The back rear panel underneath the back window cracked. My explorer went into the dealership for a recall on the back window. When I asked if the recall would take care of the rear cracked panel that occurred for no apparent reason one night when it was really cold, the service manager indicated that it would not, although it should because they are related. The service manager indicated that the tension on the brackets for the back window, in which was recalled by ford, were related to the tension put on the back panel causing it to crack under certain conditions, such as cold temps, and if the recall would have been fixed prior to the cracked rear panel cracking, that it probably would not have occurred. When the rear window was fixed, the cracked rear panel did not have as big of gap as what it did prior to the recall replacement. I think that Ford should be aware of this and provide some type of assistance in replacing the cracked rear panel, especially since it is related to the recall.

A few weeks ago I noticed a crack appear just below the rear window. At first, I thought it was a deep scratch that my kids made while loading schoolbooks or other items. Then, I noticed it after a cold spell as the crack gets wider as it gets colder and smaller as it heats up during the day. I think that Ford should fess up and do the right thing by replacing these panels. With so many complaints that I have read, regardless how old the SUV is, that Ford should replace the part free of charge. I had a recall a few years ago for a rear window part, however, when they finished the job and I went to pick up the vehicle, I noticed that there was no finger prints or parts that looked new? I did not wash my vehicle prior to taking it in the dealership and when I got home, I looked and noticed that it appeared that it had not even been touched. Somehow, I bet that dealership got lots of $$ for doing the repair from Ford. Needless to say, I will not buy another Ford product ever....

Well add me to the list. Came out one morning and found a nice HUGE crack in the plastic. Dealer won't do anything to help me because of the high mileage. Funny thing Ford - this POS is paid for and I was thinking of a new car - NO MORE FORDS FOR ME. Combined with the transaxle whine problem, the transmission clunk problems and Ford complete unwillingness to admit defect it looks like I am done with Ford. I want to by American, I just can't anymore. I am tired of subsidizing these friggin CEO bonuses.

Panel under back window began with just a hairline crack, then grew over time and temperature to a full-blown 1/4" crack the heighth of the panel! It's unsightly and I feel a danger to motorists behind me... the rear window could fall out!! Happened just after the recall on the hinges was completed; dealership takes no responsibility, says out of warranty. That's funny, it still has a Ford emblem on the back, but I'll drive it in that condition to show how poorly the product is made... fixing to go foreign.

paid $35,000.00 for my new 2002 explorer. garage kept the entire time i have had it. been shunned by ford dealership because ford has not issued recall. really getting upset now that i have had to replace 2 of the power window regulators at $375.00 each. decided to take the matter up with ford motor co. instead of any other dealerships. not resolved yet and doubt that ford will be willing to help. if that happens i am determined to let anyone and everyone i know or meet just how pathetic ford motor company is regarding it's customers. how can the body of a car made in the united states start coming apart.

About a month ago I had just come from Columbus the night before and I noticed a crack in the panel just below the rear window. I thought maybe someone had backed into me. Then I thought maybe my son who just started driving, had backed into something so I paid it no mind. Then a few days later I saw another crack and I wondered, "what the hell". I just let it go, then I started noticing other Explorer's like mine on the road and they had the same cracks. Ford should be ashamed of themselves, I mean what the hell. There are over 100 complaints for the same problem. There should be a recall on this. How do we get someone to take action? How about we tell all our friends and relatives, not to buy Ford cars?

So I came on this site on Monday before leaving for a week at the cottage to report my transmission solenoid problem and guess what!! The third day at the cottage i went to get something out of back and guess what I found... you got it a crack in the back, mine is about 12" to the right of the FORD emblem ( I wish it cracked it in half and it fell of ) So now what to do. Seems like it is just going to cost me money. I will take it in and see what they say since I just bought a Ford F150 Sport FX2. I just can't believe it happened right after I read about it. Must be a jinx. BTW on the way home my back left tire almost exploded. It bulged out and the middle caved in and the belt wires started coming out. Of course the spare tire ratchet malfunctioned so I had to break the tire off the wire winch LMAO this truck is gone...

