I BOUGHT 2003 FORD EXPLORER IN 2008, USED, AND IN 2011 I OPENED MY BACK GLASS AND THE HINGE SNAPPED ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE GLASS STARTED FALLING, AND THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED THE GLASS FROM BREAKING WAS THE RIGHT SIDE HINGE HELD. I CALLED THE FORD COMPANY AND THEY SAID THAT I COULD TAKE IT TO A DEALER AND HAVE IT INSPECTED, BUT THERE WAS NO SAFTEY RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IN 2004 THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER WAS RECALLED FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. *KB
2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WHEN DRIVING ON RURAL UNLIT ROADS, THE HEADLIGHTS AT TIMES LIGHT UP LESS THAN 3 VEHICLE LENGTHS AND OR BLIND ONCOMING DRIVERS WHEN USING LOW BEAMS. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECENT HEADLIGHT DESIGN WHICH USES A "PROJECTOR STYLE" LENS INCORPORATING A "HIGH BEAM" BULB AND A SHUTTER TO CREATE THE LOW BEAM BY CUTTING OFF THE TOP PORTION OF THE BEAM. THERE IS "NO" LIGHT ABOVE THE CUT-OFF LINE SO WHEN DRIVING DOWN AN UNDULATION AND/ OR DURING BRAKING, THE LIGHT BEAM AIMS DOWN RELATIVE TO THE ROAD. WHEN GOING UP AN UNDULATION, THE BEAM CUT-OFF MOVES UP AND SHINES THE UNCUT-OFF BEAM INTO THE EYES OF ONCOMING DRIVERS. ADDITIONALLY, THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE NO LIGHT ONTO THE SHOULDER ABOVE HEADLIGHT HEIGHT SO ROADSIDE TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNS AND PEDESTRIANS ARE NOT ILLUMINATED. SITUATION HAS BEEN OBSERVED BY DEALERSHIP SALESMAN AND TECHNICIAN WHO EXPRESSED DISBELIEF. DEALERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND MANUFACTURER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER HAVE ADVISED CONDITION IS "NORMAL AND ACCEPTABLE" EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE NOT OBSERVED THE CONDITION AND HAVE REFUSED TO DO SO. NO SERVICE ACTIONS ARE TO BE PERFORMED PER THE TECHNICAL HOTLINE. OTHER CONDITIONS PRESENTED BY THIS DESIGN ARE ALSO PRESENT CREATING ADDITIONAL LESSER ISSUES. CONDITION IS ONGOING SINCE FIRST BEING OBSERVED ON FIRST NIGHT DRIVE. *TR
