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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,805 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
While driving at approximately 35 mph, the top portion of the liftgate on the vehicle opened independently and then the driver side hinge fractured causing the liftgate to fall and hang by only one side. In addition, the compression rod was bent when this occurred. In order to continue driving the vehicle the compression rod had to be removed and the liftgate had to be temporarily fastened with harnesses. The vehicle was then taken to a body shop to be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 83,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift door was misaligned and became cracked. The vehicle was previously repaired for the rear lift door hinge however, the contact stated that the repair caused the misalignment. The contact purchased a new rear lift door and the door was replaced. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 5 and the current mileage was 28,273.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the lift gate opened independently and caused the driver's side hinge to become fractured. In addition, the compression rod was abnormally bent. The contact made a temporary adjustment to the lift gate in order to continue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the back panel below the window became cracked. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
Plastic rear panel below the rear gate glass cracked directly beside the Ford oval. The panel is now split into two pieces. Contacted Ford dealer and Ford customer service (via email) and Ford will not stand behind the failure of this panel. This is a common complaint with Explorer and Ford has not even as much as tried to help the customer with repairs.
- Ephrata, PA, USA
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The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hitch was cracked. In addition, the door ajar warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The mechanic did not diagnose or repaired the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while turning at various speeds, the body of the vehicle began to bounce abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was stated that the body mount needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, she heard a loud, abnormal noise. After inspecting the vehicle, she noticed that the rear door hinge was fractured and causing the door to hang. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 04V442000 (structure). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 99,600.
The contact owns a 2003 for Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he engaged the liftgate and the hinges fractured. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000. *updated 09-18-13 updated 09/24/2013
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the rear lift gate glass hinge corroded and fractured from the vehicle. The vehicle was previously included and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 04V442000 (structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that both of the hinges were corroded and would have to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.
There has been no accident. Under normal wear and tear of car went to open hatchback glass one day to load groceries and dropped low on my head because hinge holding the glass door came loose. Had to ease it back up in place, have not been able to open glass door since for fear of it falling and breaking to pieces. The second complaint is the hatchback door is cracked under the Ford emblem and to the side. I have seen many many Explorer with this same exact crack as mine. They have also complained!!!! Ford only recalled Explorer up to I believe that were made up to February 2003. My car and others I have spoke with their and mine was made in 8/2003 so we were not covered!!! that is bull!! Ford should stand by their products.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the tailgate was cracked. The contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told the lift gate was not under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed a fracture on the rear lift gate panel. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 5/24/13 updated 06/12/2013
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that he noticed that the lift gate was fractured near the manufacturing emblem. The failure caused the interior lights and the anti-theft alarm to activate. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V442000 (structure). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. The current mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed a large fracture under the rear liftgate glass near the manufacturing emblem. The fracture was approximately six inches long. The vehicle was not inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear lift gate was fractured near the window. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would look further into the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a fracture in the trim that held the rear window in place. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection where they advised that the part was defective and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 20,000....updated 12/17/12
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the vehicle had developed a crack on the tailgate of the vehicle under the rear window. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated there had not been enough complaints to issue a recall and referred her to NHTSA. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the lift gate window detached from the hinges and crack the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the hinges needed to be replaced. The dealer also stated that the vehicle was under recall NHTSA campaign id number: 04V442000 (structure:body:hatchback/liftgate:hinge and attachments). The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred and the door was still cracked. The manufacturer was notified and advised the contact to keep the receipts in case of another recall. The failure mileage was 160,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Centreville, VA, USA