2002 Ford Explorer Latches & Locks Problems

Your hood latch released while you were driving at 55 mph, causing the hood to fly up and hit your windshield. You were able to safely pull over and close the hood, but the latch hasn't been repaired or diagnosed yet. The fix will likely involve inspecting and replacing the hood latch assembly to prevent this from happening again.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR INTERIOR CHILD LOCKS FAILED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT TRAC. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES STOPPED WORKING AND THE CONTACT COULD ONLY GET IN AND OUT OF THE VEHICLE BY USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR LATCH ON ALL DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MAIN DOOR MODULE FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS UNKNOWN IF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 04/13/15*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLES. 3 OUT OF 4 HANDLE FAILED. 2 OUT OF 4 INSIDE DOOR HANDLES FAILED. UPDATED 6/29/2015 *JS

I'VE BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH MY TRUCK SAYING THE DOOR IS AJAR WHEN IT'S NOT. WHILE DRIVING, THE INSIDE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOORS. I NOTICED IT USUALLY HAPPENS EITHER WHILE ITS RAINING OR IF IT JUST FINISHED RAINING. SOMEONE ELSE I KNOW WHO HAS THE SAME VEHICLE (YEAR/MAKE/MODEL) SAYS THE SAME THING HAPPENS TO HIS VEHICLE. I'M WONDERING IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF THIS BEFORE AND IF SO, WHAT STEPS DO THE MANUFACTURES TAKE IN DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT A VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR A SPECIFIC PROBLEM? ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! *TR

DOORS WILL NOT SHUT IN THE FREEZING COLD WEATHER. WENT OUT TO THE EXPLORER TONIGHT, GOT IN, SHUT THE DOOR AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE. I TAKE THE HIGHWAY ON RAMP AND MY DRIVERS DOOR FLEW OPEN. I STOPPED AND TRIED TO SHUT IT AND IT JUST BOUNCED OPEN AGAIN AND AGAIN BECAUSE THE LATCH WAS FROZEN. I FINALLY GET IT TO STAY CLOSED, DROP MY PASSENGER OFF AND THEN THE PASSENGER'S DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE EITHER. I DROVE ALL THE WAY HOME HOLDING MY PASSENGER'S DOOR CLOSED. THIS TRUCK IS THE ABSOLUTE BIGGEST PIECE OF GARBAGE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN IN MY LIFE. IF YOU ARE READING THIS COMPLAINT AND HAVE NOT YET PURCHASED AN EXPLORER I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT I HEARD A CLANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER I PARKED THE VEHICLE, I LOOKED AT THE LIFT GATE AND SAW NO DAMAGE. I OPENED THE BACK DECK OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I CLOSED IT, THE REAR WINDOW FELL OUT. THE HINGES ON THE REAR GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE REAR GAS TO FALL OUT. I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER, FEARING THAT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD CAUSE THE REAR GLASS TO BREAK. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE $407.00. ALSO INFORMED ME THAT AN EARLIER RECALL HAD BEEN DONE ON THE SAME YEAR REGULAR FORD EXPLORER (02-03) FOR EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE BUT THEY DID NOT RECALL THE EXPLORER SPORT, EVEN THOUGHT THE SAME PARTS WERE USED ON BOTH VEHICLES. *TR

2002 FORD EXPLORER DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN FREEZING WEATHER, DOORS POP OPEN WHILE DRIVING! *TR

