Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact noticed that the rear plastic tailgate strip was cracked in the center. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The technician informed that the manufacturer would be responsible for the expense of replacing the plastic strip for vehicles that do not exceed 36,000 miled. The vehicle was not repaired because the contact exceeded the required mileage. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2004 Ford Explorer body complaints
Page 7 of 15: complaints 161 to 190 of 426, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I am the owner of a 2004 ford explorer, with apprx. 50,000 highway miles. In 2007 I walked outside to find the rear back panel under the window with the ford emblem was cracked. I took it to the ford dealership , it was still under warranty. The total cost for repair was 403.47, I had to pay 250.00 & the warranty covered the difference of 153.47. Here it is 2011, I walk outside to find the rear panel under the window with the ford emblem cracked again, the only difference this time is , I have no warranty. This apparently is a defect on fords part, the same crack 2 times on the same vehicle after being replaced and ford has not recalled yet. Their is not one day you drive and not find ford explorer owners driving around with cracks on the rear panel. Come on ford own up or lose consumers.
Crack appeared on plastic panel just to the left of ford emblem the car had 92k miles when occurred. Body shop estimate $500.00 to repair.
The tail gate on the 2004 explorer should be recalled,it will only get worse and lots of people will die when the back windows just start falling out. Every explorer I see it like this! Built ford tough..lol.....I guess it's ok for a few hundred to die until ford maybe recall it, it's there responsibility!!!!!!! I will never buy another ford till this gets fixed. Think of all the lawsuits in the making ford..bad business!!! Fix my found on road...before you get sued...my back window will fall out soon and guess who`s getting sued. Fix your junk ford you lied to me quality is job 1000 making money and lying is job 1..your sickling boycott ford I already have 3000 plus with this problem just wait ford you'll get yours...
Noticed a number of cracked rear panels on late model ford explorers (2004-2006)- this problem is widespread on the ford explorer- ford has failed to acknowledge that this defect in workmanship exist- ford should recall these vehicles or offer a goodwill repair these ford explorer owners.
Vertical crack in the plastic tailgate attached to the rear window left of the ford emblem. Ford dealer said they have seen many of these, so I feel this is a design flaw & ford should fix for free. Ford giving me run a round. So much for ford tough. Who should I contact to get this fixed for free? Or should I take it to the news station about just how tough ford trucks are.... They crack like easter eggs....... I have never had this off road and keep it in a garage.
Rear panel vertical crack below window.
I awoke one morning and I found a large crack in the rear hatch of my 04 ford explorer. It was not like that the previous evening when I got home. I researched the problem online and found many similar stories. I also found that there is currently no manufacturer recall to remedy the situation. Plastic rear hatch cracked under extreme temperature. Rear glass may break while driving and pose hazard to other drivers. Plan on replacing, however I don't believe I should pay for it because of the poor quality of the original part.
I have had my 2004 ford explorer for 3 years now. Today I went to open my rear hatch and the window hinges just broke. Now my window is hanging thereand I don't know how I am going to get them fixed since I don't have any extra money. I think this should be a recall since there has been a lot of complaints about this problem.
The hatch below my rear window has cracked on both sides of the ford logo on my explorer. It seemed to have happened over night. I am concerned that it may not be strong enough to hold the window in while driving. Ford has had three years of models with this some problem and hasn't made it right by it's owners.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact noticed two cracks below the rear window on the tailgate. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 98,000.
Tailgate window hinges failed on 2004 ford explorer. The window fell out and damaged the lift struts. I was not injured.
2004 ford explorer has a cracked rear panel splitting the entire back panel. I contacted ford and they will not do anything about it. I think it could be a safety concern as the whole panel could break off by the rear window. I've researched this on line and this appears to be a common issue with my year explorer. Ford should take responsibility for their faulty product.
Crack suddenly appeared in the rear panel below the window. From the glass to the bottom of the hatch. Had window tightened.
