2005 FORD EXPLORER Structure Problems

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the top panel of the rear liftgate. The contact was concerned that the rear liftgate would fracture if she opened the liftgate. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

REAR WHEEL WELL SHOCK TOWER MOUNT IS RUSTED OUT. THERE IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

Mileage: 120,313

2005 FORD EXPLORER. FRAME IS ROTTING ALONG THE WELDS. NOT UP AND DOWN. LENGTH WISE RUNNING WITH THE FRAME. OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY WELD ISSUE AND A BIG ISSUE AT THAT AS THE ISSUE COULD HAVE THE FRAME FAIL AND ENTIRE HUB/AXLE/WHEEL ASSEMBLY RIP RIGHT OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS ALSO A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH FORD'S IN GENERAL FROM 02-2005. AS YOU ALREADY KNOW I'M SURE. THIS VEHICLE WAS WELL MAINTAINED AND TAKEN CARE OF AND THE FRAME ISSUE HAS MADE AN OTHERWISE GREAT RUNNING LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE WORTHLESS. NOT TO MENTION HAD THE ISSUE NOT BEEN FOUND VERY DANGEROUS! PLEASE GET THESE DEATH TRAPS OFF THE ROAD!! HAVE PICTURES BUT THE FILES ARE TO LARGE TO SEND. THANKS.

Mileage: 84,000

THE BACK LIFT GATE PANEL CRACKED ON THE BACK OF OUR FORD EXPLORER AND WHEN WE WENT TO SHUT THE LIFT GATE THE WHOLE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED. FORD WON'T REPLACE IT BECAUSE THEY SAY ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND OUR YEAR OF OUR FORD WAS NOT APART OF THE RECALL OF THESE PANELS BEING CRACKED. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THESE CRACKS THAT THE BACK WINDOW CAN SHATTER WHEN CLOSING THE LIFT GATE.

Mileage: 157,000

WE HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND THE BACK LIFT GATE PANEL WAS CRACKED RIGHT BY THE FORD SYMBOL. WHEN WE WENT TO OPEN THE BACK LIFT GATE AND THE PANEL WHERE IT WAS CRACKED BROKE IN HALF AND SHATTERED THE WHOLE BACK WINDOW AND INJURED US. FORD WANTS TO CHARGE ME $140.00 TO JUST LOOK AT IT. COME ON FORD DO WHAT'S RIGHT! BEWARE IF YOU HAVE A CRACKED PANEL ON YOUR FORD! IT CAN BREAK IN HALF AND THE GLASS CAN SHATTER.

Mileage: 157,000

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND UPON OPENING MY REAR TAILGATE, THE SCREWS ON THE TWO HINGES BROKE FROM THE GLASS. TTHE ONLY THING HOLDING IT HALFWAY UP IS THE HYDRAULIC POWER LIFTERS. GLAD I WAS PARKED AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY

Mileage: 112,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FRACTURE IN THE REAR HATCH ABOVE THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER AND ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HATCH. THE FAILURE ALLOWED MOISTURE TO ENTER THE DOOR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FRACTURE WOULD CAUSE THE REAR WINDSHIELD TO SHATTER, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES OR WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

Mileage: 138,000

REAR LIFTGATE CRACK

Mileage: 50,000

CRACKED APPLIQUE ON REAR LIFT GATE.

Mileage: 75,000

THERE ARE TWO CRACKS ON THE BACK TOP LIFT GATE WHICH ALLOWS WATER TO GET TO THE ELECTRIC LOCKS AND IT OPENS BY ITSELF WHEN WET. THE WHEELS BEARINGS HAVE TO BE REPLACED ABOUT EVERY 3 MONTHS. THE PASSENGER FRONT BELT TIGHTENS AND WILL NOT LOOSEN.

Mileage: 15,000

WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, WE FOUND THAT THE BACK WINDOW OF THE HATCH WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AND THE BODY IN THE BACK WAS LIFTED OFF THE CAR. IT LOOKS AS IF THE HYDRAULIC ARM MALFUNCTIONED OVERNIGHT.

Mileage: 103,597

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

Mileage: 117,000

CRACK IN REAR HATCH PLATE BY FORD EMBLEM

Mileage: 123,000

CRACK ON BACK PANEL FROM WINDOW DOWN AROUND FORD EMBLEM LITERALLY JUST APPEARED ONE DAY. MY EXPLORER WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2005 AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THIS MYSTERY CRACK THAT I AM NOW NOTICING ON A LOT OF EXPLORERS AROUND THE SAME AGE. IT IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT! WHEN IS FORD GOING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS?....UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF

Mileage: 76,000

THE REAR LIFT WINDOW STARTED CRACKING MULTIPLE TIMES AND THE OPEN BUTTON STOPPED ACTIVATING.

Mileage: 68,000

WALKED OUT TO MY GARAGE AND NOTICED A CRACKED HAD SHOWED UP OVERNIGHT. IT GOES FROM THE BACK EINDOW, BY THE RIGHT EDGE OF THE FORD LOGO, TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFT GATE. IT IS ALMOST PERFECTLY VERTICAL, I HAVE SEEN A TON OF THESE ON XLTS. I THOUGHT I WAS LUCKY, I WAS WRONG.

Mileage: 84,000

MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER HAS MULTIPLE PAINT PROBLEMS PEELING ALL OVER THE CAR,,THE DEALER SAID ITS ANY AFTER MARKET PAINT JOB I BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM DAVE SMITH FORD IN 2008 THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY REPAINTED WITHIN THE FIRST 3 YEARS OF THE CARS LIFE.

Mileage: 43,000

I HAVE A CRACKED TAILGATE THAT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME CRACK ON NUMEROUS FORD EXPLORER'S 2002-2005. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND HAVE GOTTEN NO WHERE WITH THIS PROBLEM.THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME PROBLEM. I THOUGHT THE DOOR WAS CLOSED TO HARD, THAT IS NOT THE CASE UNTIL I KEPT SEEING THE SAME CRACK ON EVERY FORD EXPLORER 2002-2005 THEN A LIGHT BULB WENT OFF THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TAILGATE, THAT MAKES IT EVENTUALLY CRACK. THIS HAS NOT BEEN FIXED ON OUR VEHICLE, WE WORRY THE GLASS COULD SHATTER WHILE CONTINUING TO CLOSE IT AS I HAVE READ WITH SOME OWNERS. PLEASE HELP US SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE OPENING THE REAR DOOR, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LARGE CRACK ON THE REAR PANEL THAT EXTENDED FROM THE REAR WINDOW VERTICALLY ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE END OF THE PANEL WHERE THE FORD EMBLEM WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOR THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK PANEL CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE PANELING, BUT IT WAS DISCONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 4/15/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW WAS CRACKED. UPDATED 04/21/15*JB

Mileage: 74,000

TYPICAL FORD PROBLEM WITH 2002-2005 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEERS. REAR TAILGATE CRACKED ALL ON IT'S OWN BECAUSE IT'S COLD HERE, AND BECAUSE IT'S A DEFECT FORD SHOULD HAVE FIXED WHEN THEY KNEW OF THE ISSUE. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE (OF MANY) WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

