Yes, mine is a 1999 Ghia and I have solved the problem myself. Albeit a minimal rust spot caused by the same problem, I have stopped this happening again by making a black Neoprene rubber gasket 3mm thick and exactly the same size as the chrome trim along its full length, and then refitting so that the metal tailgate handle does not come into contact with the paintwork at any point. I carried out this operation in March 2003 and to this day there has not been any reocurrence of the problem. Its only a shame that the Ford engineers can't come up with the same simple answer.
Best regards & good luck. Len.
For the second time in a year my 1999 2.0i Ghia is going to the dealer to
> have the tailgate resprayed. According to the dealer the chrome/plastic
> coachwork rubs on the boot/tailgate and goes through the paint and lets the
> moisture get in.
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> Has anyone else had this same problem?
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