6.2
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$238.00
Average Mileage:
61,009 miles
Total Complaints:
46 complaints
Most common solutions:
- ford should replace the piece (18 reports)
- replace black plastic panel (14 reports)
- not sure (12 reports)
- i bought back to black by mothers (1 reports)
- replaced all the rear doors (1 reports)
body / paint problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2002 Ford Explorer black plastic panels between windows fade and crack
2009Aug 01
Explorer XLS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 71,000 miles
This is the second Explorer that I have owned. The first one was 1998 Eddie Bower,had no problems with paint, etc. Purchase this 2002 Explorer new and when I took it to have it waxed they began to point out problems with the black panels between the windows, paint chipping off in other places (ex. rear door, front fender and a really bad place near the wheel well on the driver's side) I am considering buy a new vehicle, but right now I don't think it will be a Ford! Also since I am complaining, I might as well mention the drivers seat, vinyl is cracking and the cloth on the seat shows wear really bad. With the cost of an Explorer, you'd think Ford would do better!!!!
2004Apr 15
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 35,000 miles
Black rear quarter panels and black panels between side windows looked flaky and were faded in less than 3 years on a new vehicle. I suspect the Phoenix (AZ) area intense sun is not helping. Four panels were replaced by dealer under warranty, but an additional panel on each side now appears flaky over 50% of the surface. I suspect those are the same two panels that were not earlier replaced.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Mar 01
Explorer XLT 3.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
The paint on the plastic panels just started bubbling and cracking. Dealer said it was a common problem but nothing they could do about it. Referred me to the body shop for an estimate.....FORGET IT!!!!!!
2006Dec 22
(reported on)Explorer XLS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 55,000 miles
Yep, same problem with peeling and oxidization here! It looks bad on the black paint - this should be an issue in which Ford takes some responsibility!
2007Apr 03
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
The shiny strips between the front & Back windows is peeling off from the top. At first I thought my detailer had done this with a powered polisher, until I read on your site that other Explorer owners are having the same problem. One would think that a $35,000 vehicle would be made better. This doesn't impair it's performance in any way, but I'm sure it will impair the trade-in value!!! Is there a way we can get Ford involved in this???
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Apr 03
(reported on)Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
All of the black trim on my 2002 Ford Explorer has been fading and cracking. It just gets worse and worse. I see this on pretty much all of the Ford Explorers in my model years. This is very frustrating and seems like something that shouldn't be a problem at 45,000 mile .... the car right now is not even 5 years old.
2007Sep 01
Explorer Limited 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Paint quality on these plastic panels is very poor. They start fading a couple of years ago on a 2002 Ford Explorer.
2007May 30
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 87,000 miles
When I bought the car the panels were already fading some, at that point it didn't bother me much. Well over time they got worst. So this weekend I was in Walmart buying some car wash stuff and saw Back to Black by Mothers, I bought a bottle for around $5 and pour some on a terry cloth towel and buffed it into the panels, then let it dry. When I washed my car I made sure not to rub my wash mitt over the buffed areas and when I got done washing my car the panels looked GREAT!! I recommend giving it a try instead of wasting a lot more money at a body shop. I just don't know how long it will stay looking new I just have to wait, but I will reapply when its time. Hope this helps everyone else. I love my Explorer, and would buy another!
2007Dec 31
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
I have a crack in my explorers behind! It is to the right of the ford tag on the back hatch. Have seen it on roads and in parking lots some are way worse than mine. The other owners are aware of it too. I haven't had it fixed because I want people to see ford's attention to detail. I contacted ford directly and they said there wasn't a problem. You've got to be kidding me, really, no problem? I did have it serviced for the recall on the back hinges. Wonder if that puts a shift in pressure causing the crack?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2006Feb 07
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Every year, my exterior window panels look uglier and uglier. I think I'll just buy some dupli color black spray paint rather going to a body shop. Ford sucks.
2006Dec 28
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 104,500 miles
Yep, I've got it too. Looks tacky as hell. But have many other worse issues, so this can just be-what-it-is for now. A pitty though.
2006Apr 18
Explorer XLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
Ford has had a clearcoat problem for years. My 1989 Ford Ranger also has clearcoat peeling on it. This is really annoying since I happen to work for the Sherwin Williams Company in the automotive finishes section of the company!!!!!