THE REAR LIFT GATE TRIM PANEL SPLIT VERTICALLY FROM THE GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFT GATE. THE CRACK RUNS ADJACENT TO THE FORD EMBLEM ON THE LIFT GATE. I SEE A LOT OF THIS OCCURRING ON SIMILAR YEAR MODELS AND CONSIDER THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

FIRST NOTICED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A SCRATCH UNDERNEATH REAR WINDOW. GREW INTO A CRACK WHICH RUNS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR WINDOW DOWN AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW HATCH. CRACK HAS WIDENED TO ABOUT 1/8 INCH. VEHICLE PURCHASED MY MYSELF BRAND NEW. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

THE BACK TAILGATE PANEL HAS A CRACK BESIDE THE FORD LOGO. LOOKED ON LINE AND SAW THIS IS A LISTED PROBLEM WITH 2005 EXPLORERS.CALLED FORD THEY WERE NO HELP. *TR

Mileage: 71,420

PAINT IN ROOF CHANNELS BUBBLING, ROOF RUSTING. *TR

Mileage: 160,000

I WALKED OUTSIDE TO ENTER MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED A CRACK IN THE HATCH LIFT ON THE BACK DOOR ADJACENT TO THE FORD EMBLEM THAT WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY THERE. SINCE THEN, I'VE NOTICED THIS SAME FLAW ON MOST FORD EXPLORER XLTS OF APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AGE AS MINE. *TR

Mileage: 132,000

NOTICED A CRACK IN THE BACK WINDOW PANEL NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM. *TR

TOOK MY SUV TO BODYSHOP YESTERDAY I NOTICED THE ROOF TOP EXTERIOR WAS PEELING PAINT AND RUSTING. IT WILL LEAD TO LEAKING PROBLEMS IF NOT REPAIRED BUT OWNER OF SHOP SAYS THAT THERE IS NO WAY OF THEM BEING ABLE TO SEAL IT PERMANANTLY IT IS A MATTER OF HOW LONG NEW PAINT WILL LAST . TO HAVE IT REPAIRED IS VERY COSTLY BUT IF NOT WILL DO FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 167,000

CRACK APPEARED TO LEFT OF FORD EMBLEM ON REAR HATCH DOOR, UNDER GLASS. *TR

Mileage: 148,500

DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW HATCH ABOVE AND BELOW THE FORD EMBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 88,900

REAR WIDOW IS ALSO A HATCH. THE HATCH HAS A FRACTURE IN THE CENTER OF WHERE THE HATCH SECURES ITSELF TO THE FRAME. THE HATCH WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND NEEDS TO BE PHYSICALLY MANIPULATED AT AN ANGLE TO BE SECURED. *TR

Mileage: 134,000

THE PLASTIC BRACKET THAT HOLDS UP THE OVERHEAD CONTROL CONSOLE BETWEEN THE DRIVE AND PASSENGER AND RIGHT NEXT TO THE REAR VIEW MIRROR BROKE AND THE ENTIRE CONSOLE FELL WHILE THE CAR WAS OFF AND PARKED WITH NO ONE IN THE CAR. THE CONSOLE DROPPED AND BLOCKED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. HAD I BEEN DRIVING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A SHOCK AND CAUSED ME NOT TO USE MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. WHEN I WENT TO REMOVE THE BRACKET TO GET A REPLACEMENT I FOUND IT WAS SUPER BRITTLE AND FALLING APART. IT BROKE INTO A FEW PIECES WHILE JUST HOLDING IT. IT CLEARLY WAS NOT STRUCTURALLY SOUND. IF THIS INTERIOR AND HIDDEN PLASTIC PART THAT WAS NOT SUBJECT TO ANY PASSENGER INTERACTION OR SUN EXPOSURE IS DISINTEGRATING WHAT ABOUT OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. I SEE LOTS OF PLASTIC PARTS FAILURE COMPLAINTS FOR FORD EXPLORER. IS THE PLASTIC THEY USED DEFECTIVE OR ARE CAR PARTS LIKE THIS BRACKET IN FORD PRODUCTS SUPPOSED TO SELF DESTRUCT? *TR

Mileage: 56,000

I HAVE A 2005 EXPLORER XLT AND I ALSO HAVE A LARGE CRACK DOWN THE PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW. WHICH HAS LED TO WATER SEEPING INTO MY BACK WIPER MOTOR CAUSING ME TO REPLACE IT FREQUENTLY. WHICH REPLACING THIS IS NOT CHEAP.THIS IS CERTAINLY AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED DUE TO THERE ARE MANY OF THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINTS. ALSO THE BRACKETS THAT HOLD ON MY BACK WINDOW CAME OFF/BROKE. WE WERE LEAVING FOR VACATION AND THE WHOLE WINDOW WAS IN MY HAND WHEN I WENT TO CLOSE IT. I AM A FORD LOVER THROUGH AND THROUGH AND WOULD JUST LIKE THESE PROBLEMS THAT NUMEROUS PEOPLE ARE HAVING CORRECTED . THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME! *TR

I AM ANOTHER VERY ANNOYED OWNER OF A 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER WITH A CRACKED REAR PANEL. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, THIS AFFECTS NEARLY 100% OF ALL EXPLORERS OF THOSE MODEL YEARS AND IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 100,835

I WENT OUT TO MY 2005 FORD EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER TO REMOVE ITEMS INSIDE BACK CARGO AREA AND NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC TAILGATE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW HAD VERTICALLY CRACKED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THROUGH THE WHOLE PIECE. THERE WAS NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE TO SHOW CAUSE FOR THE SPONTANEOUS WIDE CRACK. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR. PARKED DAILY IN GARAGE AND NOT EVEN DRIVEN DAILY. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THE GLASS WINDOW PANEL MIGHT BE COMPROMISED AND COULD CAUSE DEADLY DAMAGE TO PASSENGERS IN MY CAR OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD BEHIND ME SHOULD IT COME LOOSE OR SHATTER, INCLUDING THE CHANCE THAT THE BACK WINDSHIELD WIPER COULD COME UNATTACHED AND ALSO FLY OFF INTO THE WINDOW OF A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. I HAVE JUST RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME SPONTANEOUS CRACKING AND HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. THIS IS AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 86,960

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK DEVELOPED ACROSS THE FULL LENGTH OF THE HATCH BACK DOOR. THE GLASS OF THE HATCH BACK DOOR ALSO SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,210.

