Tailgate 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.

Paint peeling roof hood differential replaced twice bearings wear out repaired twice back of tailgate panel cracked replaced 3 times.

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.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Ford Explorer. The contact stated there was a crack underneath the window of the tailgate. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 8,627. . . Updated 03/25/14.

On the body the tailgate panel keeps cracking this makes my truck look bad compared to the money I put into it. My engine or transmission acts as if something is wrong it is not shifting gear right. On the electrical tire pressure light keeps coming on and it also keeps leaking water from somewhere. Ford needs to go out of business for selling these pieces of junk. It makes no sense.

When closing the rear window hatch, the left hinge that holds the glass completely let go of the glass. Fortunatley my husband was the one closing it and was able to catch the glass before it broke the other hinge and pulled the glass off completely. The right hinge was also bent, as the window will now not sit level to be put back into place. This should be recalled, as there is a large hazard of th window falling. What if my daughter had been standing underneath as usual, or he had not been able to catch the window and it broke and sen "exploding" glass pieces everywhere. I see that this appears to be a very widespead issue when looking through complaints. Also, the tailgate in my Explorer has also experienced the same mysterious crack that so many other vehicles have had. One day it was fine, then it was cracked. Could these issues be somehow releated? or is the entire hatch just full of flaws.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer XLT. The contact stated that the rear tailgate metal was fractured in half in the center near the Ford emblem. The contact was concerned that the rear windshield could shatter because of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a local mechanic for the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage 88,200.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hinge on the tailgate was broken where the glass was hanging. The dealer was informed about the failure and stated that there were no related recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 131,000.

Vertical crack in the plastic tailgate attached to the rear window left of the Ford emblem. Ford dealer said they have seen many of these, so I feel this is a design flaw & Ford should fix for free. Ford giving me run a round. So much for Ford tough. Who should I contact to get this fixed for free? or should I take it to the news station about just how tough Ford trucks are. . . . They crack like easter eggs. . . . . . . I have never had this off road and keep it in a garage.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed two cracks below the rear window on the tailgate. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.

1. Panel below rear window cracked Nov 2009; crack is located to the left of Ford emblem and is the length of the panel. Ford refused to repair free of charge; we did not repair it. 2. This morning tailgate glass blew out while car was parked in our garage and thankfully no one was near it when it happened as glass flew everywhere. Car had not been driven for over 24 hrs.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed that the rear plastic tailgate strip was cracked in the center. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician informed that the manufacturer would be responsible for the expense of replacing the plastic strip for vehicles that do not exceed 36,000 miled. The vehicle was not repaired because the contact exceeded the required mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Tailgate/door with glass cracked and broke. Fiberglass was made far too weak and cracked. This is a common problem with this vehicle.

Went to load something in the back of my Explorer and noticed a black line running down between the window and tailgate and could not believe it was cracked,,did nothing to cause it to crack. I got online and found that many other owners have had the exact same thing to happen. I suppose it will be treated like the transmission issues that I and many many other owners have had also, just ignored but never recalled although case after case after case have been reported.

2004 Ford Explorer XLT v6 rear panel under window on tailgate cracking and falling off also transmission failure at 60,000 miles was outraged by Ford when they stated that after the car leaves the factory its not their problem.

Cracked tailgate frame under the window, from top to bottom.

Cracked tailgate panel where "Ford" emblem is. Cracked while vehicle was sitting in driveway. Have noticed a lot of other Explorers with same cracks. I believe it's defective materials being used and Ford should take care of the problem.

My 2004 Ford Explorer XLT has a crack in the tailgate/back hatch. It starts under the window seal and continues down to the hatch lever. I'm afraid the glass will become compromised due to the defect in craftmanship. I was on another forum where 387 complaints for the same issue. . Read more...

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. He stated that his vehicle developed a vertical crack in the plastic tailgate which is attached to the rear glass. The crack appeared to the left of the Ford emblem. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that they would repair it at the owners expense with a discount. The dealer also stated that the warranty does not apply. The upper part of the glass is made of fiber glass and the bottom is made of metal. The contact stated the material is defective and that he was not aware that fiber glass was included. The cold weather could cause the crack in the window to expand. The failure and current mileages were 76356. Updated 10/20/09 the consumer stated the crack is at the center of the emblem as well as in the fiber glass part, not the glass. Updated 10/22/09.

