Hi Ford Folks!

We have a 2005 Explorer and the hinges that hold the glass hatch on the back are broken. Appearantly this was recalled in at least 2003 and maybe 2004?? Anyway - I called the dealer today and they knew exactly what I was talking about and told me it would be $130 labor and $75 for the new parts. The frustrating thing is that they all said things like oh yeah - we know about that and Oh - they are known for breaking. There is not a current recall so I called Ford customer service and they said they have had lots of complaints and they will eventually probably issue a recall but it is not in the works yet and she had no timeline.

Anyone else having this problem? If so the more of us that call and report it the more documentation they have to move the recall further.

Even if you have already paid to have this fixed - still call and she told me to hang on to the receipt because when they do recall it we can be reimbursed so I wanted to pass that on as well.

Let me know your experiences - I would love to see how many of us have/had this problem.

My Explorer has 87,000 miles on it and we have been the only owners.

Jen

 

Always a weak point imo. My '98s hinges are in need of replacement. I tightened them up here a while back, but I see one is loose again.

A little thing, but something that causes a major pita and with the kind of reaction you got--"Yea, we know it's crap, but, well, huh, whatever..." it leaves a bad impression of the vehicle and Ford.

Wish I could help, but I gotta fix mine.

 

Ford may TSB it but it's not a "safety" related item so it won't be recalled. Same as with the LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE DAMAGED/CRACKED TSB. No TSB on the hinge yet.

 

There is a Recall, see the dealer concerning Recall number 04s20

 

That recall is for the 02 model. Mine is a 05 - same problem though which is why it is frustrating to pay out of my pocket to have it fixed.

Jen

 

SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGES
17216 2002-2003 EXPLORER 4DR/MOUNTAINEER - LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGE DAMAGE
SOME 2002-2003 EXPLORER 4DR/MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT BREAKAGE OF A LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGE. THIS MAY BE DUE TO THE HINGE LOOSENING AT THE GLASS OR BODY. TO SERVICE, REPLACE BOTH HINGES: 3L2Z-78420A68-AB (RH) AND 3L2Z-78420A69-AB (LH). APPLY MOTORCRAFT THREADLOCK 262, TA-26 (RED IN COLOR) OR EQUIVALENT TO HINGE THREADS, THEN TORQUE HINGE BOLT TO 67 LB-IN (7.5 NM) AND HINGE NUT TO 93 LB-IN (10.5 NM). HINGE REPLACEMENT IS BEING ADDED TO THE ONLINE WORKSHOP MANUAL IN LATE 2003. UNTIL THIS PROCEDURE IS AVAILABLE, FOLLOW THESE SERVICE TIPS: REPLACE ONLY ONE HINGE AT A TIME FOR EASE OF INSTALLATION; STRUTS SHOULD BE REMOVED BEFORE LOOSENING THE HINGES; INSTALL HINGE FINGER TIGHT TO GLASS SIDE FIRST, THEN FINGER TIGHT TO THE BODY SIDE. THIS ALLOWS PARTIAL GLASS CLOSURE WITHOUT LATCHING TO ALIGN GLASS BEFORE FINAL TORQUE.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/19/2003

 

I took my 2002 Explorer to the dealer and asked about any outstanding recalls. They looked up the truck by serial number and said there were no outstanding recalls, I asked about the one for the hinges on the rear glass and they said there are no outstanding recalls on this vehicle. I later called ford and the lady on the other end looked it up and told me the hinges were replaced in 2004 and once they were done under recall that there was a 1 year warranty on them and then you are on your own. so if yours weren't fixed under recall they will do them once for free the next time is on you.

 

The same thing has happened on my escape and I was told to suck up the cost of $130 for each hinge. I called and complained. Mine have completely disintegrated to where the inside actuator is all that is holding my glass on