Guys,

The hatch on my 03 Explorer is cracking between the Ford emblem and the glass. Anybody else have a problem with this.

Is this a recall issue????

 

I have the same problem with my truck. The only way the dealer might fix it, is to be one of the ones that have not had the recall fix on the hinges or struts. In the hopes that the wrench monkey, screws-up and breaks the glass, while making the repairs. I was waiting until after the holidays, and try my luck. The info on the recall, is posted quite awhile ago. Sorry I can't help more.

 

Thanks, I haven't brought it in for the recall on the hinges yet either.

 

the plastic panel is glued to a steel frame. when it is cold out and you wash with hot water, or park in the sun, or pull into a warm garage, the steel and plastic expand at different rates and cause the crack. quite a few have the crack. FORD has a bulletin on how to change it out, with a different type glue,l but not at their cost.

 

Thanks,

I have a call into my contact at the dealer. Hopefully he'll call back with info about this bulletin.

Do you have a link to the bulletin? Or a TSB number so I can let him know about it.....

 

I just got done replacing that piece on my 02 Exploder. It is called an applaiq(sp). It comes plain and has to be painted body color. Also the glue that ford wants you to use needs a special gun to use it. I made a little tool myself to get the glue out of the tubes.

 

So, if I don't fix it it'll just leak water underneath the plastic piece? Not inside the car?

 

That is correct, but mine eventually loosened up and blew off going down the road.

 

Thanks. It's just a small crack for now. Might be able to hide it with some touchup paint.

 

Guys,

Just wanted to let you all know. According to the OASIS report that the dealer faxed me this crack issue is covered under warranty and there is a TSB out on it. I'll have to dig up the OASIS and list the TSB for you guys.

Good thing I called the dealer. My Explorer is covered under the extended warranty until 75K miles. I had no idea. This is the first problem that we've ever had with it.

 

I have the same problem on my 2003. It started out a few months ago looking like vertical scratches along the top edge. Then recently I just notices a crack and now another large crack.

I have 50K miles and don't have extended warranty. Any chance Ford will cover it? Sounds like a well known problem.

 

I think so. According to the OASIS report on my car there is a TSB out on it. The TSB instructs the dealer to remove the plastic peice an glue a new one on.

 

I have my doubts that ford will cover it under warranty, just because there is a tsb. That does not mean that there is more warranty for that item. It pretty much just means that they are aware of the problem and can tell you what will help fix it.

 

Basically... it WILL be covered under the FACTORY 3/36K warranty. Also it WILL be covered if you have EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE (Ford ESP).

If your vehicle is OUT of warranty, it will NOT be covered... except possibly in rare cases when you are just BARELY out of warranty and you complain enough.

The TSB does NOT extend the factory warranty to cover that part.

yamahonda, unfortunately you are out of warranty, and I'm assuming you did not purchase extended warranty coverage (Ford ESP), in which case it will not be fixed for free. But feel free to call the local dealership with your VIN to be 100% sure. Believe me, if for some reason it is covered, they'll be more than happy to repair it for you!

Good luck!

 

My apologies for resurrecting an old thread but I was searching for a replacement part number. Wife truck is 400 miles out of warranty and the service manager told me that it's just a bezel trim that gets removed and replaced. None in our local junk yards.

I figure buying a replacement and getting it painted then replace it myself. this one cracked while in the driveway during one of our rare south Texas freezes where it actually dipped to about 31 ...Brrrrrr lol....

It split just left of the Ford emblem also. Appreciate any assist you may be able to provide......thanks,

C-man.....