Side/rear Glass Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

When there is heavy, consistent rain, the rear passenger side window leaks. I took the vehicle in for service under warranty and they told me Ford said the vehicles are not built to withstand heavy, consistent rain. Ummmm, what? this is not a small issue. During one downpour, there was at least an inch of water in the rear storage compartment. I live in eastern TN and we do tend to get a lot of rain, but I do not see how this window does not seal out the water.

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Both back doors of Explorer closed at same time and back window completely shattered. It was cracked around edges and had a giant hole in it. (husband took the photos and didn’t take one of whole window. ).

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The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving, the rear glass exploded without an impact. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

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The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the glass and the window on the rear liftgate panel cracked. The contact stated that the dealer replaced it three times, but the failure occurred because the material was not made to expand or contract based on the weather. The failure mileage was unavailable.

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The contact owns a 2010 Ford Explorer. While parked, the rear liftgate window exploded without warning. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 98,000.

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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.

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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.

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The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate glass unexpectedly shattered without accessing the door. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000. . . . Updated 04-10-14 updated 04/22/14.

Rear hatch window hinge (left side) broke and released the glass while driving. Window fell to one side. I had to make an immediate emergency stop. It was difficult to prop window to a safe position and lock down. It must remain locked down until I can fix it.

Rear window hinges broke for the second time. They were fixed once with recall and are now broke again. Also the back lift gate panel has cracked.

The hinges that hold on the rear window are starting to break. The 02 and 03 model Explorers were recalled for this but Ford refuses to issue a recall for the 2004 models even though this appears to be a huge issue affecting a large numbers of Explorers. I have caught it before total failure but many people have had the glass come loose and injure them. It is a huge safety issue.

My son went to leave in Explorer. Noticed hatch had popped open (has been doing this) and when he closed the two inch opening the glass exploded on him and all over driveway. Glass piece in eye which is ok and scrapes on arms and foot. This could have been so much worse and want answers to why this happened.

All 4 of the wheel bearings had to be replaces in a matter of 5 months the rear window has a crack in the fiberglass covering right down the middle said not covered not a health risk but the molding is still cracked from the bottom of window to the bottom of the molding piece brake lights stay on until u get back in and tap the brakes then the light shuts off.

Rear window hinge fractured causing glass to fall off of rear door. This is the same problem as the 2002-2003 Ford recall #04s20. Ref NHTSA campaign id number 04v442000. Ford does not include the 2004 Explorer in their recall but the problem is the same. I have heard of other 2004 Explorer owners having the same problem and the service manager at the dealer who replaced the hinge said it is a common problem on the 2004 model year. I feel that the problem extended into the 2004 models and should have been included in the recall of the 2002-2003 models.

When closing the rear hatch glass, the glass exploded. Car was parked inside our garage attached to our house. We were unloading packages and when we were done we reached up and pulled the window to close. The glass shattered all over.

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Was driving when tilt gate glass ajar warning came on, at the same time heard a whistling noise. Upon stopping noticed the lift gate was ajar with and away from the hatch by several inches. Tied to close it and it did not close properly upon inspection the hinge was broke that holds the glass to the vehicle. Managed to get the glass somewhat back in place and drove gingerly home all while the lift gate ajar light was on. There is a lot of white residue packed in part of the hinge not known if it is road salt or not and the hinge has a crack where it separated. My concern is the failure is related to salt and freezing and thawing, and if that is the case how long before the other one fails. . . Also if driving at highway speeds with windows opened could it have caused the glass to shatter scaring the driver of other traffic causing an accident. I have contacted Ford about it in case they wanted to see it and got the normal basic reply car is out of warranty and basically we don't' care at this time.

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While loading groceries, I noticed the hinges to my rear window were cracked. I quit using the window in fear of it breaking. The cost to replace the plastic hinge is completely outrageous! I also had a friend call today and his hinge broke, thankfully the glass did not break. Ford knows the hinges are defective. Why would a major company like Ford overlook this problem and take a chance of many law suits due to their negligence? there are over 1600 complaints recorded. How many more is needed for a recall? Ford needs to stand behind their product. I hesitated buying this Ford because my first Ford caught fire while I was driving it. Thirty years later I still think of all the bad stories and now, I want my chevy back.

The contact owns a 2012 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the speedometer design does not show you the lower range while driving and that caused the contact to exceed the speed limit. The higher numbers were on the top of the speedometer which were shaped like a "c" and the numbers should be at the bottom to avoid speeding. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The Ford manufacturer was notified, a claim was filed and they informed her to contact NHTSA. The failure mileage was 78. Updated 12/28/lj the consumer also stated it was extremely difficult to see out of the rear window, as the window was too small. Updated 12/28/11.

