The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. While the vehicle was parked, the rear liftgate glass strut disengaged and the glass detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,000....updated 07/30/15!..updated 08/13/15 updated 10/26/2017

- Duluth, GA, USA

Info copied from website is what happened to me while I was unloading my car in my garage. The best we can tell is that the right strut/arm seized and the hinge pins broke, causing the hatch to fall off. We don't have it in the shop yet. It will have to be towed. ********* NHTSA action number : rq08003nhtsa recall campaign number : N/a vehicle make / model: Model year(s): Mercury / Mountaineer 2004 manufacturer(s) : Ford Motor Company component(s) : structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:support device visibility:glass, side/rear summary: This investigation was opened on June 23, 2008, based on 34 complaints involving eight injuries in which the rear liftgate glass hatch on model year 2004 Ford Explorer or Mercury Mountaineer broke off and fell, usually while individuals were operating the glass hatch or loading or unloading items from the rear of the vehicle. Ford conducted recall 04V-442 in 2004 to address similar problems on model year 2002 and certain model year 2003 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer. The information Ford provided in response to ODI's information request letter indicated that failures with 2004 vehicles were primarily liftgate glass hatch hinge failures related to corrosion at the hinge pin, whereas the failures that prompted the recall with the earlier models were primarily related to problems with the glass hatch's struts or fracture of a prior hinge design at the boss/bolt connection at the glass. ODI's review of Ford's warranty, complaint, and injury data for the 2004 vehicles indicates that these rates are significantly lower than those for the recalled population. A potential defect trend has not been identified at this time. ODI will continue to monitor complaints and take appropriate action as necessary. This investigation is closed.

- Blaine, WA, USA

The passenger side hinge that holds the liftgate, cracked when opening it. The screws ar all still attached to the door and the glass, and the actual hinge fractured and splintered off. The glass liftgate is now inoperable and hanging by a single hinge.

- Fall River, MA, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that she was opening the rear door when the rear lift gate window fractured and dropped on the contact's head. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised that the hinges from the lift gate needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 120,000. Updated 05/08/13 the consumer stated only the lift gate hinges were repaired. The hydraulic lift would not raise fully. The crack around the Mercury medallion was not repaired.

- Citrus Heights, CA, USA

As I went to shut the back lift gate window hatch, the hinge broke leaving the window to fall. Luckily I caught it, but it came down hard. The shear pin broke straight off.

- West Jordan, UT, USA

Wife was closing liftgate and it broke from the hinges. The left side fell and hit her on the head. Was trying to hold lift gate so glass wouldn't fall and break. Called Ford and they said it was not a recall issue. Looking online it seems this happens a lot.

- Princeton, IN, USA

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments - the left hinge on the liftgate on my 2004 Mercury Mountaineer fractured, causing the glass liftgate to swing out. The right hinge held but shows corrosion. This appears to be the same issue in NHTSA campaign 04V442000 for model years 2002 - 2003. The liftgate is no longer operational. I have not yet replace the parts.

- Leominster, MA, USA

My lift gate glass hinges have started to fail, the pin holding the top and bottom part of the hinges together have come out on one side of both hinges causing them to turn and start letting the other side come out. Eventually within the next couple of months the glass will fall out all together. Because of this the latch does not line up right and has cause the exterior trim molding to completely crack from top to bottom. I have ordered the hinges to be replaced and I will have to pay for this repair myself before something bad happens, even though there is a recall for this on the previous years of my vehicle.

- Wasilla, AK, USA

2004 Mercury Mountaineer-the rear hatch hinge broke. Looks like it is corroded. Have not found out how much this costs because of lack of money. Have found numerous reports online and even a recalls for the year before this for the same thing. Why isn't this being recalled? I am a 5ft 2 inch woman, and I had to catch this when it fell off. It could have broken my legs.

- Jonestown, PA, USA

My wife was closing the rear window portion of the rear hatch and the 2 hinges snapped off and the whole window fell down to the bumper she had to get a chair to put under it so it didn't crash to the floor all this by herself trying to take the kids to school she could not go anywhere I think what it actually is the struts are bad and they are what caused the problem.

- San Diego, CA, USA

Last year I had the same failure on the hinge that holds the glass in the hatch. I was attempting to close the glass when it cracked. I couldn't put the window down, so proceeded to drive to the auto body shop where he stated he had never seen this type of problem. I got it replaced and am a little worried this will happen again.

- Saint John, IN, USA

Vehicle purchased used 6/3/07. About 2 months later, noticed a popping noise from rear hatch area when turning on slight inclines (eg. Parking lots. Around Oct 21, 2007, on opening rear hatch, left hinge bolt came out- glass dropped and was caught. Dealer said hatch recall does not include this VIN #. paid out of pocket for repair.

- Smyrna, TN, USA

Same problem as described in "safety recall 04S20" concerning liftgate glass hinge.

- Leipsic, OH, USA

I own a 2004 Mercury Mountaineer. On 6/23/07, I placed several articles into the cargo area through the liftgate window hatch. When I attempting to close the hatch the hinges gave way and the entire window hatch fell into my arms. Fortunately I was able to hold onto it and disconnect the pistons that supported the window. The hinge pins had sheared off and broke through the upper pivot of the hinge. Had a child been closing this hatch it could have killed them.

- Richmond, IL, USA