Were a family a ford explorer my family has 4 of them ranging from the years 1996,99,2002,2004 and everyone of these vehicles have serious issues. Ranging from rotting suspension parts,to wheel bearing issues on newer models,rotting fuel and brake lines,this is supposed to be an american made company that is jeopardizing the lives of american and children with total disregard of human life,but I bet you the owners of ford don't have these issues they probably drives foreign haha but seriously someone will get hurt by this and it costing thousands of dollars out of pocket to fix an ongoing problem with these trucks please do a recall its so unfair at this point.
Crack suddenly appeared in the rear panel below the window, from the glass to the bottom of the hatch.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear hinge on the tailgate was broken where the glass was hanging. The dealer was informed about the failure and stated that there were no related recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 131,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate panel was fractured below the glass. The vehicle was never involved in a crash. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for repairs nor was the manufacturer notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 47,000.
Back glass hatch fell off in my hands could have really hurt someone.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact observed a long hair line fracture along the panel below the rear windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that the rear windshield panel would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 44,000. The consumer also stated he had difficulty shifting the gear into reverse. Updated 01/06/11 updated 01/24/11 *bf updated 02/03/11
Ford 2004 explorer paint bubbling at front of aluminum hood. Clearly a defect. Took to dealer where the body shop manager said he repainted 70 so far this year but ford will not take care of it. Asked to meet with the district supervisor. Set up a meeting when he would be in town. He would not even come out to talk to me and sent someone else out to tell me ford will not fix it because in my warranty it reads, "rust must permanent from the inside out". I argued that it is an aluminum hood and will never rust! I then wrote ford motor company and have never heard back from them. I keep checking for recalls and have seen nothing to date. My wife and I see many of the same vehicles with this same problem all the time. Shame on ford!! I would like to see something taken care of with this. This is clearly a defect and not something any of us consumers ever did to make this happen.
10/20/2010 - spokane, washington - rear panel under back glass around ford logo cracked after a cool morning 32-35 degrees. The crack extends from the window all the way to the bottom of the panel.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate glass hinge was fracturing from the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the hinge would need replacing and there were no recalls for the vehicle. Any repair to the vehicle would be at the contacts expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 115,000 and the current mileage was 150,100.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. On october 7, 2010, the contact noticed that the rear liftgate glass had a crack in the panel. The dealer stated that there were no related recalls. The contact called the manufacturer who stated she might be eligible for reimbursement, if there failure became a recall. The current and failure mileages were approximately 57,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the plastic panel on the rear hatch was cracked and could potentially fall off. The contact called the dealer regarding the cracked panel and the dealer informed her that there was no recall regarding the plastic panel and stated that the part was available for purchase. The contact had not replaced the plastic panel. The failure mileage was 74,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear panel was cracked by the emblem in the rear liftgate. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired at the time of the complaint. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that there was no recall related to the failure. The current and failure mileages were approximately 55,000.
2004 ford explorer cracked panel below the rear window.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford explorer. The contact stated that the panel in the rear liftgate was split. The contact called the dealer who stated that the failure was common. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that there were no recalls and repairs would be at his expense. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
A crack has formed in the rear lift gate panel. It occurred overnight while not in use about 2 weeks ago. I didn't think much of it until I began noticing many other explorers and mercury mountaineers of about the same year (2002-2004) with the same defect. I decided to see if there was a recall, but all I could find was a lot of people complaining and no action from ford. I don't know how many others have filed a complaint with you, but at one website there are at least 290 other owners who have posted a complaint. If your interested, here is the link: http://www.carcomplaints.com/ford/explorer/2004/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml.
2004 explorer with 110k miles - developed crack in liftgate panel app dec 2008. Ford covered 80% of repair cost of $750 since vehicle was under 75k miles, even though an obvious design flaw. Sept 29, 2010 rear hatch window hinge breaks causing door to fall onto my hands and legs...sore but not permanent. Two co-workers had to help me raise it up enough to lock it in place. Dealer repaired for $65 parts in $170 labor. Dangerous and unsafe.
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