45 problems related to hatchback/liftgate have been reported for the 2004 Ford Explorer. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Ford Explorer based on all problems reported for the 2004 Explorer.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. After opening the liftgate window, the contact noticed a crack on the driver side hatch. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 172,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he opened the rear trunk window and the left hinge became fractured. The window fell onto the contact unexpectedly, which saved the window from falling and shattering. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the mechanic stated that the hinge would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 80,602.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the horizontal panel under the rear lift gate was fractured. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 99,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate back panel developed multiple cracks, which caused the liftgate windshield to become very unstable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 98,000.
Right rear liftgate window hinge failed (cracked) causing heavy (apprx 40 lb) glass liftgate glass panel to fall on a person causing minor injury. Appears 02/03 models recalled for same issue (despite Ford's response on the first investigation of this it is the same issue as 02/03). The hinge part is inadequate to hold the heavy glass panel in place over time with use. Since the back glass is a heavy slab of unframed, tempered glass it could "explode" if it falls potentially causing serious injury or traffic accidents to trailing vehicles. Ford apparently does a good business in selling these replacement hinges at a cost of over $100 each for a small piece of weak cast metal. Forty pound slabs of glass falling off of vehicles with no prior warning is a safety issue! research indicated many other owners with the same complaint.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate body panel was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the body panel needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that while driving approximately 25-35 mph, a noise was heard coming from the rear differential. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the rear differential needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 80,000. The VIN number was not available.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate glass was hanging beside the struts. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer denied any assistance with repairing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. While driving approximately 55 mph, the rear hatch opened without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicles hatchback was cracked. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 77,000. Updated 08/10/lj updated 08/12/11.
Back glass hatch fell off in my hands could have really hurt someone.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear panel was cracked by the emblem in the rear liftgate. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that there was no recall related to the failure. The current and failure mileages were approximately 55,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the plastic panel on the rear hatch was cracked and could potentially fall off. The contact called the dealer regarding the cracked panel and the dealer informed her that there was no recall regarding the plastic panel and stated that the part was available for purchase. The contact had not replaced the plastic panel. The failure mileage was 74,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the panel in the rear liftgate was split. The contact called the dealer who stated that the failure was common. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that there were no recalls and repairs would be at his expense. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate was fractured down the center. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that he would be responsible for replacing the entire liftgate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000 and the current mileage was approximately 48,000. Updated 12/21/bf the consumer stated no repairs were made. He believed the integrity of the rear window liftgate has been compromised. Updated 12/29/10.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a small oblique on the rear liftgate which fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they advised replacing the oblique but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
I have a 2004 Explorer and I lifted the glass hatch today and it broke and began to fall on my head, luckily I reacted and grabbed it before it knocked me out. I had to get help because it was to heavy for me because I have a bad back, had surgery and was afraid that I was going to re damage. I had to have my husband come up there while we held it because struts would not fold it in. Took it to Ford and am being charged a diagnostic charge to diagnosis it I am not sure that is needed, and parts are going to be $155, and I was told that they are not responsible for the window if it breaks! parts are not available they said they will order. I have no car, no warranty, and a sore back from another problem Ford is aware of but refuses to accept responsibility for. Thank god it did not hit my 11 year old in the head or neck this could be very dangerous even deadly.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate exhibited a fracture down the middle of the hatch. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnosis or repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 72,000 and the current mileage was 78,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated there was a crack on the rear lift gate from the vehicle logo toward the rear door. The contact stated in cold temperatures, the crack was barely visible yet in warmer temperatures, the crack would expand. The dealer advised the failure was common in his year, make and model but was not under recall. The failure mileage was 78,000 and the current mileage 78,500.
On Friday, may 28, 2010 my husband attempted to open the liftgate on our 2004 Ford Explorer when the glass separated from the vehicle and landed in his hands. It did not shatter because he was holding onto it. Upon inspection, we discovered that the left hinge that connects the liftgate to the vehicle had snapped. The liftgate is currently hanging on the right hinge as we do not have the resources at this time to have it repaired. I have since learned that investigation of the same part was opened in June 23, 2004 and closed on October 24, 2008. Although on page 12 of the response to NHTSA Ford motor company admits that this failure is caused by "the use of non-optimal coating on the steel pin that joins the two zinc die-cast sections of the hinge", the company assumes no financial responsibility in covering the repairs because no recall has been issued. I urge you to take a proactive approach to this issue as it could cause serious injury and there are numerous complaints from consumers who are not aware that they can report them to this agency.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate panel was cracked below the glass and the vehicle had never been involved in any accidents. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the contact was informed that the failure was known but she would be responsible for repair costs. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000. The current mileage was 35,373.