Mileage: 92,210

PAINT IS BUBBLING/FLAKING ALONG FRONT EDGE OF HOOD. *TR

Mileage: 120,300

BODY ISSUES: I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT. MY TAILGATE SOMEHOW DEVELOP A CRACK THAT GOES THROUGH WHERE THE FORD LOGO IS. NOTHING HAPPENED TO THE SUV TO CAUSE THE CRACK. IT JUST SOMEHOW HAPPENED ON IT'S OWN. I BELIEVE THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE OR AT LEAST THE MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THE VEHICLE. ELECTRICAL ISSUES: ANOTHER ISSUE I HAVE IS WITH THE ELECTRICAL. MY TURN SIGNALS (MOST TIMES) DO NOT WORK. I HAVE TO MANUALLY MOVE IT UP AND DOWN WHEN TURNING. WHEN IT DOES WORK, IT GOES REALLY FAST. MY REVERSE NOTIFICATION NO LONGER WORKS FOR SOME STRANGE REASON. ALSO, MY RADIO GOES LOUDER WHEN I TURN IT DOWN. I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF FOR A LITTLE WHILE, TURN IT BACK ON THEN TRY TO LOWER THE VOLUME. *TR

HINGES ON THE REAR GLASS HATCH ARE BROKEN. EVENTUALLY WILL BRAKE OFF AND POSSIBLY CAUSE AN INJURY BECAUSE THAT SUPPORTS THE GLASS. MANY OTHER EXPLORERS HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

WITHOUT ANY IMPACT OR KNOWN CAUSE,THE LIFTGATE CRACKED FROM THE REAR WINDOW, ALONG THE FORD EMBLEM, TO THE BOTTOM. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

2005 FORD EXPLORER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REAR AXLE LEAKING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR AXLES WERE REPLACED AT 59,752. A YEAR LATER AFTER LISTENING TO THE NOISE IN THE REAR END FOR QUITE SOME TIME, THE PROBLEM RETURNED. SIX MONTHS LATER, THEY WERE REPLACED AGAIN. ALSO, THE REAR PANEL BENEATH THE WINDOW WAS RUSTED AND THE THROTTLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, AS IT IS CAUSING VEHICLE HESITATION.*JB

Mileage: 59,752

THE REAR HATCH HAS CRACKED NEXT TO THE EMBLEM. I'M CERTAIN THAT WATER GETS INSIDE WHEN WASHED OR IT RAINS. NOW THAT I'M PAYING ATTN MANY EXPLORERS HAVE ONE OR MORE CRACKS. *TR

Mileage: 80,200

FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - GARAGE KEPT, LOW MILES DUE TO WORKING FROM HOME. DISCOVERED A CRACK IN THE BACK HATCH UPPER PANEL. WHEN REPORTED TO INSURANCE COMPANY (PROGRESSIVE) THE AGENT INDICATED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND ALL FORD DEALERS ARE AWARE OF IT. I DISCOVERED OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS AROUND THE COUNTY WITH THE SAME CRACK. CRACK IS CAUSED BY LACK OF STABILIZATION BEHIND THE PANEL AND THE CRACK APPEARS DUE TO REGULAR CLOSING OF THE BACK HATCH. STARTS WITH A SINGLE CRACK (CAN LEAD TO MULTIPLE CRACKS). THE CRACK ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE BACK HATCH AREA CAUSING RUST AND DISABLING OR LIMITING THE BACK WINDOW WIPER. I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD AND EMAILED THEM REGARDING THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THEY TAKE CARE OF. COST TO REPAIR CAN RUN ANYWHERE FROM $275 TO $1,000, DEPENDING UPON THE SEVERITY. WE HAVE STARTED A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR THOSE OF US AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AND OUR NUMBER IS GROWING EVERY DAY. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE 2002 THRU 2006 FORD EXPLORERS AND EXPEDITIONS. FORD HAS CHANGED THE MANUFACTURING FOR THE YEARS FOLLOWING. *TR

Mileage: 61,000

THE PAINT BUBBLED AND PEELED ON THE ROOF OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. DEALER SAYS IT IS A PAINT DEFECT BUT FORD DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. HAD MY ROOF REPAINTED AT MY EXPENSE. NOW, ANYTIME IT RAINS, I AM GETTING WATER LEAKING FROM THE REAR AC UNIT CONTROLS AND MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE CARPETING IS SOAKING WET. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL NEAR THE HATCH WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT NO RECALLS WERE ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

I AM THE 1 AND ONLY OWNER OF 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, AND THE REAR UPPER TAILGATE HAS A VERTICAL CRACK RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD LOGO THAT SPANS FROM WINDOW TO BASE 2CM IN WIDTH. *TR

Mileage: 275,000

THERE'S AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE 2005 FORD EXPLORER, THE 7 X 55 PANEL, THE ONE WITH THE FORD LOGO IN IT. IT CRACKS. IT DID IT TWICE ON OURS, WE REPLACED IT ONCE COSTING US $500. OUR REPAIRMAN SAID HE'S SEEN THIS EXACT PROBLEM ON MANY FORD'. WE LOOKED INTO IT, AND NUMEROUS OTHER EXPERTS AGREE ON THE DEFECT. THE FIRST TIME WE TRIED TO BRING ATTENTION TO FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM, THEY BLEW US OFF, NOT EVEN HAVING THE COURTESY TO GET OUR LETTER TO THE PERSON IT WAS ADDRESSED. AS HUMAN NATURE, FORD TRIED TO MANIPULATE THE PROBLEM, AT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION ACTUALLY CONVINCING THEMSELVES AND TRYING TO CONVINCE ME THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. WE LIKE TO KEEP ALL OUR STUFF NICE BUT CURRENTLY OUR VEHICLE DOESN?T LOOK NICE. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO THROW AWAY OUR MONEY ON A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. AGAIN, IT IS DEFECTIVE, ANYONE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE INDUSTRY AND BODYWORK, WITH ANY SENSE, CAN REALIZE THE PROBLEM. ON OUR FIRST ATTEMPT TO PROPOSE FORD?S RESOLUTION OF THIS PROBLEM WE DIDN?T DRAW ATTENTION TO THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME WE?RE READY TO GO AT IT IN FULL FORCE (ATTORNEY GENERAL, BBB, LOCAL & NATIONAL NEWS OUTLETS, AND THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION) IF FORD DOESN?T FIND A FAIR WAY TO COMPENSATE US. THE ISSUE BEING THE FIRST PANEL BEING DEFECTIVE AND CRACKED ALLOWING US TO DRIVE AROUND IN A JUNKY LOOKING VEHICLE; REPLACING THE PRODUCT FOR $500 WHICH STILL HAD THE ISSUE AND ONCE AGAIN WE?RE DRIVING AROUND WITH A JUNKY LOOKING VEHICLE; RESALE VALUE HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION IN HOPEFULLY RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPROACHED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE TAIL SILL PLATE ON THE LIFT GATE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE ON THE LIFT GATE UNDER THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 60,000

CRACK UNDER REAR WINDOW ON REAR HATCH DOOR. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

THERE IS A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTING UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW. LENGTH OF ABOUT 2 TO 3 INCHES. JUST SEEMED TO APPEAR. WAS NOT THERE ONE DAY THEN THERE THE NEXT. *TR

Mileage: 94,912

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE FENDER. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE RUST SO THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT STATE WHAT CAUSED THE RUST BUT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE FENDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW METAL. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FENDER REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

2005 FORD EXPLORER: I AM WORRYING ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORERS REAR END AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WERE TO BE REAR ENDED. THE FOLLOWING OCCURRED: I SHUT THE TAILGATE AND THE AREA ABOVE AND BELOW THE EXPLORER EMBLEM CRACKED VERTICALLY. MY FRIEND HAS THE SAME CAR AND HERS CRACKED EXACTLY LIKE MINE A YEAR AGO. NOW I JUST SAW AN EXPLORER PARKED AT THE STORE AND IT WAS CRACKED TOO!!! *TR

