2003 Ford Explorer
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,313 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Explorer model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 69 involved a crash and 19 involved a fire. 66 people were injured and 3 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, glass, side/rearDec 11, 2007
CERTAIN CURVED TEMPERED REPLACEMENT GLASS MANUFACTURED BY HANGZHOU SAFETY GLASS LTD AND SUPPLIED TO SAFELITE BY AUTO TEMP INC., IDENTIFIED AS DOT-430, AND SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN VEHICLES MAY NOT BREAK INTO SMALL PIECES AS EXPECTED OF TEMPERED GLASS AND FAILS TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 205, "GLAZING MATERIALS."
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE OCCUPANT(S) MAY BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BY SHATTERED GLASS.
SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS RETAIL CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE GLASS FREE OF CHARGE. RETAIL CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE TOLL FREE AT 1-888-843-2906. SAFELITE WILL NOTIFY ITS WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS AND REIMBURSE WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS FOR CURRENT INVENTORY AND AT A SPECIFIED RATE FOR REPLACING THEIR CUSTOMER'S GLASS. WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT SAFELITE'S WHOLESALE DIVISION, SERVICE AUTOGLASS TOLL FREE AT 1-888-246-6298. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2008.
Campaign 07E104000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, hatchback/liftgate, hinge and attachmentsSep 13, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V442000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Campaign 03V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: structure
389 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Jan 2, 2008
2003 FORD EXPLORER- THE TRIM PIECE BELOW THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED VERTICALLY FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT, BUMPED, OR SLAMMED. THE CRACK SIMPLY APPEARED. THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER THE DAMAGE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.*CN
Structure, Dec 19, 2007
WENT OUT TO LOAD SOME THINGS IN THE BACK OF MY EXPLORER AND NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR LIFTGATE UNDER THE GLASS. IT GOES FROM THE GLASS TO JUST ABOVE THE LICENSE PLATE. *TR
Structure, Dec 6, 2007
2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT VERTICAL CRACK IN FIBERGLASS TAILGATE PANEL JUST BELOW REAR WINDOW GLASS (NO IMPACT TO TAILGATE OCCURRED - CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY NOTED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM). *TR
Structure, Nov 27, 2007
THE REAR TAILGATE ON MY FORD EXPLORER HAS A VERTICAL CRACK THAT RUNS THROUGH THE FORD MEDALLION ON THE BACK. MY NEIGHBOR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS EXPLORER AND REPLACED IT. WHEN I LOOKED ON A GOOGLE SEARCH, I FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH EXPLORERS. NOT REPLACED, THE PIECE WILL FALL OFF AND POSSIBLY CREATE A ROAD HAZARD. *TR
Structure, Nov 20, 2007
PAINT BUBBLING UP ON FRONT OF HOOD ON 2003 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Structure, Nov 4, 2007
WE PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4X4 IN JUNE 2006. ONE MORNING IN MID-FEB 2007, WE DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE LIFEGATE GLASS APPLIQUE THAT STARTED FROM THE TOP DOWN, APPROXIMATELY 8" LEFT FROM THE CENTER OF THE GATE. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT TO THE PLASTIC, BUT RATHER A STRESS CRACK. SINCE THAT TIME, THE CRACK HAS GROWN WIDER AND ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE. NOW, ANOTHER CRACK HAS STARTED ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE APPROXIMATE 6" FROM THE CENTER OF THE LIFTGATE. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP IN MID-FEB 2007 AND THEY STATED WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CRACKED LIFTGATE AND IT WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $800. WE CONTINUE TO OBSERVE OTHER FORD EXPLORER'S IN THE LOCAL AREA WITH SIMILAR CRACKS IN THEIR LIFTGATE PLASTIC APPLIQUE. *JB
Structure, Oct 5, 2007
THE REAR WINDOW ON THE LIFTGATE OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER IMPLODED AS I WAS WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE WINDOW DID NOT JUST CRACK...IT SHATTERED INTO PIECES. MY CAR WAS NOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR OR BY AN OBJECT. AN INITIAL PROBLEM AROSE BEFORE THIS EVENT. A CRACK FORMED ON THE MOLDING JUST BELOW THE WINDOW WHERE THE FORD SYMBOL IS LOCATED. THIS IS AN ISSUE I HAVE READ ABOUT FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH EXPLORERS. I HAVE READ OTHER CASES OF THE LIFTGATE WINDOW SHATTERING BUT MORE OFTEN DURING OPENING OR CLOSING OF THE WINDOW. IN THIS CASE, I WAS COMPLETELY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
Structure, Oct 1, 2007
