Just noticed a vertical crack in the plastic panel that spans the full width of the lift gate, just below the glass. It's the piece to which the blue oval is attached. No evidence of any impact; crack is vertical but not a straight line. Probably stress and/or cold weather-related. Has anyone seen this on their vehicle? Access to the inside of this panel can be attained after removing the interior trim piece. Now for the questions: is the interior trim held on with clamps similar to door panel attachment? Is the exterior trim that will need replacing, glued into its channel, or is it held on with fasteners? The crack has separated by about 1/16 inch. Don't think bondo/epoxy filler would hold up because the panel is thin and has no backing. If anyone has time to give me some advice/recommendations, I would certainly appreciate your responding. Thanks

 

Unfortunately, this is a common problem and it costs $$$ to fix; the trim panel comes in unpainted. Supposedly, the expansion/contraction rate difference between the liftgate (metal) and trim panel (plastic) is what causes it to crack.

Steve

 

Thanks for the reply, Steve. I was planning to do the work myself, including painting. My only concern was how to remove the panel. Do you know how it is attached to the frame--glue? metal fasteners/clips? Also, am I right in assuming the interior panel pops off like a door panel. Thanks, John

 

John -

Sorry, I've never needed to do any work back there; hopefully someone here will jump in with the info you need.

Steve

 

You can't replace just the panel.. it all comes *** a rear hatch assembly, glass and all. Also you'll need to purchase a new FORD emblem, as you'll probably break the old one getting it off, and if you do it's not likely going to stay in place.

Do this.. first off call your local dealership and see if there is a recall on the rear hinges for your vehicle. If so let them do it.. and "hope" they break the glass in the process (quite common on these recalls... and if that happens they'll replace the entire assembly, including paint and all, free of charge)... this may also help if you know someone there...

Unfortunately the recall does not cover the cracking of the panel. Also unfortunately this is a pretty common problem on these explorers and not covered by any kind of warranty.

 

Thanks, Mazdaranger--not what I wanted to hear, though. Think I will use my ingenuity, and fix it myself. Do you know if the hinge recall remains in effect after original factory warranty expires?

 

As far as I can tell, YES it does, I have a 02 XLT with 118K, got a notice from ford to set up a date to fix or replace the hinges, called, was told to bring the truck in, no cost,set up a dete for after x-mas.

 

Finally got around to talking with my bodyshop friend re. the cracked piece on the liftgate of my daughter's 2002 Explorer. The part is called an applique. It is held into a channel with windshield-type adhesive. Removal requires the use of a heat gun to soften the adhesive. It will most likely come out in pieces, and it is removed from the exterior--inside trim does not have to be removed. The blue oval emblem that's on the applique is generally salvagable, if you can soften its adhesive without damage. I plan to use a piece of thin monofilament fishing line, and "saw" back and forth behind the emblem to remove it (a common way of removing the body side moldings on C5 corvettes--according to my friends on the Corvette Forum). The good news for me--it's only $42.70 wholesale, which the local Ford dealer will let me have. The piece will be black, but I will paint and clear coat to match the vehicle's color. Thanks to all who responded, and I will have to check into the hinge issue. My daughter does not remember receiving a recall notice, but her car is definitely one that is covered under the recall. She's not had a problem, however.