Mileage: 70,000

HTTP://WWW.TOPCLASSACTIONS.COM/LAWSUIT-SETTLEMENTS/LAWSUIT-NEWS/967-FORD-DEFECTIVE-CRACKED-TAILGATE-CLASS-ACTION. *TR

Mileage: 80,032

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC OR A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND THERE IS A CRACK IN THE BACK ON THE HATCH THIS IS NOT ONLY ON MY VEHICLE THERE ARE MANY OUT THERE FROM THE YEAR 2000 AND UP THAT HAVE THE SAME CRACK IN THE BACK THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED I CALL FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I HAVE TO CONTACT THE NHSM I FEEL THAT I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND THERE ARE SO MANY FORD EXPLORERS OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME THING I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD FIX THIS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH BACK PANEL DEVELOPED A FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Mileage: 123,000

DRIVER SIDE HINGE DISCONNECTED,THE BOLT WAS MISSING. THE SHIFTING, UNBALANCE WEIGHT CAUSED PASSENGER SIDE HINGE TO CRACK. THE WINDOW FELL STRIKING THE BACK OF THE HEAD OF THE OWNER,UNLOCKING AND REACHING IN TO THE CARGO SPACE. A SMALL CHILD WAS WITH HER WHO COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED,. HAD THIS TOP OF THE LIFTGATE FALLEN OFF IN TRAFFIC IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY AND CAR DAMAGE. MANY COMPLAINTS OF THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT HAVE BEEN FILED AND RECALLS WERE IN EFFECT FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE PANEL AROUND THE REAR GLASS OF THE LIFTGATE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PANEL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. *TR

Mileage: 83,000

2005 FORD EXPLORER XLT REAR PLASTIC TAILGATE PANEL CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AROUND FORD OVAL EMBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 83,202

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE FRACTURE UNDER THE REAR EXTERIOR LIFTGATE WINDOW PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,976. *TR.....UPDATED 05/09/13 *BF UPDATED 06/10/2013 *JS

Mileage: 74,976

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,300.

Mileage: 81,300

BELOW REAR WINDOW, TOP HATCH CRACK OUT OF NO WHERE. REASON FOR FILING COMPLAINT IS I JUST SAW ANOTHER FORD EXPLORER THAT HAD THE SAME CRACK. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

THE PAINT IN THE VALLEYS ON THE ROOF HAS ALL FLAKED OFF AND IS RUSTING. PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 2 YEARS AGO AND FIRST NOTICED IT LAST YEAR. *TR

THE PANEL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW CRACKED THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE PANEL. APPROXIMATELY 8 INCH CRACK. I HAVE SINCE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER FORD EXPLORERS AND A MERCURY SUV WITH THE SAME CRACK. OBVIOUSLY FORD HAS A PROBLEM WHICH THEY ARE NOT MAKING GOOD ON. *TR

Mileage: 167,000

LIFTGATE PLASTIC BODY PANEL CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM RIGHT SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM/LOGO. *TR

Mileage: 100,102

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH BACK PANEL DEVELOPED A FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Mileage: 120,000

LIFTGATE PLASTIC BODY PANEL CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM LEFT OF THE FORD LOGO INSERT. *TR

Mileage: 104,000

THE PANEL UNDER THE BACK LIFT WINDOW NEXT TO THE EMBLEM IS CRACKED ALL THE WAY ACROSS JUST LIKE EVERY ONE ELSE'S HAVE DONE I WISH THEY WOULD FIX IT BUT THAT MAY NOT HAPPEN ALL THE CARS I HAVE OWNED SINCE I GOT MY LICENSE HAVE BEEN FORD MY FIRST CAR WAS A 1955 2 DOOR I STILL HAVE IT I GUESS THE WARRANTY IS NO GOOD ON IT EITHER. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

LARGE CRACK THROUGH THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE PANEL UNDER THE WINDOW. *TR

Mileage: 94,000

WENT TO LOAD STUFF INTO THE BACK AND NOTICED A SPIDER CRACK ON THE PLASTIC PANEL RIGHT BELOW THE REAR GLASS PANEL. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT GOT THERE BUT THIS SEEMS TO BE REPORTED BY ALMOST ALL 05 EXPLORER OWNERS AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED UNDER FORD'S LIABILITY SINCE IT IS SUCH A COMMON ISSUE AND NOT JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF VEHICLES OCCURRING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 81,649

MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I WENT OUT IN THE MORNING TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. I NOTICED A LARGE VERTICAL CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE PANEL TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN. THIS HAPPENED OVERNIGHT WHILE MY VEHICLE WAS PARKED. I DID SOME RESEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 170,045

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF THE TAILGATE OF THE VEHICLE WAS SPLIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A TECHNICIAN OR MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,292.

Mileage: 65,000

NOTHING THAT I AM AWARE OF HAPPENED. I WAS WALKING BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVE WAY AND NOTICED A LONG CRACK BELOW THE GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE. AS THE WEEKS WENT ON IT KEPT CRACKING AND NOW IT IS ALMOST CRACKED ALL THE WAY. *TR

Mileage: 131,460

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW SPLIT AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE WINDOW, WHICH EXTENDED TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE DAMAGE BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME AND THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE WINDOW COULD EXPLODE WHEN SHE DROVE THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HEAT COULD BE A FACTOR IN THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LATCH FAILED TO ENGAGE WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE REAR WINDOW. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE TIRE SENSOR GAUGE REMAINED ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES. THE TIRE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE SPARE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO CHECK THE AIR PRESSURE OF THE TIRES ON A CONTINUAL BASIS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

Mileage: 72,000

PARKED AND WENT INTO GROCERY STORE. CAME OUT GOING TO WHERE I HAD PARKED. AS I WALKED UP TO THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE I NOTICED A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS AT THE WRONG VEHICLE BECAUSE I KNEW MY 2005 EXPLORER WAS NOT CRACKED. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION,I REALIZED THIS WAS MY VEHICLE. I HAVE SEEN ANOTHER EXPLORER AROUND TOWN WITH A VERTICAL CRACK IN THE SAME SPOT. SEEMS TO ME THIS JUST MIGHT BE A DESIGN PROBLEM. BELIEVE FORD MOTOR SHOULD REPAIR AT NO COST. *TR *JS

Mileage: 80,000

MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A SMALL LOT AT WORK. WHEN GOING OUT TO LOAD SOME ITEMS IN THE CARGO AREA, A FRIEND NOTED THE VERTICAL CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE. IT IS TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM AND I HAVE SINCE SEEN NUMEROUS IDENTICAL CRACKS ON OTHER VEHICLES. THERE WAS NO COLLISION THAT CAUSE THIS, THERE ARE NO SCRATCHES OR DENTS. IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

LARGE CRACKS DEVELOPED ON TNE TAILGATE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FORD SIGN IN THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THE CRACKS CONTINUE TO GET LARGER AND I AM CONCERNED THAT A PIECE OF THE PANEL COULD COME LOOSE AND CAUSE A FOLLOWING MOTORIST TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. I AM AWARE THAT FORD HAS RECEIVED THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 49,000

