CarComplaints.com Notes: 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.
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:
82,250 miles
Total Complaints:
268 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
Ford should recall based on 2002-2005 complaints (124 reports)
Ford should fix it if reported,being it's a known defect!!! (75 reports)
not sure (36 reports)
part needs to be replaced (14 reports)
replace (10 reports)
re-initiate the charity repair solution (4 reports)
Safercar.Gov - This is the site you need to file your complaint with, it is the national safety site for recalls and defects. The more people that complain the better. Call them @1-888-327-4236. I just filed mine today.
Wife closed the trunk/tailgate door after removing groceries and noticed a funny (not so funny) little crack in the big plastic panel under the rear window. As time went on, so did the crack. It now runs from the top to the bottom of the panel. It more than likely lets water into the innards of the tailgate ... where the electric latches are.
It may be possible that, sooner or later, the latches will short-out and cause a fire or just quit working altogether. I sure wouldn't want to be Ford if anyone is injured in the process i.e. kids, dog etc get burned, trapped or fall out of the vehicle.
I had this fixed in July 2012 and it happened again. So the part they replaced was also defective. This is bs and should be fixed by Ford.. I have been a Ford customer for years but after this , I will look at other models. This is crazy that they would continue to sell this knowing it was defective.
Was standing next to my car talking to my husband when he said "look your piece under the window just cracked". Nothing was touching it and it was mild weather outside. When I called the Ford dealership about having it replaced, they said $500 to replace and couldn't guarantee it wouldn't happen again. We decided not fix it. Now everywhere I see an Explorer like mine I notice most all of them have a cracked piece right under the window that goes along the Ford logo.
It is very annoying, when you see every Ford Explorer (same model, or several years) all of them are cracked. We all pay good money for our cars and to have this happen really sucks, because obviously this should have been a recall all ready. Our family has pretty much only owned Ford's and I think my next car will be a Chevy. This is just the first complaint about this car. The Tranny is a whole another story. Stay tuned!
B Starr
Stuart, FL
- Bruce S.,
Stuart, FL, US
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I think this is crap, why if a problem continues to aggravate customers wouldn't ford want to correct this? I thought they were Q1 rated. Quality!!! this is not quality, this cracks on it's own without any pressure or mishandling of the door. Imagine my surprise when I (just bought this a few weeks earlier) came out to my explorer and saw this. I thought how did I miss this when I was looking this vehicle over prior to payment, not to mention my son of 28 years old, sharp as a tack missed it too. I knew better, this just happened over night. I think ford should take care of this just for customer satisfaction.
my cracked rear window panel is annoying since i got it i've noticed most of the explorers i see have the same problem seems to me this should be something ford should fix. they probably won't since it apparently causes no danger to the owners. however, i have been driving fords since 1966. i have owned 8 of them if they don't fix it this one is my last.
I work in the car business so I see this issue on every Explorer, Mountaineer and Aviator. Clearly this is a defect, but Ford will not do anything about it. I guess they don't have to so they won't.
A year after I got my Explorer. I noticed the back hatch lift gate began to crack below the window. I've noticed and talked with others and they have the same issue. I believe that Ford should fix this problem with no cost to the owner. They should have made the vehicle more durable especially at the cost they sell them. I think everyone would agree. RECALL!!!!!!!
I am someone who likes to keep their car in great condition. I take care of my vehicle and the fact that Ford knows about this issue which is caused by using cheap plastic on the body and won't fix it, is very frustrating. Why is Ford so cheap?
I would not tell anyone to buy a ford explorer. I bought a 2005, 6 months ago and a crack has come in the panel on the hatch. When I checked this out on the computer , one web site along had 170 complaints. they are a beautiful vec. but they are JUNK. Ford has known about this for years. but they won't recall them.
I will never own another. I guess when Obama gave them money to help them , this was their way of passing on the $ to the buyers. before you buy a vec. especially a FORD , GO ON LINE AND CHECK IT OUT. I'M VERY SORRY I DIDN'T DO THAT. FORD=JUNK FORD = JUNK
I Lost my Taurus and Sable during the storm, so I had to get a replacement. Friend of mine is a Business Controller at a Ford/Lincoln dealership in NJ. He did me righteous by getting me into a used 2005 Explorer quick and relatively painless.
Now, I don't expect perfection from a used vehicle, but two weeks after purchase the infamous "Liftgate Plastic Panel Crack" appeared on my pristine vehicle.
My research into this shows what I've known for a long time - Ford makes a good product but at times is lousy in taking care of issues that arise. It would be nice if they at least provided some relief that wouldn't break their bank and mine for that matter. A part at or below their cost would suit me.
Customer loyalty should be Job 2 for Ford, right after Quality as Job 1.
Update from Dec 25, 2013: UPDATE-
The new panel was just a plastic cosmetic piece. Got it for $100 and the body shop painted it for free (Well, not exactly free, I gave him the Sable & Taurus for scrap). Looks good, for now anyway.
rear panel cracked for no reason,I feel all the people that are having this problem ford should fix it. These cars are to expensive to have to deal with this kind of junk & then have to fight to get it fixed. It not only looks like crap but takes the value of the car down. I loved driving my Explorer but now just makes me sick. Not only that but what happens if you shut back window or back and whole thing cracks and breaks. Nice way to keep business FORD.Believe me if ford don't fix this problem and I try to get rid of this thing/Oh wait I probably can't/I'll think twice before buying anything ford makes again and that's pretty much all I've ever owned
Very disapointed in Ford, since this is not a mechanical issue they could care less. I will not ever buy another Ford again - unless they do the right thing and recall to fix this issue. I work with a woman who has a 2005 Explorer and her crack is on the opposite side to mine. I always look at Explorer's while I'm behind them in traffic, almost all of the one's I have seen have the crack, either on one side of the other of the Ford emblem, sometimes on both sides.
Not only is the crack below the window on the tailgate unsightly, and will affect resale of the vehicle, but it may potentially cause further damage to the vehicle allowing water to seep into the tailgate mechanism below. If the tailgate does not stay closed it maybe a safety issue as things fall out of the vehicle into the road. I have found that my tailgate sometimes just pops open forcing me to pullover and securely close the door. I believe that this compromises my personal security.
This is my second vehicle with this same problem. If, I have to pay out of my pocket, it will cost, over $1000. Ford knows of this defect. They should recall or pay to have the repairs done.
Ford should recall or pay to have this problem fixed, since it is a known defect, form faulty manufacturing. I have two Explorers and both have this same problem. This can cause water to leak into the rear compartment and cause further damage to the vehicle.
Well, one day I woke up to a significant crack on the rear back panel under the window I could not figure out how or what happened Then my daughter and I started to notice Ford Exployers all over my town with basically the same cracks on the rear panel. This is such an eye sore and now the resale value has depreciated. If I fix it will it just crack again?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Wife closed the trunk/tailgate door after removing groceries and noticed a funny (not so funny) little crack in the big plastic panel under the rear window. As time went on, so did the crack. It now runs from the top to the bottom of the panel. It more than likely lets water into the innards of the tailgate ... where the electric latches are.
It may be possible that, sooner or later, the latches will short-out and cause a fire or just quit working altogether. I sure wouldn't want to be Ford if anyone is injured in the process i.e. kids, dog etc get burned, trapped or fall out of the vehicle.
- James P., Charleston, SC, US