2003 Ford Explorer Hatchback/Liftgate Problems
- 90
- 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 90 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- Hinge And Attachments · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 30–60k mi | 29 |
| 60–100k mi | 23 |
| 100–150k mi | 10 |
| 1–30k mi | 7 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear panel of the liftgate was cracked. The failure caused the contact's fingers to become pinched when attempting to close the liftgate. The contact also stated that the hinges fractured on the liftgate. The hinges were repaired according to nhtsa campaign number: 04v442000 (structure), but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired and…
ODI 10637205
Glass, Side/Rear · Hatchback/Liftgate · Unknown Or Other
When closing the glass tailgate the right hinge that attaches the glass to the tailgate broke causing the glass to detach from the car and fall hitting me in the left arm updated 09/16/14*lj updated 3/18/2015 *js
ODI 10608933
Body · Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate window became detached intermittently. The liftgate door failed to close properly and it developed a crack at the bottom. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lift gate needed to be repaired and the window needed to be replaced. The contact was not included in recall nhtsa campaign id number: 04v442000…
ODI 10605562
Hatchback/Liftgate
On february 18th i noticed a crack in the rear glass lift gate molding otherwise known as the rear applique. After a google search i realized this is known defect that ford motor co. Does not recognize officially. There is a class action lawsuit regarding this defect. On april 25th 2014 i opened the rear glass lift gate to get something out of the rear cargo area. Upon closing the glass lift gate the entire window…
1 injury
ODI 10585078
Hatchback/Liftgate
Crack in rear liftgate body panel. May fail during opening/closing and cause injury. This is a known problem with 2002-2005 explorers. Ford knew about the problem and covered it up. There is a class action lawsuit in progress. *js
ODI 10617168
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the tailgate had cracked underneath the rear window. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000 and current mileage was unknown. Updated 04/18/2013 *js
ODI 10496769
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact noticed a crack on the rear lift gate panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostics or repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 91,793.
ODI 10465869
Hatchback/Liftgate · Hinge And Attachments
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a loud squeaking coming from the rear window. The contact noticed that the driver side of the rear windshield hinge was crooked and the panel was fractured. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they advised that the hinges need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10456100
Body · Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While parked, the contact noticed that the panel below the rear window hatch was cracked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technician stated that the rear panel would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000. Updated 03/21/12*bf the consumer stated the rear panel connected to the back rear…
ODI 10450660
Body · Hatchback/Liftgate
I have a 2003 ford explorer, ran to the store last night to buy groceries. Loaded things into my truck, closed the door and things were fine. Arrived home to remove the groceries and there was a 6 inch long crack on the rear hatch of my truck right beside the ford logo and rear windshield wiper. I take pride in my vehicle and keep it clean and the outside body is perfect; until this happened. I am disappointed that…
ODI 10425551
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear liftgate, extending up to the window. The contact expressed concern over the possibility of the window separating from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the failure was cosmetic and they would be unable to assist with repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of…
ODI 10412291
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate panel was cracked due to defective material. The dealer denied assistance with the repair because the warranty expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 56,543 and the current mileage was 60,000. Updated 08/07/12*lj
ODI 10457784
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate fractured directly underneath the window seal. She noticed when the door was ajar the warning light would illuminate as if she had opened the doors. The dealer advised her that they were aware of the failure, but there was no recall. The vehicle was not inspected nor was it repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
ODI 10410020
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear lift gate that extended across. There were also three other smaller cracks. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The contact stated that the rear window looked as if it would explode. The current and failure mileages were approximately 83,000.
ODI 10365158
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack on the rear liftgate from the top of the manufacturers emblem up to the window. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired fro the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 130,000.
ODI 10395628
Hatchback/Liftgate
A little over a year ago i and a friend came out of a grocery store to discover there was a hairline crack in the rear panel of my 2003 ford explorer. I drove right over to a ford dealership to report the incident. I do have an extended warranty for 100,000 miles. It was reported to the warranty company and i was denied repair. I was told i could pay $1,000.00 to have it repaired or put caulking on it to help to…
ODI 10325595
Hatchback/Liftgate · Latches/Locks/Linkages
I own a 2003 ford explorer and was closing the window of the back hatch when the rear lift gate hinge failed and broke and the window became dislodged and hit me in the head. My son was standing next to me and thankfully the window didn't fall out completely and land on him! I have contacted ford and they said that although there was a recall for this very same problem, your agency did not identify my vehicle as…
1 injury
ODI 10318407
Automatic Transmission · Hatchback/Liftgate
2003 ford explorer xlt - overdrive light starting flashing and now the transmission slips when shifting from 1st to second gear. Engine revs to 3200 rpms and makes a loud noise before feathering the gas to get the transmission to shift into 2nd gear. Vertical crack in fiberglass tailgate panel just below rear window glass. No impact to tailgate occurred-crack just appeared. *tr
ODI 10302112
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the lift gate which includes a plastic part just below the window. The ford manufacturer informed the contact that there were no recalls and he should call nhtsa. The failure mileage was 116,000. Updated 2/26/10 *cn updated 07/09/10.*jb
ODI 10299666
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 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 115,000.
ODI 10301695
Body · Hatchback/Liftgate
2003 ford explorer , 70,000 miles rear lift gate cracked in middle splitting off in "y" shape there was no impact done to make this happen. Heard loud pop told that ford will not do anything & i will have to pay out of pocket.*tr
ODI 10302002
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The rear window panel has fractured. The dealer was contacted, and he was advised that the ford manufacturer did not recognize this failure as a defect. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 28,700.
ODI 10297207
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. She noticed that there were cracks on the rear lift gate underneath the rear window. An authorized dealer was notified and informed her that this was a known failure but she would have to pay to have it repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 115,000.
ODI 10348700
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the hatch back had a crack from the end of it to the window. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised her that it was caused by stress from opening and closing of the door. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
ODI 10410529
Glass, Side/Rear · Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. When operating the vehicle, the rear hatch door and the rear hatch window became unsecured and opened due to a crack near the rear window wiper. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vin was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000.
ODI 10908857