WHILE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY IN A PARKED POSITION, THE UPPER TAILGATE PANEL, DIRECTLY TO THE RIGHT AND RUNNING RIGHT NEXT TO THE OVAL FORD EMBLEM, A 1/4" WIDE CRACK THAT RUNS VERTICALLY ON THE BACK PANEL APPEARED. THIS UPPER PANEL OF THE TAILGATE ALSO OPENS UP JUST THE WINDOW PART OF THE TAILGATE. THE TAILGATE ON THIS EXPLORER CAN OPEN UP TWO WAYS. ONE WAY BEING THE ENTIRE TAILGATE IS LIFTED SO THAT IT IS OPEN LIKE FOR A DOG TO JUMP IN AND IS THEN LEVEL WITH THE INTERIOR BACK PART (WITH THE SEATS DOWN), AND IT ALSO OPENS UP WITH JUST THE WINDOW PART WHICH IS WHERE THE CRACK IS. THIS CRACK IS SO WIDE THAT IT ALLOWS MOISTURE, SNOW, WATER, RAIN, SALT, ETC. TO SEEP INTO THE COMPONENTS WHICH HOUSE THE ELECTRICAL AND TAIL LIGHT, STOP LAMPS AND TURN SIGNALS. IT ALSO COMPROMISES THE BODY STRUCTURE AND SAFETY FEATURES. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING AS I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH. THIS IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND/OR PARTS OR COMPONENTS AND BECAUSE OF THE LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL NOTICE. AT THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE, MY BACK TAILGATE WAS FACING WEST WITH THE SUN SHINING ON IT. COULD IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMPONENTS SHRINKING AND EXPANDING? I HAVE PICTURES OF THIS ISSUE THAT I CAN E-MAIL TO YOU. UPDATED 9/13/12 *CN UPDATED 09/20/12

Mileage: 87,000

CRACK AT BACK GLASS RUNNING DOWN THE CAR LEFT OF FORD EMBLEM. GLASS COULD FALL OUT. *JS

Mileage: 80,000

NOTICED CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM OF REAR BODY PANEL APPLIQUE ALONG SIDE OF FORD EMBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 76,000

FOUND A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFTGATE RIGHT AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM. AFTER MENTIONING IT TO A FRIEND, TURNS OUT SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER EXPLORER AND A SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE DOOR WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000. UPDATED 02/22/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BACK PANEL THAT IS CRACKED, IS ALSO SOMING UNGLUED. THE PANEL WAS REPLACED BEFORE AT 20,000 MILES. UPDATED 003/01/12

Mileage: 20,000

RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM A CRACK DEVELOPED. IT'S ON THE REAR GLASS HATCH AND RUNS FROM THE TOP OF THE FIBERGLASS PANEL TO THE BOTTOM. THE PANEL KEEPS EXPANDING AND CONTRACTING WITH THE CRACK GOING FROM JUST A SLIGHT LINE TO A 3/16" GAP! DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. I'VE SEEN MANY OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE TRUCK WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION WHEN IT APPEARED AND FORD SAYS THAT IT'S NOT THEIR PROBLEM. TOO BAD YOUR WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT! POOR DESIGN THAT FORD SHOULD FIX FOR THE MONEY WE HAVE GIVEN THEM FOR THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 37,000

REAR LIFTGATE PANEL UNDER WINDOW 10 INCH CRACK IN MIDDLE. GLASS LOOSE. *KB

Mileage: 72,000

REAR LIFTGATE PANEL UNDER WINDOW 10 INCH CRACK IN MIDDLE. GLASS LOOSE. *KB

Mileage: 72,000

DESPITE MY MAINTAINING THE VEHICLE IN PERFECT CONDITION, LIKE MANY OTHER FORD EXPLORERS, MINE DEVELOPED A CRACK ALONG THE FORD LOGO ON THE REAR LIFT GATE, RUNNING FROM THE WINDOW TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFT GATE. TEMPERATURES HAVE NOT BEEN EXTREME IN OUR AREA, YET THE CRACK APPEARED WITHIN A TIME FRAME OF 5 HOURS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE EXPLORERS. *TR

Mileage: 66,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR PLASTIC TRIM OF THE LIFTGATE GLASS WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Mileage: 87,000

CRACKED REAR DOOR PANEL JUST BELOW THE WINDOW, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FORD EMBLEM. MAY CAUSE REAR WINDOW TO FALL OUT UNEXPECTEDLY. FORD IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT BUT REFUSES TO RECALL AND FIX IT. *TR

Mileage: 88,081

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFTGATE NEAR THE MANUFACTURING EMBLEM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,000.

Mileage: 56,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH BACK PANEL WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. AS A RESULT, THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 12/06/11*LJ UPDATED 12/12/11

Mileage: 62,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH BACK PANEL WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURING DESIGN FLAW. AS A RESULT, THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 12/06/11*LJ UPDATED 12/12/11

Mileage: 62,000

VERY LARGE CRACK IN THE REAR LIFT GATE FROM TOP TO BOTTOM LIKE 1 FOOT LONG AND 3/16 WIDE CLOSE TO THE FORD LOGO. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW AND EXTENDED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE GATE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE EMBLEM. THE CRACK HAD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS A DESIGN FLAW AND IF IT WAS REPAIRED, IT WOULD PROBABLY CRACK AGAIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,992.

Mileage: 99,992

FRONT ALUMINUM HOOD BEGAN PAINT BLISTERING AT ABOUT 2 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. TOOK BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. TWO YEARS LATER, PAINT BLISTERS RETURN. TSB 6-25-15 ISSUED WITH PAINTING GUIDELINES BUT NO REPAIR AUTHORITY. AFTER SECOND OCCURRENCE, DEALER SAID NO REPAIRS WOULD BE MADE AND ADVISED US TO PAY TO REPLACE THE HOOD AND PAINT. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A $45K CAR (LIMITED VERSION WITH ALL OPTIONS) *TR

Mileage: 25,000

NOTICED A CRACK RUNNING FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY REAR WINDOW DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE UPPER PORTION OF THE REAR LIFT GATE TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM ON MY 2005 EXPLORER. CRACK JUST APPEARED FOR NO REASON. DID NOT TAKE IT IN OR HAVE IT FIXED. FORD WILL NOT OWN UP TO THIS FLAW SO I WILL NOT PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD SINCE THEY DON'T STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT. I ONLY HAVE 41000 MILES ON IT AND I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. *KB

ON FRIDAY, 8/12/11, AT APPROXIMATELY 5:30 PM, I NOTED AN APPROXIMATELY 2" LONG CRACK ON THE REAR HATCH PANEL, LOCATED JUST ABOVE AND BESIDE THE FORD EMBLEM. AS OF THIS PAST MONDAY, 8/15/11, THIS CRACK HAS NOW EXTENDED ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE PANEL. I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 3 YEARS WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF BODY DAMAGE OR ACCIDENTS. THIS IS NOT AN AREA WHERE ANOTHER VEHICLE WOULD HAVE HIT MINE. AS FAR AS I KNOW, THIS JUST APPEARED WITH NO REASON. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND NOTED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF FORD AND IS APPARENTLY BASED ON DEFECTIVE GLUE. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD COMPANY AND WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY.