REAR INSIDE DOOR HANDLES SNAPPED OFF WHEN PULLED BY 2 YEAR OLD WHILE CHILD SAFETY LOCK WAS ON. *TR

FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS DURING THE COLDEST PART OF THE WINTER, THE DOORS ON MY VEHICLE REFUSE TO LATCH. I HAVE TRIED WARMING THE CAR UP LONGER, SPRAYING THE INSIDES OF THE DOOR WITH SOLUTION THAT IS SUPPOSED TO UNFROZEN WINDSHIELDS AND LOCKS (EVEN THOUGH THERE NEVER IS ICE OR WATER SEEN) & NOTHING WORKS. LAST YEAR, IT EVEN REFUSED TO LATCH AFTER LETTING MY DAUGHTER OFF AT SCHOOL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAD LATCHED WHEN WE LEFT THE HOUSE A MILE EARLIER. WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER OUT OF THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, THE DOOR FLEW OPEN & ALMOST TOOK OUT A MAILBOX. I HAVE CALLED FORD REGARDING THIS CONCERN, & THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY WILL DO SINCE IT HAS 119,000 MILES ON IT & THE WARRANTY IS OVER, EVEN THOUGH I BELIEVE IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN! AS IT IS GETTING COLDER HERE, I AM VERY WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE, AS MY DAUGHTER AND YOUNG GRANDSON ARE USING THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I SPOKE WITH SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY WORKS AT THE FORD FACTORY & HE SAID THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO THE DOORS NOT BEING FITTED CORRECTLY & IN THE WINTER THE SEAL IS. *TR

DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON. RECYCLED ENGINE CHECKED ALL DOORS AND AGAIN LIGHT COMES ON. OR WHILE DRIVING, THE DOORS AUTOMATICALLY UNLOCK. THE ALARM SOUNDS FOR NO REASON SOMETIMES. SOMETIMES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS COMES ON AND STAYS ON USUALLY WHEN I HAVE TROUBLE WITH THE DOOR AJAR ISSUES. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS AGO, SHE HAS HAD TO TAPE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SHUT TO KEEP IT FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURS AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH OR LOWER. THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE DOOR AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

I HAVE A CRACKED REAL PANEL ON TAILGATE. I UNDERSTAND FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS THAT THIS IS A DANGER BECAUSE THE ACTUAL GLASS CAN DISLODGE FROM THE PANEL AND HURT SOMEONE. I HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN. 1 STANDS AT A HEIGHT BELOW THAT GLASS LEVEL! *TR

REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCKS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. DOORS WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH EITHER THE FRONT DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS OR THE WIRELESS KEY. *TR

MY FAMILY AND I WENT TO MY FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE AND AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND UNLOCKING THE DOORS MY DAUGHTER'S DOOR (REAR PASSENGER) WOULD NOT UNLOCK NOR OPEN FOR THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE, BY SWITCH NOR MANUALLY. FOR MY DAUGHTER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SHE HAD TO CLIMB IN THE FRONT SEAT TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, WE HAVE A BABY THAT RIDES IN A CAR SEAT SO SHE COULDN'T EXIT ON THE DRIVER PASSENGER SIDE. I'VE DISCOVERED THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TAKE THE PANEL OFF AND TAKE THE ONE SCREW OFF THAT HOLDS THE HANDLE MECHANISM AND PULL IT A FEW TIMES TO FINALLY RELEASE THE LATCH. I JUST READ ABOUT A FORD RECALL ON FAULTY LATCHES. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IN THIS RECALL AND MY LATCH ISSUE IS MY LATCH WILL NOT RETURN TO AN OPEN STATE. I FEEL THAT MY ISSUE IS RELATED IN THE SAME CONTEXT, AND FEEL THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF SOMETHING HAPPEN MY DAUGHTER COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NO DECERNABLE EVENTS LED UP TO THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE VEHICLE'S KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM. THE REMOTES CEASED TO FUNCTION. REPLACING BATTERIES DID NOT HELP. REMOTE CAPABILITY TO LOCK DOORS FROM OUTSIDE OR INSIDE CEASED AT APPROXIMATELY 45K MILES. KEYPAD CEASED TO DUNCTION AT SAME TIME. DEALER WANTS $75/HR TO 'LOOK AND SEE; WHAT PROBLEM MIGHT BE. I SUSPECT ABRASION IN THE WIRING HARNESS CONTAINED WITHIN DRIVER'S DOOR. *CN

I HAVE A 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW. APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AFTER PURCHASE STARTED DEVELOPING A CRACK ON THE PANEL BENEATH THE REAR WINDOW. SINCE THEN, WHEN IT IS HOT, I GET A DOOR OPEN WARNING LIGHT. NO DOOR IS OPENED, BUT THE DOORS REFUSE TO LOCK, AND THE WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. I BELIEVE WATER ENTERS THE PANEL BENEATH THE WINDOW DUE TO THE CRACK. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY DEALERS FOR THE WARNING LIGHT-THEY CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT.*AK

