6.4
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$735.00
Average Mileage:
61,215 miles
Total Complaints:
34 complaints
Most common solutions:
- ford needs to fix it. our panel cracked for no reason (23 reports)
- not sure (6 reports)
- replace rear quarter pannel (3 reports)
- do not buy ford again (1 reports)
- recall part (1 reports)
accessories - exterior problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2004 Ford Explorer cracked panel below the rear window
2008Aug 11
Explorer XLS 2.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 98,000 miles
At the time it happened, I was covered by Ford's Extended warranty service. The Service rep was supposed to schedule and call me to have the vehicle brought in for repair. I kept checking back and finally the warranty expired. At that time I was told that I had to pay for the repairs or try making a claim through my insurance.
2009Jan 15
Explorer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 40,000 miles
I went to get the explorer out of the garage and noticed the crack in the panel below the rear hatch window. It was not there the night before. Of course the car is out of warranty. However sense this has happened I have seen approximately 8 other explorers with the same crack. Therefore this must be a common problem and(SHOULD BE A FORD RECALL)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Aug 01
Explorer LS V6
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
There is a crack on my Ford Explorer 2004 model. I have seen this on all the Ford Explorers I see. There should be a recall, but they have their money and that is that. This is really sad, as it could effect my future decisions and with the Buffalo weather, this is a nuisance too.
2008Oct 15
Explorer Eddie Bauer
- Automatic transmission
- 50,000 miles
Like everyone else, my crack occurred out of nowhere. I recently called Ford customer service number and the man on the phone looked up the year and model to verify that no recalls had been issued. No recalls had been issued but he also said there were ZERO issues similar to mine!!! Are you kidding me????!!! Has anyone had any kind of resolve lately??
2009Jun 27
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 68,000 miles
I've owned this vehicle for approximately two and one half weeks. Today I drove it to Walmart to purchase grocery and when I returned to my vehicle to put my grocery in, I noticed a very noticeable crack in the rear panel. I'm not sure what could have happened to cause the crack parked in Walmart's parking lot. I would like to know if Ford will repair this or if this will be my expense. If the panel cracked from being parked, this will be the last Ford that I will ever purchase.
Signed
HELP
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 16
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 167,772 miles
click to see larger images
Complaint Photos
One morning I woke up and decided to go clean my car since I had been giving my friends and cousins rides and it was dirty on the inside. When I went to the back of the truck, I noticed the crack and got really pissed off...I wanted to beat someone up.
I thought it was my dad or brother-in-law who had crashed against something and cracked it or someone was just trying to be mean to me.
I ended up forgetting about the problem and just decided to let it go, but now I see that most Ford Explorers like the one I own have the same crack. I was told they crack on their own. My family has always owned Ford cars and they are good cars overall in my opinion, but this time I got the wrong car!
i think the ford company should really fix this problem since most people pay money for their cars to look good and if its just the companies fault they should fix the problem before people stop buying their cars...
2009Jun 15
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 59,000 miles
After reading all of the complaints listed here as well as seeing many Explorers on the road with the same problem, I think that this is a real "Shame on you, Ford" situation. With the amount of money that I (and everyone else in the US) spend on a vehicle, you would think that a company as huge as Ford would stand behind there products! The sticker price on my Explorer was $32,575.00 when it was brand new and after people spend that kind of money on the car, you would think that Ford would buck up and fix the problem!!! I have owned many Fords in my lifetime and I love my Explorer, but I have to admit that this will probably be the last Ford product I will ever spend my good hard earned money for!!!! Unfortunately, this is not the only problem with my Explorer. I guess I will have to enter the larger complaint in another entry!! To all others who have posted your complaints here, I hope that you will put out a big shout to all of your friends, family, co-workers and even your worst enemies..... Watch out for Ford!!!!!
2008Apr 29
Explorer Eddie Baur V8
- Automatic transmission
- 60,000 miles
A car should not crack for no reason! Ford needs to take responsibility. If anyone has had success, please share what you did!
2006Mar 12
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
I already called the Ford Company about this crack in the back door by the Ford emblem.They told me that they have not received too many complaints about this problem. At the beginning was surprised as I thought someone did it, but I have seen so many trucks like mine with the exact same problem. This is a manufacturing problem that the FORD COMPANY should take care of. I met 2 people that have the same problem. People, please keep calling them to see if they can do something about it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Mar 30
Explorer Eddie Bauer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 48,500 miles
Its embarrassing and ugly and a defect and should be recalled and repaired by Ford, not the consumer.
