2002 FORD EXPLORER — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

FOUR HOURS AFTER NEW VEHICLE WAS COLLECTED FROM DEALER, GLASS TAILGATE EXPLODED ON BEING CLOSED GENTLY. COMPLETE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT METAL COMPONENTS OF THE DOOR WERE BADLY BENT AND SCRATCHED. GLASS WAS SCATTERED OVER A RADIUS OF 20 FEET, INCLUDING INTO THE BACK SEATS AND ONTO THE ROOF. MY RIGHT LEG WAS CUT IN THREE PLACES. LUCKILY, MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN OR AT THE BACK AT THE TIME OF THE EXPLOSION. THE ENTIRE DOOR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITHIN FOUR BUSINESS HOURS. UNLESS RECALLED, THIS APPARENTLY COMMON DEFECT WILL RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY. *AK PE04045.PCO