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.
This seems to be a defect in the rear panel that ford should take care of without charging the customer. If enough people complain to ford maybe they will see the light. This is not my problem. Ford needs to recall and repair.
I was extremely annoyed to find this crack in my rear panel, and wanted to know HOW this could have happened, (I was blaming people, trying to figure out who could of hit me etc.)..Now I come to this website and find out that not only is it a VERY common problem that happens all on it's own, it is also a costly problem in which Ford won't stand behind it's vehicle!!! I'm super ticked now. That's all I have to say, and NO! I Don't FEEL BETTER .
I noticed other Explorers with the same problem but never had an issue until the other day. After closing the back hatch on a recent cold day, the hatch panel cracked. Unfortunately it is not a straight line crack. It splits into two cracks and then merges into one. It looks terrible and expect better from a Ford product.
A crack in the rear window panel of my 2003 Ford Explorer just appeared. I hadn't realized the magnitude of this problem until I researched it online. Just wanted to register my complaint here to add to the many other reports about this problem. Maybe Ford will notice, but I doubt it.
- Larry W.,
Mer, TX, US
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Like ever one else, and many others I see on the road. My issue, it he hatch panel cracked, at 37K, and guess what Ford stepped up to the plate and fixed it for just a small amount if co pay. Now at 70K it cracked again, this time even worse, the paint chipped at the crack, and left a ugly spot. Now I was impressed, with the repair job and I had just stated that it had not cracked again, with in days, and a hot summer day is when it cracked again. It must be a continuous heating and cooling cycle that weakens the panel. Of course that does not help with solving many peoples problems so Ford should step up and offer a fix, and if I walk onto a Ford lot and they say to me the panel needs to be fixed and we must allow for that in trade estimates, my next step is Nissan or Toyota
Update from Dec 5, 2009: Just when I thought, the crack was awful, Now this morning a second crack has formed on opposite side of the FORD emblem. Ford needs to offer a fix for this, maybe just a patch or a covering that looks like some steel or something. I would complain more but have had very good success with the SUV mechanically. Still, the Crack needs a Ford commitment to fix it in some way to keep me as a customer.
Same story as everyone else on this subject. Crack down the rear hatch on my '03 Explorer. Called Ford Customer Service a month ago and asked if it was recalled yet, or if there was anything they could do. They said I had to have it checked at the local dealer before they could help. Knowing that most people weren't getting them to resolve anything, I specifically asked "If I go to the local dealer, and they tell me I have a cracked rear hatch, and I call you back...can you then do something for me? Otherwise, I won't waste my time going down there." She responded with yes. Well, after spending the 2 hours to take my car to the dealer, and then calling Ford customer service back...they responded with "Sorry, nothing we can do." Car is no longer under warranty.
I'm more than disappointed in Ford. As many others have stated, no wonder why they are having the problems they are. I can assure you, unless they resolve this issue to my satisfaction, my next car will NOT be a Ford.
My Explorer has been such a great, totally trouble-free vehicle, except for the 1-inch crack that my daughter discovered about a year ago and now has about 1-inch to totally crack across the back panel. We have (sadly) postponed my wife's purchase of an MKT Lincoln until Ford observes the simple courtesy and responds to such a simple "fix". It is the principle of this matter which should have been taken care of on day 1, or 2, or ... But please, Ford, do not abandon your customers.
I have joined the ranks of Ford Explorer owners with the cracked liftgate. I went out one morning to find it "just happened". Since that time I have taken pictures of ALL the other Explorer owners that have the same problem. THERE ARE ALOT OF US OUT THERE. This is obviously a design defect that Ford needs to "own up to". It devalues our vehicle through no fault of our own. Since my car is getting up there in age, I am thinking about a new car and with this unanswered problem, I find Ford a big turn off and would not readily consider replacing it with another Ford. I will be happy to group together to insist Ford repair this at their cost since it is apparent that this repair is not due to anything the owner has done wrong-it is a DESIGN FLAW
2003 Ford Explorer XLT has cracked hatch. 40,000 miles and still under warranty and Ford would not replace. Told it was a common problem and would cost me 2,000-3,000 to replace.
I was on line looking for a do-it -yourself fix to the long crack above my trunk and found it was a common thing for this vehicle. I found this crack a couple years ago. I started trying to fix it then let it go. It distracts from the look of my car. I also am afraid to use the back panel door because I thought opening and closing it was what may have caused it. I was also remembering the recall for the back window. Now I know this has to be a factory defect. Saying it isn't a danger doesn't make it right. I have always brought a ford and so had my parents. This will be my last one with this attitude. No wonder they are in trouble. People would always kid me about what they say about what F-O-R-D means (fix or repair daily or Ford backwards is D-R-O-F Drive-in return on foot). Now I am starting to agree. They dont need another bail-out They need to make better cars and take car of their customers.
