Rickporgera

I've got a 2002 Explorer, and the same problem. Major cause is that it is black, and I live in Cairns, Qld, OZ..in the tropics. The black really soaks up the sun, so when the vehicle is garaged (95% of the time), it's fine, but as soon as I take it out on the road...a stupid thing to do, I know..the panel actually buckles out about 3/4" in the centre.
It only has a small split on the top at the moment, but it's going to head all the way south one day soon..I just know it.
Local dealer suggested "The car is the wrong colour for the tropics..!!" ergo...It's all my fault...Why do they treat us as the idiots..?
Last Ford I ever buy...they have the money for this one, but every potential customer of theirs I speak to, gets the drum on Fords' attitude and total disregard for the people who pay their wages.
That feels better...I can go have a cigarette now.
Cheers,

__________________
Rick Brittain
Cairns, Qld. OZ

 

rmansell

I own a 2002 Ford Explorer and the plastic on the tailgate beside the emblem is cracked. This is a common problem I'm seeing on the road and also on posts to various web sites. The best example I have was from this past spring - I went to a park and there were two 2002 Ford Explorers and a 2002 Mercury Mariner. All of them had the vertical crack on the plastic of the tailgate beside the emblems. I've heard that this is because of expansion and contraction due to heat and cold. However, it doesn't change the fact that this is a ford problem either because of materials used or improper engineering. Plastic on my other vehicles doesn't crack because of common seasonal changes in weather. Ford should recall this and make it right with their customers. The fact that they have not done so will likely prevent me from buying a vehicle in the future from a company that doesn't stand by their product. I will continue to relay my dissatisfaction with the way they are handling this to others, as I'm sure other Ford customers will do. Now is not the time for Ford to be losing potential customers because of a poor reputation.

NCVinVT

Update: See prior post this thread. After two replacements of the rear applique and having the second one crack and eventually half of it break off entirely - I decided not to waste another couple hundred $$ and decided to leave the ugly open scar visible on the back of my 2002 XLT. Everyone who asks me is told my story about how Ford will not stand behind their product and will pretend that such obvious defects don't exist. Next time you are in a big parking lot, check out all the 2002 - 2003 Explorers and see how many have the same crack!