1920Oct 21
Explorer 6.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 44,300 miles
This car is only used on Sunday's. I'm a rollback driver and work 6 days a week. Was washing the car and was the crack in panel below back window. This is a problem because the same thing happen to my sons car and my sisters in laws car. We all own FORD EXPLORERS. My car only had around 44000 miles on it. This should be a recall.
We try to buy American cars but they don't want to stand by the problems.Anyone out there with this problem please complaint. Maybe FORD will do the right thing.
2009Jan 10
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 85,000 miles
When this happened it was early morning and very cold, January, in Kansas. I heard a crack and thought it was a window cracking. A few weeks later I noticed the frame was cracked. Ford really needs to recall these and fix.
2008Nov 12
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 96,000 miles
I went to my local Ford Dealer where I purchased the car new. The Ford dealer said it was not covered under my extended warranty. He also stated that Ford should cover the repair but at this time there was not a recall on this. He admitted it was a design defect from the factory. He said he would be glad to fix it if I paid for it.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jan 24
Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
Add me to the list of exploding liftgate appliques. My dealership quoted a price of $623 ($361 parts, $194 labor, and $68 paint). Unbelievable that Ford isn't issuing a recall. Has anyone heard talk of a class action on this? With thousands of us out there, it seems like a slam dunk.
2009Jan 01
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 56,000 miles
I have noticed a crack down the whole of the panel below my rear window. Ford have told me there is no recall! what is going on? I was driving through town yesterday and was behind a 2004 ford explorer that had the same exact crack. I found this site today and found there are many others with the same issue. These trucks are not cheap to buy, what can we do about this?
2008Oct 01
Explorer XLT
- Automatic transmission
- 70,340 miles
to whom this may concern has been having some technical difficulties so if your workers can fix the back rear panel of my car because i heard of a recall that my friend to me on fords year 2002-2003 and i was wondering why there wasn't a recall on ford models year 2004 because my back panel was damaged . and if you guys can fix it i would greatly appreciate it !thank you
2008Oct 01
Explorer XLT
- Automatic transmission
- 70,340 miles
my rear windshield panel is cracked and i think that your company ford should pay for the damages caused . therefore , i heard there was a recall on fords year 2002-2003 and i wanted to know why there isn't a recall on the model XLT year 2004 because it was your workers fault and every time i open my panel and close it the clutch doesn't close ! and damages my car!!! if you guys can please help me out on fixing it i would greatly appreciate it thank you!! and can you email me back !! or call (562)-237-0589 please call me back. thank you
2008Dec 01
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 42,000 miles
We bought the car new and have had some minor issues, but this is unacceptable. This is a key component of the rear window functionality and stability. The panel just cracked without any event to cause. We are planning on replacing and hoping that this is a recall from Ford, but as we have found out...it is on us. It appears that it was made of material that shrinks and develops strain in the center of the panel. For now our car will have a smelly crack that Ford needs to repair. Ford...Clean my crack!
2008Nov 29
Explorer Eddie Bauer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 76,000 miles
Just noticed mine cracked a couple of days ago.I'll say something to the dealership where I bought it,but I know they will not fix it because I have 76,000 miles and they will tell me it is out of warranty.
2008Nov 12
Explorer Eddie Bauer V6
- Automatic transmission
- 31,162 miles
I've had some recent vandalism in my neighborhood and thought for sure someone just vandalized my vehicle, but after reading complaints from other Ford owners I realized this is an ongoing problem. I purchased a 2004 Explorer (EB) and opted for an extended warranty. I plan to call the dealership on Friday, but who wants to bet this is not covered under the extended warranty...
P.S. My ABS light kept coming on and if I remember correctly, that was covered under the extended warranty, so they replaced the switch for the deductible fee.
2008Sep 20
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 52,000 miles
this is bull i just bought this car and it cracked for absolutely no reason at all. ive never seen anything like it before. they better fix it for me.
2008Apr 15
Explorer XLT V8
- Automatic transmission
- 40,389 miles
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".
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
- 60,000 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.
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your accessories - exterior problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jun 01
Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
There should be something Ford can do, I shouldn't have to pay for this
g-valdez
Bakersfield, CA, USA
SEND A COMMENT »