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.
8.7
pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
60,000 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
was under warranty and ford replaced door and fixed problem (2 reports)
the drivers window had been faltering for a few days and then i was leaving my place of work and i smelled this plastic burning smell and looked down and saw green smoke coming out of the window button console. I was freaking , i pulled over and turned everything off. then i thought hmmm i'll just go back into my secured parking place and the minute i turned on the key it started smoking again. I called the dealer and asked them how was i going to get my truck to the shop and they said call a tow truck and have it brought it. I was coughing from this smoke and the interior of my truck smelled for days. i had to get a rental car for 3 days while they ordered the part. i was really pissed i had to come up with this money upfront ( even though i had this extended warranty) and then i had to pay 200 deductible. its a crying shame that such a new vehicle would have problems like this. OHHH the truck had already been in the shop to get the window motor behind the drivers seat fixed too just 2 months earlier... i love my truck its a beauty but its the biggest piece of crap i have ever owned....
Myself and my son were sitting in line at a fast food restaurant when smoke started filling up the car. I moved the car and we both jumped out. I saw that it was coming from the electrical that rolled the window up/down. We put the fire out with water that the fast food chain gave us.
- Rhonda Atkinson 8.,
Trafford, AL, US
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Well not sure what happened yet, but my explorer just caught fire and burned to the ground
- Peg P., Chelsea, VT, US