Tailgate Problems of Ford Explorer - part 1

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while her husband was reversing from the garage, the liftgate malfunctioned and opened. The driver opened the driver's side door and struck the door frame. The door frame was damaged. There were no warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the liftgate failed to open. The contact had to place the vehicle in the park position for the tailgate to open. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 24,000.

See all problems of the 2018 Ford Explorer 🔎.

Leaks from poor quality welds above rear tailgate. Creates mold in carpet abs spare tire insulation. Known problem on vehicle. Addition leaks in sunroof due to poor drainage causing motor to fail. Paint bubble fail on hood (known issue on Explorers and expeditions).

See all problems of the 2013 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I recently have noticed water on the 3rd seat belts. Took it to my mechanic who thought the water was coming from a plug in the rear. Sealed it but still had issues. Took the panels off in the trunk and ran the water test again. Found the issue was coming from the sides of the tailgate at the top where the weld appears to be cracking letting water in on both seatbelts and into the spare tire wheel well. I have seen other comments to the same issue. Happens anytime water is hitting the car like rain or car wash.

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.

See all problems of the 2004 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I have a 2005 Ford Explorer and upon opening my rear tailgate, the screws on the two hinges broke from the glass. Tthe only thing holding it halfway up is the hydraulic power lifters. Glad I was parked and not on the highway.

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

The weld seam sealant used above the tailgate has failed and begun cracking, allowing rainto enter through the poorly done welding, and drips into my cargo area through the rear speakers, down the seatbelt, and onto my seats. Luckily I have a cargo liner which helps avoid my seats from getting soaked. This happens whether parked or moving.

The contact owns a 2016 Ford Explorer. While traveling 25 mph, the tailgate inadvertently opened without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the issue could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure had not recurred while driving, but while the vehicle was parked. The contact closed the tailgate, but it would re-open. While the tailgate was open, it closed unexpectedly and injured the contact's head. Medical attention was not required. The contact stated that he was aware of the sensor for the tailgate. Also, when the vehicle was started, the driver's seat moved forward and injured the contact's right knee. Medical attention was required. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure, but the vehicle module was reprogrammed. The contact also stated that the vehicle had several electrical issues because the instrument panel display would not operate or operated incorrectly. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 500.

See all problems of the 2016 Ford Explorer 🔎.

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.

Typical Ford problem with 2002-2005 Explorer/mountaineers. Rear tailgate cracked all on it's own because it's cold here, and because it's a defect Ford should have fixed when they knew of the issue. I am not the only one (of many) with this problem.

A recall was issued for 2003 Ford Explorers for the hinges on the back window tailgate. The right side hinge on my 2003 Ford Explorer broke, I was fortunate to be strong enough to catch the glass before it snapped the other hinge. When I contacted Ford after seeing the recall notice online, I was told my Ford was not part of the recall. I have also checked on the NHTSA site and it was not listed there either. My complaint is that if Explorers of the same year are recalled and my hinge broke, I believe there may be an issue with a larger range of Explorers than listed.

See all problems of the 2003 Ford Explorer 🔎.

I went out to my 2005 Ford eddie bauer Explorer to remove items inside back cargo area and noticed that the plastic tailgate panel below the rear window had vertically cracked all the way down and through the whole piece. There was no physical evidence to show cause for the spontaneous wide crack. The car has been well cared for. Parked daily in garage and not even driven daily. I am extremely concerned that the glass window panel might be compromised and could cause deadly damage to passengers in my car or others on the road behind me should it come loose or shatter, including the chance that the back windshield wiper could come unattached and also fly off into the window of a vehicle behind me. I have just researched this problem and have found hundreds of other owners who have had the same spontaneous cracking and have filed complaints. Something must be done. This is an extreme safety issue.

Noticed upper part of rear tailgate under glass next to Ford emblem is cracked from top to bottom.

Body issues: I have a 2005 Ford Explorer and have never been in a car accident. My tailgate somehow develope a crack that goes through where the Ford logo is. Nothing happened to the SUV to cause the crack. It just somehow happened on it's own. I beileve the vehicle is defective or at least the materials used to make the vehicle. Eletrical issues: another issue I have is with the electrical. My turn signals (most times) do not work. I have to manually move it up and down when turning. When it does work, it goes really fast. My reverse notification no longer works for some strange reason. Also, my radio goes louder when I turn it down. I have to turn it off for a little while, turn it back on then try to lower the volume.

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.

I want to bring to your attention a defect in the tailgate panel on the 2003 Ford Explorer. It is cracked and as a result water gets into the inside of the panel and leaks into the vehicle. As a result of the bitter cold days here in the northeast over the last month or so, ice forms on the inside of the windows causing major issues with visibility which is dangerous. It also shorted out the rear wiper motor as well. There should be a safety recall on this since it effects so many people.