2008Jul 31
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6 Sohc
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
Its annoying and really makes my car look tacky. i wish ford would have done something to prevent it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Jul 02
Explorer EB V6
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Pillar Pealing starting at the top working its way down to the bottom on all pillars
2006Apr 30
Explorer 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
definitely a quality issue. 60,000 miles & the finish is bad??? You've got to be kidding.
2006Jun 15
Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Faded paint between windows on both sides. Clear coat is cracked and peeling. Ford says it's common for paint to start fading on cars more than 5 years old in Texas. This is a 2002 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer.
2004Jun 19
Explorer XLT
- Automatic transmission
- 55,000 miles
PAINT IS FADING, STARTING FROM THE TOP OF PANELS AND GOING DOWN
2004Sep 21
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
Why does this happen to the Explorers? Did they put all cheap parts on this SUV? This is a nice looking SUV. Both defects take away from the Explorer. Does the Ford place not care? I paid a lot of money for this thing. Never Again!!!!!
2005Oct 01
Explorer XLS 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 18,000 miles
I had a 1987 ford F-150 SC with a major paint peeling problem in 1991, Ford repainted it. I only found out about the recall when i went to a dealer for an estimate, the body shop told me to call ford. I called Ford and they set me up to have the problem fixed. I was very happy and impressed with the entire deal. Young Ford in Charlotte NC did one outstanding paint job. When it was time to buy a new vehicle, i decided to go with the Explorer XLS. I am not much for all those bells and Whistles. I had the vehicle 2 years and noticed the D pillar plastic covers were starting to fade and peel. I went to the dealer where i purchased the vehicle from, and they replaced them under warranty. Just one month past my warranty, i had the same problem with the B pillar plastic covers. My dealer would not fix the problem because it was out of warranty, even they new it was an occurring problem. Back on the phone with ford, they told me it was not covered and there was no recall, not enough complaints. This brings me to my next point about Ford Motor Co. I had a conversation with a co-worker who is an ordained Minister, and he gave me an insight to a web sight for American Family Association. Mr. co-worker gave me a copy off their web sight back in late 2006, early 2007 about how Ford Gave Millions of dollar to the Gay and Lesbian organization, i was shocked. In December of 2007, my co-worker again gave another copy from the AFA sight, this time it said FORD MOTOR COMPANY offers sex change benefits. What is wrong with this picture? Ford won't fix one of their defects, but will take care of somebody's defect. I have purchased my last Ford product. FORD MOTOR COMPANY, you are disgusting. Oh by the way.there is not one 2002 explorer on the road in NC that does not have this problem.FORD OPEN UP YOUR EYES TO YOUR PROBLEMS, NOT SOMEONE ELSES.
2005Jan 01
Explorer XLT 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 12,427 miles
The black panels between the windows are faded and make the vehicle look horrible. I asked the Ford dealer why this was happening and they told me it was due to sun. Well, every vehicle sits out in the sun and I don't see this problem on other vehicles. Ford will not accept responsibility for defects in their automobiles. This will be the last Ford I every buy.
2005Feb 03
(reported on)Explorer EB
- 35,000 miles
The trim piece (color of the body) directly below the window on the rear hatch split one evening when it got down to 15 degrees. I suspect it was from the sold (though I live in Atlanta, so it's not like we're in the frozen tundra). When I brought the car into the dealer, they said they had seen this issue on a few other 2002's but that since I was 2 months out of warranty (though still below my mileage limit) they wouldn't help. Ford refuses to fix what is a CLEAR MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I am looking to find other people that have this problem (the service guys at my Ford dealer had seen 3 themselves, and that was at only one dealer) and file a class action suit against Ford.
2007Jan 01
Explorer 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
I have a nice automobile and the Ford company is making their product look very bad. I thought Ford stood behind their work. This truck is not old enough to look so bad. Yes I'm shame to say I won a Ford. I usually purchase an Olds Mobile and I should have went with someone else. This vehicle is too nice of a truck to have the panels fade and crack. Shame on Ford.
2007Apr 01
Explorer Eddie Bauer V4
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
I have seen two other explorers with this same problem. It is obviously a ford problem with this year. Ford should fix it. I am calling them on Monday. Everytime I shut my hatch it gets worse!!
