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Cracked Panel Below The Rear Window
2002 Ford Explorer (Page 27 of 32)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 Ford Explorer is hands-down our worst vehicle on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.
Another common problem for the 2002-2003 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
6.5
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $450
- Average Mileage:
- 79,300 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 622 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- Ford should pay for it (396 reports)
- not sure (86 reports)
- paid to have rear panel replaced (48 reports)
- file complaint with NHTSA to get a recall issued (26 reports)
- start a class action suit and get damages reimbursed (17 reports)
- dealership replaced the entire panel (10 reports)
body / paint problem
Helpful websites
- Cracked Ford Explores - Visit and join this Facebook Group for an additional site where you can tell Ford about this annoying problem.
- Class Action Lawsuit For This Issue - Looks like there is a class action lawsuit for this problem. I would sign up to show how many of us are having this issue.
- Replacement Trim Panel At Lower Cost - Save money on a replacement part at Rock Auto. Use their parts search and drill down to Ford => Your Year => Explorer => Body => Rear. You will see several options listed there.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I closed the rear window and started the car. The door ajar light was on so I got out to check the rear window at which time I found it had cracked in half. The temperatures had been very cold for a week - under 15 degrees.
I had an estimate at a body shop and was told it was a known problem that Ford should take care of.
I called the dealer who said it was a known problem with Ford and they gave me an 800 number.
I called the 800 number and was on hold for 45 minutes. The operator was rude and kept asking what I expected Ford to do about it. I told her I wanted Ford to fix it at no cost.
I was surprised to do a search this morning and see so many people with the same problem. There was another Explorer in front of me in traffic yesterday with the same problem.
On a side note, the front passenger door lock no longer works.
- R G., Griffith, IN, US