I have owned this 2003 ford explorer since it was brand new in 2003. It currently has 70,009 miles and has been kept in a garage and not driven often over 13 years. Within two years of purchasing this vehicle I noticed a crack in the middle of the lift gate under the glass. I talked to two ford dealerships that advised it was not a defect but my fault for gliding the glass to harshly. I had not used the glass often and had never slammed it.m since that time I've seen hundreds of ford explorers from the early to mid 2000s with the same crack in the same location. Today I was behind four different explorers from the same time period and all had the same crack. I checked online and realized there are thousands of complaints about this defect with some drivers stating the back glass bursts while they were driving. It is unbelievable that with so many of these vehicles having the exact same issue that ford has not owned up to the defect and repaired it. All one needs to do is search through online images to see it us a huge problem and a definite manufacturer defect and with the back glass blowing out it is a major safety concern.
2003 Ford Explorer body complaints
Page 2 of 13: complaints 11 to 40 of 354, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the door ajar warning light illuminated, which caused the dome light to remain illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.
1. Transmission does not let you accelarate. Pressure builds up while you are pressing on the gas pedal and it doesn't increase your speed until 10 seconds or so of pressing the gas pedal, and than it explodes and you are thrust back with the acceleration. Very dangerous when you are trying to change lanes or are entering the highway. Lack of acceleration has almost got us into a few accidents. 2. Sensors are not functioning, constantly telling me that the doors are open. I don't know when a door is actually open or not. 3. The rear hatch is cracked and I'm afraid it doesn't provide enough stable prorectection for the rear glass to be held in place properply.
The brackets connected to the liftgate released while the car was parked and locked and blew the back liftgate panel out along with shattering the glass.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While accessing the power liftgate, the hinges fractured and caused the door to abruptly close. There were no injuries. The liftgate was completely removed and placed in the vehicle temporarily. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
I used my key remote and popped open the back hatch and while the hatch was up the hinge snapped dropping the hatch on my head nearly knocking me out cold.
Tl-the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated while closing that the liftgate both hinges fractured. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where both hinges and struts were replaced. In 2005, the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v442000 (structure) however,the remedy was insufficient. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000. Js
I noticed that the paint was peeling off in several places on the vehicle. Six months later more paint has disappeared.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatch was open and the hinges that opened the glass fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,500.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate glass strut brackets and glass hinges were fractured and tilted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer who stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The failure mileage was 100,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the rear liftgate fiberglass was cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Noticed upper part of rear tailgate under glass next to ford emblem is cracked from top to bottom.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear panel of the liftgate was cracked. The failure caused the contact's fingers to become pinched when attempting to close the liftgate. The contact also stated that the hinges fractured on the liftgate. The hinges were repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v442000 (structure), but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 165,000.
A recall was issued for 2003 ford explorers for the hinges on the back window tailgate. The right side hinge on my 2003 ford explorer broke, I was fortunate to be strong enough to catch the glass before it snapped the other hinge. When I contacted ford after seeing the recall notice online, I was told my ford was not part of the recall. I have also checked on the federal safety agency site and it was not listed there either. My complaint is that if explorers of the same year are recalled and my hinge broke, I believe there may be an issue with a larger range of explorers than listed.
The back panel on the hatch is cracked.
Crack in rear liftgate body panel. May fail during opening/closing and cause injury. This is a known problem with 2002-2005 explorers. Ford knew about the problem and covered it up. There is a class action lawsuit in progress.