2008Jan 15
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 83,000 miles
ok so it cracked in cold weather went to ford ..argued for an hour ..then pissed on the counter and went to my local body shop...removed the panel went to my friend and bough glue they use in NASA lol :) seriously ...took the new panel shaved off the ford logo with fiberglass painted and glued back on. no problem ever since. Ford are cheap F*cks saving on tar glue ...put around and not in the middle of panel ...so it rattles and cracks or cant even stand the cold weather ...what ever now my car completely shaved from all the ford logos. so HA FORD no advertising on my CAR lol :)
2006Aug 14
Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
Once again, Ford did not fix their bad paint problems.
2007Jul 28
(reported on)Explorer XLS 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 55,000 miles
Reported problem to Ford Company with no response. Crack of the back panel is a manufacturer latent defect that Ford Company "MUST" replace at no cost to vehicle owners. Ford Company is NOT acknowledging this fact. Ford Company and its subcontractors did not comply with ASTM testing standards for this plastic back panel. I see a huge number of Ford Explorers on the road with a cracked back panel similar to mine which probably not reported.
2007Dec 03
Explorer Eddie Bauer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 97,000 miles
I thought I would post to help some of you out struggling with this appearance disaster. I actually went to the body shop at my local Ford dealership and he understood where I was coming from with Ford's long line of bullshit and said he could strip the coating that is on the deteriorated panels and paint them for around $40-$60 and it would last longer then spending $100's replacing the panels. I have an appointment to get it done later this week. I thought I would pass that along as a cheaper solution to yet another Ford blunder.
2007Nov 05
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
This is the second time this has happen I called dealer they said it was fixed March of 2006 and now that it is OVER 1 year or 12000 miles I WILL HAVE TO PAY TO GET IT FIXED why get it fixed if will not last for 2 years this will be the lats Ford I will EVER BUY I have had all Fords all the time NO MORE
2007Oct 10
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I feel that the Ford Motor Company should be held accountable for all problems. I am all for a CLASS ACTION SUIT!!!
2007Oct 07
(reported on)Explorer XLS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 90,000 miles
I began noticing that the black panels looked as though the coating was becoming crackled. When I first asked someone at the dealership what the problem was, they didn't know. It even looked as though someone in the repair shop tried using some chemical on them to fix it, which only made it worse. It wasn't until I had hail damage fixed in the body shop that someone there knew that this problem existed and told me that this is a common occurrence as these panels age. They looked terrible so I had them replaced. THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN. If this is common, FORD SHOULD REPLACE THESE PANELS WITH ONES THAT DON'T CRACK AFTER LESS THAN 4 YEARS!!
2007Jul 07
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
Black panels crack and peel. If any part of the vehicle is barely bumped against, paint falls off. Never experienced body/paint problems this severe before until I purchased this 2002 Ford Explorer.
2007Aug 04
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 99,500 miles
very unattractive when you consider i still have 2 years to pay $300 a month for a vehicle that looks terrible. this is in addition to paint chipping elsewhere on the car. i am very very discouraged about buying a ford product again if this how i am going to be treated.
2007Aug 03
(reported on)Explorer XT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
Called Ford and was given the runaround. They pretended they would assess the problem but never did.
Totally disgusted because the exterior is important to me. I spend a lot of money for mechanical maintenance only to have the exterior look bad.
2007Jun 13
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
While the car was still under warranty they replaced 2 of them in the rear but now the ones between the front and rear doors are going. I'm so frustrated with the problems I am having with a high end car so to speak on the trim
2006Jun 28
(reported on)Explorer XLT
- 53,000 miles
I purchased this car two years ago with 24K on it, now the Black Plastic Panels all around the car and rear between the windows are all fading and cracking. Really ugly for such a new car which is parked in a covered parking area. Ford dealer claims it is the heat and won't fix, they say i have to replace them. I also have a big area on the rear gray bumper where the paint is peeling off and they say it is not their problem.. I am trying hard to reach ford directly and complain, this is not right for a new cars paint to just peel off like this.. All I can say is they lost a good customer for ever.
2007Feb 19
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 30,000 miles
The top few inches of all the black panels between all the windows have faded and look like they are going to peel. The dealer said that it's definitely not covered. It's annoying because the rest of the car is great condition and it's through no fault of mine.
2007Jan 13
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 61,000 miles
Im irritated that the paint on my doors is chipping off!! Is there anything that can be done to prevent it from going any farther down?
