# 2004 FORD EXPLORER — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
> NHTSA complaint `1030434` · 2014-01-05 · Ford Motor Company
## Severity
- **Deaths:** 0
- **Injured:** 1
- **Fire:** No
- **Crash:** No
- **Police report:** No
- **Medical attention:** No
- **Vehicle towed:** No
## Vehicle
- **Make:** FORD
- **Model:** EXPLORER
- **Year:** 2004
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
- **Miles at failure:** 113,000
## Narrative
MY CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE OF THE GROCERY STORE. I OPENED THE REAR HATCH TO LOAD MY GROCERIES. AS I REACHED UP TO CLOSE THE HATCH THE RIGHT SIDE OF IT COLLAPSED AND FELL RIGHT ON MY HEAD LEAVING A LARGE LUMP. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE HINGE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HATCH HAD SNAPPED AND THE WEIGHT OF THE HATCH HAS TWISTED THE HINGE ON THE LEFT SIDE. LUCKILY, I BROKE THE FALL OF THE HATCH OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SHATTERED GLASS EVERYWHERE. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.  *TR
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*