When closing the glass tailgate the right hinge that attaches the glass to the tailgate broke causing the glass to detach from the car and fall hitting me in the left arm updated 09/16/14*lj updated 3/18/2015
2 complaints - back rear hatch panel under rear window has multiple cracks live in augusta ga and visit florida and this seems to be a common problem every make body like mine have this crack and some panel has even fallen off. This has to be a manufacturing problem for this large amount of SUV's to have the same problem see more with problems than without. Also recently had problems with window intermittently not going down and back up after ice storm in augusta this year all four windows stopped going up and down. This also seems to be a common problem with this model and body style of ford explorers. Owned a 1993 ford explorer eddie bauer had approx. 300,000 miles on it before I got rid of it and the most happened to this car was the transmission and rear brake leak which was the most expensive problem I had. Wish I still had the 1993 explorer because my 2003 makes me hesitant about purchasing another ford explorer no matter how much I like them this one will make turn to another make of car. Once a loyal ford owner not so sure now. You would think that ford will be as loyal to us as we are of them, it is the little things that make you frustrated and not wanting to purchase another. If you can't depend on the smaller things how can we depend on them with the larger things. Once a loyal ford owner.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate window became detached intermittently. The liftgate door failed to close properly and it developed a crack at the bottom. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lift gate needed to be repaired and the window needed to be replaced. The contact was not included in recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure). The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired by an authorized dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,002.
Paint "bubbled up" on the front edge of the hood a few years after purchase and has continued to flake and peel off. Apple valley ford service refused to fix the paint problem when reported in approximately 2006.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the power steering and transmission lines failed due to corrosion. The contact also stated that the brakes lines, fuel tank cover, door locks and the running boards were also corroded. The brake lines were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 157,372. Rk
On february 18th I noticed a crack in the rear glass lift gate molding otherwise known as the rear applique. After a google search I realized this is known defect that ford motor co. Does not recognize officially. There is a class action lawsuit regarding this defect. On april 25th 2014 I opened the rear glass lift gate to get something out of the rear cargo area. Upon closing the glass lift gate the entire window shattered into many pieces and actually put three cuts on my arm. I have looked into this online and found many owners of the 2002-2005 ford explorer's, mercury mountaineer's and lincoln aviator's all had this cracking of the rear applique. Also found out whether or not a crack was visible many people had the rear glass shatter upon them while closing the glass lift gate. Right now I must pay for the entire repair out of pocket, insurance doesn't cover it since they say I have a $1000.00 deductible. The cost for the glass was quoted at $495.25 plus tax. I also will have to replace the rear applique which covers a portion of the glass window at an additional cost. Not sure why this is not covered by ford since the window shattering can cause injury and therefore should be classified as a huge safety issue. I will get this fixed and keep my receipts for all repairs and hope all owners of the vehicles listed above get some sort of reimbursement.
While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the top portion of the liftgate on the vehicle opened independently and then the driver side hinge fractured causing the liftgate to fall and hang by only one side. In addition, the compression rod was bent when this occurred. In order to continue driving the vehicle the compression rod had to be removed and the liftgate had to be temporarily fastened with harnesses. The vehicle was then taken to a body shop to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 83,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift door was misaligned and became cracked. The vehicle was previously repaired for the rear lift door hinge however, the contact stated that the repair caused the misalignment. The contact purchased a new rear lift door and the door was replaced. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5 and the current mileage was 28,273.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the lift gate opened independently and caused the driver's side hinge to become fractured. In addition, the compression rod was abnormally bent. The contact made a temporary adjustment to the lift gate in order to continue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the back panel below the window became cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Plastic rear panel below the rear gate glass cracked directly beside the ford oval. The panel is now split into two pieces. Contacted ford dealer and ford customer service (via email) and ford will not stand behind the failure of this panel. This is a common complaint with explorers and ford has not even as much as tried to help the customer with repairs.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear hitch was cracked. In addition, the door ajar warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The mechanic did not diagnose or repaired the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
I want to bring to your attention a defect in the tailgate panel on the 2003 ford explorer. It is cracked and as a result water gets into the inside of the panel and leaks into the vehicle. As a result of the bitter cold days here in the northeast over the last month or so, ice forms on the inside of the windows causing major issues with visibility which is dangerous. It also shorted out the rear wiper motor as well. There should be a safety recall on this since it effects so many people.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while turning at various speeds, the body of the vehicle began to bounce abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was stated that the body mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
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