accessories - exterior problem
6.2
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$735.00
Average Mileage:
99,253 miles
Number of complaints:
12 complaints
Most common solutions:
- ford needs to fix it. our panel cracked for no reason (7 reports)
- not sure (4 reports)
- do not buy ford again (1 reports)
Helpful Websites About 2004 Ford Explorer cracked panel below the rear window
2008Jun 26
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I spoke with my local Ford dealership that i purchased it from and they said that it is not a recall and it is my responsibility to fix it!!!! But i see on here many people are having this problem and i know of several of my friends that have the same problem!!!!
2007May 06
Explorer LX 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
replaced it once under warranty and it crack again and ford say it is out of warranty.I will never buy a ford again in my life.sorry I will buy a Japanese make car next
2008Apr 24
Explorer XLT
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW - WENT TO DEALER - WAS TOLD THIS IS A WARRANTY ISSUE THAT IS KNOWN
HOWEVER I HAD TO PAY 60.00 AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT A SAETY ISSUE.
IF I HAD GONE IN WHILE UNDER WARRANTY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT NO COST-
I ASKED WHY I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS KNOWN DEFECT-
THEY SAID IT IS NT A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD DOES NOT HAVE TO TELL CONSUMER
ANOTHER FORD RIP OFF !!!
CAN YOU SPELL FOREIGN CARS
2008Feb 22
Explorer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 68,000 miles
It is ridiculous the number of Explorers that have this problem and Ford should definitely recall their defective product.
2008Jan 01
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
I see I'm not the only one. And it wasn't until my rear Liftgate applique cracked that I noticed the many others out there on the road with similar cracks. I got no results from the Ford dealers in SoCal (Oxnard, Santa Paula & Ventura) as they all play ignorant on this issue. It amazes me how these service managers look surprised when they see the crack. Ford should take full responsibility and come up with a solution to remedy this obvious defect. I realize it is not a safety issue however, the pride and integrity of "Built Ford Tough" should hold water. These ugly cracks are located next to their Ford emblem for every person to see and judge. I own three Fords and I am sorry to say that I am leaving the Ford family for another company. May I suggest a fiberglass or composite material cover 24" in length painted black or color-coated with a new emblem that could be placed over these cracks (similar to the tailgate covers on Nissan Titans). Thanks for listening, I feel better.
2008Mar 03
Explorer
- Manual transmission
- 600,000 miles
I have owned Fords for several years and I am so disappointed in their customer service. I was on the phone and looking up the issue on-line and I couldn�t believe how many complaints. The customer service person basically told me no one was complaining and when I told him I was on-line looking at the complaints he basically told me I need to go to a dealership and work it out with them. Oh, yeah this is not cause for a recall because it is not endangering anyone. I told him what will happen if the window cracks while I am driving and it shatters, will that be cause for a recall or a major law-suit. I should not have to pay for something the manufacture is responsible for. Oh, he told me Ford is improving their cars every year. Good luck with that, this is the last time I will buy a Ford or have one in my drive way again. Please pursue this issue to the highest, because I will there riding them.
2008Jan 02
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 48,000 miles
My tail gate cracked yesterday. It was fine when I went into a store, came out, and it was cracked. It was the coldest weather we have had in Tampa a very long time but that is no excuse. My husband has a 2002 Explorer and this tail gate cracked months ago. Mine has an extended warranty but they are saying it is not covered. Obviously this is a known defect and Ford should be covering the cost.
2006Dec 13
Explorer 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 70,000 miles
We have an extended warranty and Ford is saying they do not cover this. The strip that is cracked under the rear window is plastic and it cracked under the heat of course. We are going to file as many complaints necessary until Ford fixes it. It's not like it's a $100 fix. They charge $850 to replace this stupid piece. Can somebody help me. There have been so many complaints about this same problem on all the new Ford Explorers.
2007Sep 27
(reported on)Explorer LX V6
- Automatic transmission
- 44,000 miles
I noticed a crack in the rear panel of my explorer on the 23rd of september; the wife thought she did it. Today I saw another ford with the same problem in the same location; so I got online and found this site. I have not called it in yet; however, I am going to call this in tomorrow and ask about fixes. I have an extended warranty so I am curious to see how this will affect the outcome. I did not realize this was such a huge issue with so many year models. You think they would have recalled or used better parts.
UGGGGGGH
2007Aug 12
(reported on)Explorer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 46,603 miles
Like the other registered complaint on this site regarding the cracked ford dressing under the rear window I walked out to find this one morning on my 2004 Ford Explorer Limited. The vehicle is garaged and is meticulously well looked after. This definitely appears to be a design fault in the vehicle. I just received a quote by Ford Australia (Blacktown dealership) to have this item replaced and was told it will cost $1100 (Australian Dollar). An absolute joke and rip off for what clearly is a design problem with this model.
2007Mar 15
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 50,042 miles
I noticed the cracked panel on or about Mar 5th. I thought that someone vandalized or backed into my car by hitting the Ford emblem on the back panel. When I went to the Ford service department to check recalls there are no recalls for this particular defect for the Explorer but it is listed for the Expeditions. I was told it's a very common problem and they're aware of the issue but Ford Corporation has yet to resolve the issue for all Ford SUV's with this known problem. The estimated cost for repair ($370.00). I would say that this should be covered by Ford as it is clearly a design flaw.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Apr 15
Explorer XLT V8
I was about to open my tailgate one day and noticed that there was a cracked panel (vertical crack) under the rear window. I went to the Ford dealership and they stated that the car was no longer under warranty, so it could not be fixed unless I wanted to pay around $650.00 ( the part only costs $96.00). I stated that there was no fault on my part, but that made no difference to them. The Service Manager did say that he has seen this numerous times and said that I should contact Ford Canada. I contacted customer service at Ford Canada, this August and they said that this was a complaint that was new to them and that they would record the information, and obviously looking at this website, this is not the first. The service agent once again said that the car was no longer under warranty, so it could not be fixed by Ford. They basically brushed me off, saying that this was a new problem. If this is the kind of service that Ford Canada offers, I will probably look for a different vehicle in the future. What ever happened to "The Customer".
Vern P.
North Vancouver, BC, Canada
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