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The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the vehicle was previously repaired under a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 07e104000 (visibility: glass, side/rear). The repair was performed prior to the purchase of the vehicle. The remedy was insufficient, as a result to the rear liftgate hinge failing to secure the window glass properly. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

I have a 2004 Ford Explorer, about a month ago I noticed the plastic hinge for the back tailgate glass was breaking off. After visiting several Ford used car lots, I seen several Explorers with the broken hinge and realized this is a very common problem. I have contacted Ford and expressed my concerns, but they are standing by their product. I recieved an estimate of $360 to repair the hinges, but being a single parent of four there is no way I could afford to have this repair done. I hope that Ford will step up and recall this issue but no luck yet.

The rear hinges gave way, and the back half glass exploded.

Crack at back glass running down the car left of Ford emblem. Glass could fall out.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While parked, the contact was standing under the rear lift gate when it closed on its own and the glass shattered. The contact did not have severe injuries but sustained a headache and cuts on her head. The contact stated there was a recall NHTSA campaign id number: 07e104000 (component: visibility: glass, side/rear) on the vehicle. The recall repairs were performed on the vehicle prior to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated the vehicle could be taken to the dealer for inspection and if the technicians determined the repairs were not performed correctly, they would cover the costs of the glass but if they were done correctly, the contact would have to cover the repair costs. The failure mileage was 58,263.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked, the rear hatch window exploded without warning. The dealer repaired the window according to recall 01i010000 (visibility: glass, side/rear) but the failure occurred again. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were unknown.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear window panel was fractured. The vehicle was taken to three repair facilities where the contact was advised that the rear window panel would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 28,000 and the current mileage was 28,990. Updated 12/01/10. Updated 12/07/10.

2005 Ford Explorer----rear window just exploded,when I went to shut it----43,000 miles.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the fiber glass fitting under the window next to the tailgate began cracking and was becoming progressively worse. The owner had not contacted the dealer. The current and failure mileages were approximately 57,000.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Explorer. When the contact attempted to close the rear lift gate door, the glass fell out of the door frame, and shattered. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The rear glass assembly required replacement. The vehicle had a prior recall repair performed under the NHTSA campaign id number 01i010000 (visibility: glass, side/rear). The failure recurred due to the insufficient remedy repair. The current and failure mileages were 103,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. On January 12, 2010 he noticed that the rear hatch glass was split in half. He filed a report with the manufacturer who confirmed that there were no related recalls; therefore, they would not offer any assistance. The vehicle will be repaired by the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 66,000.

Went to place items in rear. Opened rear glass, glass shattered. Myself and my wife were both standing under the hatch when it shattered. No excessive force on the hatch was given. Wife received wounds to the head and hands. I myself received wounds to hands and arms.

I knew the back rear panel had a crack going down it, but thought nothing of it because most explores have the same problem. It wasn't until I was driving down a very dark road at 6 am and boom! the back glass just popped. I thought it had been shot out. The sheriff's department showed up and he thought the same thing. But the only thing we found was between the hydraulics on the window itself, the crack in the panel and temperature outside it imploded. My insurance in ky paid for it, but it took two windows and it still isn't right.

When opening the rear hatch of my 2004 Explorer the hinges failed. The glass door fell away from the hinges and was being held only by the hydraulic arms. When I tried to move the glass which I was holding in my hands it shattered. I was told there was a recall on the 2002 and 2003 models but not on the 2004s. Obviously the problem has not been corrected.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. When operating the vehicle, the rear hatch door and the rear hatch window became unsecured and opened due to a crack near the rear window wiper. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The rear windshield has developed cracks, which subsequently caused the windshield wipers to fail. She took the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, but they did not perform an inspection. The manufacturer advised her to repair the vehicle, and if her model type was recalled, she could inquire about reimbursement. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The current and failure mileages were 64,000.

The contact owns a 1999 Ford Explorer. When the contact opened the rear hatch, the glass suddenly exploded everywhere. There were pieces of glass that were eight inches in diameter. The glass shattered with such great force that some of the pieces struck and cracked the front windshield. The contact sustained powder burns to the face and shoulders, as well as small cuts. She has not taken the vehicle to a dealer or a mechanic, but the insurance company stated that they were familiar with this type of failure. The contact believes that a recall should be issued. The current and failure mileages were 143,077.

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