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.
Hope the new Trump administration will hold Ford accountable. When a company has made an error they should make it right or lose future business & pay stiff fines.
Ford SUV has held up well. Then one day the plastic around the driver's door decided to lose its sheen. Then the plastic began to peel and crack. Annoying to look at when vehicle was in pretty good shape.
The side window A pillars and rear hatch pillar moldings start to peel (clear coat) eventually. I covered my side window pillars with a carbon fiber looking kit that sticks on over the existing pillars. For the rear hatch pillars I just painted them black. Quick easy fixes but should not have to spend money fixing all of these defects on this vehicle. There are too many for a Truck that was over 30K dollars new.
Purchased vehicle used. Black panel area on door clearly began to get worse with use, and it appears to have a bad skin rash of flaking and peeling the clear coat.
- Dan P.,
Alexandria, VA, US
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There's a crack that is growing in the back panel of the rear window of our 2003 Ford Explorer. We've seen others with the same condition. Seems like Ford should be responsible for this Imperfection and recall the vehicles./
I guess I am joining the cracked rear club as well. I have just spoken with Ford and there is no recall on this matter. I'm embarrassed to drive my vehicle and disappointed in Ford for not taking care of this matter and standing behind the Ford name. It is obviously a problem if everyone I see on the road has the same problem. When I see others, I'm like, "Oh look. They have the cracked rear too." Come on Ford back your product!!!!
.I have very low miles on this car and should be able to get a really good price except that the body has all these flaws. It's clean and well maintained except for the tailgate and trim.
Ford needs to change the black trim between the front and back windows. Every Ford Explorer I see has the same problem with the Clearcoat over the black paint-it flakes off and looks terrible! YOu don't see this happening with any other manufacturer!
Back panel cracked right down the middle. Fourth thing to go wrong with this car in a few months. Can't sell it for anything because of all the problems!!!
Well since their is a lean on this vehicle i am very upset that their was no recall on this situation this is ridiculous I caught my finger in this crack I just want Ford to pay for this damage woke up one morning and their was born a damn crack
well, i own 3 ford explorers in the pass 15 years, this is the last one i'll ever own. 1. HEATER /AC MAKE BANGING SOUNDS, 2.ALTERNATOR WENT BAD TWICE, WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERT TO GO DEAD. 3.BACK PANEL UNDER THE BACK WINDOW CRACKED .4. THE SIDE BLACK PANELS BETWEEN THE DOORS FADED INTO WHITE 5. DOOR AJAR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND ALARM KEEP COMING ON [GOT THIS ONE FIXED 109.00 INSIDE THE DRIVERS DOOR THERE IS A SENSOR THAT SHOULD BE REPLACE] 6.GAS GAGE DOES NOT GIVE YOU A THE PROPER GAS AMOUNT. 7. INSIDE DOOR PANEL FADED TO WHITE [IT WAS GRAY WHEN I BOUGHT CAR] 8. OTHER THAN THAT ITS A WONDERFUL CAR ...LOL
Ford should be in front of congress answering questions about their cars also.
All the other Explorers that were sold at the same time have the exact same problem. This problem is the plastic fading and cracking between the windows.
Ford Dealerships sucks..... They need to take care of there customers that they have or they might switch to Chevy and I think they really wouldnt care
I think its not fair! i see lots of Fords with the rear panel below the window cracked/ broken i see more cracked than ones that are still in good shape. Ford should recall since the problem is nation-wide
Well like many other complaints, the back panel under the rear window is cracked. At first the single crack was annoying at best. Now another crack has formed along with a horizontal split and it looks like *%+^. I wonder how many Ford exec's would ride around with this unpleasant display? I don't think I will stop buying Fords but I may take a little longer before I do, (research, complaints etc) I want to support our USA products so much, but my gosh Honda's, Toy's, Hundais sure seem to back their product a little better.
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Hope the new Trump administration will hold Ford accountable. When a company has made an error they should make it right or lose future business & pay stiff fines.
- sendtoronjones, Duluth, GA, US