I have a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT. I walked out this weekend and saw a large crack extending from just below the tailgate window, down around the Ford emblem and then down to the bottom of that panel. I haven't yet gone to the dealership, as I just saw it yesterday. However, I went online to see if there had been any other similar complaints, and obviously there have. American car manufacturers gripe that Americans buy foreign made vehicles, but frankly, a person can see why that becomes a more and more viable option. I should not have a part on my car that just cracks in two for no obvious reason. If they say it's due to the cold, my response will be that I live in Orlando, FL and the temperature during the weekend that the crack occurred was not even 50 degrees. Ford needs to get real and stand behind their product!

Well, I see I am adding another complaint to the list. I noticed over the weekend that the back panel below the back glass on my Explorer is cracked all the way down! Not just a hairline crack either, it is about 1/4 inch wide, top to bottom. This is crazy! You pay $30,000 for a vehicle and the body justs starts cracking up, what is going to happen next? Is the whole panel going to fall off while I am driving down the road? I called my local dealership and they told me that it was not covered because the factory warranty has past. Well this is considered a defect in my book and Ford needs a recall on this. I have replaced the transfer case and the rear end in this vehicle just last year and now this happens. I will never buy another one.

The panel crack appeared after 2 days of overnight temps of freezing or below. I have a call into the Ford dealership which I am sure will not take care of this. The crack is to the left side of the Ford emblem and is from the top to bottom of the panel below the window.

(We have already quit buying Fords. My husband's wheel came off of his new pickup -1 payment had been made-.. They would not cover it and said we would have to sue to get anything from them the dealership was Varsity Ford in College Station, TX. Lo and behold our insurance company did and guess what????? They paid for the repairs that were made at another body shop - several thousands of dollars - thank God no one was hurt of killed).

While returning home from a trip, we noticed a vertical crack in our tailgate on the left hand side below the window. There was no evidence of it before the day started and we had minimal luggage in back with nothing pressing against the tailgate. When we stopped for gas and opened the rear hatch, we noticed the crack.

The concern I have is that water can now get inside the crack and it has the potential to cause problems, not to mention that it looks really bad. From what I've read, this problem has affected multiple 2002 Explorers and nothing can be done. Even replacing won't help since it can happen again and more cracks can appear as time goes on.

My plan is to ask a dealer if they will fix it but I don't have a lot of expectation unless Ford issues a recall on it. FYI - we did have the hinge recall fix applied a couple of years ago.

I was leaving the grocery store and had a bag full of groceries. When I hit unlock on my keys, I accidentally hit the blue button that opens the back window. I reached up with my free hand and pushed on the Ford emblem to shut the window and the door cracked above and below the emblem. I took it to the Ford place because I had the extended warranty and they told me it wasn't covered. While I was waiting to talk to him, I talked with a woman with a 2002 Explorer who was there for the same thing! I love this vehicle and have had no other problems, except that the seat belts are slow to wind back up. However this really bugs me because Ford won't replace them. It is obviously a design problem.

Same problem with the cracking on my 2003. It started in the winter but vehicle was still under warranty. They have fixed it 4 times now with a new panel and glued back on. Never paid for one and car has 65,000 on it now but it all stems from original warranty. I can now hear the stress noises coming from the tailgate on some turns but especially going over bumps. If I drive with the tailgate open, the noise goes away. Not sure if its the latch but it's just a matter of time before it comes off again, like it's being torqued. Doesn't even crack, just comes off from the stress. Tailgate may not be aligned well or just poor design but driving around with tape to keep it from flying off is the only solution not to kill person behind me one day. Ford should look into this. Too many complaints from folks like us who did a google search just to see if we are not alone. I bet there are thousands and dealership even admitted they had seen it before. Come on guys, put one of the engineering geniuses to work and solve this problem or be prepared to foot the bill!

I went skiing and came back with a crack straight through the back panel below the glass. I contacted my local dealership when I got back and they were not willing to help me out, so I drove an hour and a half to the Kenly Ford Dealership where I bought my car. There again, no one willing to help. I have a Ford extended warranty, which is of no help in this case. I called the Ford Customer Service line, and they logged my complaint and that was the last I heard of them. I even sent a letter to my local TV station to help run a "buyer beware" type story, but they suggested that I take my complaint to the national transportation web site. Here is the address, for people interested.

NHTSA web site

This may be the only way to get something done. I refuse to fix my car. I am planning to have a bumper sticker made with an arrow pointing to the crack with a comment about Ford's commitment to customer service.