2002 Ford Explorer Hatchback/Liftgate Problems
- 111
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 111 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 7 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- rear window · 29 records
- lift gate · 18 records
- rear liftgate · 15 records
- rear hatch · 14 records
- below rear · 13 records
- panel below · 12 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 31 |
| 60–100k mi | 26 |
| 1–30k mi | 7 |
| 100–150k mi | 5 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate had cracked right below the glass. The crack is spreading. The current mileage is 52,000 and failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 09/05/07. *jb
ODI 10195975
Hatchback/Liftgate
The lift gate (window portion) of my 2002 ford explorer has sustained a crack directly down the middle under the glass. The crack is clean cut and appears to expand and close when the weather is cold and contracts and closes when the weather is hot. I have no idea how the crack appeared. I noticed it approximately 2 month ago and has not had any incidences that would warrant the crack. Since i've noticed the crack,…
ODI 10203872
Hatchback/Liftgate
A crack appeared on the rear hatch door under the rear window. The crack just appeared one morning without any direct action. A search on the internet showed that this problem is happening to many 2002 ford explorers. *tr
ODI 10225402
Hatchback/Liftgate
2002 ford explorer xlt, plastic trim piece below rear window glass cracked all the way. This was a safety issue as the glass could fall out without proper structural support. Ford issued a recall for the rear glass hinge posts, but the will not fix the plastic which broke as a result of normal closing of the hatchback. I found a forum with 129 postings on it today claiming the same issue.…
ODI 10190460
Hatchback/Liftgate
The rear window liftgate has cracked vertically from the glass all the way to the bottom of the panel for no apparent reason (i.e. Happened overnight while rear window was completely closed). I have noticed that most explorers in my area with the same liftgate have the same vertical crack in the same location. Concerned with potential glass breaking due to some structural defect in the window liftgate. *tr
ODI 10205937
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear liftgate of 2002 ford explorer develops crack on piece below glass. *jb
ODI 10188429
Hatchback/Liftgate
There is a large crack in my tailgate that starts at the back windshield glass and runs halfway down my tailgate. I guess there are a lot of people with these cracks and ford should be held responsible in paying for these repairs. I spoke with the local ford dealership and they said they know about the problem but they do not want to fix it. I will never buy a ford again if they are going to treat their customers…
ODI 10184538
Hatchback/Liftgate
Daughter came out of school to find crack beneath rear window. Thought to be result of hit and run in parking lot. Took to dealer who said it is a known defect. Repaired at no cost to us, no problem. Good dealer! We are very good ford customers, having bought exclusively fords for 20+ years. This will not deter us from buying ford again. *jb
ODI 10184957
Hatchback/Liftgate
I have a 2002 ford explorer that has several cracks on the liftgate that just appeared one day. I have seen several other explorers with the same problem and am not sure why this has not become a recall. *tr
ODI 10237922
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear hatch on 2002 explorer trim piece at bottom cracks..thsi is a common problem and ford knows about it but will not fix
ODI 10185273
Hatchback/Liftgate
2002 ford explorer, crack in rear panel below rear window. Ford will not repair, it is a common problem among many 2002 ford explorers. *jb
ODI 10186291
Hatchback/Liftgate
2002 ford explorer - panel below rear window (applique) cracked. Ford dealer claims it happens when weather is to hot or cold. *nm
ODI 10182519
Hatchback/Liftgate
On a 10 degree night, i woke up to find a nasty crack in the rear liftgate under the glass. It not only cracked, but separated and made about an 1/8" gap. Another crack beside it forming a triangular shape as well. Looks like it will fall out any time. My insurance won't cover this because it is a known ford issue!!!!!!! Tell me how that is fair, that we pay the money for these very expensive vehicles, and there is…
ODI 10182494
Hatchback/Liftgate
I own a 2002 ford explorer. On feb 3rd the lift gate split in 2 pieces. Manf. Defect. Ford is aware of this happening and has neither offered any kind of monterey assistance or issued a recall. They told me that i needed to pay the repair out of my pocket because it is no longer under warranty. They understand this is a hazard but are not willing to do anything about it. The only thing holding my liftgate closed is…
ODI 10184353
Hatchback/Liftgate
The upper rear window liftgate was opened to access cargo and as soon as it was in the up position, the glass exploded sending shards of glass within the vehicle and outside the vehicle. Husband was showered with glass and just missed being hit by the attached lower panel that fell on the exterior of the car. This is a serious safety hazard. If passengers were sitting in the third row seats, they would have been…
ODI 10181533
Hatchback/Liftgate
The back liftgate or hatch back of my 2002 ford explorer limited has a large vertical crack that has just magically appeared. The crack is about 4 inches long and another 1 inch beside it. It is located directly under the rear glass. I was on a website that has about 65 of the same complaints for this year's model of explorer. I feel that ford has an obligation to pay for this since they did have a recall. *nm
ODI 10181152
Hatchback/Liftgate
I have a 2002 ford explorer. The panel below the rear window spontaneously cracked. It is a vertical crack the height of the panel to the left of the ford emblem. I have not had any success in getting ford or my dealership to make a repair to my vehicle. The estimated cost of the repair is $571.20. I am concerned that this crack may affect the stability of my rear window. *jb
ODI 10181681
Column · Fuel Gauge System · Hatchback/Liftgate
The middle panel under the glass in the back of the car has cracked. I suspect it was due to cold weather. I have since seen other explorers with this problem and notice that there are a lot of complaints online about this. In addition, this past summer my shifter snapped off the barrel. I had 4 kids in the car at the time. Ford responded by telling me that i had 75k miles and no warranty and i didn't typically get…
ODI 10180773
Body · Hatchback/Liftgate
1. Due to a recall (ford recall no. 04s20. ), the liftgate glass operation system was replaced in 2005. Since early 2007, the same glass struts and hinges are apparently having problem -- first it took extra effort to raise the glass to the fully opening position, then while the glass is lifted open, it unexpectedly dropped down. I got hit 3 times at my head or hands by the sudden dropped glass and frame; it coursed…
ODI 10250968
Hatchback/Liftgate
My lift gate on my 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer just cracked last night and upon research i found out that this is a common problem with this year explorer. It is a defect with the rear lift gate and ford needs to address this problem. There are thousands of people with the same problem as i have that i found while doing a quick search. This piece is going to need to be replaced and then painted to match the color…
ODI 10178556
Hatchback/Liftgate
Noticed cracked panel (applique) below rear hatchback window on my 2002 ford explorer xlt (suv) 1st thought was someone hit me while i was parked. Then realized that there was no evidence of that temp was 19 degrees outside. After going online to car complaints found many other complaints. Contacted ford co. They told me to get an estimate. Metro ford gave me estimate of $302.89, called ford co. Back they said they…
ODI 10188579
Hatchback/Liftgate
2002 ford explorer rear lift gate panel below the window cracked at around 65,000 miles. Two weeks later it cracked again. I searched the internet and found a large number of problems reported on the 2002 ford explorer with this same issue. *jb
ODI 10181063
Hatchback/Liftgate
Cracked panel below rear window (ford calls this an applique). *nm
ODI 10175974
Hatchback/Liftgate
Crack appeared in winter 2006 in hatch below rear window. This was a florida car up to june 2006. All was fine in florida. I suspect cold has something to do with these cracks. No repair has been made as i am hoping for a recall. *tr
ODI 10225358
Hatchback/Liftgate · Unknown Or Other
Cracked on the back panel, between the window glass and ford logo. *jb
ODI 10177627