CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004 Ford Explorer one of our worst vehicles on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.
Another common problem for the 2002-2005 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
6.4
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$460
Average Mileage:
75,350 miles
Total Complaints:
769 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
waiting for Ford to recall (296 reports)
not sure (205 reports)
replace panel (117 reports)
possible class action lawsuit (63 reports)
call Ford motor company 1-800-241-3673 (27 reports)
2004 Ford Explorer Lift Gate Applique - You can purchase the rear panel applique to fix this problem from fordpartswebsite.com, although it will still need to be painted and installed.
Cracked Ford Explores - Visit and join this Facebook group for an additional site where you can tell Ford about this annoying problem.
Ford Explorer Lift Gate Cracks - Become a part of this active Facebook page of Ford / Mercury owners who share information on dealing with the cracked trim panel that Ford would not.
i think water sits in there and freezes and cracks them i work in the collision repair field and have been replacing them for years and they are urethaned to the back glass so its best to have an auto glass company replace which the whole deal isn't cheap for that reason ive started drilling small holes in the bottom to let the water run out seems to be working no come backs
When I went out to place some articles in the back of my Explorer earlier today noticed that huge crack along the left side of the Ford logo emblem in the plastic under the back window of my 2004 Ford Explorer. I have no clue how this happened especially since there was no damages to this when I took items out of yje back and closed the window.
I have no idea how much this will cost to repair but know that it HAS to be DONE!!!!!!
I see from other posts that others have experienced this same problem and some are hoping for a recall from Ford on it, Any possibility of this happen? I sure hope so!
This is obviously a manufacturer defect. After seeing it in my car I started looking around for it in other Explorers. Now I'm seeing it EVERYWHERE; shopping malls, restaurants, movie theaters, etc. It's obvious that it can't be these many careless Ford drivers.
I noticed this problem on my ford explorer and was very disappointed in the way ford makes their products. i was thinking about buying another ford explorer but now I've changed my mind and going with CHEVY. i think ford should fix this problem for free or recall it. I encourage everyone to think twice before buying a ford explorer.
I see a lot of Ford Explorers with the same issue... Every single Ford Explorer I've seen in North Texas have had cracks in the panel below the tailgate window. It just doesn't make sense that this would crack. FORD should have an obligation to fix this for free!!! Certainly makes me think twice about purchasing a Ford in the future...
- Nicholas R.,
Irving, TX, US
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I take very good care of our cars and can't believe the plastic panel below the rear window cracked for absolutely no reason. I noticed a large crack in the painted plastic trim below the rear window as she was ready to pull out of the garage that was not there the night before coming home from work. The crack is all the way through the trim piece from top to bottom in the middle, and it's noticeable. I would like ford to offer to fix this issue. I have noticed other explorers of darker colors having the same crack. I believe this is a manufacturing defect and not damage caused by the vehicle owners,and just one day a took some picture for more 4 different explorer THE SAME PROBLEM,
Went to get estimate and was told that this has been occurring a lot due to manufacturing failure to use proper rubberizing of window for cold/hot expansion of window. This needs to be corrected and patrons of Ford should not have to be concerned of this occurring. Unappreciated expense when on fixed income. Just had to have transmission and starter replaced. Can't really afford new car at this time, but these expenses are getting to be ridiculous and I can't afford them either.
There have been so many complaints on the problem with the cracked panel below the rear window and around the Ford sign and I obviously have the same problem. As I ride anywhere I have started looking at all of the Ford Explorers to see if they are cracked at the same place as mine and it is amazing how many you see that are the same way as mine. I own a 2004 Ford Explorer and I take very good care of my car. I do not understand how Ford can get by with this tremendous problem without issuing a recall to fix this. My entire immediate family drives Ford vehicles which we have 6 of them and we are considering to not buy any more Ford products if they cannot back up their vehicles quality.
Looks like we get to join the rest of the Explorer owners with the cracked panel under the rear glass on the liftgate around the Ford emblem. Est cost to repair $700 - $900. I'm not a happy camper right now.
Local Ford dealer wouldn't even look at it and referred us to a body shop.
Keep my cars impeccable! This sucks......need to pay to fix as a crack this bad just look cheap! Not sure what caused it, but insurance won't cover it. Owned Fords my entire life...3 mustang's, 1 Escort, 4 Explorers, 4 different F150"s - F350's! This has got to be the weirdest defect!
