- #3301 of 3320
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Re: Just bought one, tow package, 3rd row question [jposter]
by stephensonjr
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Mar 21, 2008 (8:59 am)
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Replying to: jposter (Jun 26, 2002 9:26 pm)
I've got a 2005 Explorer with the factory tow package. I found the wiring harness in the rear storage. It has pigtails that will connect to the brake controller, but where under the dashboard is the connection that it plugs into?
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- #3302 of 3320
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Re: 2003 crack in Liftgate [meemee]
by keogh22
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Mar 26, 2008 (5:50 am)
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Replying to: meemee (Feb 16, 2008 8:18 pm)
I've called my dealership about the crack and getting it fixed; all they had to say was that there has been no recall issued yet. The Explorer has the same problem and Ford has issued a recall and is fixing the problem as long as the vehicle is under 6 years old and has fewer than 75,000 miles on it.
I've called Ford/Mercury about issuing one for the Mountaineer and they said they haven't. My only thought is that they are waiting for more people to complain before they issue a recall.
So, if you haven't called Ford to report your problem, please do, so we can all get this fixed.
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- #3303 of 3320
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can't get the back door open
by dhutchens
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May 29, 2008 (6:47 pm)
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I cannot get the liftgate to open when i pull the lever one side opens but the other side stays locked. help
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- #3304 of 3320
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Re: 2003 crack in Liftgate [keogh22]
by mtnman1
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Nov 01, 2008 (10:59 am)
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Replying to: keogh22 (Mar 26, 2008 5:50 am)
It seems very few people are visiting this thread, but I'm hoping someone with a similar issue happens by. Our 2004 Mountaineer developed the crack in the liftgate as others in this thread have reported last Sunday morning. Just appeared out of nowhere. Started along the left edge of the Mercury Applique and ran up to about a inch and a half below the glass. Now a week later the crack goes all the way up to the window. Unfortunetly the Mercury dealership that I'd developed a good relationship with closed last July. I know they would have taken care of it no questions asked. I just bought a Ford Fusion SEL from the nearest Ford dealer which is about 2 miles from the closed Mercury dealership. I asked them to see what they might do to help me out. Body Shop manager said he would have to run it by the General Manager whom is on vacation until 11/3/08. He said they have seen a few with this problem (in reality I bet it is way more than a few) , but because it's out of warranty they probably can't do it for free. I was wondering if anybody has gotten these taken care of and how much should I expect to have to pay if Ford refuses to fix it for free? Is the fix holding up? Thanks in advance.
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- #3305 of 3320
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Re: 2003 crack in Liftgate [mtnman1]
by bryansos
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Nov 02, 2008 (5:26 am)
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Replying to: mtnman1 (Nov 01, 2008 10:59 am)
Hi, there are a lot of people with this same problem, Mountaineers and Explorers. Ford is fixing the problem with no cost to the owner. We just had our out of warranty mountaineer fixed at Tasca Ford in Cranston, RI. You just have to pusue it.
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- #3306 of 3320
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Re: 2003 crack in Liftgate [bryansos]
by mtnman1
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Nov 02, 2008 (4:20 pm)
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Replying to: bryansos (Nov 02, 2008 5:26 am)
Thanks so much for your reply. I had a problem with my 2003 Sonata that I just gave to my daughter. About a year ago the drivers side seat developed cracks in the leather which they claimed was considered normal wear and tear and they refused to take care of it. Went through a lot of back and forth with the dealership that I bought it from to get something done. Car only had about 30,000 miles on it. With the cost of $1800 there was no way I was willing to pay for it. Finally after much complaining and phone calls they sent a Customer Service rep up from Cincinnati and he agreed to have it fixed for free. Hopefully I won't have to go through as much to get an obvious defect fixed by Ford. I'm now concerned with the fact that the crack is spreading that the rear glass may shatter or pop out on the highway. Don't know if I can go very long with the risk of this occurring if it's at all possible for that to happen. It seems to be expanding a little more every couple of days. Right now it only has about 2 inches more before it runs the total distance from the glass to the bottom of the liftgate.
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- #3307 of 3320
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Re: 2003 crack in Liftgate [mtnman1]
by explorerx4
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Nov 03, 2008 (5:29 pm)
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Replying to: mtnman1 (Nov 02, 2008 4:20 pm)
i am responding you your post over in the fusion forum, but i don't think you will like the answer.
my '02 explorer has the same issue, and it is not extremely rare. how many vehicles it happens to, i have no idea. i even remember hearing it go 'crack'.
it is purely cosmetic. the painted panel is not structural, so don't get too worried about any safety issue. i stuck a piece of duck tape over it for 6 months or so, until my wife and kids broke me down with complaints.
my story is that i am very faithful(service every 3k) to the dealer i bought my explorer from and they did and 'after warranty adjustment(awa)'. your vehicle is eligible for 6 years or 75k miles, but it is pretty much completely up to the dealer to step up to the plate for you.
i bought my first vehicle from the dealer in 1990 and this awa was in 2006.
it's about a 450-500 repair.
since the kids have been driving for the last couple years, the panel has some scratches on it anyway.
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- #3308 of 3320
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Re: 2003 crack in Liftgate [explorerx4]
by mtnman1
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Nov 04, 2008 (4:06 pm)
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Replying to: explorerx4 (Nov 03, 2008 5:29 pm)
Actually the Body Shop Manager called me this afternoon after talking to the dealership General Manager. Told me that they would only charge me $100 and they would take care of the rest. I said it sounds good and they are ordering the part today. I figured they might since I just bought a Fusion SEL V6 and for the first time ever their Premium Care Extended Warranty from them just last Tuesday. Bought the Warranty because I was able to get them to drop the price from $925 to $750, 5/75 Warranty and I will be driving about 15 to 20K per year.
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- #3309 of 3320
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Re: 2003 crack in Liftgate [keogh22]
by mjcourt
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Dec 02, 2008 (12:23 pm)
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Replying to: keogh22 (Mar 26, 2008 5:50 am)
I just want to know where to call, I have a 2005 with the same crack and I have been going through the parking lots and seeing a lot of them out there. I seen the crack appear when I opened the hatch, not the main but the smaller one where you just open the window, My wife or myself did not know there was another latch until we seen some one in the parking lot and seen how they opened it. The minute I opened it the crack appeared. I took it to the local dealer and they do not want to do anything about it.I have owned Fords all of my life and this is the first time they have not fixed a problem like this!!!! 
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- #3310 of 3320
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Re: 2003 crack in Liftgate [bryansos]
by c2cthomas
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Dec 04, 2008 (10:12 am)
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Replying to: bryansos (Nov 02, 2008 5:26 am)
I would like to know more about the no fix cost. I just joined the "cracked liftgate" club with my 2004 Explorer. The crack runs vertical from top to bottom and is about 1/4 inch wide. It is located dead center of the liftgate and runs right through the Ford logo. I called the dealer last week and they said it would take a couple of days to fix and the cost would be around $550. I have seen other sites where people said that they paid to get the liftgate replaced only to have the new liftgate crack as well! So it seems to be a design and/or manufacturing defect by Ford.
Like so many others that I have read about - the crack simply appeared on a cold day. I was driving when it happened and heard a sort of crack sound from the rear and when I stopped and looked - there it was. So it's not as if someone smacked it in the parking lot or anything like that. Cold weather seems to put enough thermal stress on this part to cause it to crack like a dropped egg. 
Now I have been scouting the parking lots and roads for cracked liftgates - and they are out there!! Bunches of 'em!!!
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