2005 Ford Explorer: I am worrying about the integrity of my 2005 Ford Explorers rear end and what would happen if I were to be rear ended. The following occurred: I shut the tailgate and the area above and below the Explorer emblem cracked vertically. My friend has the same car and hers cracked exactly like mine a year ago. Now I just saw an Explorer parked at the store and it was cracked too!!!.

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I am the 1 and only owner of 2005 Ford exporer limited, and the rear upper tailgate has a vertical crack right next to the Ford logo that spans from window to base 2cm in width.

I have a cracked tailgate that is a defect. I have seen this same crack on numerous Ford Explorer's 2002-2005. I have contacted Ford and have gotten no where with this problem. There are numerous complaints of this same problem. I thought the door was closed to hard, that is not the case until I kept seeing the same crack on every Ford Explorer 2002-2005 then a light bulb went off there's something wrong with the tailgate, that makes it eventually crack. This has not been fixed on our vehicle, we worry the glass could shatter while continuing to close it as I have read with some owners. Please help us solve this problem.

2005 Ford Explorer XLT rear plastic tailgate panel cracked from top to bottom around Ford oval emblem.

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.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the tailgate was cracked. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told the lift gate was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 110,000. Kmj.

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.

Rcall work was done ( Ford # 04s045 ) since that time the plastic trim piece attached to the tailgate window cracked which has allowed water to rust out the mounting bracket that holds the latch and wiper assembly. The result is that the widow no longer closes securely and the window latch in-operable. Has this been addressed in and other recalls? I have observed that 9 of 10 Explorers/mountaineers also have cracked trim pieces. As a result of the rusting bracket I feel that the window could suddenly open and/or shatter. Repairs seem impossible also due to the possibility of shattering the window causing injury.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a fracture in the rear lift gate hinge, making it impossible to connect the rear tailgate door to the vehicle. The dealer and manufacturer were notified, but the NHTSA campaign id number 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments), did not include the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 160,000.

While sitting in my driveway in a parked position, the upper tailgate panel, directly to the right and running right next to the oval Ford emblem, a 1/4" wide crack that runs vertically on the back panel appeared. This upper panel of the tailgate also opens up just the window part of the tailgate. The tailgate on this Explorer can open up two ways. One way being the entire tailgate is lifted so that it is open like for a dog to jump in and is then level with the interior back part (with the seats down), and it also opens up with just the window part which is where the crack is. This crack is so wide that it allows moisture, snow, water, rain, salt, etc. To seep into the components which house the electrical and tail light, stop lamps and turn signals. It also compromises the body structure and safety features. There are thousands of complaints of this happening as I did a google search. This is clearly a defect in manufacturing and/or parts or components and because of the large number of complaints, the manufacturer should issue a recall notice. At the time of this occurrence, my back tailgate was facing west with the sun shining on it. Could it have something to do with the components shrinking and expanding? I have pictures of this issue that I can e-mail to you.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked the panel below the rear window of the tailgate of the vehicle was split. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not under any recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not seen by a technician or mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 68,292.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the tailgate of the vehicle under the rear window. The manufacturer was notified and stated there had not been enough complaints to issue a recall and referred her to NHTSA. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,000. Dt.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the back tailgate was cracked. The dealer was contacted and advised the contact to call the nhsta hotline since there were no recalls or valid warranty for the failure. The manufacturer confirmed that there were no recalls or warranties related to the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 78,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the structure underneath the tailgate cracked under the window. The contact called the dealer and the manufacturer and was advised that the crack was cosmetic and not considered a safety issue; therefore, there was nothing they could do. The contact stated that if the pieces fall off of the vehicle while driving a crash could occur. The failure mileage was 87,000.

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.

After coming back from a vacation to the airport to get my car, I noticed the tailgate of my blue 2005 Explorer XLT was cracked all the way through with a 8" long crack from the bottom of the glass to the bottom of the tailgate. After a brief internet search, it turns out that this is a widespread problem that Ford knows about, which they refuse to do anything about. I even have a Ford full-extended warranty that covers everything and they still refuse to do anything. The repair will be $400-$500, which I am not going to pay for. It's a Ford design flaw, they knew it back in 2002, yet continued to produce Explorers with the same defect for three or more years. The safety issue is that the tailgate piece is broken and can come flying of the vehicle at anytime.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was parked when the contact noticed that there was a large crack in the rear lift gate panel. The crack was located under the tail gate window. The failure was diagnosed or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 120,000.

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.