Mileage: 60,010

THE PAINT ON OUR 2005 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER IS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE 2008, BUT NOW IS GETTING WORSE. WHEN AT THE FORD DEALER WHILE GETTING THE COMPUTER CHANGED WICH IS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH FUEL EFFICIENCY, WE ASKED ABOUT THE PAINT AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE ISN'T ANY TYPE OF RECALL. WE ARE ALSO HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HAVING TO CHANGE TIRES EVERY 15000 MILES. THI TRUCK HAS MANY DEFECTS. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER HAS A LARGE VERTICAL CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL. I HAVE SEEN THIS IN DOZENS OF VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR BODY STYLES, FOR REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND GAVE ME A QUOTE OF $472. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH PANEL CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE KNOWN BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY BUT NO RECALL ISSUED. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

THE FORD EXPLORER FROM THE MID-2000S IS STARTING TO SHOW MULTIPLE DEFECTS. FORD CO. ADVISED OWNERS TO REPORT THESE PROBLEMS THROUGH THIS COMPLAINT FORM BECAUSE AS OF NOW THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO RECALL THE DEFECTS. THE BACK PANEL BELOW THE BACK WINDOW CRACKS VERTICALLY RIGHT NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM. SOME CARS HAVE MULTIPLE CRACKS. THE MAJORITY OF THIS TYPE OF FORD EXPLORER BODY TYPE ARE SHOWING THE CRACK. IT HAPPENS AROUND THE 5 YEAR MARK. I BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO FREEZE/THAW HAPPENING AT THE BACK WINDOW, WHICH THEN CRACKS THE BODY. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR JOB AND OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO NOT EVEN BOTHER BECAUSE IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. IT APPEARS ABRUPTLY AND IS DISCONCERTING TO SEE THIS SUDDENLY AND FOR NO PERSONAL REASON HAPPEN TO YOUR CAR DUE TO BAD DESIGN. NEWER EXPLORERS HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED SO IT DOESN'T HAPPEN. THE SECOND DEFECT WHICH IS HAPPENING NOW TO MANY EXPLORER OWNERS AT THE 5 YEAR MARK IS THE FAILURE OF THE HEATING SYSTEM. THE DAMPER FLAP STARTS CLICKING NON-STOP AND THERE IS NO HEAT. AGAIN THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS TO BE TAKEN OFF TO REPAIR. THESE DEFECTS ARE WIDELY DISCUSSED ON THE INTERNET AND THIS IS THE ONLY REAL FORMAL WAY TO DOCUMENT THEM. THE FORD EXPLORER HAS PROVEN TO BE A REAL LEMON, FULL OF DESIGN DEFECTS AND A REAL DISAPPOINTMENT.

Mileage: 70,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR WAS FRACTURED WHERE THE WINDOW ENDED AND WHERE THE MANUFACTURING SYMBOL WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC TO BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

MY 2005 REAR PANEL UNDERNEATH WINDOW CRACKED BY THE EMBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 78,883

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE REAR PANEL OF THE REAR WINDOW. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER BLEND DOOR WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW AIR TO PASS THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 67,000

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER, I PULLED OUT FROM AN INTERSECTION AND HAD NOT REACHED THE SPEED LIMIT YET WHEN THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED THEN CAUSING BOTH STRUTS TO THE HATCH TO EXTEND AND THEREFORE BREAK THE ENTIRE FRAMEWORK OF THE REAR HATCH. THIS WINDOW WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO PRIOR CRACKS IN IT AND THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ANY AROUND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORD HAS TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY TO THIS AND I AM FORCED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS EXPENSE. *TR

Mileage: 108,750

THE REAR LIFTGATE CRACKED FROM THE BOTTOM UP TO AND AROUND THE FORD EMBLEM ALL THE WAY TO THE REAR WINDOW. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

THIS PROBLEM IS VERY STRESSFUL ON A SENIOR CITIZEN WITH A HEART CONDITION WHO'S HEART IS FUNCTIONING AT 60% AND ON MEDICATION EVERYDAY. UPPER BACK HATCH HAS FACTORY DEFECT CRACK NEXT TO THE LOCK, IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT HAS BEEN UNLOCKING ITSELF AT RANDOM, WHILE SITTING STILL OR DRIVING. NO INJURIES, MUGGINGS ,THEFT,KIDNAPPING OF GRANDCHILDREN AND/ OR ESCAPE OR THEFT OF FOUR CHILDREN YET!!!. I DO NOT HAVE THE EXTRA MONIES TO FIX..IT IS FORDS FACTORY DEFECT THAT I SEE ON EXPLORERS EVERYWHERE. I HAVE CONTACTED THEM , AND THEY STILL CLAIM NO SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 69,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BACK TAILGATE WAS CRACKED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE NHSTA HOTLINE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR VALID WARRANTY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES RELATED TO THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE ROOF (OVER THE DRIVERS SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE) IN THE GROOVES OF THE ROOF. ALSO, THE PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE TOP OF THE LIFTGATE. *TR

Mileage: 73,500

NOTICED THE BACK PANEL OF MY 05 EXPLORER WAS DEEPLY CRACKED. DID SOME RESEARCH TO FIND THAT THIS IS A DEFECT OF MANY EXPLORERS. I DON'T HAVE TO MONEY TO FIX IT AND SHOULDN'T HAVE TO SINCE I DID NOTHING WRONG. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUCTURE UNDERNEATH THE TAILGATE CRACKED UNDER THE WINDOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRACK WAS COSMETIC AND NOT CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE; THEREFORE, THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF THE PIECES FALL OFF OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Mileage: 87,000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM , BODY STRUCTURE , GAS PEDAL. *TR

Mileage: 53,000

CRACK IN PANEL BENEATH REAR WINDOW. KNOWN DEFECT IN EXPLORERS 02-05. SAFETY ISSUE TO OTHER DRIVERS SHOULD PANEL SECTION(S) COME OFF. POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO WATER, DIRT GETTING INTO ANY UNDERLYING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHILCE'S REAR HATCH PLASTIC MOLDING WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER COLLISION CENTER FOR INSPECTION, AND THEY ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOT A SAFETY RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Mileage: 97,000

AFTER COMING BACK FROM A VACATION TO THE AIRPORT TO GET MY CAR, I NOTICED THE TAILGATE OF MY BLUE 2005 EXPLORER XLT WAS CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH WITH A 8" LONG CRACK FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE TAILGATE. AFTER A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH, IT TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT, WHICH THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. I EVEN HAVE A FORD FULL-EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT COVERS EVERYTHING AND THEY STILL REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. THE REPAIR WILL BE $400-$500, WHICH I AM NOT GOING TO PAY FOR. IT'S A FORD DESIGN FLAW, THEY KNEW IT BACK IN 2002, YET CONTINUED TO PRODUCE EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT FOR THREE OR MORE YEARS. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THE TAILGATE PIECE IS BROKEN AND CAN COME FLYING OF THE VEHICLE AT ANYTIME. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

I NOTICED THE PLASTIC TRIM PANEL BELOW MY REAR HATCH GLASS CRACKED IN HALF AFTER GETTING MY TRUCK WASHED AT A TOUCHLESS CAR WASH!! I'VE NOTICED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ACROSS THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS, SO IT DOESN'T SEEM THIS IS A RANDOM OCCURRENCE. *TR

Mileage: 123,560

2005 FORD EXPLORER HAS PAINT PEELING ALONG THE ROOF RACK. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS NOT COVERED BY FORD. WHILE RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OTHER OWNERS. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK THAT EXTENDED FROM THE WINDOW TO THE LIFT GATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

Mileage: 60,000

CAME OUTSIDE AND NOTICED A CRACK IN MY REAR HATCH GOING ALL THE WAY DOWN. FORD DEALER SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER IT, EVEN WITH A EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 58,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED A FRACTURE WHERE THE EMBLEM AND THE WINDSHIELD CONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,300.

