The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the frame of the vehicle starting from the bottom of the rear glass going down toward the manufacturer's emblem. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 86,000 and the current mileage was 96,000.

- Yorktown, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the rear liftgate glass bolt brackets detached from the hinges, causing the glass to detach. There was a recall associated with the defect under NHTSA campaign id number 04V442000 (structure: Body: Hatchback/liftgate: Hinge and attachments) but the vehicle was ineligible for the recall repair due to the build date. The vehicle had not been repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

- Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The vehicle was included in the recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). After the repairs were performed the contact attempted to open the lift gate which separated from the strut and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the hinges. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Ashville, NC, USA

My 2003 Ford Explorer has a cracked rear panel. This is the second time it has happened. The first time it was covered by warranty and Ford repaired it at no charge. This time they will not. I was told it will cost approximately $300 and it would happen again. The crack develops right in the middle of the panel under the rear window.

- Harahan, LA, USA

I have a 2003 Ford Explorer, ran to the store last night to buy groceries. Loaded things into my truck, closed the door and things were fine. Arrived home to remove the groceries and there was a 6 inch long crack on the rear hatch of my truck right beside the Ford logo and rear windshield wiper. I take pride in my vehicle and keep it clean and the outside body is perfect; until this happened. I am disappointed that I called Ford and there is no recall in regards to this, but there are hundreds of complaints online about the exact same issue. I want Ford to pay for the repair of this. I have been a loyal Ford customer and so has by family since the early 1980S. I will probably never purchase another Ford as this is just another issue that Ford won't acknowledge.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Dear mayzel, I appreciate your timely response, but I must admit that I am more than a little disappointed (and confused). I am reading Ford Explorer recall #04V442000, "Ford recalls 2002-2003 Ford Explorer vehicles for liftgate glass" (see below), and it seems to cover my model year and my situation exactly. The lift hinge has stripped out the bolt three time, leaving the glass to hang from the other hinge (and struts). Can you explain why this recall would not apply? sincerely, bill dascomb dear william, this is mayzel from Ford's customer service department. I have read your email regarding the back hatch glass concern of your 2003 Ford Explorer. I am truly sorry to hear that you are having this issue with your vehicle. I have personally checked our resources and verified that your vehicle is not involved in any recalls or csp's at this time. Many factors are used to determine these such as warranty status, vehicle history, customer contacts, dealership comments and so forth. I have reviewed if any available coverages may assist in your repair request. There is not active esp to cover the part or the repair and the vehicle is outside of any applicable warranty. We recommend that your vehicle be inspected by a Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealership to determine the cause of any symptoms your vehicle may be experiencing. Once you have the repairs completed, I strongly suggest that you keep the original receipt for the repairs, so that in case a recall will be issued in the future, these receipts may be reviewed by your dealership's service manager for a possible refund. Thank you for contacting Ford. Sincerely, mayzel customer relationship center Ford Motor Company

- Redding, CA, USA

The back panel on my Explorer cracked by just closing the glass. The temperature was only 65 so considering the more extreme temperatures we have seen in North Carolina was did it crack on that day?

- Cary, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact was closing the rear liftgate when the rear glass detached from the vehicle. The contact was able to grab hold of the glass to prevent it from shattering. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostics or repairs. There was a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate: Hinge and attachments) that could have been be related to the failure but the manufacturer stated that the contact's VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.

- Cary, IL, USA

Crack in rear panel of my 2003 Ford Explorer.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

Almost every older model Ford Explorer that I see on the road has the same issue with the cracked panel below the rear glass on the liftgate. For a while I was having a problem closing my back lift gate. There seemed to be a problem with the latch. I later realized that there was a recall (#04S20) on (what I thought had nothing to do with the cracked panel) liftgate glass hinge and ball stud bracket. Right after the repairs were done by the dealer on my vehicle in January 2011, I realized that the liftgate worked perfect. It was then determined that the misalignment caused problems with the liftgate closing correctly.....which caused damage to the panel.....which resulted in the crack.......Ford has done a recall on what has resulted in the crack but they have not stepped forward to take responsibility for the damage that has occurred due to the defect.....it is unfair for us to have to pay out of pocket for damages due to a manufacturing defect.......please investigate and resolve as appropriate.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Ford Explorer rear liftgate panel has crack and it expands during cold weather and it affects rear liftgate latching security as rear liftgate flies open whenever it feels like it when driving.

- Erie, PA, USA

I was just driving along and I heard a pop noise and the panel under the back window was cracked.

- Budd Lake, NJ, USA

Rear hatch cracked near the Ford logo.

- Plantation, FL, USA

I have 2003 Ford Explorer and after 7years a crack has formed from the rear window down to the Ford logo on the rear panel or trunk door.

- Lawrenceville, NJ, USA

Metal cracked into from liftgate window to bottom of liftgate. Just went to work one day and came home to find this huge crack in the liftgate door. I had not opened the liftgate that day. After doing research and personally witnessing other Explorer with this problem, I found there are hundreds of Ford Explorer owners with same problem.

- Whitwell, TN, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatchback window hinge was fractured. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 04V442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments) yet the failure recurred. Both the dealer and manufacturer was informed of the failure who advised the contact that any further repairs would be at the contacts expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 139,634 and the failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Crack in panel below rear glass of 2003 Ford Explorer. Panel just cracked from one day to the next. Went to trade in for new Explorer and dealer even complained about damage.

- Dekalb, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. While the vehicle was parked the contact noticed that there was a cracked panel below the rear window. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated that the panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000. Updated 02/23/11 the consumer stated the panel has since been replaced. Updated 04/28/11 updated 06/13/11 updated 01/04/12

- York Town Heights , NY, USA

Crack developed in the panel below the rear hatch window.

- Westminster, CO, USA

Please be advised that the hatch back of the 2003 Ford Explorer developed a crack directly in the middle. This defect can be seen around many other 2003 Ford. Please be advised that the hatchback piece is rattling and seems like it will come off.

- Park Ridge, IL, USA