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, Mar 18, 2009
REAR HATCH BELOW WINDOW HAS CRACKED FROM TOP OF PANEL TO BOTTOM THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO COLD WEATHER BUT I'M READING ABOUT ALL KINDS OF THESE CRACKS HAPPENING IN ALL PROVINCES AND STATES. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO ACCEPT THE FACT THIS IS A DEFECT AND MAKE A RECALL? *TR
Structure, Mar 15, 2009
REAR TAIL GATE HAS A CRACK IN THE FIBERGLASS FROM THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY DOWN. *TR
Structure, Mar 15, 2009
THE HOOD ON MY VEHICLE IS BLISTERING AND BUBBLING OFF IN MANY AREAS. *TR
Structure, Mar 14, 2009
THE BACK LIFT GATE (HATCH) OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS A VERTICAL CRACK UNDER THE WINDOW NEXT TO THE CENTER FORD LOGO. I NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT 1,000S OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS. *TR
Structure, Mar 13, 2009
A CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM ON 2003-2005 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD HAS A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) ON THIS ISSUE SO THEY KNOW IT EXISTS AND YET THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE IS JUST ONE OF A FEW OUT THERE REGARDING THIS MATTER... HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2003/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML. *TR
Structure, Mar 12, 2009
THE REAR HATCH HAS CRACKED FROM THE BACK GLASS DOWN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE EMBLEM. I CALLED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. *TR
Structure, Mar 10, 2009
AFTER ONLY 24,000 MILES, OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS EXPERIENCED TWO PROBLEMS WITH FIBERGLASS & ALUMINUM BODY PARTS. BELOW THE REAR WINDOW A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE FIBERGLASS AFTER CLOSING THE WINDOW DURING COLD WEATHER. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL, I BECAME AWARE OF THE FACT THAT BODY SHOP OWNERS ARE INFORMING THEM THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THAT MODEL. SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED BY FORD. MY DEALER HAS SAID FORD HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. WHY HAS THIS NOT HAPPENED? IN ADDITION, THE ALUMINUM HOOD IS NOW SHOWING BUBBLING UNDER THE PAINT, AND THE PAINT IS BEGINNING TO PEEL OFF THE HOOD. IT IS APPARENT FORD HAS EITHER HAD SOME DEFECTIVE PAINT DELIVERED TO THEIR PLANTS, OR THEIR IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT ALONG WITH A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT HAS CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS. THIS IS FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY, NOT THE OWNER, AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL REGARDLESS OF THE PROBLEM SOURCE. AFTER REVIEW BY FORD'S ZONE MANAGER HE CONCLUDED FORD HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS WITH FORD DENYING ITS ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES: HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/VBULLETIN/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=489142&PAGE=2 HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/VBULLETIN/T489142.HTML HTTP://WWW.LEMONLAWCLAIMS.COM/FORD_EXPLORER_CRACKED_PAINT.HTM HTTP://CBS5.COM/CONSUMER/FORD.PEELING.PAINT.2.755918.HTML HOW CAN FORD ISSUE 'SERVICE BULLETINS' ON THESE ISSUES, BUT FAIL TO CORRECT THE PROBLEMS? IT IS THEREFORE QUITE OBVIOUS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS, BUT FAILING TO ADDRESS THEM SATISFACTORILY. THEY THEN LEAVE THE DEALER WITH THE PROBLEM OF INFORMING THE CUSTOMER OF THEIR DECISION AND TAKING ALL THE 'HEAT' FOR FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR
Structure, Feb 28, 2009
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE AND I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC TRIM BETWEEN THE REAR WINDOW AND THE FORD LOGO WAS CRACKED. I HAVE SINCE NOTICED IT ON A MAJORITY OF 2002 - 2004 EXPLORERS. I HAVE ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS ONLINE POSTS AND OTHER WEBSITES DESCRIBING THE SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS AND A REFUSAL BY FORD TO REMEDIATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Feb 27, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE HINGE BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GLASS WAS WEDGED INSIDE THE ROOF. IF THE HATCH HAD NOT BEEN WEDGED, THE GLASS WOULD HAVE SHATTERED ONTO HER FEET OR CAUSED INJURIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,555 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 74,575. 4/01/09 *NJ UPDATED 04/07/09. *JB
Structure, Feb 19, 2009
THE PAINT HAS BLISTERED AND IS ACTIVELY PEELING OFF OF A SUBSTANTIAL AREA OF THE HOOD OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. ACCORDING TO LEMONLAW.COM, FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATING A MAJOR PAINT DEFECT IN MANY 2000-2005 FORD, LINCOLN, AND MERCURY CARS, TRUCKS, AND SUV'S THAT USE ALUMINUM BODY PARTS. THE BULLETIN FURTHER STATES THAT, "SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT BUBBLING OR BLISTERING UNDER THE PAINT ON ALUMINUM BODY PARTS". I AM NOT A LAWYER, BUT I DO KNOW THAT WARRANTY OR NOT, THIS IS A CLEAR BREACH OF ALL EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BODY PARTS AND/OR PAINT WERE DEFECTIVE FROM THE START SINCE THE BULLETIN STATES THAT FORD RESEARCH ADMITTED THAT THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM IRON CONTAMINATION WITHIN THE ALUMINUM BODY PART PRIOR TO BEING PAINTED. I REGISTERED MY COMPLAINTS WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, ASKING FOR FULL REMEDY OF THE SITUATION. THE ONLY OFFER THEY MAKE IS A DEAL ON A NEW CAR! I HOPE THAT FILING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP THE CONSUMER WHO HAS BEEN CLEARLY HURT AND IS EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC LOSS DUE DIRECTLY TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS SITUATION REMEDIED SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008, BUT MY COMPLAINT CONTINUES TO BE PUSHED ASIDE. I BELIEVE THEY HOPE ALL OF THE CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY QUIETLY. *TR