SUBJECT: CRACKED PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW (TAILGATE APPLIQUE) WHERE: 9 DEGREES TEMPERATURE IN SHILOH, ILLINOIS (15 MILES EAST OF ST. LOUIS). VEHICLE TYPE: 2002 FORD EXPLORER XLS 4 DOOR WAGON 6 CYL 4.0 SOHC 51,101 MILES. WHAT: THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE HAS DEVELOPED ONE VERTICAL CRACK, APPROX 1/8TH" IN DIAMETER RUNNING THE LENGTH OF THE PANEL (APPROX 4.5 INCHES) TO THE RIGHT OF THE "FORD" EMBLEM. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET I FOUND OVER 75 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS, MOST IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS (COLD WEATHER). THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY (ESP). PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE LISTED BELOW FOR OTHER CUSTOMERS COMMENTS. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2002/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTM COST/COMMENTS: AUFFENBERG BODY SHOP (BELLEVILLE, IL 618-234-0330) REPAIR COST $380.00 IF REAR WINDOW BREAKS ADD AN ADDITIONAL $1100.00. FORD DEFINITELY HAS A QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THIS COSMETIC DEFECT PART. AFTER CONTACTING FORD PRIOR APPROVAL DEPARTMENT (800-321-7790 OPTION #3) AND CUSTOMER CENTER (800-392-3673), BOTH OFFICES INFORMED ME THAT THIS DEFECT IS NOT COVER UNDER THE ESP WARRANTY. ACTION: FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD REPLACE THE PANEL AT NO CHARGE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPLY AND A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. A COPY OF THIS LETTER WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS, BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AND THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION. *JB

BACK SEAT DOOR HANDLE WERE IN CHILD LOCK POSITIONS AND BROKE WHEN PULLED TO OPEN. FIRST THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEN THE DRIVER SIDE. THE ONE ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS BROKEN BY THE DEALER WHEN THEY WERE DOING THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BOLT RECALL. OF COURSE THEY SAY THEY DIDN'T BREAK IT. THE SEAT BACK ADJUSTMENT WAS ALSO BROKEN DURING THE BOLT INSTALLATION. I ONLY HAD 37,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK BUT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THEY WANT $300 PER DOOR HANDLE. THIS IS A "DEATH TRAP', AS YOU CANNOT EXIT THE BACK SEAT IF THE POWER IS NOT WORKING ,AS YOU CAN'T EVEN PUT DOWN A WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE IF THE ELECTRIC IS OFF. I AM SURE THAT I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO HAVE THE PLASTIC HANDLE BREAK! I NEED TO KNOW IF ANY RECALLS ARE OUT REGARDING BOTH THESE PROBLEMS. FORD SAYS "NO" *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME THE CONTACT WAS UNLOADING GROCERIES OR BOOK BAGS FROM THE BACK OF THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUTS BECAME DISENGAGED. ONCE THE STRUTS WERE DISENGAGED THE GLASS CAME DOWN ON THE CONTACT'S HEAD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.*AK

THERE WERE NO EVENTS TO CAUSE THIS ISSUE, OTHER THAN FORD'S OWN RECALL FOR THE REAR LIFT HATCH. ONCE THE HATCH WAS REPAIRED, THE WINDOW TOOK MORE FORCE TO SHUT AND EVENTUALLY DEVELOPED STRESS CRACKS. I HAVE A VERTICAL CRACK ON THE LEFT SIDE WITH A 1/4 INCH GAP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PANEL. *NM

LIFT GATE CAUSES THE BODY FRAME TO SPLIT. *JB

PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN EXCEPT FOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. *NM

