I have a 2003 Explorer (Eddie Bauer), garage kept, and the plastic below the glass on the back window has a crack by the Ford emblem about 7" long. I called the dealer, Beach Ford, and they said Ford will not cover the cost of the repair. I called the Ford customer # 1-800-392-3673 and filed a claim , they also said they have had no other complaints on this particular issue and would not cover it. There are five in my neighborhood that I have seen and I've seen others in the parking lots all over. i have even put flyers on other explorers and mountaineers (because it is also happening to them also) telling them to call the hot line and complain. all we can do is hope they get enought complaints and do something about it.

Well, it happened to me. After reading all the complaints about this, my Explorer developed the same crack below the rear hatch glass area. Like the others, Ford Motor Company should be taking care of this problem if they want to retain future customers. Being in the retail business myself, I know how hard it is to get and retain loyal customers. Ford could go a long way in securing future customers if they just would take care of the ones they have. I myself, after being a loyal customer for over 30 years, will consider other manufacturers before buying next time.

This is a common problem for this year, make, and vehicle. My college age children's generation call it the "Ford Butt Crack". Instead of ignoring the problem, Ford should have been proactive in fixing it.

I always heard that Chevy's had electrical problems and Ford's had problems with the rear differentials. Between the two, the Chevy electrical problems are certainly easier to fix. I was looking to buy another truck for my business but after the problems I've had with this Explorer, I'll cross ford off my list and stick with a Chevy or Toyota.

I own a 2003 Ford Explorer which I purchased from my dad's estate a little over a year ago. My dad took excellent car of his car and he had a little over 30,000 miles on the vehicle when I took ownership of it. A crack appeared on the tailgate lift....no warning ...nothing......just showed up as a huge crack to the left of the Ford emblem. My dad was always a dedicated Ford man. He would have been ashamed of the shabby quality and the lack of concern from the manufacturer. DO THE RIGHT THING FORD!!!!!! This is a no brainer here. I will be purchasing a new car in the next 6 months. Do I need to eliminate Ford from my list? I need a vehicle that I can depend on and would prefer one that doesn't look like it was entered in a demolition derby after a few years!!

I was amazed at how many people have the same issues with Ford....I have a 2003 Explorer and the heating system is shot to hell....I get the clicking noise as so many of the other consumers reported....I have the crack in the hatch....It's crazy...It's like they set us up to have these issues....It's 19 degrees today and I have to drive my wife's car (a Mitsu Montero 2000 with 200k + miles and still running, btw with heat) because there is no way I can stand to drive my Ford....And have to nerve to ask for a bail out and complain about Americans buying foreign....Eff them!!!

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer with the crack in the back panel next to the emblem. I came out to my car and it was cracked. I called the 800 number that Ford gave me to call and they told me there is no recall and the part. There are several thousand people with this same complaint. The local body shop told me that the problem is in Fords design of the panel. They have "0" reiforcement next to the emblem to close the door which is right in the middle of the door, where normal people push to close it.

Very dissatisfied with Ford & seriously question weather to buy another ford product.

I had no idea this was a common problem. Like the other 200 plus folks that have registered, I too have the large crack down the back rear panel under the rear window to the left of the Ford Logo. My In-Law's that have the same explorer, but a newer model were shocked when I told them about my crack so went to go look at their vehicle and guess what?.... they too have the same crack, but on the right side of the logo. As many of you know, calling Ford to register the complaint does no good. I've also registered both complaints with the NHTSA and plan to report to the Federal Trade Commission. It's rediculous that hundreds of folks have this problem, but no action has been taken. My key long term concern is that the window will fall out, or back hatch be compromised and keep opening.

I am out-and-out shocked at the Experts and Engineering Geniuses at Ford Motor Company. The engineer or designer should be fired along with the departmental employees that participated in the flawed plastic design centered around the Ford Logo on the lift gate. In my scientific research it seems as though the window is encased in the plastic and the indent of the plastic that supports the Ford Logo is the major cause in the weakening of the plastic. We in America promote idols and marketing while sacrificing quality. Then the major companies fail to back their respective design and product when it fails to perform.. My initial crack in the lift gate was just one-half of the plastic. We just went through a few cold spells with the first ice storm. The crack filled with water during the ice storm and froze. As the ice expanded you get the picture…so did the crack. The crack has also extended to the bottom half of the logo. A few months back, I was traveling behind another Explorer and noticed they had the same crack. It is time for Ford Motor Company to step up the Consumer and back their product or take any reference of the word quality out of their ads, commercials, and any other outward reaching communication.