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
I own a 2002 ford explorer xls with 51,300 miles. On 11/23/06 two long cracks developed in my lift gate panel just to the right of the ford emblem. One crack extends the full length of the panel. The other extends from the top of the panel and extends to the top of the ford emblem. These cracks developed completely without any damage or force being applied to the panel. The truck was parked in the carport. I…
ODI 10177614
Glass, Side/Rear · Hatchback/Liftgate
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked and being washed by hand, the liftgate glass became unfastened and fractured when the gate was opened. This malfunction caused personal injuries. There were no warning signals prior to the incident. The vehicle was taken to a dealership.
1 injury
ODI 10175347
Glass, Side/Rear · Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl *- the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The rear window has a crack near the window molding. No incident occurred which would have caused the window to crack. The contact also observed another vehicle, same make and model with an identical problem. *ak updated 03/07/07*jb
ODI 10180803
Differential Unit · Hatchback/Liftgate
Well....here is the 2nd complaint that i'm filing on my vehicle. I purchased my explorer brand new with only 10 miles. I thought i would get the brakes checked since i had 68,000 miles only to find out the rear differential was bad and needing repair. Ford dropped the ball on that!!! Now i discovered that the rear panel has cracked. I will never buy another ford again!!! There needs to be a class action lawsuit…
ODI 10173177
Hatchback/Liftgate
2002 ford explorer eddie bauer v6 4x4 rear window lower plastic panel completely cracked throughout. *jb
ODI 10177765
Hatchback/Liftgate
(1) excellent care of vehicle, no accidents (2) rear panel on hatch cracked all the way through on first cold day of fall 2006 (appears to be stress from thermal expansion/contraction) (3) dealer said $350 to replace panel and paint and was not under any warranty from ford
ODI 10178097
Hatchback/Liftgate
The plastic applique panel below the glass on the liftgate has developed two vertical cracks, approx 1/8th" in diameter running the length of the panel (approx 5 inches) to the left and to the right of the 'ford' emblem. These developed spontaneously over time, one after another. There was no collision or other trauma to trigger these cracks. Research reveals that _many_ other 2002 explorer owners are experiencing…
ODI 10181576
Hatchback/Liftgate
The tail gate door panel below the glass has to line cracks. It began to separate. It also happen to my father in-law. I have also seen it in many other explorers. *jb
ODI 10183313
Glass, Side/Rear · Hatchback/Liftgate
Dt*: the contact stated after shutting the liftgate glass it shattered and rained down. The broken glass cut the arm, leg and foot of the contact. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, who informed the contact that a repair would not be performed because the window cylinder did not appear to be damaged. There was a nhtsa recall # 01i010000 which pertains to the side and rear glass. The vehicle was not included…
1 injury
ODI 10167053
Axle Assembly · Hatchback/Liftgate
On the back liftgate, the middle body piece has cracked again after being replaced around the ford symbol. Dealer has replaced once and will not replace again. The axle housing is leaking next to the differential. *nm
ODI 10166026
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear lift hatch ,the piece of body under the glass, started out as a small crack. Now has split and separated all the way down. Took it to the dealership hoping to be treated with a little fairness. Wrong..it can be fixed, but at my expense.. Doesn't seem right. It happened on it's own and i'm finding out i'm not the only one it's happened to. The numbers should show there is a problem and should be dealt with by…
ODI 10150978
Hatchback/Liftgate
I have a 2002 ford explorer xls (45k miles) that was recalled in september 2004 for the back liftgate. I had the recall work done in august in 2005 at a local ford dealership. In january of 2006, the liftgate suddenly developed a crack (3-4 inches in length)right below the back window, just to the right of center. After taking it into the dealership, they are claiming that since it is not under warranty, i will be…
ODI 10149874
Hatchback/Liftgate
On a cold day, i discovered that the body panel below the glass on the rear gate of my 2002 ford explorer cracked. Nothing hit the vehicle to cause the crack. The outside temperature was around 32 degree f at the time. *jb
ODI 10184949
Hatchback/Liftgate
REAR HATCH CRACKED TWO SPOTS. *JB
ODI 10184060
Hatchback/Liftgate
Upside down "y" crack found in liftgate/hatch from bottom of rear window to bottom of hatch door, to the left of the ford emblem. Brought car to dealership where i purchased it 3 yrs ago, but was told it wasn't covered - out of warranty. Am concerned about the stability of the rear window and liftgate. This product defect should be recalled by ford and replaced at no charge. *jb
ODI 10145817
Hatchback/Liftgate
CRACK BELOW REAR WINDOW. *NM
ODI 10144145
Hatchback/Liftgate
In november 2005, the rear liftgate applique of my 2002 ford explorer cracked overnight. The crack is directly in line with the rear windshield wiper. The local ford dealership claims that they have seen several ford explorers with this same problem and it is caused by cold temperatures and windshield washer fluid getting into the plastic applique and forcing a crack. The night this occurred the temperature reached…
ODI 10146911
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear liftgate on my 2002 ford explorer eddie bauer has a crack in it. I worked for ford for 2 1/2 years and can not believe that they will not fix this problem. I personally have seen hundreds of the same thing happen to other people. With ford hurting for business you would think that they would repair these to keep their customers. I personally own two ford products and unless they fix this problem then i will…
ODI 10175511
Hatchback/Liftgate
Dt: the contact stated the plastic on the hatchback under the window cracked. The dealer and manufacturer offered no free remedy. No repairs have been made. *ak
ODI 10144633
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate is cracked and leaking. He notified ford who stated that complaints have been made for the same failure. The current mileage is 65,590 and failure mileage was 37,000.
ODI 10193642
Hatchback/Liftgate
I have developed a crack in the plastic applique beneath the liftgate window. It appeared as a scratch and has morphed into a full blown crack about six inches long. *nm
ODI 10136937
Hatchback/Liftgate
I have a cracked panel in my ford explorer 2002. This panel could break in half while driving and cause a serious accidents. Ford refuses to do anything about it. *nm
ODI 10181986
Automatic Transmission · Hatchback/Liftgate · Power Window Devices And Controls
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer ext wagon. The contact that stated that upon purchasing the vehicle he noticed that the transmission would shift in an awkward manner. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who informed him that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The failure suddenly recurred and he had to replace the transmission. He also stated that 3 out of 4 window regulators have failed. The…
ODI 10375130
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford explorer. The rear hatch lift-gate under the ford emblem has developed cracks. Consequently water has entered the doors and lights. The vehicle was taken to the dealership and she was advised that she would have to pay between $600-$700 to repair the vehicle. She notified the manufacturer of the failure, but was referred to nhtsa. The current mileage was approximately 120,000. The…
ODI 10292050
Hatchback/Liftgate
I own a 2002 ford explorer. On 3/20/05 i noticed a crack on the back panel just below the upper lift gate. The crack is to the right of the ford emblem and extends from the top to the bottom of this plastic panel. Upon contacting my dealer, i was informed by their body shop that this repair was covered by the original warranty. When i went to the body shop at the dealership i was told that the orginal warranty had…
ODI 10114731