2004 Ford Explorer locks problems

Filed Jul 3, 2014 · Locks, Visibility · 111,000 miles · VA

The rear window latch on the right side facing the vehicle broke off and nearly caused the right side to also break. I am uncertain as to whether or not the hydraulic lift for the window failed or the latch just broke.

Filed Jun 8, 2011 · Body, Locks · 86,000 miles · NY

Concerning my 2004 explorer xlt. The rear hatchback that opens the back windows has a broken latch. I am very upset that this part just seemed to implode and left me unable to close the rear back window. The garage I took it to said ford informed them the part was on back order until 07-18-2011. I am wondering if this is going to be a recalled item for the garage informed me it happens quite regularly. Please let me know if I have any recourse or am entitled to reimbursement for the needed repair. .

Filed May 17, 2011 · Body, Locks · 127,000 miles · NE

A couple of weekends ago, the passenger side hinge on our rear window hatch broke. My mom opened the back window hatch on my vehicle & when she went to shut it, the entire window came down on her. Then we could not get it shut. We had to stand there in 80+ degree heat holding the entire window (which is quite heavy), while my 2 year old baked in the car, until my dad & brother could get to the store we were at to rescue us. We were able to get it to shut (though we were terrified the glass was going to shatter at any moment due to the tension on it) & we duct taped it to keep it in place. We had the hinge repaired by our local body shop, & had them replace both hinges to be proactive. It cost about $200. After this happened I did some internet searches & was upset to find so many other 2004 ford explorer owners had experienced the exact same problem & I also found out that ford has recalled the same hinges on 2002 & 2003 models. I don't understand why the 2004 explorer has not had the same recall when they're the same hinges? This seems like such a blatant disregard by ford. People could be seriously injured by this window either falling on their head, or falling off while driving. The 2003 ford explorer recall was explained as this: on certain sport utility vehicles, the liftgate glass strut may become disengaged or the hinge may fracture allowing the glass to fall and possibly break. The exact same thing could be said of 2004 ford explorers. I am writing this in the hopes that a recall can be made on this equipment. It needs to be recalled before someone is hurt. Thank goodness my 11 yr old wasn't the one under this window when it broke!! I did email ford regarding this issue & they weren't exactly helpful. They basically said, sorry & that there were no recalls on the 04 at this time & that they work with the federal safety agency to stay on top of areas of concern.

Filed Dec 5, 2010 · Body, Locks · UT

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.

Filed Nov 28, 2010 · Body, Locks · 102,000 miles · ME

Tailgate window hinges failed on 2004 ford explorer. The window fell out and damaged the lift struts. I was not injured.

Filed Oct 1, 2010 · Body, Locks · 110,000 miles · VA

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.

Filed Sep 13, 2010 · Body, Locks · 86,000 miles · KY

In july 2010, I noticed a crack in the panel portion of the back window hatch of my 2004 ford explorer. I reported this to my dealer, who more or less said welcome to the club, and told me to contact the body shop. The cost of $500-600 would have to be paid by me and there is no reason to think that it won't happen again. I am so disappointed in ford motor co., I thought I could expect more from a local manufacturer. It seems to me that this is something that should have been discovered in product tests and/or trials. Why didn't ford know that the material they used was not capable of standing up to the use in the area they placed it?

Filed Aug 22, 2010 · Locks, Visibility · 51,283 miles · IL

Defective rear window hinges on my 2004 ford explorer. I rarely use the window hatch and today I am sorry I did. While opening the rear window it fell on to my head. The brackets on the window broke. I am waiting for my mech. To help me remove the window so I can bring it into to get repaired. I own a 2002 ford explorer and it had a recall for the same thing. So why not the 2004, it is the same hinge.

Filed Apr 15, 2010 · Locks · 130,000 miles · IL

Rear rh hinge failed on 2004 ford explorer, when wife was closing glass hatch, she was very lucky she did not get hurt, because it put to much strain on lh hinge, damaging it almost to point of failure also.

Filed Apr 6, 2010 · Body, Locks · 74,000 miles · PA

The hatchback hinge on my 2004 ford explorer broke yesterday, luckily I caught it before it hit my 4 year old in the head. The same thing happened on a 2002 ford explorer I owned before, but that was recalled and ford fixed it. This model is not included in the recall, but the part is obviously defective. It could have easily hit someone and hurt them, or fallen off while I was driving and caused an accident.