2003 FORD EXPLORER "EDDIE BAUER" ~49,000 MILES. VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHOWS NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NEAR STANDARD. PLASTIC PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW SPLIT IN TWO AND HAS ~1/16" GAP. SPLIT IS VERTICAL AND VERY NEAR CENTER OF PANEL. IT PASSES UNDER CENTER OF "FORD" OVAL SYMBOL. NOT SURE IF THERE IS DANGER OF REAR WINDOW OR BROKEN PANEL PIECES FALLING OFF VEHICLE. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN, STILL ATTEMPTING TO GET MANUFACTURER TO REPAIR APPARENT DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Sep 26, 2007
PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW CRACKED WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I'M CONCERNED OF A SAFETY HAZARD AFTER READING ON INTERNET THAT THE PANEL CAN FALL OFF AFTER THIS CRACK. IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED YET BECAUSE FORD CLAIMS IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ITS EXTENDED PREMIUM WARRANTY. *TR
Structure, Sep 8, 2007
PAINT PROBLEMS PAINT KEEPS ON BLISTERING AND PEELING ALL OVER THE VEHICLE. *TR
Structure, Aug 13, 2007
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICE A SPLIT ON THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE NEAR THE REAR WINDOW. THE SPLIT WAS ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT SOMEONE DAMAGED MY VEHICLE. THEN I NOTICED WHEN IT GETS REALLY HOT THE SPLIT CLOSES UP AND DISAPPEARS. I CALLED FORD TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL THEY SAID NO. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THERE OUGHT TO BE. I TOOK A SURVEY. THERE WERE AT LEAST 1 OUT OF EVERY 5 FORD EXPLORERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY STRESS ON THE VEHICLE(WHAT EVER THAT MEANS) I THINK FORD NEEDS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT CAN BECOME "UNSIGHTLY" *JB
Structure, Jul 25, 2007
THE PLASTIC TRIM PANEL ON THE REAR HATCH OF MY FORD EXPLORER XLS CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, WITH NO PROVOCATION. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. MY LOCAL DEALER SERVICE REP SAID THEY HAD REPAIRED "DOZENS OF THEM", AFTER HE TOLD ME FORD WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. THE CRACK EXPANDS AND CONTRACTS NOTICEABLY WITH TEMPERATURE CHANGES, AND I BELIEVE THE COMPOSITE IS NOT PROPERLY FORMULATED RESULTING IN INSTABILITY OF THE MATERIAL DURING TEMPERATURE CHANGES. CLEARLY, THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT FOR WHICH FORD SHOULD PROVIDE A REMEDY. MY EXPLORER STILL LOOKS GREAT, AND THIS IS THE ONLY BLEMISH. AT THE QUOTED COST OF OVER $700 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE HATCH ASSEMBLY (THE ONLY OPTION OFFERED), I WILL LIVE WITH THE ANNOYING CRACK AND TELL EVERYONE I SEE ABOUT FORD'S UNWILLINGNESS TO HELP. *JB
Structure, Jul 24, 2007
2003 FORD EXPLORER. LIFTGATE PANEL CRACKED FROM RIGHT UNDER GLASS ALL THE WAY TO BOTTOM OF PANEL RIGHT THRU THE MIDDLE OF FORD EMBLEM. APPEARS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. FROM ALL I READ FORD WILL NOT FIX PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS THEIR FAULT. *TR
Structure, Jul 19, 2007
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE, OR IT LOOKS TO BE SEVERAL STRESS CRACKS BELOW THE BACK GLASS OF THE HATCH. THEY RANGE ANYWHERE FROM AN INCH TO SEVEN OR EIGHT INCHES. I TOOK THIS TO THE FORD HOUSE IN HALTOM CITY, THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE BUT TO CHECK WITH OTHER OWNERS TO SEE IF THIS IS HAPPENING TO THEIR EXPLORER. I HAVE SINCE NOTICED LITERALLY AT LEAST 75 EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME THING. THE ONES I HAVE SPOKE WITH HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE THIS COST. I THINK AFTER 2003, FORD CHANGED THE WAY THEY MADE THE BACK HATCH AND IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME SEVEN OR EIGHT INCH MOLDING UNDER THE GLASS. I AM AFRAID THAT IF I OPEN THE GLASS SECTION ON MINE OR CLOSE IT, IT WILL BREAK THE GLASS OR THE GLASS WILL COME OUT. WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS?*JB
Structure, Jun 22, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A SEVEN-INCH CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING OF THE HATCHBACK DOOR HINGE. RECALL # 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) WAS FOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, HOWEVER THE CONTACT FEELS THAT IT SHOULD BE INCLUDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 46,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Structure, Jun 22, 2007
2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK 6" VERTICAL CRACK IN PLASTIC BELOW HATCHBACK WINDOW. RECALL 04V442000 DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN NUMBER HOWEVER IS SAME PROBLEM. SPENT 40 MINUTES ON PHONE WITH FORD AND THEY STATED THAT I MUST COMPLETE A COMPLAINT FORM. *TR
Structure, Jun 7, 2007
