I got in my car last night after visting my husband in the hospital when I notice that the light came on that said a door was opened. I got out checked all four doors and they were closed. I preceded to get back in my car and drive home when I had only gone a few feet when I heard a rattle noise and it look like the back tail window was ajar. I pulled over to check the window only to find out that the panel under the window had split right down the middle. Now the window will not close and I don't see why this part of the car should split open. I plan to call the Ford company tomorrow to see what can be done. I would like to know if anyone else has had this problem. It doesn't get cold enough here to cause your car to split open.

Ford Quality Job 1??? If this is true why don't they stand behind their mission statement? I have been a loyal Ford customer for over 30 years. After reading other complaints on this same issue I can see that Ford is not taking responsibility for this growing problem. I am definitely going to make a statement. I would like to suggest all other dissatisfied Ford owners do the following. Go to your local auto parts store which sells those decals showing a little boy peeing on a competitors emblem. Make sure you buy a Ford decal .Place the decal right above the crack on your rear window! Everyone driving behind you will clearly see the decal and the cracked panel ,but most importantly they will see Ford ! If enough of these decals start showing up, maybe the media will get involved. I will definitely be looking elsewhere for my next vehicle.

I hate to be the messenger of bad news for all of you out there suffering through the "cracked panel on the rear window", but your troubles may not be over yet.

I also have a 2002 Explorer and have suffered through the cracked panel on the rear window twice. The first time the crack occurred was within 100 miles of the 36000 mile warranty so I lucked out and Ford replaced it. Unfortunately it cracked again, even worse than the previous time before the truck hit 56,000 miles. When it cracked the second time I figured "What's the point of fixing it, it will just break again". Over "Thanks Giving" I was noticing a rattle in the back of the truck. When I opened the glass of the lift gate I found that the plastic cover that houses the back windshield wiper had fallen off and the bolts that hold the window latch had rusted through and the latch and locking mechanism were just hanging off the window by electrical cabling. Yes, water had made it's way through the cracks and rusted the bolts through. Needless to say, I was furious. I took the truck into my Dealership and was informed that they would need to replace the whole back window to fix the problem and it would cost over a thousand bucks. They also informed me, that because of the mileage, FORD Motors refused to do anything. What a bunch of garbage!! This is not a moving part or a piece of the car that should experience "wear and tear" due to mileage or age! I kinda blew a gasket. Fortunately for me, the Service Manager of my Dealership (which I have been dealing with for 26 years), listened to, and agreed with my complaint. He was able to replace the latch and the cracked panel for under $400. Yea, it wasn't free, like it should have been, but it was a lot less than a thousand bucks. Now I just have to hope that the "jury rig" lasts. Looks wonderful, by the way.

For all of you out there that have the same cracked panel, and are planning on keeping the truck for awhile, you may want to look into fixing the crack(s) or maybe placing some clear flexible sealant in the crack. (I'm no car body mechanic, the sealant might worsen the crack if it does not flex enough, I don't know.) Might save yourself some money.

This whole incident was a damn shame. I've never enjoyed a vehicle more that this Explorer, and mechanically it has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. For 26 years I've never even looked at another brand other than Ford when it was time for a new vehicle. Unfortunately, when the next time comes for a new vehicle, due to Ford Motor Companies lack of response on this issue, I will be looking at other brands, and the ONLY reason I will even consider a Ford is because of the customer loyalty that my Dealership has shown me with this incident (and over the years).

This is just another listing of the same cracked rear window panel that sooooo many others have experienced, and I have noticed on MANY Ford Explorers myself. My sister and I noticed it this morning. While driving through the city we saw FOUR other explorers on the road with the same crack on the rear hatch. I am absolutely blown away and dissapointed after speaking with Ford customer service and one of the drivers of the explorers we saw today. That Ford has NOT Handled this, what is to be a design and engineering defect. Ford, from their response at customer service and the information Im hearing from other owners, is Ford has decided to handle this issue with a BAD FAITH attitude. Basically lie about the defect and their refusal to rectify the design/engineering fault at Ford. Im am going to a Ford dealership to have it looked at and will be bringing several people with me that own Explorers and a local T.V. news reporter. If Ford does not replace THEIR DEFECTIVE PART at their expense this will force me to inform the THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE I come into contact with every day of my and the people Ive spoken with and the complaints ive read on this site of how Ford has in FACT not rectified this defect to its customers complete satisfaction.

I noticed the crack on panel a few miles back. It runs right under the Ford logo. I called Ford service dept and asked about it because I am concerned about rain getting in or further cracking.

At first they acted like they had never heard of such a thing. When I asked about having it fixed, they said it would be around $250 plus they need the car for 3 days. I inquired about both price and time to repair and they explained the panels come unpainted and they are hard to replace and then it has to be painted to match.

I have put it off due to lack of funds and can't live without car for 3 days, nor can I afford to rent one and pay for the repair.

I live in the Dallas metro area and since this happened to my car I have seen about 20 of them; one even had the panel completely gone with just the brackets exposed.

I think if everyone would let their local news channel hear about it on one of the consumer complaint type features, then others would come forward with the same complaint and maybe there may be some action taken on Ford's part. As long as it is just a few scattered around the nation Ford is probably hoping we won't find out about each other.

The panel cracked on it's own a few years ago & I thought it was done by someone hitting it or something but recently the crack has gotten worse & the paint is coming off. It looks horrible. Then a friend told me that explorers are notorious for this. I am complaining to Ford & taking the steps needed to get them to fix & pay for this. The car is parked in a garage at home & at work & I live in Southern CA where it's around 70-80 degrees all year round. There is no excuse for this.

We have the 2002 Explorer and the back hatch cracked in '05. The Dealership said it was a "geographical problem" having to do with heat & humidity.

After finding this site and several others, we can clearly see that we were lied to and this is a design flaw that Ford refuses to take responsibility for. I am filing a lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. I would like to make this a Class Action Suit.

If you would like to join this suit, you need to do 2 things:

1) Contact Ford Motor Company and file a complaint. Call 1-800-392-3673. Get the employee's name and employee #. WRITE IT DOWN!

2) File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Call 1-877-382-4357. Get the employee's name and a reference # for your complaint. WRITE IT DOWN! They will also mail you a hard copy of the complaint.

After you have done this, contact me at katie_scarlett67@hotmail.com

I have contacted Attorney General Jim Hood (my state is Mississippi) about a Class Action Suit.