wantedmaverick

2002 Mountaineer, 85K miles..rear applique under the back window has cracked for 2nd time. First time was in Feb. 2005 within 2 weeks of getting the hinge recall done at 41K. Now again at 85K it cracked all the way down??? Ford dealer says no way to repair under any special program. Anyone hear got any suggestions??? HELP This is a known defect since you see so many around town with the same issue, and at least 2 TSB's have been issued.

NCVinVT

2002 Explorer XLT. Same known problem, same issue, same lack of helpful response from Ford. I posted about it. First one cracked and I took it to dealer to be replaced at significant cost. Second applique panel had to get reglued at least three times. Kept loosening with heat - cold expansion and contraction. Dealer farmed it out to a body shop, and body shop guy tells me that in addition to the known defect, Ford has a problem with the glue formulation and came out with an equally ineffective adhesive. Over the winter it cracked again and the entire right half blew off on the highway. Now the tailgate looks like hell but I'll' be damned if I'm gonna shell out $400 to fix it one more time. Thinking about a homemade body panel or high mounted bumper sticker to cover the empty space, with specific legible reference about Ford "quality" and "customer care." Bottom line is Ford does not care. I'll remember that, and several other expensive repairs for known defects (wheel bearings, differential, transmission, rear brke rotors) when I go to buy my next car. End of rant.