6.5
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$325.00
Average Mileage:
68,236 miles
Total Complaints:
35 complaints
Most common solutions:
- ford should pay for it (25 reports)
- not sure (10 reports)
accessories - exterior problem
Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Explorer cracked rear panel
2009Sep 30
Explorer LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
I have the same problem with this piece. I don't know when FORD MOTOR COMPANY will recall this, because there are too many explorer with this same problem.
2008Feb 20
Explorer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 109,000 miles
I have a crack also. I do think Ford should pay for the repairs.. Cause I also notice that when i wash my explorer It kills the battery because, rain gets in there and cause the lights to go on.. So when there is an electrical fire. It's a problem, How many complaints do they need..
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 27
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 66,000 miles
We noticed our cracked rear window panel when rinsing car with water hose thought it was a piece of string while drying with cloth noticed that it was a crack in the fiberglass window panel.Tried to cover it with a God bless America sticker but found out it was fiberglass. Then tried to fill it in with bondo and broke loose both times filled in. Found out the panel was very costly and ford motors wont replace free of charge (no call backs on this) Noticed another one that has 1/2 of it missing don't know if wind blew it out. While in W. Va. noticed 2 more exact same cracks. We put pin stripping over it to cover and so far so good, but we know other 03 explorer drivers will know why the pin stripe is there. (looks pretty cool) Last week we replaced the tires cause there was a loud humming sound, though we needed tires, although they looked fairly good. Sound still there. Today, Sept 30th, 2009 got worried and took into our mechanic and drove around the block and said the left front wheel bearing went out and had to be replaced and called us to say brakes & rotors were also needed. Cost a bunch unexpected and still have the crack! If only Henry Ford could see us now he'd be tossing in his grave.
2009May 12
Explorer Limited 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 88,545 miles
well it seems that i am on the same boat as well one day i was leaving work i noticed a crack in the rear panel door i was shocked so i called ford company that i purchased the suv they said sorry we are not going to fix it its wear and tear , after reading each complaints , i will never deal with ford as long as i live , i tried selling the suv as is with cracks no lucks , yes i should get it fixed but the truth is i will like to show what you get when you by ford
2008May 01
Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
just like magic one day good the next day two huge cracks. I hope we, the costumer, get a solution from ford company and get a recall from them
or they will lose costumers I mean $$$$ bigg$$$$
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Feb 22
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 74,000 miles
Daughter was driving this car, came home one weekend from college and low and behold a crack appeared 1 day after she returns. I had placed some items in the back of the car on Saturday morning. Sunday morning I go out to one of the other cars and happen to look at the back of the Explorer and there is a huge crack on the back of the car. Called dealership that I purchased the car from (brand new) and body shop manager said the dealership would take care of it at no cost to me. Daughter took car back to school and I took car back to have repair done, at no cost to me. Manager said things had changed and they would not repair without me paying approx 450.00. Originally he told me about the crack without me even having to go into deails about it. He said it had happened many, many times and it is something that Ford was aware of. Grant you, my car is no longer under warranty but I dont think that I should be responsible for something that I had no control over. Starting on Monday, I will be writing everyone and there brother; I am even taking it to the media. Ford should have recalled these cars when this first started to happen. I dont car how old the vehicle is or how many miles we have on our cars, we should not have to spend over $400 getting this crack repaired. I will never buy another Ford product unless they take care of this flaw that was known to the company. I think we should start a complaint all over the country regarding this issue. Thanks for letting me rant. As I told the service manager, I dont appreciate him saying that he would repair the car and then changed his mind.
2009Sep 30
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
I talked to a body shop owner who said several of these similar models have come into his shop with the same problem and no explanation for why it is happening. There should definitely be a recall and fixture on the part of FORD. This is not good for the look of the vehicle especially if one should ever wish to sell. When several of these continue to show up that is not quality on Ford's part.