I HAVE 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT. ONE MORNING IN MID-MARCH OF THIS YEAR, I OBSERVED A CRACK IN THE PLATIC PANEL UNDER THE WINDOW ON THE TAILGATE. MY WIFE AND I KNEW WE HAD NOT HAD ANY TYPE OF IMPACT IN THAT AREA THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE PANEL TO CRACK. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE WITH A SERVICE TECHNICIAN ABOUT IT. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OVER 3 YEARS OLD AND HAVE JUST OVER 30K MILES ON IT, THE CRACKED PANEL WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT HE HAD SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE PROBLEMS AND IT WAS CAUSED BY THE WAY THE PANEL WAS ATTACHED. I HAD THE CRACK REPAIRED - COST OVER $400. I SENT A LETTER TO THE FORD CUSTOMER RESPONSE CENTER IN DETROIT WITH PICTURES AND COPIES OF THE REPAIR INVOICE ASKING THEM TO REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR COST. AFTER 30 DAYS, I HAD NOT HEARD FROM THEM. SO I SENT COPIES OF THE LETTER BY CERTIFIED MAIL TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, THE CUSTOMER RESPONSE CENTER AND TO THE CEO OF FORD. THE DEALERSHIP CALLED ME AND SAID THIS WAS A FORD PROBLEM, NOT A DEALERSHIP PROBLEM, SO THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOT GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTION. I FINALLY RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE FORD CUSTOMER RESPONSE CENTER, AND THEY WANTED TO KNOW IF I WOULD ACCEPT A 50% REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. I AGREED ONLY TO FIND OUT THE NEXT DAY FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I AM VERY UPSET THAT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY COULD BE SO UNETHICAL TO NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT THAT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT A DESIGN FLAW. I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REIMBURSE ANY OWNER OF A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WHO HAS THIS CRACKED PANEL REPAIRED. I ALSO THINK A CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE BROUGHT AGAINST FORD SEEKING COMPENSATORY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES FOR FAILING TO REIMBURSE FOR THE REPAIR AND ACTING UNETHICALLY BY TRYING TO PLACE SOME OF THE BLAME ON THE OWNERS BY TRYING TO NEGOTIATE THE REIMBURSEMENT AMOUNT FOR A FLAW THAT IS CLEARLY THEIR OWN FAULT.
Structure, May 26, 2007
WITHOUT IMPACT, '03 FORD EXPLORER LIFTGATE PANEL CRACKED FROM GLASS, AROUND FORD EMBLEM, TO BOTTOM OF PANEL. VERY COMMON PROBLEM. NO COOPERATION FROM FORD. *TR
Structure, Equipment, May 16, 2007
CRACKING IN THE LIFTGATE PANEL. THE PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON MY EXPLORER HAS CRACKED DOWN THE MIDDLE. *AK
Structure, May 10, 2007
2003 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE BOTTOM REAR LIFTGATE IS CRACKED. CONSUMER BELIEVES CONCERN IS RELATED TO RECALL ON THE HINGES FOR THE LIFTGATE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE CRACKS ON THE LIFTGATE WERE DUE TO WEAKNESS. UPDATED 07/08/07. *JB
Structure, May 8, 2007
REAR LIFTGATE HAD A CRACK JUST BELOW THE GLASS ON THE 2003 EXPLORER. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE GLASS WILL BECOME LOOSE AND FALL OUT AND HURT SOMEONE. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED ON MY 2002, FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL EXPLORERS WITH THIS SAME CRACK. FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE LIFTGATE WITH A BETTER DESIGNED ONE.*AK
Structure, May 7, 2007
THE REAR TAILGATE ON THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED WHEN I CLOSED IT AFTER TAKING AN ITEM OUT OF THE BACK OF THE CAR. I HAD SEEN MANY OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT DID NOT KNOW WHAT MAY HAVE CAUSED THE PROBLEM UNTIL IT HAPPENED TO ME. I DID NOT ABUSE THE TAILGATE ,AND I DID NOT USE ANY EXTRA EFFORT TO CLOSE IT THAN I NORMALLY WOULD. I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER , AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT AND THEY WOULD FIX IT AT NO CHARGE. WHEN I CALLED LATER ON THE DAY I DROPPED IT OFF. THEY INFORMED ME THEY HAD PERFORMED THE RECALL WORK ON THE HINGE AND BALL PIVOT, BUT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE TAILGATE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE TAILGATE SITUATION ON THIS VEHICLE BUT IT HAD NOT BEEN POSTED AS A RECALL ITEM. *AK
Structure, May 2, 2007
PLASTIC UNDER (ATTACHED TO) REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW CRACKED. CRACK RUNS TOP TO BOTTOM, AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM. ENTIRE LIFTGATE NEEDS REPLACING. FORD SAYS I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL EXPLORER ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SAME DEFECT. DON'T REALLY KNOW IF THIS WOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT I'M SURE THE INTEGRITY OF THE STRUCTURE WOULD BE COMPROMISED IN A ROLLOVER. *TR
Structure, Apr 30, 2007
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT SPORT. WHILE CLOSING THE LIFTGATE THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW. THE FAILURE RESULTED IN A FEW CUTS ON THE CONTACT'S HANDS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 38,254.*AK UPDATE 05/21/07.*JB
Structure, Apr 27, 2007
FOLLOWING THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE FAULT WITH THE REAR DOOR/LIFTGATE RECALL, A LARGE CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE LIFTGATE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE. I HAVE NOTICED THIS SAME CRACK ON SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORERS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT FORD RECOGNIZES AS AN ITEM FOR "RECALL." I AM UNSURE OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE REAR DOOR/LIFTGATE. *JB