I just noticed a "top to bottom" crack in the upper rear (smaller) hatch of my 2002 Explorer, just below the glass, in the plastic. It was parked outside (as it always is) and the temp was about 5 degrees. Just wondered if anyone else has had this "spontaneous cracking" problem. If so, do you think patching would work as a fix or am I looking at a new hatch? Tnx very much.

 

my 03 mountaineer did the same thing! i want to replace it but what fixes it from happening again? anyone? anyone?

 

The body shop guy at my dealer said, "yeah, I've seen a few of these," and "it's a Ford problem, we'll take care of it." Fixed under warranty even though it was almost 5 yrs old. When I picked up the car after the repair he told me that the service manager felt it was NOT a warranty repair item but they (body shop) fixed it anyway. Nice of them, right? I'd go right to your body shop guy. Good luck.

 

I showed it to my dealer and they said they could fix it but it was not covered. I've seen TSB's out for it but I need jedi mind powers to make them fix it under warranty. Anyone have an idea on how to present my case to get it fixed under warranty?

 

Hi, I had the same issue with my 2002 Explorer not once but twice! The Dealer was great and fixed it both times. It is a known problem from Ford so I would contact your dealer. I didn't pay a penny so it's worth a call. It's a "stress" issue so it's not anything that you are doing wrong. Good luck!

 

Mines an 02 and this was a recall to replace these hinges.

 

While we were away for a couple weeks in December, we noticed the top to bottom crack in the upper rear hatch of our 2003 Ford Explorer. I see the posts from 2006, but wonder what kind of response I will get from Ford Dealer now that the truck is 6 years old.
Anyone recently addressed this issue?