The panel under the back lift window next to the emblem is cracked all the way across just like every one else's have done I wish they would fix it but that may not happen all the cars I have owned since I got my license have been ford my first car was a 1955 2 door I still have it I guess the warranty is no good on it either.
2005 Ford Explorer body complaints
Page 4 of 6: complaints 71 to 100 of 151, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Large crack through the entire lift gate panel under the window.
Went to load stuff into the back and noticed a spider crack on the plastic panel right below the rear glass panel. I have no idea how it got there but this seems to be reported by almost all 05 explorer owners and it needs to be replaced under ford's liability since it is such a common issue and not just a small amount of vehicles occurring this problem.
My vehicle was parked. I went out in the morning to take my children to school. I noticed a large vertical crack in the lift gate panel to the right of the ford emblem. It had not been driven. This happened overnight while my vehicle was parked. I did some research to find that this is a common problem with this year/model.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that while parked the panel below the rear window of the tailgate of the vehicle was split. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not under any recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not seen by a technician or mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 68,292.
Nothing that I am aware of happened. I was walking behind the vehicle in my drive way and noticed a long crack below the glass on the liftgate. As the weeks went on it kept cracking and now it is almost cracked all the way.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that the panel under the rear window split around the outside of the window, which extended to the ford emblem. The damage became progressively worse over time and the contact was concerned that the window could explode when she drove through a car wash. The contact also stated that heat could be a factor in the failure. In addition, the rear latch failed to engage when she attempted to close the rear window. The dealer was contacted and advised that she would be responsible for the repair costs since there were no recalls for the failure. Also, the tire sensor gauge remained illuminated at all times. The tire mechanic stated that the failure was a common problem that could have been caused by the spare tire. The contact stated that she had to check the air pressure of the tires on a continual basis. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Parked and went into grocery store. Came out going to where I had parked. As I walked up to the back of my vehicle I noticed a vertical crack in the panel under the rear window. At first I thought I was at the wrong vehicle because I knew my 2005 explorer was not cracked. Upon further examination,I realized this was my vehicle. I have seen another explorer around town with a vertical crack in the same spot. Seems to me this just might be a design problem. Believe ford motor should repair at no cost. *tr
My car was parked in a small lot at work. When going out to load some items in the cargo area, a friend noted the vertical crack in the lift gate. It is to the left of the ford emblem and I have since seen numerous identical cracks on other vehicles. There was no collision that cause this, there are no scratches or dents. It is a manufacturer defect.
Large cracks developed on tne tailgate on both sides of the ford sign in the panel below the rear window. The cracks continue to get larger and I am concerned that a piece of the panel could come loose and cause a following motorist to have an accident. I am aware that ford has received thousands of complaints regarding this issue which is obviously a design flaw and should be held accountable for the repair.
While sitting in my driveway in a parked position, the upper tailgate panel, directly to the right and running right next to the oval ford emblem, a 1/4" wide crack that runs vertically on the back panel appeared. This upper panel of the tailgate also opens up just the window part of the tailgate. The tailgate on this explorer can open up two ways. One way being the entire tailgate is lifted so that it is open like for a dog to jump in and is then level with the interior back part (with the seats down), and it also opens up with just the window part which is where the crack is. This crack is so wide that it allows moisture, snow, water, rain, salt, etc. To seep into the components which house the electrical and tail light, stop lamps and turn signals. It also compromises the body structure and safety features. There are thousands of complaints of this happening as I did a google search. This is clearly a defect in manufacturing and/or parts or components and because of the large number of complaints, the manufacturer should issue a recall notice. At the time of this occurrence, my back tailgate was facing west with the sun shining on it. Could it have something to do with the components shrinking and expanding? I have pictures of this issue that I can e-mail to you. Updated 9/13/12 *cn updated 09/20/12
Crack at back glass running down the car left of ford emblem. Glass could fall out.
