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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2003 Ford Explorer one of our worst vehicles on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
The 2002-2005 Explorer has a very well-established record of expensive transmission failure at under 100k miles. The Explorer has an enclosed transmission which is typically replaced with a rebuilt transmission at a cost of almost $3,000.
Another common problem for the 2002-2003 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
8.4
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- $3,800
- Average Mileage:
- 96,700 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 9 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (7 reports)
- replace transfer case (2 reports)
drivetrain problem
Helpful websites
- No one has added a helpful site for this 2003 Explorer problem yet. Be the first!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
have been experiencing front jerking like going over a bump. Starts after I decrease speed from 50mph or high as I slow down it does it stonger. I have replaced multiple parts through a friend- wheel bearings, tie rods, brake pads, rotors, ball joints, passenger shaft, cv joint in driver shaft, spark plugs, differential oil, new used tires, alignment. He took out the drive shaft and ran find til he put it back with the new cv joint in drive shaft. We figured that by pushing the high 4 x 4 button it would stop the jerking. Now we are going to try the transfer case, o and my abs light still goes on and off from time to time dont know if that is related.
- Bl R., Ro, IL, US