I have the same problem with this piece. I don't know when FORD MOTOR COMPANY will recall this, because there are too many explorer with this same problem.
I have a crack also. I do think Ford should pay for the repairs.. Cause I also notice that when i wash my explorer It kills the battery because, rain gets in there and cause the lights to go on.. So when there is an electrical fire. It's a problem, How many complaints do they need..
"Cracked Rear Panel" I'm somewhat surprised at how many complaints about this same issue there are. I hope my posting will be the one to put it over the top for Ford to fix this problem. I like Ford products but as a warning this type of thing will keep people away from future purchases. Come on Ford do the right thing.
I am joining the club of Explorer owners with the crack issue in the rear plastic piece beneath the rear window.
Discovered it in a parking lot and was thinking that somebody had cut it with a sword, at that time was a 2-3" long and few days later cracked all the way.
Contacted a FORD body shop in Oregon and asked them how much the fix will be and response was about $450. One thing that I was worried, if water gets inside and causes corrosion to the rear windshield wiper motor or even more cracks or damage. The body shop told me that the glass goes all the way to the bottom. I visually inspected it and confirmed that the plastic appears to be just a decorative addition and water getting in the crack is not a big issue, since I will never pay for that to be fixed. Just as some people already mentioned the plastic peace expands when directly exposed to sun light (on warm days) and the crack becomes "thin" (see photo). On cold days it expands to 1/16" - 1/8" (2-3 mm) and therefore becomes wider and more visible.
Contacted Ford at 1-800-392-3673 and filed a complaint, they recommended dealer to take a look and evaluate and go from there. We will see.
I have a 2003 Explorer,and the lower panel below the rear window is cracked. I have seen four Explorers that have this same problem here in Georgia. I know this is not an isolated incident. Ford has a problem and should pay to replace this panel free of charge to customers.
We noticed our cracked rear window panel when rinsing car with water hose thought it was a piece of string while drying with cloth noticed that it was a crack in the fiberglass window panel.Tried to cover it with a God bless America sticker but found out it was fiberglass. Then tried to fill it in with bondo and broke loose both times filled in. Found out the panel was very costly and ford motors wont replace free of charge (no call backs on this) Noticed another one that has 1/2 of it missing don't know if wind blew it out. While in W. Va. noticed 2 more exact same cracks. We put pin stripping over it to cover and so far so good, but we know other 03 explorer drivers will know why the pin stripe is there. (looks pretty cool)
Last week we replaced the tires cause there was a loud humming sound, though we needed tires, although they looked fairly good. Sound still there. Today, Sept 30th, 2009 got worried and took into our mechanic and drove around the block and said the left front wheel bearing went out and had to be replaced and called us to say brakes & rotors were also needed. Cost a bunch unexpected and still have the crack! If only Henry Ford could see us now he'd be tossing in his grave.
We noticed our cracked rear window panel when rinsing car with water hose thought it was a piece of string while drying with cloth noticed that it was a crack in the fiberglass window panel.Tried to cover it with a God bless America sticker but found out it was fiberglass. Then tried to fill it in with bondo and broke loose both times filled in. Found out the panel was very costly and ford motors wont replace free of charge (no call backs on this) Noticed another one that has 1/2 of it missing don't know if wind blew it out. While in W. Va. noticed 2 more exact same cracks. We put pin stripping over it to cover and so far so good, but we know other 03 explorer drivers will know why the pin stripe is there. (looks pretty cool) Last week we replaced the tires cause there was a loud humming sound, though we needed tires, although they looked fairly good. Sound still there. Today, Sept 30th, 2009 got worried and took into our mechanic and drove around the block and said the left front wheel bearing went out and had to be replaced and called us to say brakes & rotors were also needed. Cost a bunch unexpected and still have the crack! If only Henry Ford could see us now he'd be tossing in his grave.
I have filed a complaint from everyone from the NHTSA to the BBB including the Consumer Affairs Dept. of the state Attorneys General office in La. I did get a reply from the attorney generals office today and they will notify the local dealer of my complaint. They are to get back with me when the dealer responds to the complaint. My next stop is to picket the dealer!!!!!!!!!!
The crack showed up approximately 2 inches to the left side of the ford emblem on the back trim panel. All of the 2003 explorers that I have seen have this problem. I thought I was a lucky one who had been able to avoid it. But, it showed up over the weekend 2 weeks ago. I think it is because the plastic is contracting at a different rate than the metal underneath. When it gets hot, the crack closes up, when it is cold it opens to as much as 1/8th of an inch.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
This seems to be a defect in the rear panel that ford should take care of without charging the customer. If enough people complain to ford maybe they will see the light. This is not my problem. Ford needs to recall and repair.
- Sam F., Omaha, NE, US