EACH WINTER SINCE PURCHASING MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER THERE HAVE BEEN DAYS WHEN THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH SHUT AND I WAS FORCED TO WAIT FOR THE MECHANISM TO THAW OR USE ONE HAND TO KEEP THE DOOR FROM FLYING OPEN AS I DROVE. AFTER THAWING OUT THE DOOR WOULD LATCH AND I COULD CONTINUE SAFELY. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM ISOLATED TO MY VEHICLE THOUGH AFTER HEARING OF THE RECENT RECALL I AM CERTAIN THIS IS ANOTHER IN A LONG LIST OF DEFECTS I HAVE EXPERIENCED. IN FACT ON JULY 30, 2005 WEST HERR FORD OF HAMBURG, NY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK AND THE PASSENGER SIDE WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE. I NOW WONDER IF THE CONSTANT FREEZE / THAW CYCLE OF THE WATER THAT OBVIOUSLY LEAKS INTO THE DOOR CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. *JB

THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP IS BELOW FREEZING. I HAD TO WARM THE TRUCK UP FOR 10 MINUTES TO HEAT UP SO THE DOOR WOULD CLOSE CORRECTLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND I THINK THE DOOR LATCH SHOULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE IF THE DOOR DOES NOT LATCH CORRECTLY SOMEONE CAN BE SERIOUSLY INJURED. *NM

CRACK IN LIFTGATE THAT OCCURRED SPONTANEOUSLY WHEN WEATHER BECAME WINTER--REAR WIPERS WERE USED AND CRACK OCCURRED. RECALL WAS DONE AT THIS AREA DEALER SUMMER 2005 PRIOR TO CORRECT LIFTGATE RECALL.....WE INQUIRED ABOUT POSSIBLE OVER TIGHTENING DURING RECALL SERVICE AND IT WAS DENIED. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR SINCE THE SUMMER OF 2002 AND HAVE HAD IT IN COLD WEATHER BEFORE AND UP UNTIL THE RECALL FIX IT NEVER CRACKED. CONCERNED ABOUT GLASS FALLING OUT SINCE THE TAILGATE IS CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. THE DEALER ASSERTED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH CRACKS IN LIFTGATE... SINCE WE ARE NOT UNDER WARRANTY WE HAD TO PAY $600 TO GET THIS FIXED. MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS ONLY 23000!!!!! IT IS THE SAFETY ISSUE OF GLASS FALLING OUT WHILE DRIVING OR FALLING INTO THE CAR UPON MY CHILDREN THAT CONCERNS ME. MANY INTERNET WEBSITES I HAVE BEEN TO DISCUSS OTHER SUCH CRACKS OCCURRING IN THE TAILGATE I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME DEALERS ARE WILLING TO HELP AND OTHERS DON'T. THE PRICES VARY TOO WHICH AMAZES ME. *JB

DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OR LATCHES POORLY DURING COLD WEATHER AFTER OPENED. DOOR HAS SWUNG OPEN WHILE BEING DRIVEN. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES WITH NO REMEDY. DEALER HAS "ADJUSTED DOOR AND LUBED LOCK". DEALER OFFERED TO REPLACE LATCH AND CABLE BUT DID NOT THINK THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. *NM

DANGEROUS CRACK OCCURRED IN 2002 FORD EXPLORER REAR LIFTGATE IN DEC. 2002, WAS REPAIRED. RECURRED IN SEP. 2005, AND FORD REFUSED TO REPAIR 2 WEEKS AFTER WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, EVEN THOUGH PART WAS DEFECTIVE AND VEHICLE HAD ONLY 28,000 MILES. APPLIQUE MAY COME OFF, THREATENING STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF LIFTGATE AND GLASS. INTERNET SHOWS DOZENS OF CUSTOMERS HAD EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA RECALL ID 01I010000 FORD EXPLORER 2002 LIFTGATE DEAR SIR/MADAM, I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT THE FORD DEALERSHIP (JOE MYERS FORD IN HOUSTON, TEXAS) AS WELL AS FORD AS LESS THAN HELPFUL IN GETTING THIS RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. I AM BEING TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE THERE FOR AN ENTIRE DAY, YET I DO NOT HAVE ANY RIGHT TO A LOANER CAR. THEY ALSO WOULD NOT ACCEPT THE VEHICLE ON A SATURDAY ALTHOUGH THEY ARE OPEN UNTIL 3 PM. I DON'T THINK THAT I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING A RENTAL CAR OR HAVING TO TAKE A VACATION DAY SO THAT FORD CAN REPAIR A DEFECT THAT IS DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURING. RGDS, CHRIS ROM

