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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.
7.3
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- No data
- Average Mileage:
- 116,900 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 6 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (6 reports)
accessories - exterior 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
I moved to MN from WA State, traded the rain for four seasons. Like everyone else, I've had electrical gremlins as well (radio turns off, won't turn back on for 10-20 seconds). Lately the back-up alarm switch (on the dash to the left of the steering column) turns itself to 'off' and is argumentative when trying to turn it on (why would there even be an option to turn it off?) Now - starting yesterday into today - the alarm goes off... Yesterday it went off twice and I used the key fob to turn it off. But then the interior lights and puddle lights wouldn't turn off! What in the world...?! I went out, checked all the doors (fine) and turned the lights on/off. Turned truck on/off. Eventually scrolled dash lights off - which turned off the problem lights.
Day two of alarm going off. After reading all the other comments about this - I'm not hopeful. Going back to Toyota or trying a Chevy. Last Ford I'll own, without a doubt.
- 03exploderowner, Hastings, MN, US