2003 - 2004 Ford Explorers Cracked Rear Panel

Song: Everything is Broken, Bob Dylan Reworked Cover Version

The rear panel on these vehicles is defective. It cracks as a result of faulty design and/or manufacturing error.
This repair costs $450. Ford stated that while they would originally repair them for free, they have changed their policy and this is a cost that Ford's customers will have to absorb. Ford also stated that it is not a common problem and that they will not be responsible.
From October 1st until December 31st, I took these photographs of Explorers and Mountaineers while out on my normal driving routes.
Apparently, the problem is quite significant.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Ford
• Explorer
• Cracked
• Rear
• Panel

[BFOSTA77]

my rear panel broke last month and not one day after, i stopped behind another one with the same damn problem. This needs to be recalled

[dontfeedthebears]

@BFOSTA77 Good luck with that. I have had numerous calls with these rodeo clowns and they basically say, eat it. After being told that there was no 'real' problem of any significance, I decided to keep a camera to document all of the ones that I saw in a 90 day period.

[MyronSharvan1]

I saw another forum that had 475 people reporting this defect... first I thought my wife hit it with something to make it crack... after reading 100's of reports it's a defect and Ford feels it poses no saftey issue's and will not fix it. I will never buy another Ford again. I will buy some door moulding and cover the crack on the right side of Ford emblem and then put a matching one on the left, people have said that after replacing the part it cracked again, so that is not an option. Chevy!

[carltonable5]

I think this is caused by people closing the tailgate too hard

[TheAcbadboy]

I fixed this myself cost me total of 236

[themafialeader]

Mine cracked 2 days ago.

[Lightningflash243]

Same here...I keep seeing people with it and i'm so mad, lately everyone with 2003-2004 Explorer or mountaineer has it. I have a 2003 ford explorer

[ippyinga]

Just called the 800 number after seeing my dealer, basically they are unwilling to do anything about it, just made a note of the problem, I said obviously there is a design flaw, the age of the vehicle is not relevant. This is the second time it has happened to my mercury mtnr. I am really pissed off at Ford.

[lockdown70]

I have the same problem with my explorer and I also would like to know who did this version of the bob dylan song..its brilliant!!!

[mexicanpowerputo]

$30,000 brand new and they dont wanna fix a $500 problem wich will actually cost them even less than 500$