THE REAR AUTOMATIC DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE THE CONSUMER HAS CHECKED THE CHILD LOCKS, AND THEY ARE NOT ON. THE MANUFACTURE AND DEALER STATES NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW INSIDE REAR DOOR HANDLES FROM THE DEALER AND REPLACED THEM. *BF *NM

DOOR LOCKS FREEZE AT TEMP. BELOW 30 DEG. F. THIS OCCURS ON BOTH FRONT DOORS. THIS PREVENTS THE LATCH FROM CLOSING COMPLETELY. THE PASSENGER DOOR HAS OPENED WHEN THE TRUCK MADE A RT. HAND TURN. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGING ISSUE. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN IN LAST YEAR FOR THIS ISSUE. THE DOOR STRIKER WAS ADJUSETED,. THE DEALER WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRENTY BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER COVERED.*AK

THERE IS A RECALL ON MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER CONCERNING THE LIFTGATE HINGES. I WAS NOTIFIED IN SEPTEMBER THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE IN THE DEALERSHIPS IN NOVEMBER. THEY HAVE JUST ARRIVED IN FEBRUARY. IN THE MEANTIME THE APPLIQUE ON MY LIFTGATE HAS CRACKED. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WOULD NOT PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND THAT IT WILL COST ABOUT $350.00. THIS IS MY 3 FORD EXPLORER AND WILL PROBABLY BE THE LAST. ALL MY DEALER TELLS ME IS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN RESPOND. WHAT KIND OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IS THAT?*AK

I WENT TO MY AUTOMOBILE AND RAISED JUST THE WINDOW PART OF MY HATCH AND GOT SOME STUFF OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND I SHUT THE HATCH JUST AS I ALWAYS DID AND WHEN I SHUT IT I HEARD A NOISE AND I LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE AND THE METAL OR FIBERGLASS ON THE HATCH HAD CRACKED ALL THE WAY TO THE UNDER SURFACE OF THE HATCH. *AK

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD EXPLORER THIS YEAR. I HAD NOT OWNED IT FOR VERY LONG WHEN IN AUGUST 2004 THE LIFTGATE MALFUNFUNCTIONED. I WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT INJURED. I REPORTED THE MALFUCNTION BOTH TO NHTSA AND TO FORD. FORD STILL HAS NOT REDESIGNED THE PARTS FOR THIS VEHICLE AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THE UPPER LIFTGATE OF MY VEHICLE IS NOW CRACKED IN TWO. THE DELAY IN REDESIGNING THE PARTS AND ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE HAS EXACERBATED THE STRESS THE LIFTGATE OF MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER AND ALLOWED THE UPPER LIFTGATE TO CRACK IN TWO. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT YES THERE IS A RECALL ON SPECIFIC PARTS BUT EXPRESSED THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CRACKED LIFTGATE. I AM FURIOUS AT THIS SIDE STEPPING OF THE ISSUE BY FORD. I AM AN ATTORNEY AND WILL SEEK ALL LEGAL RECOURSE AVAILABLE TO ME REGARDING THIS.*AK

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR UPPER WINDOW LOCKING AND UNLOCKING FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER HAS FOUR CHILDREN AND WAS SCARE D SOMETHING WILL HAPPEN TO THE CHILDREN. VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED AT TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK

