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.
I have kids and i hope the glass don't fall out on them. We don't used the back hatch any more, but it is hard to get food from the store and have to put all the food on top of my kids in the back seat. I had a car.I got the ford to have more room.But now don't even have a trunk.And there is no recall.I have saw 3 people in my location with the same problem and same model.Is there help. All I am told is there is no recall or body shop but I don't do it. I had a woman at wal-mart say man that looks bad.I will send pictures. April
With all of these complaints you'd think that Ford would do a recall. Most Explorers you see in front of you with this body style has the same crack in the same place. Very cheap design. Come on Ford...fix it or I'll go with a GMC Acadia!!!
Are you serious???!! Body panels breaking for no reason??!! I don't even use the glass lift gate, how could this stupid thing break? Anybody given any consideration to water getting into the crack, or cracks in my case, and rusting out the lift gate?
It's a known problem in Ford because they obviously redesigned around this issue in the newer models. As usual...if it doesn't cost lives...Ford won't do anything about it.
Another unhappy ford owner called the 800 number and talked to customer service at ford corporate office told me tough, so much for getting my 2003 explorer 6 inch crack fixed by the ford emblem on tail gate!! never again will I purchase a ford product..
This is the second 2006 Ford Explorer I have purchased and this incident has happen to both vehicles. This is absurd and FORD should be fixing this problem if they know its a known issue and I am sure they have heard about plenty of times to meet its customers half way on the issue.
I say lets start a petition and get there freaking attention.
Noticed large crack in the plastic under the rear window. Called the Ford dealership about the recall notification of the rear window crashing down on some vehicles. Asked if this crack was part of the recall. I was assured that it was part of the recall and would be no charge to fix. The mileage on my vehicle would not cover under warranty. Hopefully, the dealership does not charge me for repairs.
Day after "no charge" recall #04S20 was completed to replace liftgate glass hinge, I noticed a 6" crack in the tailgate molding under the liftgate glass the first time I went to open the tailgate. (one day after the repair) Service Dept. says this is just a defect the Explorers have, and they are not responsible for the crack. Cost to replace cracked panel - $500. Freedom Ford, Pueblo, Colorado Dealership.
I'm glad to see that others are having the same problem. I'm going to get this fixed or start a class action suit against them. Clearly this is a design flaw.
Just noticed this on Saturday 4/12/08. I though a rock hit it while driving or something else. I'm glad to here this is a on going issue. I am going to the local Ford Dealer today to see how much its going to cost and if they will cover it. I will keep everybody informed of my results
I was extremely annoyed that this happened and have noticed several other Explorers on the road with the same problem. Has Ford fixed this problem for anyone and if so, was your vehicle still under factory warranty?
I too have the same problem as many of the other people on this site. I began by e-mailing ford. I got the run-a-round. I contacted the dealer. They told me to contact the Ford CRC. The crc advised me to get the vehicle looked at. My local dealership doesn't have a body shop, so I took it to another local shop. The Ford crc said they would not accept the local shops estimate. They told me if I wanted to fix it they would "help". I would have to pay $50 of $300 or less repair and $100 over $300. I informed them the offer was absolutely unacceptable. I feel this is a flaw from the manufacturer that should be fixed entirely whether the vehicle is under warranty or not. My wife wants the problem fixed. I agree, however, after the poor customer service I feel Ford has relayed to myself and lots of others, I will not accept their token repair. I am in a customer related business. If we handled customers this way, we would not stay in business long. We must be doing something right. My company has been around for 100 years. I have also submitted a complaint to the NHTSA at their website.(www.nhtsa.gov) I encourage many others to do the same. Hopefully there will be strength in numbers.
OK, so Ford fixed it. I only had the car for less than 4 months but it took several weeks for the replacement part to come in. Was it fixed? No...it didn't crack again, but the panel won't stayed glued in place. It has been re-glued by Ford numerous times and of course as soon as the warranty was up Ford, said "too bad". This is an on-going problem that I should not have to pay for.
This car has been nothing but trouble since I bought it. I have had wheel bearings replaced numerous times. I am also on my 3rd set of brakes...my last explorer had almost 90,000 miles on it before it needed brakes. This one needed the first set at 55,000.
I took my explorer back for recall on the rear window hinges being loose but they wouldn't repair the panel under the recall. But that's why the panel cracked - from having to slam the glass hatch the hinges being out of line............But what ever, that's FORD CHEAP!!!!!!!
I noticed my neighbor had the same issue and I have seen other explorers with this crack. I was doing a web browse and I saw that I am not alone at being upset about this problem. I plan to call Ford Customer Service about this and I will see what happens. This crack is just ugly and Ford should do something about it.
Explorer has been garage kept and maintained excellent with wax. Paid for the Premium Warranty and Ford states this problem is not covered - states it is considered a piece of Molding. If Ford opts not to fix this problem - which lowers the resale value due to their design flaw - I will personally see to it that My or any of my extended family never buys a Ford Product again. I will also have my input as a fleet manager to stay clear of Ford. I have had a great report with Ford until this happened. Ford needs to step up and fix this problem and not expect the consumer to pay for their flaw.
My Explorer has been garaged at night since we bought it and yesterday we go out to the car to load sports equipment in it and my husband goes what happen to your car and there is a big huge vertical crack running down the panel just south of window. The car has never been in an accident or hit in any way so obvious it must be a defect. So, I call the Ford service dealer and he knew exactly what I was talking about and he said 'I see that a lot in here'. So I go 'there must be a recall' he goes 'no but you can call Ford', so I call Ford and they are absolutely stonewalling me and didn't even acknowledge that this was a persistent problem, nor did they acknowledge the tech. bulletin on it until I mentioned it and the amount of vehicles the service manager said he was seeing. So I asked that they replace the panel on their dime because obviously this panel is defective. They go 'there is nothing we can do!' So get a case # when you call and only then if there is enough will there ever be possible recall and then and only then will you see your money. FORD does not back their product. I will never ever buy another FORD and to think this was my third Ford vehicle - never again!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have kids and i hope the glass don't fall out on them. We don't used the back hatch any more, but it is hard to get food from the store and have to put all the food on top of my kids in the back seat. I had a car.I got the ford to have more room.But now don't even have a trunk.And there is no recall.I have saw 3 people in my location with the same problem and same model.Is there help. All I am told is there is no recall or body shop but I don't do it. I had a woman at wal-mart say man that looks bad.I will send pictures. April
- aprilh, Grove Hill, AL, US