Noticed crack from top to bottom of rear body panel applique along side of ford emblem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate door was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who verified the failure and stated that the rear liftgate needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 20,000 and the current mileage was 45,000. Updated 02/22/12*lj the consumer stated the back panel that is cracked, is also soming unglued. The panel was replaced before at 20,000 miles. Updated 003/01/12
Found a crack on the rear liftgate right around the ford emblem. After mentioning it to a friend, turns out she had the same problem with her explorer and a search online shows many others have had the same issue with this model year.
Right next to the ford emblem a crack developed. It's on the rear glass hatch and runs from the top of the fiberglass panel to the bottom. The panel keeps expanding and contracting with the crack going from just a slight line to a 3/16" gap! Definitely a manufacturer defect. I've seen many other explorers with the same issue. The truck was in perfect condition when it appeared and ford says that it's not their problem. Too bad your warranty has run out! Poor design that ford should fix for the money we have given them for the vehicle.
Rear liftgate panel under window 10 inch crack in middle. Glass loose.
Despite my maintaining the vehicle in perfect condition, like many other ford explorers, mine developed a crack along the ford logo on the rear lift gate, running from the window to the bottom of the lift gate. Temperatures have not been extreme in our area, yet the crack appeared within a time frame of 5 hours. Ford motor company should be held responsible for this obvious defect in the explorers.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that the exterior plastic trim of the liftgate glass was cracked. The dealer advised the contact that the failure was common. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 89,000.
Cracked rear door panel just below the window, in the middle of the ford emblem. May cause rear window to fall out unexpectedly. Ford is aware of the defect but refuses to recall and fix it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact noticed a crack on the rear liftgate near the manufacturing emblem. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer offered any assistance since there were no recalls for the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 56,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer . The contact stated that the hatch back panel was cracked. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the failure was a manufacturing design flaw. As a result, the panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,000. Updated 12/06/11*lj updated 12/12/11
Very large crack in the rear lift gate from top to bottom like 1 foot long and 3/16 wide close to the ford logo.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated the rear liftgate was cracked underneath the window and extended to the bottom of the gate on the left side of the emblem. The crack had become progressively worse over time. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was a design flaw and if it was repaired, it would probably crack again. The current mileage was 99,992.
Front aluminum hood began paint blistering at about 2 years of ownership. Took back to the dealer for repair. Two years later, paint blisters return. Tsb 6-25-15 issued with painting guidelines but no repair authority. After second occurrence, dealer said no repairs would be made and advised us to pay to replace the hood and paint. This is unacceptable for a $45k car (limited version with all options)
Noticed a crack running from the bottom of my rear window down to the bottom of the upper portion of the rear lift gate to the left of the ford emblem on my 2005 explorer. Crack just appeared for no reason. Did not take it in or have it fixed. Ford will not own up to this flaw so I will not pay to have it fixed. I will not buy another ford since they don't stand by their product. I only have 41000 miles on it and I bought it brand new.
On friday, 8/12/11, at approximately 5:30 pm, I noted an approximately 2" long crack on the rear hatch panel, located just above and beside the ford emblem. As of this past monday, 8/15/11, this crack has now extended all the way across the panel. I have had this vehicle for 3 years without any type of body damage or accidents. This is not an area where another vehicle would have hit mine. As far as I know, this just appeared with no reason. I have done extensive research on the internet and noted this is a common problem with this year, make and model of ford and is apparently based on defective glue. I contacted a local ford company and was advised that this is not under warranty.
The paint on our 2005 eddie bauer explorer is bubbling and peeling off and has been doing this since 2008, but now is getting worse. When at the ford dealer while getting the computer changed wich is another problem with fuel efficiency, we asked about the paint and we were told that there isn't any type of recall. We are also having problems with having to change tires every 15000 miles. Thi truck has many defects.
My 2005 ford explorer has a large vertical crack in the rear panel. I have seen this in dozens of vehicles with similar body styles, for refuses to fix the problem and gave me a quote of $472.
Crack in the rear hatch panel caused by a defect in the design of the vehicle known by ford motor company but no recall issued.
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