The rear liftgate next the FORD emblem, started out with a small crack. Now it's cracked all the way down to the bottom of the hatch and is separated at a quarter of an inch. Also there is another crack started on the other side of the emblem. I have the extended warranty, but it doesn't cover it. Started searching and finding out I'm not the only one that has this problem. It's just the 2002 Explorers and NO ONE is getting any kind of help with this.. FORD should correct this " DEFECT ".. And it IS a DEFECT......

First of all my whole family owns Ford products, I have a 2002 Ford Explorer, my mother has a 2002 Ford explorer, my father has a 1996 ford Aerostar, and my brother has a 2001 Ford explorer. We thought we were buying not only a good deals but also great customer service. We were wrong to think that maybe since you have shown so much loyalty to one company that they would show a little back to you but I guess it is all about the money instead of a family business and pride in there products. About two months ago I woke up and decided to wash my car I was quick to find that I had a increasingly bad crack in the rear hatch. I immediately thought that someone had hit me. That was not the case and the crack split all the way through. It is now splitting even farther apart and I am afraid that perhaps it could be enough to cause damage to the back window. My mothers explorer did the same thing about a month ago, and my next door neighbors did the same as well about 2 weeks ago. We are very upset and between just two families we have approximately invested $80,000 in Ford vehicles. Unless this is resolved the way we want there is a good chance we will not buy another Ford vehicle. The craftsmanship seems to be shotty and the service has gone down hill. Ford should definitely fix the problem and not lose further business.

I went to an auto body shop to get an estimate on replacing the lower trim under the back lift gate and was told that the problem was rampant among the Explorer. I was informed that Ford had recalled the problem and that I should approach Ford about the situation. When I went to my local Ford dealership I was informed that it was not a recall item. The recall was on the struts. I believe that since this is not an isolated issue Ford should do the right thing and resolve to fix the problem. I understand Ford isn't doing as well as they would like to financially, but if problems like this persist, then Ford will face greater losses in the future. This company should be proud of the products that they produce and stand behind the workmanship.

I want to sell my Explorer because I want to upgrade to a 4runner... Toyotas never seem to have problems and their back window is SOO much better for dogs! Stupid rear panel cracked and they told me they wouldn't fix it (less than two years after I bought it) because it was "over the mileage" of the warranty. How the hell does MILEAGE matter when the friggin body of the car if falling apart after a year and a half!! Ridiculous! (I also had my rear window replaced and the guy at the Ford dealership that fixed it agreed that it was totally ridiculous that Ford didn't cover it... he had heard a million complaints, but the "higher management" wouldn't allow him to fix for free...

Woke up on March 7, 2007 to find that the panel below the window has a crack going from the window down. Made a phone call to the dealer who was not very helpful. Called the Ford Headquarters which instructed me to take it to the dealer so that they could give me an estimate. The estimate they gave me to replace the cracked piece was $975.00. He then said to me unless I had a case # they could not assist me in any way. Called headquarters again this morning, explained that I needed a case # and how much it was going to cost. After being put on hold a couple of times, the woman came back and explained to me that they would assist me in the cost of the repair and would that be of assistance to me. I replied with unless you are planning on paying for the whole thing, then I guess you are of no assistance to me. She is in the process of getting back to me with another suggestion. I don't believe that I should pay for something that is in bad workmanship only for it to happen again. Told the lady on the phone that I would rather put the money to a sign and drive around with that on my car that said about the cracked panel and that Ford is not taking responsibility for it. She was obviously not happy with that. Will write back to the website when I get an update. Please advise anyone with this problem to call the central headquarters 1-800-392-3673 and report it. The more complaints that they have, then maybe they will do something about it. This shouldn't happen to any car regardless of the age of it.