Mileage: 77,300

PLASTIC PIECE UNDER THE REAR LIFT-GATE WINDOW WITH A LARGE CRACK ACROSS ITS ENTIRE HEIGHT JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD DEALERSHIP INDICATED IT WAS JUST POOR ENGINEERING AND THEY WILL NOT COVER OR ASSIST WITH THE COST OF REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT, NOR WAS THERE ANY PLAN TO MAKE AVAILABLE A METAL VERSION OR PROPERLY ENGINEERED REPLACEMENT PANEL. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, AFTER HAVING IT FOR 3 MONTHS THE REAR LIFT GATE GOT A CRACK IN IT RIGHT NEXT TO THE FORD SYMBOL. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT ON RECALL NOR IS IT UNDER WARRANTY, I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THIS WAS A USED VEHICLE, MY PARENTS OWN A 2003 EXPLORER AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, MY NEIGHBOR OWNS A 2004 AND ALSO THE SAME THING HAPPENED, I HAVE ALSO SEEN NUMEROUS EXPLORERS ON THE ROAD WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL, WITH THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR EXPLORERS RANGING FROM 2002-2005, IF THIS CRACK CONTINUES TO SPREAD MY GLASS WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OUT. *TR

REAR TAILGATE WINDOW PORTION WITH FORD LOGO CRACKED VERTICALLY. I AM ASSUMING THAT THIS IS FROM REGULAR USE SINCE NOTHING HIT THE CAR. I ONLY USE THE UPPER PORTION OR THE TAILGATE AS IF YOU USE THE LARGER PORTION OF THE TAILGATE, ANYTHING THAT YOU HAVE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR FALLS OUT. I WOULD THINK THAT THIS ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE REAR WINDOW TO BE LESS THAN SECURE. *TR

HATCH PANEL BETWEEN WINDOW AND LATCH SPLIT (CRACKED) WHEN I CLOSED WINDOW AFTER PUTTING IN GROCERIES. CAR HAS 60,000 MILES, CALLED DEALER IN JULY TO SEE IF A RECALL HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED DUE TO THE FACT THAT I KNOW OF 7 OTHER 2005 FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE EXACT SAME CRACK, HAPPENED THE EXACT SAME WAY. TOLD ME NO BUT SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT. DIDN'T OFFER TO TAKE CARE OF. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR LIFTGATE THAT EXTENDED TO THE EMBLEM. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 69,000.

Mileage: 69,000

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT HAS BUBBLING OF PAINT AND RUST IN THE GROVES ON TOP OF MY ROOF. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD DIRECT I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALER WHO HAS ALSO ADVISED THIS IS A PAINT DEFECT AND CONTACTED FORD DIRECT THEMSELVES TO HAVE THIS DEFECT REPAIRED AND FORD STATES THE ONLY WAY TO REPAIR IT WOULD BE IF THE ROOF HAS RUST HOLES THRU THE TOP OR IF I WAS THE 1ST OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY APPARENT THAT IT IS A PAINT DEFECT AND NOTHING MORE. I HAVE DONE AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THIS PROBLEM IS A VERY REGULAR PROBLEM FOR MOST VEHICLES BETWEEN 200-2005. *TR

THE REAR PANEL UNDER MY BACK WINDOW IS CRACKED ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FALLS OFF AND THE PERSON BEHIND ME HAS A CRASH TRYING TO AVOID IT? WILL FORD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR POOR ENGINEERING? DOUBT IT. THIS PARTICULAR COMPLAINT IS RAMPANT ON THE INTERNET. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE GUY BEHIND ME CAN BE ASSURED HE WON'T HAVE TO PLAY DODGE THE PLASTIC WHEN IT FALLS OFF. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFT GATE DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW BESIDE THE FORD EMBLEM. OVER THE COURSE OF A MONTH THE SIZE OF THE CRACK INCREASED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG THESE VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Mileage: 75,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE ROOF AND THE ROOF IS STARTING TO RUST. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN AN ISSUE WITH OTHER VEHICLES AND IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY. THE CONTACT IS WORRIED ABOUT THE LONG TERM AFFECTS OF THE RUSTING. THE VIN WAS REJECTED FROM THE SYSTEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58000.

Mileage: 25,000

REAR WINDOW TRIM CRACKED. I AM NOW WORRIED THAT THE PIECES WILL FALL OFF AND CAUSE PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD TO OTHER DRIVERS, BUT FORD SAYS THIS IN NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND WILL DO NOTHING TO FIX PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

PAINT IS DELAMINATING ON THE ROOF OF MY 2005 EXPLORER. VEHICLE HAS 53,000 MILES ON IT. SINCE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, FORD WILL NOT FIX IT. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE ON THE INTERNET, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION EXPLORER (2002-2005). I OWNED A 1998 EXPLORER FOR 10 YEARS WITHOUT ANY PAINT RELATED PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 51,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL LIFT GATE WAS CRACKED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 18000. UPDATED 08/06/10*JB

Mileage: 18,000

APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS AGO THE PAINT ON THE TOP OF MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER BEGAN TO CHIP OFF. I WAS TOLD FORD WOULD NOT FIX IT UNLESS IT WAS RUSTED, HOWEVER NOW WHAT BEGAN AS A CHIP HAS GROWN TO APPROXIMATELY AN 18IN CIRCLE IN THE MIDDLE OF MY VEHICLE. FORD HAS INDICATED THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE DEFECT HOWEVER NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL ON THE LIFT GATE WAS CRACKED DOWN THE SIDE BY THE FORD LOGO. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS A DESIGN FLAW ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD THE CRACK WHILE PULLING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 61,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ

Mileage: 58,000

I HAVE A CRACK ON THE TAILGATE OF MY 2005 FOR EXPLORER. I SAW ON OUR LOCAL NEWS THAT MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

DEP CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH *CN

PANEL BELOW TAILGATE GLASS HAS VERTICAL CRACK. PURCHASED 2005 EXPLORER 2 WEEKS AGO AND IT WAS IN PERFECT CONDITION (HAD AN 02 EXPLORER WITH SAME CRACK ISSUE SO I KNEW WHAT TO LOOK FOR). CRACK LITERALLY HAPPENED OVERNIGHT. IF TOYOTA CAN HAVE A MASSIVE RECALL THEN SO CAN FORD. *TW

Mileage: 94,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ON THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 79000.

