Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, she heard a loud, abnormal noise. After inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that the rear door hinge was fractured and causing the door to hang. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 99,600.
2003 Ford Explorer body complaints
Page 3 of 13: complaints 41 to 70 of 354, newest first, as owners wrote them.
2003 ford explorer. Consumer writes in regards to humming/whining noise in the rear end of vehicle and a frequent leak in the differential. *smd the consumer stated several components such as the ring an pinion, bearings, seals and gear and pinion were all replaced. However, the issue remained unresolved. Also, the rear hatch was cracked. When the consumer inquired about a replacement and its cost, the dealer advised against the replacement/repair as the new hatches had the same problem. The vehicle overheated and had to be towed to the dealer. A diagnosis revealed a damaged thermostat housing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 for explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he engaged the liftgate and the hinges fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000. *updated 09-18-13 *bf updated 09/24/2013
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated the rear lift gate glass hinge corroded and fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was previously included and repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that both of the hinges were corroded and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.
There has been no accident. Under normal wear and tear of car went to open hatchback glass one day to load groceries and dropped low on my head because hinge holding the glass door came loose. Had to ease it back up in place , have not been able to open glass door since for fear of it falling and breaking to pieces. The second complaint is the hatchback door is cracked under the ford emblem and to the side . I have seen many many explorers with this same exact crack as mine. They have also complained!!!! Ford only recalled explorers up to I believe that were made up to february 2003. My car and others I have spoke with their and mine was made in 8/2003 so we were not covered!!! That is bull!! Ford should stand by their products.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the tailgate was cracked. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told the lift gate was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed a fracture on the rear lift gate panel. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. *tr updated 5/24/13 *cn updated 06/12/2013
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that he noticed that the lift gate was fractured near the manufacturing emblem. The failure caused the interior lights and the anti-theft alarm to activate. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v442000 (structure). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The current mileage was approximately 140,000.
A crack on the rear hatch next to ford emblem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact noticed a large fracture under the rear liftgate glass near the manufacturing emblem. The fracture was approximately six inches long. The vehicle was not inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the tailgate had cracked underneath the rear window. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000 and current mileage was unknown. Updated 04/18/2013
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate was fractured near the window. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would look further into the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a fracture in the trim that held the rear window in place. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection where they advised that the part was defective and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000. ...updated 12/17/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle had developed a crack on the tailgate of the vehicle under the rear window. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated there had not been enough complaints to issue a recall and referred her to the federal safety agency. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate window detached from the hinges and crack the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the hinges needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the vehicle was under recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred and the door was still cracked. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to keep the receipts in case of another recall. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate was cracked. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was 96,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that while inspecting the vehicle it was found that the hinge for the liftgate was broken. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic and was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted who informed him that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments). The failure and current mileage was 110,308.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the hinges on the back lift gate fractured and allowed the glass to become disengaged. The vehicle could not be driven. The dealer was notified and informed the contact that there were no recalls on his vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that the vehicle had been repaired under the recall the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments) 8 years prior and provided no other assistance. The failure and current mileage was 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate hinges were fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 82,000.....updated 10/11/12 *bf updated 10/16/2012
All 4 of the wheel bearings had to be replaces in a matter of 5 months the rear window has a crack in the fiberglass covering right down the middle said not covered not a health risk but the molding is still cracked from the bottom of window to the bottom of the molding piece brake lights stay on until u get back in and tap the brakes then the light shuts off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated the hinges for the rear lift gate fractured. The contact mentioned that the glass fell down into the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and had the hinges were replaced. The manufacturer was contacted who stated that there was a recall for the failure under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments) but the vehicle was not included since the recall was only issued for the 2002 model year explorer. The failure and current mileage was 115,000.
Rear window hinges broke for the second time. They were fixed once with recall and are now broke again. Also the back lift gate panel has cracked.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact noticed a crack on the rear lift gate panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 91,793.
Rcall work was done ( ford # 04s045 ) since that time the plastic trim piece attached to the tailgate window cracked which has allowed water to rust out the mounting bracket that holds the latch and wiper assembly. The result is that the widow no longer closes securely and the window latch in-operable. Has this been addressed in and other recalls? I have observed that 9 of 10 explorers/mountaineers also have cracked trim pieces. As a result of the rusting bracket I feel that the window could suddenly open and/or shatter. Repairs seem impossible also due to the possibility of shattering the window causing injury.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated there were two large cracks below the rear liftgate, located near the manufacturer's emblem. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they were unable to provide assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
My son went to leave in explorer. Noticed hatch had popped open (has been doing this) and when he closed the two inch opening the glass exploded on him and all over driveway. Glass piece in eye which is ok and scrapes on arms and foot. This could have been so much worse and want answers to why this happened.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate detached from the hinges of the vehicle. The dealer was notified and stated there was a recall but the contact's VIN was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments). The manufacturer was notified and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer xlt. The contact stated that a crack was found in the rear door panel. The crack was noticed while the vehicle was parked in the contact's garage. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate panel was cracked due to defective material. The dealer denied assistance with the repair because the warranty expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,543 and the current mileage was 60,000. Updated 08/07/12
Large crack appeared on hatch door below window. Many complaints on internet with same problem.
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