# 2003 FORD EXPLORER — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
> NHTSA complaint `522603` · 2005-02-19 · 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:** 2003
- **Manufacturer:** Ford Motor Company
- **Component:** STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
- **Miles at failure:** 20,000
## Narrative
WHEN COLD, BELOW 35 DEGREES F, THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT FULLY OPEN.  THE HATCH STOPS AT HEAD HEIGHT.  I'VE HIT MY HEAD TWICE.  FORD HAS SAID BECAUSE THE HATCH OPENS WHEN IT'S WARM, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.  IT'S A MINOR HEAD BUMP, BUT HAS POTENTIAL TO DAMAGE AN EYE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HATCH SHEET METAL PROTRUDES.  THE SUV IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER.*AK
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*Source: [NHTSA ODI](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/downloads/) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*