance that 2003 parts were used so Ford should stand by their product and honor the recall for the 2004 models. This is a major safety issue and I was lucky that this happened in my driveway with my husband beside me and not on the highway where it could have fractured and blown into the traffic behind me. I hope there are other drivers who come forward to report this problem as I know there have to be a lot more of us out there! the dealership replaced the fractured hinges at a cost of $122.

The rear hinges on my 2004 Ford Explorer fell apart and the window fell off. This same issue was recalled for 2002 and 2003 Ford Explorers but Ford would not honor the recall for my 2004 vehicle using the same defective hinges.

I was driving and just entered the expressway when I got to the bottom of the ramp my back window on my trunk raised up and halfway fell off and when I got out to look at the damage. The passenger side hinge is very loose and the driver side hinge completely broke off and the suspension shock that opens and closes that window. I was terrified when this happened and I panicked and luckily I was already so close to the exit ramp. I called Ford and was told how much the parts were and how much labor is but the service person mentioned that he has had alot of people complain about that shock that opens and closes the window. I am waiting for my parts to come in now.

1. Opened rear hatch glass on 2004 Ford Explorer. 2. Hinges failed on glass hatch disconnected from body. 3. This just happened. Have to buy replacement hinges.

The rear window liftgate hinges on my 2004 Ford Explorer failed. Hinge pins are corroded and just sheared right off. Looks like the hinges become loose and go slightly out of alignment and when hatch is opened the pins break. Appears there was a recall for this same problem for the years prior to my model year. From the review of this website does not look like Ford has solved the hinge problems. The earlier recall was # 04v442000. Can the recall be extended to cover the 2004 (and maybe later years)?.

My Ford Explorer has a two part rear lift gate. The main liftgate works fine, however, the smaller glass lift gate "collapsed" when I was opening it. It is a hinged lift gate with hinges that attach to the glass. One of the hinges failed and the glass door collapsed (hitting me on the head and cutting my hand). The hinge that broke looks as if it may have cracked right where the retaining pin is located securing the glass door to the hinge attached to the body. The hinge appears to be made of a cast iron or "pot metal", which could be subject to breaking or cracking. When it broke it also caused the other hinge to come disconnected. The door is just "hanging" by the door shocks. The auto is a 2004 Ford Explorer. I am taking it in to have it repaired, but wanted to file this report due to the nature of the failure of the part and the potential for physical injury. Updated 05/05/08.

My wife and I noticed a crack under the rear window, (1/8 by 6") to the left of the Ford emblem in the center of the rear hatch. . There was no impact involved, it just appeared overnight. Later the rear window was raised and the hinge on the left side is loose, and cannot be tightened. Now we can't close the the rear window all the way. When is something going to be done about this ongoing problem with the 2004 Explorers? Ford is very aware of this problem and and they could care less. I could have taken our Explorer to a kia dealer instead of a Ford dealer and received the same type of service. . No help at all. It seems that Ford doesn't care about quality anymore and only about the mighty dollar, no matter how they get it!.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The glass on the rear hatch door has cracked and the contact feels that it may shatter at any moment while driving. The dealer stated that it is not a defect and the contact would have to pay for the repair. The VIN, engine size, and number of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 49,000.

The rear window liftgate hinge on my 2004 Ford Explorer fractured. This was obviously a defective hinge in that it shouldn't have worn out like it did. I had to bring it to the dealer who replaced both hinges for approx $165. They told me there was a recall for this same problem for the years prior to my model year. They also said that the hinge was the same type that was failing in the prior model years. I am filing this complaint in order to have any of this type of hinge that was used to be included in the recall. The recall was # 04v442000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. While using the remote to open the rear window, the glass hinge failed and caused the window to fall from the window frame. The contact notified the dealer and manufacturer and they stated that his vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 01i010000 (visibility:glass, side/rear). The window has yet to be repaired. The current and failure mileages were 33,500 updated 01/02/08. Updated 01/02/08.

Ford Explorer 2004, back tailgate window fell off vehicle. There was a recall for the 2003, Ford refuses to pay for repair, claiming that they haven't had enough complaints to warrant an additional recall. This back windshield fell off the vehicle into my husbands hands. Thank god my children weren't the in the way or injured. This recall of the 2003, to place on September 13,2004, well after my vehicle was made and purchased. I fear for the owners of this $35,000. 00 vehicle, and what may happen while Ford drags their feet with this recall. I is somewhat apparent that the same hinges were used on this vehicle as the 2003. Please let the public know. Thanks.

The hinges on the lift gate window on my 2004 Ford Explorer broke causing the rear window to fall out of the window frame. Ford motor company told me that there is a recall for the problem on the 2002 and 2003 models but were not "aware" of any similar problems with the 2004 model.

I own a 2004 Ford Explorer 4 door. On July 5, 2007 while closing the window portion of the back hatch the glass came loose from the hinges. I took the vehicle to gullo-hass Ford in conroe texas to have them repair it, and I was told that the hinges and back window section were the subject of a technical service bulletin. It was apparent that Ford was aware of a potential problem with the back hatch window and the hinges, since ,it sent out a TSB advising its service personnel on the best way to fix the problem. Research showed that the TSB was issued on 1/1/05. Ford was aware of this problem and the quickest way to fix it while my vehicle was still under warranty. Ford failed to advise me as an owner that there was a potential problem with the rear window hatch area. This concerns me as a safety issue. If the glass had been open and I was standing under the glass while loading or unloading my vehicle, I could have been seriously hurt by the falling glass or killed as well as any other person standing next to me or a child next to me. Ford advised me that because it had not been forced by the government to issue a recall they didn't have to advise vehicle owners of the problem.

On June 21, 2007 I used the keyless entry remote to open the rear window of the 2004 Ford Explorer for my 11 old daughter to put my son's baby bag in the back. When the glass opened the driver's side hinge fatigued and broke, twisting the glass hard enough to cause a dent in the window recess and falling on my daughter's head, bending both struts. After investigating other models I discovered that model years up to 2003 were covered under a recall ,but the 2004 was not. I contacted Ford motor company and explained the situation ,and they were absolutely no help, telling me that the vehicle was not covered under any warranty at the time. The vehicle has 72,000 miles on it. The local dealership was not much more help, replacing my hinges with the 2003 recall package and informing me that 33% of the time when they replace the hinges the glass breaks and the replacement cost will be at the owner's expense. The parts were $102 and the labor $100.