Failure of the lift gate hinge pin.
Ford Explorer lift gate panel cracked I have not replaced it yet I see a lot of these on the road since my has cracked.
I take very good care of my 2004 Ford Explorer. When I was hand washing it I noticed a crack in my back hatch.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed a crack on the rear hatch and near the emblem. The dealer stated that nothing could be done. There was no recall; however, a service bulletin was available for the vehicle. The failure and current mileages were unknown. Updated 03-09-09 updated 03/12/09.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear panel was cracking on her vehicle near the Ford emblem. The manufacturer could not assist with the repairs. The motor for the rear windshield wipers caused the rear panel to crack. The current and failure mileages were less than 80,000.
The plastic below the glass on my rear hatch- 04 Ford Explorer. I have gone through two dealers and Ford. Com. I have spoken with over 10 people and this includes service managers. I have only 49,000 miles on my vehicle and every day I drive around and I see this problem. They say it is not a safety defect, but what happens when a 2" by 3' piece flies off and a old lady swerves into a semi. Now look what it will cost . If this was an isolated case I would have no problem. If nothing is done in the next week, I am currently in the process of photographing everyone that I see. Then I am going to trouble shooter tv. And I want people to see why you should never buy a Ford. There is no wonder they need a bail out. If I choose to run my business to the ground, I don't get government assistance. Ford motor company what a joke. Please never buy one. When a company makes a mistake admit it and people will respect you. Look at what a $200 piece of plastic can cost you. Just google the problem and you can see it is not isolated.
The trim panel below the rear hatchback window has cracked. According to internet sources, this is common for the make and year of our Ford Explorer. There have been hundreds of complaints and appears to be a factory defect. The crack appears on it's own without impact of any kind.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the plastic underneath the window of the rear liftgate has cracked. The manufacturer stated that the failure was not covered under warranty; therefore, the contact would have to pay for the repairs. She feels that this is a safety issue because the frame around the window could crack and cause the window to fall out. The current mileage was 79,900 and failure mileage was 56,000.
My 2004 back rear window panel cracked- defective panel from Ford, approx every Ford Explorer has the same problem and Ford will not recall as a mfg defect you can find hundreds of complaints for the same problems on all Ford Explorers 2002 to 2005.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed a crack on the rear liftgate panel. The manufacturer advised him to take the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The failure mileage was 55,000.
2004 Ford Explorer eddie bauer edition. Rear lift gate cracks without cause. Research has indicated this is a known problem since early 2000 with no corrective resolution by Ford. What happens if these pieces fall off during initial cracks without drive awareness and injuires someone or property? I believe Ford should be made to fix this known error before accidents occur and notify customers the chances of this occurring is high.
The back panel of the car underneath the window has developed a 4 inch vertical crack overnight. The hatch has not been open or closed for several weeks and has not been bumped or hit to my knowledge.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed a crack on the rear hatch of the liftgate. The dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the failure is a common occurrence. As of December 4, 2007, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The manufacturer offered restitution of $150; however, the contact declined the offer. The failure mileage was 27,846 and current mileage was 27,946. Updated 01-11-08. The consumer stated the cost of repairs should not be passed onto the consumer. Updated 12/31/07.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. In an attempt to load the rear of the vehicle, the contact noticed an 1/8 inch wide and 6 inch long crack in the center below the rear window. The rear window would not close due to the crack. The dealer was notified of the failure. The current mileage was 52,000 and failure mileage was 49,551. Updated 05/06/08. The top portion of the hatch has shifted. Updated 05/06/08.
I have a crack on the rear lift gate of my 2004 Ford Explorer. It runs vertically from under the window, around the left side of emblem, to the bottom of panel. I understand that this is a common design flaw. I had this repaired once already in September 2006. This is the 2nd occurrence and Ford is not repairing it under warranty, because my 12 month period ended 6 weeks ago. I feel this needs to be rectified, as it is a 2nd occurrence and obviously a manufacturer flaw.