Tailgate Crack Defect Found in Ford Lincoln Aviator Vehicles

Several tailgate crack lawsuits have been filed against Ford Motor Co. over the past few months, alleging Lincoln Aviator vehicles were prone to crack across the tailgate or experience rear window shattering due to a known vehicle defect.

According to several consumer reports and Ford tailgate crack lawsuits, Ford allegedly concealed the tailgate crack defect in 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator vehicles and a couple of other Ford car models. Additionally, when consumers attempted to bring in their affected Lincoln Aviators for repairs, Ford allegedly refused to foot the cost of the tailgate crack or backlite (rear window) shatter even though consumers claim the repairs should have been covered under Ford warranty.

Of the lawsuits filed so far, three have been Ford tailgate crack class action lawsuits that have been consolidated into a nationwide tailgate crack class action lawsuit. This consolidated Ford class action lawsuit alleges the American automaker knew of the tailgate crack defect as early as 2002, but did not disclose this information to consumers and continued to sell defective Lincoln Aviator vehicles and then refuse to repair or replace cracked tailgates or shattered rear windows.

The Ford tailgate crack defect not only lowers the resale value of Lincoln Aviator vehicles, it also poses a potential safety hazard for any individual operating the liftgate. As a result of the claims of fraudulent concealment, refusal to honor warranty agreements, economic loss, and potential harm to Lincoln Aviator owners and lessees, many consumers have filed Ford tailgate crack lawsuits or joined the consolidated Ford tailgate crack class action lawsuit.

Ford Tailgate Crack Problem

Since October 2013, three of the filed Ford tailgate class action lawsuits have been consolidated into a national class action lawsuit claiming Ford knowingly sold cars that contained a tailgate crack and/or shattered backlite problem allegedly caused by a concealed manufacturing defect.

According to the three consolidated Ford tailgate crack class action lawsuits, a design defect allegedly exists in the lower window panel of certain Ford vehicles. This defect allows moisture to build up behind the tailgate and/or Ford applique, which, over time, with varying weather conditions, causes the trapped water to condense and expand. This, in turn, creates internal stress that eventually may lead to a large and noticeable crack across the tailgate. In some cases, this crack will spread and shatter the rear window.

Vehicle models that have been reported to contain the cracked tailgate and/or the shattered backlite (rear window) include:

• 2002-2005 Ford Explorer
• 2002-2005 Mercury Mountaineer
• 2003-2005 Lincoln Aviator

This consolidated Ford tailgate crack class action lawsuit represents more than 30 plaintiffs from 25 states and potentially represents millions of Class Members. The Class will potentially include all current and former owners or lessees of the above named affected Ford vehicles.

Owners and lessees of Ford Explorer, Lincoln Aviator and Mercury Mountaineer vehicles of the above model years who experienced a cracked tailgate and/or shattered backlite (rear window) should consider filing or joining a Ford tailgate crack class action lawsuit.

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