Aviator Rear Panel Cracks Are Inevitable
The crack is caused by the buildup of water and air behind the window panel over time. It's more than cosmetic as some owners have said as the crack grows it allows water to enter the vehicle and soak the trunk floor. There are even some reports of sensors getting fried from all the moisture. The rear panel lawsuit wants Ford to cover the cost of repairs — which can be hundreds of dollars — saying the company knew about the problem during manufacturing, but kept pumping out the panels anyway. For more information about the problem and the lawsuit, visit FordProblems.com.
Ford redesigned their SUVs in 2002[1] and started using a polymer called ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) for their rear panels. ABS is supposed to be resistant to heat and tough impacts, which makes sense and points to a possible manufacturing defect causing the cracking.
The automaker switched to a blend of plastics known as Xenoy in 2003 which, interestingly enough, has experienced cracking problems in other applications.
Vehicles Affected ∞
<thead>
<tr>
<th style="text-align:left;">Make</th>
<th style="text-align:left;">Model</th>
<th style="text-align:left;">Years</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align:left;">Ford</td>
<td style="text-align:left;">Explorer</td>
<td style="text-align:left;">
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2001/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml" title="2001 Ford Explorer Cracked Panels and Body Defects">2001</a>,
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2002/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml" title="2002 Ford Explorer Cracked Panels and Body Defects">2002</a>,
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2003/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml" title="2003 Ford Explorer Cracked Panels and Body Defects">2003</a>,
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2004/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml" title="2004 Ford Explorer Cracked Panels and Body Defects">2004</a>,
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Explorer/2005/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml" title="2005 Ford Explorer Cracked Panels and Body Defects">2005</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align:left;"><strong>Lincoln</strong></td>
<td style="text-align:left;"><strong>Aviator</strong></td>
<td style="text-align:left;">
<strong>
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Lincoln/Aviator/2003/body_paint/crack_in_rear_panel_below_window.shtml" title="2003 Lincoln Aviator cracked rear panel">2003</a>,
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Lincoln/Aviator/2004/body_paint/crack_in_the_rear_panel.shtml" title="2004 Lincoln Aviator cracked rear panel">2004</a>,
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Lincoln/Aviator/2005/body_paint/cracked_rear_panel.shtml" title="2005 Lincoln Aviator cracked rear panel">2005</a>
</strong>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align:left;">Mercury</td>
<td style="text-align:left;">Mountaineer</td>
<td style="text-align:left;">
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Mercury/Mountaineer/2002/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml" title="2002 Mercury Mountaineer cracked rear panel">2003</a>,
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Mercury/Mountaineer/2003/body_paint/cracked_black_plastic_panel_at_base_of_rear_glass_hatch.shtml" title="2003 Mercury Mountaineer cracked rear panel">2003</a>,
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Mercury/Mountaineer/2004/body_paint/cracked_rear_panel.shtml" title="2004 Mercury Mountaineer cracked rear panel">2004</a>,
<a href="//www.carcomplaints.com/Mercury/Mountaineer/2005/body_paint/cracked_panel_below_the_rear_window.shtml" title="2005 Mercury Mountaineer cracked rear panel">2005</a>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
Not Just Cosmetic ∞
The cracks allow moisture to build up and corrode components that were supposed to be protected by the panels. Eventually, the cracks will allow the rear panel to break off while driving.
Lawsuits Regarding This Problem
Lawsuits about this problem have already been filed in court. Many times these are class-action suits that look to cover a group of owners in a particular area. Click on the lawsuit for more information and to see if you're eligible to receive any potential settlements.
In Re Ford Tailgate Litigation
Case Filed
The affected SUVs named in the cracked tailgate lawsuit are the 2002-2005 Ford Explorer, 2002-2005 Mercury Mountaineer and the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator. The lawsuit alleges that even though Ford sold millions of those SUVs, consumers might not have purchased the SUVs if the defect had been known.
Generations Where This Problem Has Been Reported
This problem has popped up in the following Lincoln generations.
Most years within a generation share the same parts and manufacturing process. You can also expect them to share the same problems. So while it may not be a problem in every year yet, it's worth looking out for.
Further Reading
A timeline of stories related to this problem. We try to boil these stories down to the most important bits so you can quickly see where things stand. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts for your vehicle over at CarComplaints.com.
Ford trying to argue that cracked rear panels is just a cosmetic problem is laughable.
The cracked rear panels are a mess – they let in moisture that corrodes and expands, frying electrical components and leading to shattered rear windows. Rather than clean it up, Ford just wants to sweep it under the rug using semantics in court.…
keep readingThe affected SUVs named in the cracked tailgate lawsuit are the 2002-2005 Ford Explorer, 2002-2005 Mercury Mountaineer and the 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator
. The lawsuit alleges that even though Ford sold millions of those SUVs, consumers might not have purchased the SUVs if the defect had been known.…
keep reading