2008Nov 04
Explorer LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
Ford had a recall on the panel window. Sent it off to fix it. When my car was ready, i didn't notice the crack under the glass down the line. I took it back to ford to find out what happened to my car. The reply was, we have no way of knowing if it was caused back at the dealership. I will never buy another ford in my life. I tried to support our maker. Back to foreign cars i go
Signed a very pissed off customer
2008May 01
Explorer XLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
I have the extended warranty which I paid extra for and Ford still did not cover this defect. I own five Fords but this will most likely be my last. I understand engine issues but body parts should never crack for no reason! It seriously makes me second guess the "quality" of Ford cars. You would think in this economy Ford would have much better customer service on issues such as this!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 04
Explorer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 79,000 miles
This piece is definitely a defect and makes it very hard to open the hatch back, very very annoying! Ford should cover all these pieces that are cracking and braking on their trucks...Ford is supposed to be American made, Quality, they should back their product!!!!
2008Nov 11
Explorer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 79,000 miles
Panel is cracked and I see lots of Ford Explorers on the road with the same problem and it is horrible that Ford is not doing a recall to fix this defect!
2008Dec 05
Explorer LX V8
- Automatic transmission
- 62,000 miles
When I got the car it looked fine but as soon as the weather got really cold, there was the "butt-crack" Ford. This makes me mad because Ford knows of this problem yet are doing nothing about it. The least they could do is make a cheap cover up we could put over it like a piece of rubber that looks like it was made for it. But-Nooo, just let it ruin there name, yeah like they need help with that. I would buy the cover up! "COME ON FORD DO SOMETHING!"
Somebody invent this and make some money!!!!!!!!!
2008Dec 12
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 78,000 miles
Since I have seen many of these vehicles with the same crack, it has to be a defect with the design. Ford should have to fix all of these at no cost. Mine has cracked on both sides of the Ford name on the back panel. That is a good ad for Ford.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 06
Explorer Limited V8
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
I have read through all these complaints and find them very interesting. For a few years now I have noticed other Explorers with cracks in the rear plastic panel. I was just glad that it happened to mine yet. Well, a month ago it was really cold for a few days in a row and when I went out in the morning to go to work I noticed the crack. I believe the neighbors heard the loud"s__t" word I yelled. I had become a victim just like all the others. I made a list of off the things that are faulty: passenger seat heater - not working, rear speed indicators - not working, passenger side power mirror - not working. And here's the latest BIG issue: I was parking the car the other day and when I shifted into Park - the gear selector lever suddenly broke off. I had to have it towed to the local Ford dealership. They said it's not a safety recall and that it would be $2,200 to fix it. You can't just buy a new selector level - you have to replace the entire steering column. This is a Limited Edition model and it's just a crappy SUV. Never again will I buy a Ford. My wife has always drove a Honda and has never had any issues like I've had. Well, look out Honda - here I come!!!!
2009Feb 25
Explorer XLT 3.2L- V6
- Automatic transmission
- 72,000 miles
We noticed a huge crack to the left of the rear door panel last night. At first, I thought maybe an object hit the car and caused this damage, but as I looked closer there was no sign of impact. I called the Ford dealer today to describe the problem and before I could say two words the adviser acknowledged that he has seen a few, and no warranty would cover the problem. He confirmed there are no recalls against this defect, and pretty much I am screwed and on my own!
Ford should pay for this, and I am surprised there are no class action against Ford motor company already. Poor quality, poor workmanship, and no wonder they are going out of business.
2008Jun 11
Explorer 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
i still love my truck until the trano goes
i still love my truck until the trano goes
2008Oct 16
Explorer Eddie Bauer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 68,300 miles
Yes I to have this same problem with my Explorer, the rear panel has a big crack in it for no reason. I just figured maybe the heat caused it. I remember back during the summer it would sometimes make this loud thump noise like something had hit the back rear glass when I cranked it up. I did not realize there was others with this same problem as well.
2008Apr 21
Explorer XLT
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Cracked rear door. I reported the problem to my dealership and they indicated that there were no other complaints. I find that unbelievable, I have seen several Explorers with the same problem. How many complaints must Ford have before they recall it?
2008Oct 20
Explorer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
I came out one morning and found a huge crack in the rear panel just below the windshield right next to the ford emblem. There is nothing near or around the car that could have caused this and I could not figure out how this happened. A couple of days later I was in traffic behind another Ford Explorer and they had the same exact crack that is when I decided to further investigate this online. Figures they are doing anything about it. This is my 3rd explorer and my husband owns one as well. Guess we won't be buying anymore!
