Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY - GLASS, SIDE/REAR | ||||||
| RQ08003 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 06/23/2008 | 10/24/2008 | REAR LIFTGATE GLASS HATCH FAILURE | ||
| This investigation was opened on june 23, 2008, based on 34 complaints involving eight injuries in which the rear liftgate glass hatch on model year 2004 ford explorers or mercury mountaineers broke off and fell, usually while individuals were operating the glass hatch or loading or unloading items from the rear of the vehicle.ford conducted recall 04v-442 in 2004 to address similar problems on model year 2002 and certain model year 2003 ford explorers and mercury mountaineers.the information ford provided in response to odi's information request letter indicated that failures with 2004 vehicles were primarily liftgate glass hatch hinge failures related to corrosion at the hinge pin, whereas the failures that prompted the recall with the earlier models were primarily related to problems with the glass hatch's struts or fracture of a prior hinge design at the boss/bolt connection at the glass.odi's review of ford's warranty, complaint, and injury data for the 2004 vehicles indicates that these rates are significantly lower than those for the recalled population.a potential defect trend has not been identified at this time.odi will continue to monitor complaints and take appropriate action as necessary.this investigation is closed. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | |||
| 08/07/2010 | 1 | ||
| We were driving down the street and the hatchback/liftgate fell off the hinges. i have not been able to drive this car in over two years due to the fact that i cannot afford to pay for a manufacturer's defect. i have filed numerous complaints on this vehicle over the years. it has been sitting in the garage. i know that you investigated in 2008 rq08003. i hope we get some assistance. my previous complaint file numbers are 05687908: lists the engine blowing up, mirror falling off, cruise control shutting off, etc. but i have received no assistance from nhtsa. i have spent over $3,000.00 on this car for manufacturing defects. (documented). *tr | |||
| 08/07/2010 | |||
| We were driving down the street and the hatchback/liftgate fell off the hinges. i have not been able to drive this car in over two years due to the fact that i cannot afford to pay for a manufacturer's defect. i have filed numerous complaints on this vehicle over the years. it has been sitting in the garage. i know that you investigated in 2008 rq08003. i hope we get some assistance. my previous complaint file numbers are 05687908: lists the engine blowing up, mirror falling off, cruise control shutting off, etc. but i have received no assistance from nhtsa. i have spent over $3,000.00 on this car for manufacturing defects. (documented) | |||