It appears that Ford failed to complete their environmental testing of the materials used in the design and development of the rear window panel as the change in weather causes the panel in question to crack. We bought our explorer in good faith with Ford's Quality record and with the understanding, that if we maintain our vehicle as required, the vehicle would remain in good repair with no noticeable blemishes. In this case, it should not be the responsibility of the consumer to incur cost for said repairs to return their vehicle to normal. Therefore, I believe that if there is no objective evidence that the rear window panel was cracked do to an object impacting it, that Ford should honor all claims to repair or replace these panels at no cost to the consumer.

This is pretty much the last straw with this vehicle. I can't wait for the final payment to be made on this lemon! List of things fixed/repaired on this vehicle: Transmission rebuilt in 3/2008 with only 58,000 miles (paid out of pocket because Ford only carried at 3yr/36000 powertrain warranty on that model year); Had to replace the Air Flow Sensor in the engine after our vehicle completely shut down on us due to this while driving on a busy highway; Air conditioner no longer switches between regular AC and Max AC due to switch malfunction; Back up parking sensors no longer work (remain in the off position even despite repeatedly pushing the button); and now the crack on the tailgate! All of this has happened in the last 2 years. What a piece of crap!!! I will NEVER again purchase a Ford.

I have taken such pride in caring for my 2205 Ford Explorer and it wasn't until I had to buy new tires for my car that I noticed the crack which was only halfway down the panel. I mentioned it to the service rep as I knew I did not hit the area and was shocked and disgusted when I saw it. The rep stated that this was a common problem and it is from heat and/or cold and that another person had the same problem it cost that person $500 to fix it. Also this was not covered under my extended warranty as Ford considers this a trim and not part of the car.....hello this is a defect part on Ford's car....and it should be covered, especially considering how much one has to pay for the car. Ford should take responsibility and have this fixed....truly disgusted!!!!

My 2005 ford explorer suddenly developed this crack on the liftgate to the right of the emblem in early December 2009 during a cold night. Since I was working overtime during the holidays, I didn't have time until early January 2010 to take the car back to the dealer. I had a friend, who is Ph.D. physicist, look at the defect. He said it was a stress fracture. I also had an independent mechanic look at the crack; he wondered if the rear windshield wiper mechanism was stressing the plastic panel. When I went to the ford dealership, the person in the service department treated me in a patronizing and condesending manner. He pulled up my repair records on the computer to see "if I was a valued customer." He also said "Ford will not respond to a SQUEEKY WHEEL." I was offered the "opportunity" of paying for half of the repairs.

I am committed to taking the time to get the recall and repairs we all are entitled to receive. Please feel free to contact me. I will help you too. I will pursue this up the ford food chain. The complaints are only going to become more numerous as the cars age and awareness grows. Photos, web postings, signs on your cars, etc. Get the word out.

Kya, Austin TX

I love my truck, however one day I noticed the crack down the back tailgate between the window, logo, and tailgate lift. The dealership says it'll be around $500 to fix since they have to blend the paint. So I haven't gotten it fixed, I am on a mission to collect as many pictures as possible and send then to Ford, through a manager at the local dealership. In Salinas CA, a population of 140000 I knew of 5 people with the same probelm, and now I have moved to San Antonio TX and in a week, I have 5 pics, one for each day, all different trucks. FORD has to do something, and if you look at a new Explorer there has been a design change, the logo is now right above the license plate holder, and it is all ONE piece not two. FORD knows there is something wrong here, THEY fixed it on all new models!

I also have an 2005 Ford Explorer, which I could have found this website before I brought it. When I took it to the dealership for repair because mine is still under warrenty, I got the biggest laugh. He even stated that there are several fords out there like that but they will not fix it and its not covered under my warrenty. I have called the Ford Relations Department and of course they gave me a reference number of my complaint but the bottom line is, this is not an safety issue so Ford will not fix it. I also filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. My Attorney General is next. It sucks because we all have everyday life to live and dont have time for all these issues but I am going to stick it out. My hope is that Ford will get so many complaints until they will have to fix the problem.