2008Jan 02
Explorer 6.4L
- Automatic transmission
- 95,000 miles
I have kids and i hope the glass don't fall out on them. We don't used the back hatch any more, but it is hard to get food from the store and have to put all the food on top of my kids in the back seat. I had a car.I got the ford to have more room.But now don't even have a trunk.And there is no recall.I have saw 3 people in my location with the same problem and same model.Is there help. All I am told is there is no recall or body shop but I don't do it. I had a woman at wal-mart say man that looks bad.I will send pictures. April
2008Aug 22
Explorer XLT 4
- Automatic transmission
- 1,000 miles
rear panel cracked.please recall the panel u have money. Ford needs to fix it
2008Jan 11
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 58,000 miles
This is the second 2006 Ford Explorer I have purchased and this incident has happen to both vehicles. This is absurd and FORD should be fixing this problem if they know its a known issue and I am sure they have heard about plenty of times to meet its customers half way on the issue.
I say lets start a petition and get there freaking attention.
2008Feb 16
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 62,000 miles
I was extremely annoyed that this happened and have noticed several other Explorers on the road with the same problem. Has Ford fixed this problem for anyone and if so, was your vehicle still under factory warranty?
2008Mar 14
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 44,000 miles
I too have the same problem as many of the other people on this site. I began by e-mailing ford. I got the run-a-round. I contacted the dealer. They told me to contact the Ford CRC. The crc advised me to get the vehicle looked at. My local dealership doesn't have a body shop, so I took it to another local shop. The Ford crc said they would not accept the local shops estimate. They told me if I wanted to fix it they would "help". I would have to pay $50 of $300 or less repair and $100 over $300. I informed them the offer was absolutely unacceptable. I feel this is a flaw from the manufacturer that should be fixed entirely whether the vehicle is under warranty or not. My wife wants the problem fixed. I agree, however, after the poor customer service I feel Ford has relayed to myself and lots of others, I will not accept their token repair. I am in a customer related business. If we handled customers this way, we would not stay in business long. We must be doing something right. My company has been around for 100 years. I have also submitted a complaint to the NHTSA at their website.(www.nhtsa.gov) I encourage many others to do the same. Hopefully there will be strength in numbers.
2008Mar 24
Explorer Eddie Bauer V6
- CVT transmission
- 79,000 miles
My Explorer has been garaged at night since we bought it and yesterday we go out to the car to load sports equipment in it and my husband goes what happen to your car and there is a big huge vertical crack running down the panel just south of window. The car has never been in an accident or hit in any way so obvious it must be a defect. So, I call the Ford service dealer and he knew exactly what I was talking about and he said 'I see that a lot in here'. So I go 'there must be a recall' he goes 'no but you can call Ford', so I call Ford and they are absolutely stonewalling me and didn't even acknowledge that this was a persistent problem, nor did they acknowledge the tech. bulletin on it until I mentioned it and the amount of vehicles the service manager said he was seeing. So I asked that they replace the panel on their dime because obviously this panel is defective. They go 'there is nothing we can do!' So get a case # when you call and only then if there is enough will there ever be possible recall and then and only then will you see your money. FORD does not back their product. I will never ever buy another FORD and to think this was my third Ford vehicle - never again!
2007May 16
(reported on)Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 87,000 miles
I called the 800 number and was told by "SAM" this was the first complaint he has received. He has been working there since January of 2007. When I asked to speak to his superior he said I would be told the same thing. Ford will not fix it since I am past the 3 years 30K. I have a bumper to bumper that he said would not cover it as well. When asked a second time to speak with his superior he supposedly transferred me... but there was no connection. I waited on the phone only to hear a busy tone and then realized I was disconnected.
