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.
The wood trim on the Eddie Bauer editions falls off way too easy. And you can't even buy a new piece to replace it, all the dealer ships say I have to buy a new door panel. That's ridiculous! Why can't I just buy the wood trim for the piece missing. And it's way over priced. Ford really needs to get there act together and make there vehicles a little more durable.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The wood trim on the Eddie Bauer editions falls off way too easy. And you can't even buy a new piece to replace it, all the dealer ships say I have to buy a new door panel. That's ridiculous! Why can't I just buy the wood trim for the piece missing. And it's way over priced. Ford really needs to get there act together and make there vehicles a little more durable.
- supermom4, Redding, CA, US