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Cracked Panel Below The Rear Window
2002 Ford Explorer (Page 23 of 32)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 Ford Explorer is hands-down our worst vehicle on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.
Another common problem for the 2002-2003 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
6.5
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $450
- Average Mileage:
- 79,300 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 622 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- Ford should pay for it (396 reports)
- not sure (86 reports)
- paid to have rear panel replaced (48 reports)
- file complaint with NHTSA to get a recall issued (26 reports)
- start a class action suit and get damages reimbursed (17 reports)
- dealership replaced the entire panel (10 reports)
body / paint problem
Helpful websites
- Cracked Ford Explores - Visit and join this Facebook Group for an additional site where you can tell Ford about this annoying problem.
- Class Action Lawsuit For This Issue - Looks like there is a class action lawsuit for this problem. I would sign up to show how many of us are having this issue.
- Replacement Trim Panel At Lower Cost - Save money on a replacement part at Rock Auto. Use their parts search and drill down to Ford => Your Year => Explorer => Body => Rear. You will see several options listed there.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Well, my problem started just like most of you a hair thin crack on my rear panel (actually, there are several cracks). I ignored it for a really long time but after months go by the crack just seems to get wider and wider it is not to the point where I can see through the crack, I have even been flagged down by 7 FORD EXPLORER DRIVERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!!!!!!! I took my car in for the rear hatch recall and I asked the mechanic what they can do about my cracked panel, I got a good laugh out of him and he stated to me that my car is no longer under warranty and the repair would have to be out of pocket. Not to mention my sidepanels falling out, my fading posts between the doors, my rusting running boards, my bad ball bearings, my bad tranny, bad air bags, the freaking check engine light that wont come off even after I've changed the sensors, and to add to all my car problems and frustrations FORD HAS THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!! If any one goes for a class action law suit PLEASE SIGN ME UP (Unzpokenwords@aol.com) Thanx!
Anabel P
Frustrated Ford Driver
- Anabel P., Miami, FL, US