We have a 2004 Explorer that is my wifes, and she keeps it clean, and it is garage kept. Needless to say that she was very disappointed when she saw the crack on the back of her Explorer. Since then, I have seen two others, the same color (red) and the crack is in the same place, just to the left of the center. I think the supplier of that piece (or Ford) should be responsible for the cost of the replacement of that piece.
Update from Apr 2, 2011: I have replaced the panel. I purchased the panel from Ford, it was painted and installed at the body shop. Body shop said the panel was glued around the outer edge, it had no support in the center. Cost, a little under $400.
I thought this was an isolated incident for my truck, until I noticed other Explores with the same defect! Why hasn't this been recalled??? This should not be an expense to the buyer. I will not be purchasing another Ford.
Called Ford,they have no recall for this, they said I should get it fixed at my expense, I noticed that their are a lot of explorers out there with the same problem. Ford should be made to fix this problem without the customer paying.
Similar problem to everyone else. One day the crack just appears. The vehicle has always been very well maintained.
This is obviously a manufacturer defect. It is a bit ironic for the crack to be so close to the Ford emblem.
I have placed a sign inside the liftgate window that says "Manufacturer Defect - Ford refuses to Fix - Buy Ford products at your own Risk" with a big arrow pointed toward the crack (easy to print off on computer). Also, I call Ford once a week.
Hopefully Ford will wake up and fix this issue before they lose more market share and we lose more jobs to foreign competition.
I have a vertical crack next to the Ford logo on the back panel. I've spoken with my local Ford dealer and they gave me a $300+ estimate to fix it. However on our honeymoon my wife and I met a guy that works for Ford in Texas who told us that it was, indeed, a recall and Ford should fix it for free (or a small repair cost).
I'm a very loyal Ford owner but this is frustrating to me that this problem is not being taken care of.
The cracked rear panel on Ford Explorer's is a major problem. This is an issue that should be fixed by Ford due to the large number of complaints. Called customer service and they refuse to help. Stay away from Ford motor company.
This is definitely a design flaw in this automobile. Ford needs to step up to the plate on this...Had to replace this twice as the first shop had no clew about the sealant PRIMER to attach the replacement panel... be careful if you have this done as the PRIMER is very significant. Many have no idea about the primer so the sealant will not stay attached...I know about is because my plane required the same primer when replacing the windows.
Update from Apr 12, 2015: Side airbags popped at 113,000 miles for no good reason
Ford needs to recall and fix this issue. Enough is enough. I see at least 4 out of 5 explorers with the same issue. Fix the crack in my rear under the windshield!!!!!!!!!
I am the owner of a 2004 ford explorer, my explorer only has apprx. 50,000 highway miles on it. In 2007 I walked out of my home to find under the back hatch window the panel with the ford emblem was cracked. My vehicle was still under warranty, so I took it to the Ford dealership and it was repaired. I was informed by the employee at the dealership many explorers had this problem. After having mine repaired I did began to notice that many people were driving Ford Explorers with cracked rear panels, the same as mine had been. Well, this morning 2011, I went outside to take my Ford Explorer to Emissions and behold the panel is cracked again. After leaving Emissions I am driving behind a Ford Explorer with a cracked rear panel. Can someone tell me why Ford has not taken the responsibility to recall these vehicles for the panel. I have had two cracked panels and every other Ford Explorer you see has the same cracked panel. Apparently their is a defect in that body part, unless Ford is trying to lose consumers .
Initially, I thought the crack was a hair from a brush in the carwash. Over the period of a week, it extended throught the whole width of the panel. Then I gave my wife hell for slamming the gate too hard which she really did not do. It was not until she went to another red explorer by mistake when she saw the cracked panel that I realized there may be a problem that extended far beyond my explorer. And then when I came across your site, WOW!!!! How can Ford not assume responsibility? How can the government overseers not make this an issue?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
i think water sits in there and freezes and cracks them i work in the collision repair field and have been replacing them for years and they are urethaned to the back glass so its best to have an auto glass company replace which the whole deal isn't cheap for that reason ive started drilling small holes in the bottom to let the water run out seems to be working no come backs
- Nicholas W., Piqua, OH, US