2003 Ford Explorer Hinge And Attachments Problems
- 55
- 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 55 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 3 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- lift gate · 14 records
- rear liftgate · 13 records
- liftgate glass · 12 records
- failure mileage · 10 records
- rear window · 7 records
- structure body · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 12 |
| 30–60k mi | 10 |
| 1–30k mi | 9 |
| 100–150k mi | 6 |
| 150–400k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Glass, Side/Rear · Hinge And Attachments
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. When attempting to close the rear window, the contact noticed that the rear liftgate window hinges were cracking and were tilted on one side. The contact, a certified master technician, stated that the window needed to be replaced. The contact called fort mill ford at [redacted] (located at [redacted], fort mill, sc 29708) and was informed that the vin was not included in…
ODI 11101848
Hinge And Attachments
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While accessing the power liftgate, the hinges fractured and caused the door to abruptly close. There were no injuries. The liftgate was completely removed and placed in the vehicle temporarily. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
ODI 10762037
Hinge And Attachments
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatch was open and the hinges that opened the glass fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 175,500.
ODI 10682118
Hinge And Attachments
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate glass strut brackets and glass hinges were fractured and tilted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was also taken to the dealer who stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 04v442000 (structure). The failure mileage was 100,000.
ODI 10676919
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
Hinge And Attachments
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated while opening the rear hatch the lift gate hinge failed off causing the lift gate to hang on by one hinge. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated the hinge needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the hinge replaced. The contact stated the lift gate could have fallen off while driving. The failure mileage was 123,000.
ODI 10412116
Hinge And Attachments · Structure
I bought 2003 ford explorer in 2008, used, and in 2011 i opened my back glass and the hinge snapped on the left side and the glass started falling, and the only thing that saved the glass from breaking was the right side hinge held. I called the ford company and they said that i could take it to a dealer and have it inspected, but there was no saftey recall on my vehicle. I looked online and in 2004 the 2003 ford…
ODI 10413542
Hinge And Attachments
One of the two hinges that secure the rear liftgate glass to the vehicle recently broke. Under the nhtsa's guidance, ford previously issued a recall describing and addressing this exact problem. However, ford claims that my truck falls outside the build dates for the affected vehicles. Several other owners have complained of this issue online, so it appears the recall needs to be expanded to the later build dates.…
ODI 10341581
Hinge And Attachments
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While attempting to open the rear lift gate window, the hinge for the window broke and the glass became disengaged. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed his vehicle was not included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments). The vehicle was not…
ODI 10339439
Hinge And Attachments
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated the rear lift gate hinges fractured and caused the rear windshield glass to fall and shatter from the vehicle. The dealer advised there were no recalls for the vehicle and any repairs would be at the expense of the owner. The vehicle was repaired accordingly. The failure mileage was 110,950 and the current mileage was 113,000.
ODI 10331457
Hinge And Attachments
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While the contact was closing the rear lift gate the hinge broke without warning. Prior to the recent failure the vehicle was taken to the dealership where nhtsa campaign id #04v442000 (structure: body: hatchback/lift gate: hinge and attachments) repair was performed on the vehicle. The repair was insufficient and failed to address the safety defect. The vehicle was taken to…
ODI 10318486
Hinge And Attachments
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate/applique split down the middle which caused water to enter the vehicle, also known as a cracking fracture of the panel. Recall number 04v442000, structure, body, hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments is related to the failure; however, the vin was not included. The contact expects the manufacturer to be responsible for the…
ODI 10298758
Hinge And Attachments
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the hinges for the rear liftgate fractured and almost caused the glass to disengage and cause injury. The manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in nhtsa campaign id number 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments); therefore, they would not assume any responsibility. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure…
ODI 10274117
Hinge And Attachments
My wife and i own a 2003 ford explorer. Under nhtsa campaign id number 04v442000, the liftgate glass struts brackets and glass hinges were allegedly repaired. One of the glass hinges that was allegedly replaced had failed. The hinge pin for this hinge has been sheared off in a similar manner to the problem with the original hinges covered under the above referenced recall. My ford dealer and ford are entirely…
ODI 10272568
Body · Hinge And Attachments
We have owned the subject 2003 ford explorer xlt since it was new. The rear liftgate hinge holding the rear glass failed. I understand that this failure is the subject of nhtsa recall #04v442000. Ford informs me that they will not fix this continuing safety defect because they replaced the hinge once before in 2006. I have no record of such a repair, not do i agree that ford's policy of only performing one…
ODI 10263990
Hinge And Attachments
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The contact stated that the liftgate hinge broke on the right side and the left side of the glass was wedged inside the roof. If the hatch had not been wedged, the glass would have shattered onto her feet or caused injuries. The dealer stated that the vin was excluded from nhtsa campaign id number 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments), although…
ODI 10260188
Glass, Side/Rear · Hinge And Attachments · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. While driving 55 mph with the cruise control activated, the cruise control failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that the cruise control wiring failed. There is a recall for the vehicle speed control, but his vin was not included. The recall number was unknown. The current mileage was 11,550 and failure mileage was 11,330. Updated…
ODI 10229709
Hinge And Attachments
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. When the contact opened the liftgate, the right hinge swung out and became detached. The hinge nearly struck his child. He called the dealer and was notified of a recall on his year, make, and model vehicle for this identical failure. He called the manufacturer and was informed that his vin was not included in the recall. The contact believes that if the failures are the…
ODI 10230363
Hinge And Attachments
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The rear liftgate window suddenly blew out while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that it was a common failure, but they could not explain the cause. The vehicle is currently at the shop being repaired. The contact has pictures of the failure. The current and failure mileages were 72,000. Updated 03-31-08 *bf after doing some…
ODI 10219680
Hinge And Attachments
2003 ford explorer has structure: body: hatchback 6" vertical crack in plastic below hatchback window. Recall 04v442000 does not apply to my vin number however is same problem. Spent 40 minutes on phone with ford and they stated that i must complete a complaint form. *tr
ODI 10193976
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
Hinge And Attachments
Rear hatchback was taken to ford for a recall regarding the hatchback hinges. The stress of the failed hinges has caused cracks to develop below the rear window in the facia, it is cracking. *jb
ODI 10178640
Hinge And Attachments
After opening the hatchback to put groceries inside, the window fell. After inspecting it, it turns out the hinge on hatchback broke causing the window to fall. It hit my left arm and forearm causing severe bruising, other than that nobody else was hurt and the window did not fall off completely. I called the dealer and was asked to drop it off for inspection. Was eventually fixed. But i can't help to wonder if it…
1 injury
ODI 10165308
Hinge And Attachments
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked at home the rear lift gate window exploded. During the incident the temperature out doors was about 70f. Last year, the vehicle was taken to the dealership who replaced the gates defective hinges, according to recall # 04v442000 instructions. The contact expressed concern about the incident because it could have caused a serious accident. *ak the consumer was told…
ODI 10161837
Hinge And Attachments
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford explorer. The vehicle was included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number: 04v442000 (structure:body:hatchback/lift gate:hinge and attachments) and was repaired. After the repair, the contact noticed a fracture in the panel under the rear liftgate window. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was…
ODI 10450852