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.
Body · Hatchback/Liftgate
The back lift gate panel is cracked on my 2003 explorer. I have had the crack for approx. 2 years. The crack has progressively worsened. I took it to the dealer and they said " there has been several cases such as this, but ford has not issued a recall" i have seen several explorers with this problem. I do not think it should be my responsibility to cover this when it is obviously a ford defect. *tr
ODI 10232939
Hatchback/Liftgate
Without impact, '03 ford explorer liftgate panel cracked from glass, around ford emblem, to bottom of panel. Very common problem. No cooperation from ford. *tr
ODI 10191768
Hatchback/Liftgate · Labels
Cracking in the liftgate panel. The panel below the glass on my explorer has cracked down the middle. *ak
ODI 10190893
Hatchback/Liftgate
2003 ford explorer. Liftgate panel cracked from right under glass all the way to bottom of panel right thru the middle of ford emblem. Appears to be common problem with this model. From all i read ford will not fix problem even though it is their fault. *tr
ODI 10197324
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact noticed a seven-inch crack in the plastic molding of the hatchback door hinge. Recall # 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments) was found. The dealer stated that his vin was excluded from the recall, however the contact feels that it should be included. The current mileage is 46,000 and failure mileage was 34,000.
ODI 10193978
Hatchback/Liftgate
I own a 2003 ford explorer. Six months ago i notice a split on the back of my vehicle near the rear window. The split was on the body of the vehicle. At first i thought someone damaged my vehicle. Then i noticed when it gets really hot the split closes up and disappears. I called ford to see if there was a recall they said no. I tried to explain to them that there ought to be. I took a survey. There were at least 1…
ODI 10199467
Hatchback/Liftgate
I have a 2003 ford explorer. I have, or it looks to be several stress cracks below the back glass of the hatch. They range anywhere from an inch to seven or eight inches. I took this to the ford house in haltom city, they said there was nothing that could be done but to check with other owners to see if this is happening to their explorer. I have since noticed literally at least 75 explorers with the same thing. The…
ODI 10196848
Hatchback/Liftgate
I have 2003 ford explorer xlt. One morning in mid-march of this year, i observed a crack in the platic panel under the window on the tailgate. My wife and i knew we had not had any type of impact in that area that would have caused the panel to crack. I took the vehicle into the ford dealership and spoke with a service technician about it. Since the vehicle was just over 3 years old and have just over 30k miles on…
ODI 10192655
Hatchback/Liftgate
I have a 03 explorer. And my hatch cracked in 07. When i took it to the dealership after seeing other models with the same problem. I was informed there was no recall on the part and it cost me roughly $800.00 to fix. I feel as though ford should recall the part and refund all the customers who has had the same problem, and had to spend $$ to get it fixed. *tr
ODI 10224225
Hatchback/Liftgate
The plastic trim panel on the rear hatch of my ford explorer xls cracked from top to bottom, with no provocation. I understand this is a common problem. My local dealer service rep said they had repaired "dozens of them", after he told me ford would not stand behind this obvious defect. The crack expands and contracts noticeably with temperature changes, and i believe the composite is not properly formulated…
ODI 10197513
Hatchback/Liftgate
CRACK IN BACK HATCH BY FORD EMBLEM. *NM
ODI 10183663
Hatchback/Liftgate · Hinge And Attachments
We purchased a certified used 2003 ford explorer eddie bauer 4x4 in june 2006. One morning in mid-feb 2007, we discovered a crack in the lifegate glass applique that started from the top down, approximately 8" left from the center of the gate. There was no evidence of impact to the plastic, but rather a stress crack. Since that time, the crack has grown wider and all the way through the plastic applique. Now,…
ODI 10207875
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl*- the contact stated that there was a crack on the panel on the rear gate underneath the window on the 2003 ford explorer. When opeing s the liftgate it felt shaky and unstable. The contact stated this causes the door ajar warning light to remain illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership, and they informed her the back panel on the rear liftgate needed to be replaced. The vehicle currently has…
ODI 10184865
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 2003 ford explorer with 43000 failure mileage) a crack on the rear of the vehicle made the hatchback fly up while driving. There was recall 04v442000, but this vehicle was not included. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer about the crack, or the hatch flying up. The current mileage was 44264.*ak
ODI 10187043
Automatic Transmission · Hatchback/Liftgate
2003 ford explorer xlt vertical crack in fiberglass tailgate panel just below rear window glass no impact to tailgate occurred-crack just appeared while driving. Transmission had to be rebuilt at 50000 miles. *jb
ODI 10181544
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear liftgate had a crack just below the glass on the 2003 explorer. I am concerned that the glass will become loose and fall out and hurt someone. This same problem happened on my 2002, ford explorer. I have seen several explorers with this same crack. Ford should replace the liftgate with a better designed one.*ak
ODI 10190223
Hatchback/Liftgate
Just noticed a large crack in panel underneath rear window of 2003 ford explorer xlt. The crack just appeared without any reason. Dealer refuses to pay for replacement. We have not repaired yet because we are seeking dealer reimbursement. There are a huge number of cases of this same problem in 2002 and 2003 explorers. One website that lists many others with same problem is autobeef.com. Dealer estimate was $648.…
ODI 10177954
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear liftgate body panel below glass window developed a crack from top to bottom today after closing the liftgate. The dealer says it is not covered and they have seen this before. This is clearly a design defect since this panel is broken but not the glass in the liftgate. *jb
ODI 10175237
Hatchback/Liftgate
Upon going out to my truck this morning to put my sons stuff in the back, i noticed that i have a crack in the panel just below my liftgate glass. This struck me as unusual as i don't even use the liftgate window. I decided that i would do a search for a recall that i may not have been privy to...and i have found hundreds of complaints, but no recall. The dealers are refusing to replace this item even when it is…
ODI 10181085
Hatchback/Liftgate
Plastic under (attached to) rear liftgate window cracked. Crack runs top to bottom, around the ford emblem. Entire liftgate needs replacing. Ford says i have to pay for it. I have seen several explorer on the highway with the same defect. Don't really know if this would be a safety issue, but i'm sure the integrity of the structure would be compromised in a rollover. *tr
ODI 10189538
Hatchback/Liftgate
Cracked panel below glass on 2003 ford explorer, both on mine and my wife's explorer, both bought brand new within a month of each other. *nm
ODI 10182295
Hatchback/Liftgate
Rear door hatch has cracked from the bottom of the window to the bottom of the hatch. *tr
ODI 10224351
Hatchback/Liftgate
In july 2006, my husband and i noticed a hairline crack above the ford emblem on the back window/liftgate panel. Within 1 week, the crack had gone all the way through the liftgate. In hot weather, the crack is barely visible (because the plastic seems to swell); in cold weather, the crack is at least 1/8-1/4" wide. I'm concerned of wear on remaining components since i have no idea if water/snow just go through the…
ODI 10213589
Automatic Transmission · Delivery · Hatchback/Liftgate · Power Adjust
Hello. I have several complaints regarding my 2003 ford explorer including several safety issues. The first complaint is regarding the driver's seat which shifts routinely on acceleration and de-acceleration. This concerns me if i get into an accident and the seat malfunctions. The second complaint is regarding the gear shifter not going into park easily. I have to jiggle it to into park. I am concerned that this…
ODI 10161178
Hatchback/Liftgate
The panel directly below the rear window in my 2003 ford explorer has developed large cracks in it. After talking to the dealer, it was very evident that this is a common defect as they said they see a minimum of 10 per year and that ford will not fix it unless it is under warranty. My vehicle has 68,000,miles on it. I also have seen this defect listed multiple times in automobile defect websites such as…
ODI 10167758