To file a complaint with Ford he said write Ford a letter:
Ford Motor
Customer Relationship Center
P. O. box 6248
Dearborn, MI 48126
2007Jul 12
Explorer Sport V6
- Automatic transmission
- 59,000 miles
Just wanted to add to the rest of the collection on this site. I feel that Ford should step up to the plate and fix the problem
2007Dec 03
Explorer 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 63,000 miles
Got the same problem as others on this site. When I noticed the crack I wondered had did it happen with no signs of being hit by any object. Did a search on the Web and found this site and wanted to add my complaint to the growing list of disgruntled Ford owners. Also have had the Explorer back in the Service Department twice for noises in the rear end. Also had a problem with the shifter not going into drive when I try to put it in drive. Love my vehicle and had talked to Salesman about possibly trading for a new one, then this happened. Maybe I will look somewhere else.
2007Oct 30
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
explorer 2003 cracked rear panel, ford should pay for this problem
2007May 09
(reported on)Explorer XLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 57,000 miles
Another case to add for the cracked rear panel below the Ford emblem. I called the dealership and was told to bring it in because they had heard of this problem already. Once I was there, I was told that neither the manufacturer or extended warranty covered this(how convenient). I'm not a quiet customer so they offered me to pay 25% of the $300 repair. When I picked up the vehicle I was shocked to be billed $327! They said I misunderstood the quote(Not true, my husband also heard the quote) Then I oversaw how much they were actually billed from the body shop and the invoice said $327 (I took a picture of it with my cell phone before the manager yanked it away)! So I became unquiet at their busy Saturday morning dealership and they brought it down to $216. I paid the bill angry to get my car back. So even if they try to work things with you, they still get you. And that is what you get when you purchase a $30,000 car from FORD.
2007Nov 01
Explorer XLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 87,400 miles
The back panel below the window on the liftgate cracked this August (2007). I noticed visible cracks about 2 months ago while washing the vehicle.
Last week my daughter came in and said there was a huge crack on the back window back panel. I took it to Anderson Ford in
Cleveland Texas. Where I bought a premium warranty with 100k
6 years. "$1795.00"never used. It is NOT UNDER WARRANTY!!!!
It will cost 387.00 to fix - plus 3 days with a rental car
Now Im reading these stories..Im not the only one.
Another thing that is really odd....
The new Ford Explorers DONT HAVE THE BACK PANEL-I wonder why...
If anyone know if this ends up on a recall-- please inform me-- As I will do the same!
2007Oct 31
(reported on)Explorer EB V6
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
I agree with the other comments. The rear window panel is a design defect and Ford should replace it.
2007Apr 19
(reported on)Explorer EB V8
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
I did my part and contacted FORD Customer Relations and documented the crack in the rear panel. We'll see where it goes from here.
Problem: crack in rear door panel (below rear window) AND upper tailgate hinge broke ( due to no reason ).
2007Feb 09
(reported on)Explorer LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 45,000 miles
I called the dealership about this issue,(the adviser at the FORD dealership indicated he has seen this problem before 4 or 5 in the passed) first they asked if I had extended warranty, I indicated YES (paid extra for the extended warranty) and then they asked about the kilometers (I live in Canada) the kilometers on the explorer is 73000 still under warranty. However this problem was not covered under the extended warranty(of course not). I asked for FORDS head office phone number. I then called FORD head office, they indicated the same thing as the dealership-not covered under the extended warranty. I explained to FORD head office that this issue could be a weather problem, which was told to me by the dealership. I extended my disappointment by telling them the customer service was unacceptable as to this issue was not my fault, it could be a weather temperature issue. I went on to say I will NEVER purchase a ford vehicle again.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 12
Explorer XLT V6
I have joined the ranks of Ford Explorer owners with the cracked liftgate. I went out one morning to find it "just happened". Since that time I have taken pictures of ALL the other Explorer owners that have the same problem. THERE ARE ALOT OF US OUT THERE. This is obviously a design defect that Ford needs to "own up to". It devalues our vehicle through no fault of our own. Since my car is getting up there in age, I am thinking about a new car and with this unanswered problem, I find Ford a big turn off and would not readily consider replacing it with another Ford. I will be happy to group together to insist Ford repair this at their cost since it is apparent that this repair is not due to anything the owner has done wrong-it is a DESIGN FLAW
Jolie H.
Matawan, NJ, USA
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