2002 explorer tailgate panel cracked

[chuck caton]

hello out there,
this is my first time posting a message. hope i am doing it properly. i sent a private message to a member concerning this tailgate crack. i will try to get this out to anyone who can help me. my insurance company hs agreed to pay for the repair of the cracked panel right beneath the tailgate glass. i want to know if there is anything any of you have learned concerning the proper way to make the repair/ replace the panel so that this does not occur again. i read one of your postings that said a different type of adhesive should be used. what kind of adhesive would that be? would appreciate any help.
thanks,
chuck caton
wichita falls,tx.

[queanbeez]

we have a 2003 ford explorer and about 1 yr ago the tail gate panel had a "t" shape crack in it on the right side of the gate..now we just noticed that there is another "t" shaped crack on the left side. not sure if this is a manufacture defect or vandalism. we live in a good area but even so we cant see someone coming back and doing the same destruction twice. It looks as if it were cut into and its a very smooth cut. Looks like a table saw was used on it, which makes us wonder how anyone could have done this without someone hearing it. i'll post an image later.

[teamster02]

Same thing happened to me. Cracked just below the glass. Crack goes horizontal, verticle, horizontal, and verticle again. I think this is a manufactures defect (poorly made and/or designed). It probably happens when closing the upper portion only. I am guessing that cold weather would cause this to crack easier. I have noticed this on various forums, and plan to call Ford on this.

[rbyingto]

Originally Posted by teamster02

Same thing happened to me. Cracked just below the glass. Crack goes horizontal, verticle, horizontal, and verticle again. I think this is a manufactures defect (poorly made and/or designed). It probably happens when closing the upper portion only. I am guessing that cold weather would cause this to crack easier. I have noticed this on various forums, and plan to call Ford on this.

I live in Redmond, Wa. My 2003 Limited has a crack about 10 inches to the left of the Ford medallion. Ford of Bellevue service rep said the repair was not covered by my extended warranty. He also said repair would cost about $400. I have 47750 miles on the car. My next step is to contact the sales person then the dealer manager. If any one hears of a class action effort, I'd love to join.