OCTOBER 2001, I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 FORD EXPLORER FROM DON REID FORD MAITLAND, FLORIDA. I EXPERIENCED ONE PROBLEM AFTER THE OTHER WITH MY WINDOWS AND DOORS. FIRST, THE BACK HALF DOOR CAME OPEN AND REFUSED TO CLOSE. THE DEALER REPAIRED IT. NEXT, THE REPLACEMENT REFUSED TO WORK; THE DEALER ORDERED THE PART AND REPAIRED IT. NEXT, THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW, CRASHED TO THE GROUND. I PLACED THE DRAGGING PART IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK AND STOPPED AT GREENWAY FORD. GREENWAY REFUSED THE REPAIR AND SENT ME WHERE I PURCHASED IT. DON REID KEPT THE TRUCK A FEW DAYS AND REPAIRED IT. NEXT, SCREWS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR CAME OUT, THAT DOOR WOULDN'T CLOSE. FED UP WITH REPEATED TRIPS TO DON REID I HAD MY HUSBAND FIX IT, THE DOOR CAME LOOSE AGAIN. I'M AT THE LIMIT ON WHAT I'LL ENDURE FROM A VEHICLE I'M PAYING NEARLY $500.00/MO FOR. IT'S NOT WORTH THE PAIN I AM EXPERIENCING. I ALMOST DIED ON AUGUST 26, 5:30 TO 6:00 PM, WHEN THE LOCKED DRIVER'S DOOR SUDDENLY SWUNG OPEN AND CLOSED ON MY ARM. I WAS LEANING ON THE ARMREST. THE SEAT BELT KEPT ME FROM BEING THROWN. I NEARLY RAN OFF THE ROAD. MY ARM HURT AND STARTED TO SWELL. THE DOOR REFUSED TO LATCH. I HELD THE HEAVY DOOR SHUT WITH MY SWOLLEN ARM AND CONTROLED THE TRUCK WITH THE OTHER. I CRAWLED 35 MINUTES TO ORLANDO. MY HAND WAS NUMB AND I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. I PULLED OVER TO REST MY NUMB ARM. I PULLED INTO WINN DIXIE'S PARKING LOT AND A CUSTOMER, REVERSED INTO THE BACK OF MY TRUCK, ADDING TO IT'S DAMAGES. STILL HOLDING THE DOOR, I MADE IT HOME. DON REID, WHOM I HAD PREVIOUSLY CALLED, HAD CLOSED. MY ARM HURTS MORE THAN IT DID YESTERDAY. FORTUNATELY, SOME OF THE SWELLING WENT DOWN. MY ADJUSTER ASKED ME TO KEEP THE TRUCK. HE'S MAKING TOWING ARRANGEMENTS. I'M SEEING MY DOCTOR TOMORROW FOR STRONGER MEDS. AS A GRADUATE I CANNOT AFFORD TIME OFF. THE DOOR CANNOT CLOSE OR LOCK. MY HUSBAND HAS TO LEAVE WORK EARLY TO COLLECT OUR DAUGHTERS FROM SCHOOL. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!*AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A LIFTGATE PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY APPLIED GLUE ON THE LIFTGATE CABLE. HOWEVER, BECAUSE THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL THEY DID NOT ADMINISTER ANY MORE ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN WHAT WAS DONE. CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR OTHER REPAIRS. *AK THE LIFTGATE BRAKE CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE SHOCK TO COME OFF AND RESULTED IN A DENT IN THE VEHICLE . THE GLUE TO DEALER PUT ON THE CABLE LASTED 4-5 HOURS . *NM

INTERMITTENTLY HATCH BACK LEVER WHEN PULLED UP TO OPEN THE HATCH FAILED TO RELEASE AND WENT BACK DOWN. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE HATCH BACK WOULD NOT CLOSE. *AK

MY 2002 FORD EXPLORER HAD IT'S REAR GLASS FALL OFF WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO OPEN IT 2 DAYS AGO. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SOUNDED SURPRISED. I CALLED THEM BACK WITH THE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 50,000+ VEHICLES RECALLED FOR THIS AND THEY REMAIN UNIMPRESSED. I'M LOOKING FOR SOME HELP. I CALLED WINCHESTER FORD, (WINCHESTER VA) 540 667 4434. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS VERY MUCH, BEN

DOOR HANDLES KEEP BRAKING/DRS WILL NOT OPEN/ OWN 2 OF SAME HAVE GONE THROUGH 5 HANDLES ON EACH TRUCK / FORD WAS NO HELP/ IN AN EMERGENCY THE DOORS COULD FAIL TO OPEN/ DEALER SAID THEY'RE STOCKING CASES OF HANDLES TO REPLACE W/SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS/ MY 3 YEAR OLD SON TRIED TO OPEN THE DOOR, AND IT BROKE / HE COULD NOT APPLY MUCH FORCE. *AK