2005 Ford Explorer: windshield wiper failure

Filed Mar 27, 2017 · Body, Visibility · 138,000 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was fracture in the rear hatch above the rear windshield wiper and all the way down to the bottom of the hatch. The failure allowed moisture to enter the door. The contact was concerned that the fracture would cause the rear windshield to shatter, causing serious injuries or worse. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be inspected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 138,000.

Filed Jul 20, 2014 · Body · NY

I have a 2005 explorer xlt and I also have a large crack down the panel below the back window. Which has LED to water seeping into my back wiper motor causing me to replace it frequently. Which replacing this is not cheap.this is certainly an issue that needs to be addressed due to there are many of the exact same complaints. Also the brackets that hold on my back window came off/broke. We were leaving for vacation and the whole window was in my hand when I went to close it. I am a ford lover through and through and would just like these problems that numerous people are having corrected . Thank you for your time!

Filed Jul 2, 2014 · Body · 86,960 miles · CA

I went out to my 2005 ford eddie bauer explorer to remove items inside back cargo area and noticed that the plastic tailgate panel below the rear window had vertically cracked all the way down and through the whole piece. There was no physical evidence to show cause for the spontaneous wide crack. The car has been well cared for. Parked daily in garage and not even driven daily. I am extremely concerned that the glass window panel might be compromised and could cause deadly damage to passengers in my car or others on the road behind me should it come loose or shatter, including the chance that the back windshield wiper could come unattached and also fly off into the window of a vehicle behind me. I have just researched this problem and have found hundreds of other owners who have had the same spontaneous cracking and have filed complaints. Something must be done. This is an extreme safety issue.

Filed Mar 8, 2014 · Body · 61,000 miles · FL

Ford explorer eddie bauer - garage kept, low miles due to working from home. Discovered a crack in the back hatch upper panel. When reported to insurance company (progressive) the agent indicated that this is a known defect and all ford dealers are aware of it. I discovered other ford explorers and expeditions around the county with the same crack. Crack is caused by lack of stabilization behind the panel and the crack appears due to regular closing of the back hatch. Starts with a single crack (can lead to multiple cracks). The crack allows water to enter the back hatch area causing rust and disabling or limiting the back window wiper. I wrote a letter to ford and emailed them regarding this manufacturing defect and was told that this is not something they take care of. Cost to repair can run anywhere from $275 to $1,000, depending upon the severity. We have started a facebook page for those of us around the country that have experienced the same problem and our number is growing every day. Problem seems to be 2002 thru 2006 ford explorers and expeditions. Ford has changed the manufacturing for the years following.

Filed Mar 31, 2010 · Visibility · 36,500 miles · OR

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford explorer. The contact was driving approximately 65 MPH in rainy weather conditions. The front and rear windshield glass exhibited a film and dirt build up from the windshield wipers which resulted in poor visibility. The front and rear windshield wipers were replaced on two separate occasions. The contact stated that an independent mechanic replaced the front windshield wipers. The failure mileage was 36,500. The current mileage was 59,100.