My 2004 Explorer developed a vertical crack in the plastic tailgate attached to the back glass. Crack appeared to the left of the Ford emblem. Once the crack appeared it eventually started to move down the plastic piece, was visible on my vehicle for approximately 5 months. On September 7, 2009 as I was driving down the highway and my back glass shattered and the plastic tailgate piece unattached itself at the sides from the vehicle. Very dangerous. Could have affected other drivers on the road had someone been behind me. I also have a 3rd row seat in vehicle which was not in use at the time or they could have been hit be debris as well.

Cracking tailgate panel below rear tailgate window extending to the bottom of the tailgate. The crack extends along the left side of the Ford emblem. This is the second crack since I have had in 2 years in exactly the same location. The previous crack appeared in January 2007 and was repaired by dealer at no cost. This time the dealer wants to charge me $450 to repair an obvious defect in workmanship and or material.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a plastic trim piece in the rear of the vehicle that was glued onto the rear liftgate window, which holds the Ford emblem. He noticed that the piece was cracked right down the middle and that several other vehicles of the same year, make, and model had the same failures. He consulted a plastic expert, who stated that the part was defective and molded incorrectly. The contact feels that the failure was due to a manufacturer defect. The manufacturer stated that the complaint would be escalated. The local dealer stated that they could not assist with the defective part. The failure and current mileages were less than 35,000.

I noticed a crack on the rear panel of the tailgate of my 2004 Ford Explorer. It is in the middle, right next to the Ford emblem. I took the vehicle to the Ford dealership. The service manager explained that this was a common problem that people are bringing in to them. They said that there was no recall for it. They said my only option was to pay to get it repaired, which would cost about $450. 00. My vehicle only had about 48,000 miles, but was no longer covered under the 3 year warranty. The manager also said that if I do choose to get it fixed, to keep the receipt because if there ever is a recall on it, I could be re-imbursed.

Long crack under rear window of tailgate,beside Ford emblem, appeared overnight,no accidents, 39,00 miles, otherwise excellent condition.

The rear tailgate cracked from the bottom of the rear glass and propagated downward around the Ford emblem and finally to the bottom of the liftgate panel. This has happened on a 2004 Ford Explorer limited, v8 with .

Tailgate, plastic which run around "Ford" the width of the gate cracked. Cold weather the crack gets large, hot weather it closes up. It cracked on its own.

2004 Ford Explorer rear tailgate plastic panel cracked by the Ford logo. I've notice other Ford Explorers with the same problem. Also many complaints on the internet. Ford will do nothing!!!!!!.

I have a 2004 eddie bauer Explorer and piece below tailgate window cracked from top to bottom contacted my dealership and told me he would go 20/80 I figured that was better than nothing even though Ford should have paid it all.

Cracked rear panel in tailgate below window.

Our 2003 Ford Explorer tailgate back panel with the Ford emblem cracked from top to bottom on this panel right next to the emblem. Know idea how it happened but we see most of the Explorers have this same problem. Cheap materials by Ford to cut costs to make a profit. . Updated 09/16/08.

Closed the back glass of the tailgate with normal amount of force and crack appears from glass to fiberglass ( right next to Ford symbol).

The tailgate on my 2004 Ford Explorer cracked last winter. I took it to the dealer and they said that it was not recalled. I noticed many of the same vehicles with the same problem. I believe that this is a manufacturing issue that should be resolved by Ford.

Cracked panel below the rear window.

2004 Ford Explorer. A crack appeared on the rear tailgate panel directly below the tailgate glass and next to the Ford emblem. The dealer, summerville Ford, summerville, SC, informed me that although he sees this problem often on this Explorer body style, no recall has been issued and Ford would not pay for the repair. Obviously, Ford is aware of this poor design resulting in body integrity failure, based on the other Explorers I have witnessed on our roads with the same damage and the other complaints to NHTSA. But Ford is refusing to do anything to correct this failure. I notice the new Explorers no longer have this poor tailgate design. This is damage caused by Ford's poor design and should be acknowledged and repaired by Ford.

2004 Ford Explorer eddie bauer. Panel under tailgate cracked. Clear crack from top to bottom where Ford emblem is, appeared overnight. Was not involved in any accident. 53,385 miles.