2006Dec 26
(reported on)Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 20,000 miles
This is poor quality workmanship. I shouldn't have to worry about issues like this on a vehicle with such a presence on the road as the Explorer. This is the second issue I have with body defects on my Explorer. The other is the crack in the tail/liftgate.
2006Nov 27
(reported on)Explorer XLT 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 54,000 miles
Black paint/panels between windows are cracking/fading and peeling. This is the same thing that happened to the FORD TEMPO.... take a look around to see what your Ford Explorers are going to look like in the near future. The Tempos paint cracked and peeled off completely.
2006Nov 25
(reported on)Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I purchaced my 2002 Explorer two years ago and began to notice that the black glossy trim between the doors and on the sides of the rear hatch is began to fade and flake off. It obviously does not affect the performance of the vehicle, but it does create a nice eye sore on a $30,000 automobile. I have looked around other used lots and it seems rather consistant that this is a common problem with the Ford fleet. The paint on mine is still in perfect condition and i have no other complaints... well fuel efficiency, but that is another story. I feel that Ford Motor Co. should do something about this.
2006Nov 23
(reported on)Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
Black molding between windows faded & cracked. Nothing will take the fading out. We have tried everything. Not even buffing.
2006Nov 06
(reported on)Explorer Limited
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
I purchased the truck new and in excellent condition about a year ago. I try to take great care of my vehicles and this includes washing about once a week or every two weeks. I began to notice that the columns in between the doors were appearing to be "flaky" one day while I was drying the truck. The problem has continued to spread down the columns and after they have "flaked" they leave behind a faded and dull black look. I believe that Ford should take care of this problem as well, since it is obviously a defect.
2006Jul 16
(reported on)Explorer LXS
- 80,000 miles
very unattractive when you consider i still have 2 years to pay $370 a month for avehicle that looks terrible. this is in addition to paint chipping elsewhere on the car. i am very very discouraged about buying a ford product again if this how i am going to be treated.
2006Jun 22
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer
- 50,000 miles
I purchased this used with only 43k on it, at 50k I noticed the panels were fading!! Once again, I figured it was my car wash or something, now I see it is a chronic flaw to a beautiful car. Don't know if I can get Ford excited about this, since I bought it used.
2006Mar 29
(reported on)Explorer XLT
- 54,000 miles
This is on every Explorer 2002 that I have looked at the Black PLastic Panel on both sides of the vehicle between the windows and the two Black Plastic Panels one on each side of the Lift Door/Gate are all fading and cracking. This is very ugly for a vehicle that cost $30,000. The Body paint is perfect, but the window panels are very un sigthly, ugly and degrade the looks of the SUV. Ford does not seem to care, I told them that just about any of them that have that Black Panel between the windows is doing the same thing. If you have not noticed on your Explorer just go and take a look. Mine started to fade and crack at the top side of each panel and now on the drivers side it is all the way down to the body of the door. This is very distracting and should not be this way. I own a 1998 Dodge Ram with Black panels between the windows and they look as new as the day I bought the truck. I told Ford they need to use or see what it is that Dodge can do to keep their panels from cracking and copy it. I went out in the parking lot where I work at and out of 30 or so parking spots there were three other Explorers there. I am not lying they were all doing the same exact thing. This is a manufactures defect and should be corrected. Ford so far does not care about the customer satisfaction of this problem. If you have and Explorer just look at the Black Panels between the windows and on the two Panels in the rear of the vehicle and tell Ford what you see. Lets all get together and get a recall on this problem. I promise I would not buy a used one with that unsigthly fadding and cracking. I had a body shop give me and estimate to have this matter corrected and it was under $500. The vehicle cost $30,000 and I know some of the Explorer owners paid more than that. I promise you if you have not noticed this problem when you do notice it you will see it every time you get in your Explorer now. This work manship is very uncalled for and should be corrected. JUST call customer service and complain. Do not pay that kind of money for a vehicle to have such a problem exist. Beautiful SUV very, very, very ugly window trim.
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your body / paint problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Jan 01
Explorer XLT V6
I put that this started in 2006 but it was more like 2004/2005. The car wasn't even 2 years old & the black panels have lost their gloss/clear coat & are bubbling & now the black panels are turning gray. I love my car but this needs to be fixed. I want to drive it for another few years & I know it can look so much better.
jerzeygirlinsocal
Lomita, CA, USA
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