2003 Ford Explorer Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments Problems

NHTSA component category: STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · data through 07/12/2026

55Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments complaints

4.9%Of all 1,131 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION141 · 12.5%

STRUCTURE:BODY135 · 11.9%

POWER TRAIN110 · 9.7%

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE90 · 8%

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS55 · 4.9%

Share of the 1,131 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Ford Explorer overview page.

What owners report

“WHILE OPENING THE TAILGATE WINDOW, THE RIGHT AND LEFT HINGES BROKE. PE04045.PCO THE BACK WINDOW WAS HANGING BY THE PISTONS. WHEN POPPING UP THE WINDOW…”NHTSA complaint 10079558 — filed 08/16/2004

“CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 40 MINUTES WHEN THE REAR HATCHBACK WINDOW EXPLODED. CAUSE UNKNOWN.”NHTSA complaint 10029888 — filed 07/22/2003

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Ford Explorer have structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments problems?

Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge And Attachments is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Ford Explorer: 55 of 1,131 complaints on file (4.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Ford Explorer have in total?

1,131 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 60 involved a crash, 10 involved a fire, 57 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.