Hatchback/liftgate Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was water on the rear carpet and the floor was wet. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the sunroof. The sunroof the motor was disconnected, and valves and drainage pipes were cleaned. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the rear seats were wet, and the seat belt was wet. Additionally, there was water in the tire well. There was rust located in the vehicle. The contact discovered that water had entered through the liftgate. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I have a serious safety issue with my 2020 Ford Explorer. The tailgate has unexpectedly closed when loading or unloading items from the cargo area. This is due the foot activation function. When loading/unloading heavier items you must stand close to the bumper. In so doing the foot activation closes the tailgate. This has happened at least 6 times including closing on my wife and grand children. The attached photo shows a skin scrap I sustained in blocking the tailgate from closing on a grandchild. I have talked to the dealer about deactivating the foot function. They responded it cannot be done.

See all problems of the 2020 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the power liftgate independently closed and a warning chime could be heard before the lift gate closed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The dealer diagnosed that the liftgate module was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was given Ford case number: cas12185619. The failure mileage was approximately 18,500.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate independently closed without warning. The failure recurred approximately four times. As a result, the contact slipped while attempting to move away and sustained a broken hip, which required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 500. The VIN was not available.

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.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Explorer. While driving 35 mph, the contact heard a loud thump coming from the rear hatch window. Upon further investigation, the rear hatch window was loose. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.

See all problems of the 2001 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the liftgate automatically closed independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,800.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatchback panel cracked. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who informed the contact that the manufacturer had a customer satisfaction campaign to replace the paneling, but it was discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 74,000.

See all problems of the 2005 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the third row seat fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the seat needed to be replaced. The seat was not replaced. The contact also stated that the vehicle experienced a leak by the top of the rear hatch. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 38,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that a crack developed across the full length of the hatch back door. The glass of the hatch back door also shattered without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 92,210.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate window became detached intermittently. The liftgate door failed to close properly and it developed a crack at the bottom. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lift gate needed to be repaired and the window needed to be replaced. The contact was not included in recall NHTSA campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure). The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,002.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The rear back hatch cracked.

See all problems of the 2002 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the tailgate had cracked underneath the rear window. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000 and current mileage was unknown. Updated 04/18/2013.

Cpsc#i12a0111a. 2001 Ford Explorer. Consumer stated that a day after she brought the car it broke down. The consumer stated there was a problem with the engine, as well as a hole in gas tank, which had rusted out, the bearings needed to be replaced, the tire were dry rotted, as they kept going flat, the driver's door did not lock, the rear doors did not open from the inside, the rear driver's door did not open at all, the outside handle was broke, the rear hatch would not close, and most of the time it had to be slammed shut.

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed a crack on the rear lift gate panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 91,793.

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.

While driving the lift gate opens on it's own.

See all problems of the 2006 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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.

Noticed that there was a gap between my liftgate window and my liftgate when backing out of a parcking space. I found that the post pulled out of the passanger side of liftgate window hinge leaving a smooth hole in hinge and metal in groves of post. Had no options but to leave window attached by only the driver side hinge and the latch at the bottom of window. Did not have proper tools to remove for safer driving.

See all problems of the 2000 Ford Explorer 🔎.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a loud squeaking coming from the rear window. The contact noticed that the driver side of the rear windshield hinge was crooked and the panel was fractured. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they advised that the hinges need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 118,000 and the current mileage was 121,000. Updated 6/4/12.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While parked, the contact noticed that the panel below the rear window hatch was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician stated that the rear panel would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000. Updated 03/21/bf the consumer stated the rear panel connected to the back rear window cracked underneath the rear window and has weakened the rear view window. The seal has rotted out due to water seeping into the defective cracked panel. Updated 04/09/12 water seeped into the cracked panel and caused corrosion and electrical problems. Updated 05/07/12.

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 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatchback door was fractured where the window ended and where the manufacturing symbol was located. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or mechanic to be repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear liftgate, extending up to the window. The contact expressed concern over the possibility of the window separating from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was cosmetic and they would be unable to assist with repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 74,000 and the current mileage was 77,130.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate window was shattered on the ground. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. After diagnosis they advised him that the hinges fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,738. The current mileage was approximately 149,229.

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.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate door was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who verified the failure and stated that the rear liftgate needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 45,000. Updated 02/22/lj the consumer stated the back panel that is cracked, is also soming unglued. The panel was replaced before at 20,000 miles. Updated 003/01/12.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate fractured directly underneath the window seal. She noticed when the door was ajar the warning light would illuminate as if she had opened the doors. The dealer advised her that they were aware of the failure, but there was no recall. The vehicle was not inspected nor was it repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear lift gate that extended across. There were also three other smaller cracks. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The contact stated that the rear window looked as if it would explode. The current and failure mileages were approximately 83,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear liftgate from the top of the manufacturers emblem up to the window. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired fro the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 130,000.

Back glass hatch fell off in my hands could have really hurt someone.