Hatchback/liftgate Problems of Mercury Mountaineer - part 2

: the contact stated "on 8/23/04, the rear liftgate window of my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer violently exploded while parked. The force of the explosion sent glass flying into the rear of my vehicle and into the parking lot. The dealer had my car for 9 days before Ford sent a representative to view the damage. Against several opinions, Ford denied responsibility because there were dog crates in the back. These crates had been in my Mountaineers for years & didn't even come close to the window. I found dozens of idiopathic exploding liftgate incidents on the NHTSA site for the Ford explorer and Mercury Mountaineer - at the time, NHTSA advised that Ford was about to issue a voluntary recall. I did get the recall weeks after the incident, but my attempts to obtain reimbursement from Ford for repair of this defective liftgate glass for myself and my insurer were unsuccessful. My complaint made it to the executive offices of Ford, but they would not even talk to me because my insurance company was not subrogating - the claim was just too small for my insurer to pursue. However, there is a principle involved, and I am completely disgusted with Ford motor company. I had the car repaired by insurance after I paid the deductible, and then a couple months later, the recall work for the liftgate was done by my dealer. Recently, I noticed that the new liftgate has an ever enlarging crack down the center of the liftgate glass frame - my dealer says it is not structural and not to worry, but due to the history of this vehicle, I fear that another explosion is imminent. I was in the car at the time of the first explosion, and it was scary. I have had a warning magnetic sign placed on the rear of my vehicle to warn people to stay away from the rear of my vehicle in case of another explosion, and my dog crates are now shielded with a sun blanket to protect from flying glass. Ford has created such bad will with me that this likely will be the last Ford product I own. " updated.

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The rear liftback window on my 2003 Mercury Mountaineer violently exploded while parked in a parking lot at my son's football scrimmage. At the time of the explosion, around 6:30 p. M. , I was sitting in the vehicle with my dogs, and I was parked in the shade with the rear of my car backed up up to a minivan. There was no evidence of foul play - since I was in the vehicle, I was able to quickly survey the area to make sure no one was nearby pulling a prank. The deafening explosion made such a loud noise that I involuntary ducked, and people came running from across the field to find out what had happened. Broken glass was scattered all over the inside rear of my vehicle and all over the ground on the outside of my vehicle. Had 3rd row passengers been present or had dogs been in their crates in the rear, they would have been badly cut and dazed by the explosion. The force of the explosion actually bent the frame of the liftback, like a suitcase stuffed too full of clothes would bend at the sides. The hydraulic lifters were dangling and askew. This was an extremely frightening, upsetting experience. At present, my car has been in the dealership for a week, and I am still waiting for the Ford district manager to assess the situation. I have an extended warranty on the vehicle. The service person at the dealer has cast doubt as to whether Ford will consider this a warranty item because they have "never seen a problem like this before". Ford has yet to step up and acknowledge an apparent design flaw in the back liftgate and repair my vehicle.

Subject regarding rear liftgate applique (trim panel) cracks. Dob=02/02 and will ck. Design version. 061604_pco.

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Rear liftgate applique (trim panel) cracked for no reason.

The liftgate is coming off while driving at any speed. Dealer has inspected vehicle twice, and could not duplicate or correct the problem.