Structure, Feb 13, 2009
LIFT GATE FRAME CRACKS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. I WAS TOLD BY CORTESE FORD IN ROCHESTER THAT THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THIS DEFECT AND THEY BELIEVE IT HA SOMETHING TO DO WITH HOW THE FRAME IS PUT TOGETHER. *TR
Structure, Jan 28, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED ON HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE; THEREFORE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT DISAGREES AND BELIEVES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT AND WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,300. UPDATED 03-04-09 *BF THE BACK OF THE LIFTGATE PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW CRACKED. UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB
Structure, Jan 21, 2009
PLASTIC BODY PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW ON THE LIFT GATE HAS CRACKED. *TR
Structure, Jan 20, 2009
REAR TAILGATE/LIFTGATE DOOR PANEL CRACKED IN TWO PLACES VERTICALLY WHILE IN GARAGE PARKED. *TR
Structure, Jan 18, 2009
WE HAD COLD WEATHER THE LAST FEW DAYS (-11 BELOW) AND NOW THERE IS A CRACK IN BODY, JUST BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE REAR HATCH. IT EXTENDS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW TO THE END OF THE HATCH. *TR
Structure, Jan 14, 2009
CRACKED REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE FOR MY EXPLORER AND WILL NOT BE REPLACED BY ME. *TR
Structure, Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 8, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER. LAST NIGHT, WHEN MY SON WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR LIFT GATE GLASS DOOR, THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF. THE GLASS LIFTGATE IS PRESENTLY BEING HELD UP BY THE OTHER HINGE AND IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THAT ONE BREAKS ALSO. I SPOKE WITH AN ANDREA AT FORD 1-800-392-3673 AND SHE BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT I WAS OUT OF LUCK, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY, I TOLD HER THE DESCRIPTION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO OWNS A FORD EXPLORER AND HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SINCE HIS WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HE DIDN'T ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEMS IN HAVING IT REPAIRED. YOU WONDER WHY SO MANY PEOPLE BUY JAPANESE CARS AND TRUCKS. HERE IS ONE OF MANY REASONS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS OBVIOUSLY ATTEMPTING TO SAVE MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR SAFETY. *TR
Structure, Jan 8, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE LIFT GATE GLASS, THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,773.
Structure, Jan 7, 2009
APPLIQUE UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED NEXT TO EMBLEM WITH NO IMPACT. *TR
Structure, Jan 6, 2009
CRACKED REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Dec 28, 2008
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BEFORE DAWN AND HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE (IT WAS THE SOUND OF AN EXPLOSION). I THOUGHT THAT A TIRE MAY HAVE BLOWOUT, WHICH WAS STRANGE SINCE THE CAR HAS A SET OF NEW TIRES AND I DID NOT NOTICE ANY CHANGES IN THE DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKED THE CAR USING A FLASH LIGHT. I SAW NOTHING. LATER THAT DAY WHEN I WENT TO GET GASOLINE, I SAW A CRACK IN THE PANEL THAT CONTAINED THE FORD LOGO, ABOUT 2 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE LOGO THAT EXTENDED FROM THE TOP OF THE PANEL TO THE BOTTOM. IT WAS JUST A CLEAN CRACK ON THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THIS HAPPENED ON A COLD NIGHT (19 DEG. F). FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND READ IT SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FACT THAT A PLASTIC PART IS GLUE TO A METAL PART WITH A DIFFERENT COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION. THE CAR IS A FORD EXPLORER XLT 2003. ALTHOUGH THE CRACKED PANEL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT, THE DISTRACTION CAUSED BY THE LOUD BANG NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STOPPING IN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE CLEARLY PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK. MOREOVER, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THE REAR WINDOW PANEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AT SPEED, BEING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHER MOTORISTS. *TR
Structure, Dec 27, 2008
FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH DEFECT, CRACK IN HATCH, FORD HAS RELEASED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN BUT SAYS IT IS AN OWNER RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. AS A DISABLED VETERAN ON A FIXED INCOME I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH BASICALLY THE SAME ANSWER FROM FORD. *TR
Structure, Dec 14, 2008
2003 FOR EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL UNDER THE REAR GLASS HAS A CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT. NO KNOWN CAUSE. THERE APPEAR TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Dec 4, 2008
THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE HATCH JUST SUDDENLY CRACKED... IT WASN'T HIT OR ANYTHING, IT JUST CRACKED. *TR
Structure, Dec 1, 2008
TRIM PANEL ON THE BOTTOM OF REAR HATCH WINDOW DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK UNEXPECTEDLY. CRACK IS VERTICAL FROM WINDOW TO BOTTOM OF LIFTGATE GLASS. *TR