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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.

6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
88,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. key has to be reprogrammed (1 reports)
2003 Ford Explorer accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2003 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #1

Sep 042009

Explorer EXT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

What the chilton books don't tell you is after you've went through the electrical system and systematically narrowed down everything from the battery to the ignition switch, that your key may have lost it's program.

- orlando, Wichita, KS, US

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