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
Rear hatchback was taken to ford for a recall regarding the hatchback. Prior to that, there were problems with the hatchback, i.e. Accidentally opening. Now just below the rear window of the hatchback, it is cracking. Similar to many owners listed on this site. *nm
ODI 10157068
Hatchback/Liftgate
Crack in body of tailgate with no cause; crack starts at the bottom of the back window and runs to the bottom of the plastic panel. I took it to the dealership and they said it is a know defect, but will not fix it. In my neighborhood alone, there are at least 4 other explorers with the same issue. Ford needs to fix this ! It takes away from the trade-in value of my car. *tr
ODI 10222326
Hatchback/Liftgate
This morning i noticed a crack in the tailgate of my 2003 explorer xlt. It was not there two days ago. I took the vehicle to my local dealer and he said that the part is not covered under warranty or recall so i will be responsible for the charges. He has personally seen many of these. I have been on several forum sites and know that i am not the only one having this problem. Is anything being done from ford's side?…
ODI 10151315
Hatchback/Liftgate
Plastic under (attached to) rear liftgate window cracked. Crack is 10 to 12 inches long. Entire liftgate needs replacing. Ford says i have to pay for it. I have seen several explorer on the highway with the same defect. *jb
ODI 10152170
Hatchback/Liftgate
After having about of freezing weather my wife noticed a crack on the plastic panel attached to the bottom of the rear hatch back window. I took it to our local ford dealer upon which i was informed that this is a defect in manufacturing and that they replace quite a few of these every year. But being that my warranty expired in august of 2005 they will not pay for replacement. I feel ford should be held…
ODI 10151829
Hatchback/Liftgate
Our ford explorer was parked in our garage like it is every night. In the morning we went out to put something in the back of the explorer when we noticed that the back top hatch was cracked. It cracked right down the middle of the ford sign. When we closed the hatch after noticing it it pinched my fingers. We contacted the dealer where we bought the vehicle and we were told that it was a service bulletin but not a…
1 injury
ODI 10149302
Hatchback/Liftgate
I own a 2003 ford explorer. The plastic panel just below the tail gate window has cracked from top to bottom. Upon doing some research on this problem it appears that there are 100's of similar incidents. *jb
ODI 10182065
Hatchback/Liftgate
I have a 2003 ford explorer xls. The rear lift gate on this vehicle has cracked directly below the rear window. We have spoken to the ford dealership here and they say they are not obligated to fix this piece due the vehicle being out of the initial warranty even though i have the premium esp plan and the fact that temperatures got to below freezing (27 degrees f). This is an engineering defect that should be dealt…
ODI 10145792
Hatchback/Liftgate
2003 ford explorer rear hatch glass shattered while parked.*mr *jb
ODI 10122667
Hatchback/Liftgate
After receiving a recall letter for the liftgate, the consumer is unable to obtain repair, since the part is not available. Liftgate recall nhtsa 04v442000
ODI 10111733
Hatchback/Liftgate
The consumer heard a wind noise coming from the rear of the vehicle when being driven, then suddenly the liftgate opened by itself. *jb *ak
ODI 10105193
Hatchback/Liftgate
Plastic under the rear liftgate (rear hatch) cracked when closing in cold weather. The two cracks were over 6 inches long. The entire liftgate will need to be replaced. *nlm
ODI 10049145
Glass, Side/Rear · Hatchback/Liftgate
Glass of front windshield leaking, we had it resealed and it is again leaking and the new seal is lifting. The rear liftgate window was leaking and the water was leaking in between the inner and outer panels. When the liftgate is opened one gets an unexpected shower. This too required repairing.*ak dup
ODI 10056479
Hatchback/Liftgate
Tl-*the 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the paint portion on the liftgate has cracked in several places just under the glass. The contact feels this can be a potential safety hazard because there have been other vehicles whose rear glass has broken. The failure mileage was 75000 and the current mileage was 80000.
ODI 10312647
Hatchback/Liftgate
Plastic under (attached to) rear liftgate window cracked in cold weather. Crack was ~10 inches long. Entire liftgate needs replacing.
ODI 10003326