Mileage: 79,000

I HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH HAS A CRACK IN IT TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM, THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 38,000 MILES ON IT AND I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP WHICH FORD SHOULD COVER, BUT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPAIRS OF IT AT ALL. FURTHER MORE I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AS THE COMPANY DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AT ALL. SHAME ON FORD AND THEIR CHEAP CONSTRUCTION OF MATERIALS. *TR

Mileage: 38,000

THE LAST WEEK IN NOV. 2009, I HAD BACKED MY VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING, WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE, THE FIRST THING I CAN SEE IS THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE AND A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE PANEL BETWEEN THE TOP HATCHBACK AND THE LIFTGATE. THE CRACK WAS IN THE CENTER TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CRACK WAS THE FULL DISTANCE VERTICALLY OF THE PANEL. IT HAS SINCE WIDENED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT WITHIN 3 DAYS OF THE INCIDENT. THE NEXT DAY, I RECEIVED A CALL THAT IT WOULD COST ME $430 TO HAVE FIXED. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS INCIDENT WHICH WAS OF NO FAULT OF MY OWN. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT HUNDREDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEIR VEHICLE AND FORD WON'T PAY FOR IT NOR DO A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE BEEN VERY OBSERVANT OF OTHER EXPLORERS AND 1 OUT OF 3 EXPLORERS I SEE, HAS THE SAME CRACKED PANEL IN ALMOST THE EXACT SAME SPOT. SOMETIMES I SEE THE CRACK ON THE LEFT OF THE EMBLEM, SOMETIMES THE RIGHT, BUT BASICALLY ITS THE SAME VERTICAL CRACK. *TR

Mileage: 40,100

THE LAST WEEK IN NOV. 2009, I HAD BACKED MY VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING, WHEN I CAME OUTSIDE, THE FIRST THING I CAN SEE IS THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE AND A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE PANEL BETWEEN THE TOP HATCHBACK AND THE LIFTGATE. THE CRACK WAS IN THE CENTER TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CRACK WAS THE FULL DISTANCE VERTICALLY OF THE PANEL. IT HAS SINCE WIDENED. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT WITHIN 3 DAYS OF THE INCIDENT. THE NEXT DAY, I RECEIVED A CALL THAT IT WOULD COST ME $430 TO HAVE FIXED. MY LOCAL DEALER SAID FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS INCIDENT WHICH WAS OF NO FAULT OF MY OWN. I HAVE SINCE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND OUT THAT HUNDREDS OF EXPLORER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEIR VEHICLE AND FORD WON'T PAY FOR IT NOR DO A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. SINCE I HAVE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM, I HAVE BEEN VERY OBSERVANT OF OTHER EXPLORERS AND 1 OUT OF 3 EXPLORERS I SEE, HAS THE SAME CRACKED PANEL IN ALMOST THE EXACT SAME SPOT. SOMETIMES I SEE THE CRACK ON THE LEFT OF THE EMBLEM, SOMETIMES THE RIGHT, BUT BASICALLY ITS THE SAME VERTICAL CRACK. *TR

Mileage: 40,100

THE PAINT ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER IS PEELING OFF BIG CHUNKS IN NUMEROUS SPOTS ON THE ROOF. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS PAST MY 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT IT WAS UP TO ME TO GET FIXED.I WANT FORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING TO PAY FOR DEFECTIVE PAINT THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE OF. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE DONE ON FORD VEHICLE PAINT. *TR

I NOTICED ONE DAY THAT THE PANEL BELOW MY REAR WINDOW WAS CRACKED. IT'S LIKE IT JUST MAGICALLY APPEARED OVERNIGHT! THE THING IS A TERRIBLE EYESORE, AND I'M SO TIRED OF FORD REFUSING TO REPAIR WHAT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT. *TR

Mileage: 32,000

10/1/09 NOTICED PAINT WAS BUBBLING UP AND PEELING OFF THE ROOF OF MY VEHICLE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO REFUSED TO REPAIR IT SINCE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. JUDGING BY WHAT I'VE READ ON THE INTERNET PLENTY OF FORD OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD MOTOR CO. REFUSES TO FIX IT. PAINT SHOULD NOT FAIL ON BRAND NEW VEHICLES AFTER FOUR YEARS. ONCE AGAIN THE CONSUMER GETS NO SATISFACTION. *TR

Mileage: 52,250

HAVE A 2005 FORD EXPLORER THAT JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE BACK TAILGATE AREA CRACKED BY THE FORD APPLIQUE. FORD WILL NOT EXTEND ANY GOODWILL REPAIRS AND CLAIMS IT IS NOT A DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON JUST ONE WEBSITE WHERE OTHERS REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME RESPONSE FROM FORD. THERE WAS NOT DAMAGE OR EVENT TO THE TAILGATE TO CAUSE THE CRACK. JUST OCCURRED ONE VERY HOT DAY WHILE PARKED IN THE HEAT. CONTACTED AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP TO GET A QUOTE AND THEY STATED THAT THEY SEE THIS ALL THE TIME AND THEY CAN'T BELIEVE FORD DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

THE PAINT ON MY 2005 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION IS PEELING OFF BIG CHUNKS IN NUMEROUS SPOTS ON THE ROOF. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT WAS PAST MY 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY THAT IT WAS UP TO ME TO GET FIXED. MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 53,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I REPORTED IT. I WANT FORD TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED. I SHOULDN'T BE HAVING TO PAY FOR ANYTHING TO BE REPAINTED ON A CAR THAT IS 4 YEARS OLD! *TR

Mileage: 53,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FORD EMBLEM WAS CRACKING ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CRACK BEGINS NEAR THE REAR WINDOW AND EXTENDS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FORD EMBLEM. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,800.

Mileage: 40,800

2005 FORD EXPLORER PAINT FALLS OFF. *TR

Mileage: 29,999

PAINT IS PEELING AND CHIPPING OFF ALONG TOP OF ROOF NEAR FRONT AND REAR. FORD SAYS THIS HAPPENS A LOT. THEY SAY I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH EVIDENT THAT THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING A LOT LONGER TO MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 40,600

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER. THE PAINT IS PEELING OFF THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COSTS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 63,000 MILES. FORD ONLY COVERS THE PAINT JOB IF THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 12,000 MILES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

Mileage: 63,000

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP IN THE SPRING OF 2006. THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASE RETURN. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE FLOORBOARD AND IN THE GAS PEDAL. I E-MAILED FORD CONCERNING THIS AND THEY SENT ME TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR THE CORRECTIVE ACTION. I'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH TO THE DEALERSHIP APPOX 8 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. I CONTACTED FORD A COUPLE OF MORE TIMES AND I STILL HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. IN THE MEANTIME THIS VIBRATION GIVES ME BACK AND HEADACHES AND NUMBNESS IN MY FEET AND I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ADVERSE AFFECTS IT HAS ON ME. WHAT MORE CAN I DO? MCLEAN FORD-MERCURY HAVE BEEN GREAT THROUGH OUT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL. THEY'VE DONE MORE THAN MOST DEALERSHIPS WOULD DO AND HAVE BEEN SUPER. UNFORTUNATELY I CAN'T SAY THE SAME FOR FORD. I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED AND DISSATISFIED WITH THEIR SERVICE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE LIFT GATE AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND SECONDS LATER THE LIFT GATE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REALIGNED THE LIFT GATE GLASS STRUT. AFTERWARDS, WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEED, THE ENTIRE LIFT GATE OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO USE A BUNGEE CORD TO LOCK THE DOOR AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER WHO INSTALLED A LIFT GATE DUAL LOCK ASSEMBLY. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 04V442000, REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

Mileage: 1,926