NHTSA recall 04V442000
A recall listed here may apply to a vehicle of this year, make and model. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle: check the VIN with the official lookups.
| Published by | NHTSA (United States) |
|---|---|
| Campaign number | 04V442000 |
| Manufacturer's number | 04S20 |
| Manufacturer | FORD MOTOR COMPANY |
| Reported | 2004-09-13 |
| Owners notified | 2004-09-30 |
| Component | STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS |
| Units potentially affected | 955732 |
What is wrong
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT MAY BECOME DISENGAGED OR THE HINGE MAY FRACTURE ALLOWING THE GLASS TO FALL AND POSSIBLY BREAK.
What can happen
IF THE HINGE SHOULD FRACTURE, THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR THE GLASS TO FALL AND ULTIMATELY BREAK AND PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL HAVE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES REPLACED. FOR THE VEHICLES BUILT FROM AUGUST 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2002, THE DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HINGES AND LIFTGATE STRUT BRACKET. ON VEHICLES BUILT FROM MARCH 3, 2002 THROUGH JUNE 23, 2003, THE DEALERS WILL ONLY REPLACE THE HINGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2004. A POSTCARD WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 27, 2004, ADVISING THEM THAT PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Notes
FORD RECALL NO. 04S20.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
| 2002 FORD EXPLORER | Built 2000-08-01 to 2003-06-23. |
|---|---|
| 2003 FORD EXPLORER | Built 2000-08-01 to 2003-06-23. |
| 2002 FORD MOUNTAINEER | Built 2000-08-01 to 2003-06-23. |
| 2003 FORD MOUNTAINEER | Built 2000-08-01 to 2003-06-23. |
A vehicle with no link is not in this site's catalog, which covers cars, multipurpose vehicles and trucks by model year. The campaign is from data as of 2026-10-19.
Investigated as PE04045
This recall followed 1 NHTSA investigation. An investigation is NHTSA looking into a possible defect. It is not a finding that a defect exists, and it does not say that any one vehicle is affected.
| PE04045 | Preliminary evaluation, opened 2004-06-02, closed 2004-09-28. REAR LIFTGATE GLASS ASSEMBLY. STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. |
|---|
From NHTSA's investigation file, as of 2026-10-19. The JSON has NHTSA's summary of each.
Bulletins for the same vehicles and component
| TSB 19-2026 | 2019-04-08. Service bulletin. Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition |
|---|---|
| TSB 19-2026 | 2019-04-01. Service bulletin. Some 2000 and newer Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles equipped with aluminum body panels may exhibit corrosion concerns appearing as bubbled and/or peeling paint with or without accompanying white dust. Panel replacement is recommended. Follow the Service Procedure steps to correct the condition |
| 04251 | 2005-04-29. Service bulletin. ALUMINUM CORROSION - SERVICE TIP. *TT |
| 16304 | 2005-04-07. Service bulletin. SUN VISOR RATTLE / DETROIT AREA DEALERS CONTACT REQUEST. *TT |
| 18215 | 2004-12-07. Service bulletin. BROKEN REAR CARGO STORAGE DOOR LIFT HANDLE. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER. *TT |
| 16195 | 2004-08-09. Service bulletin. CONTACT ST LOUIS ASSEMBLY PLANT/ST LOUIS VICINITY ONLY. *MJ |
| 02171 | 2004-08-05. Service bulletin. PAINT-PREMATURE CLEARCOAT CRACKING-SERVICE TIPS. *MJ |
| 0485 | 2004-08-04. Service bulletin. LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE DAMAGED/CRACKED. SERVICE PROCEDURE. *TT |
| 17647 | 2004-06-22. Service bulletin. PAINT PEELING AND/OR BUBBLING ON THE CENTER FINISH PANEL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. *TT |
| 01T02 | 2004-05-05. Service bulletin. LIFTGATE GLASS BRACKET INSPECTION AND TORQUE PROCEDURE. *MR |
A bulletin is the manufacturer's note to its dealers. It is not part of this recall.