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 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,667 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.
I had 2003 Ford Explorer that caught fire in my driveway, my car was backed in about 10 feet from house with tailgate open. The investigator from my insurance company is telling me it was an electrical fire in back inside drivers side of the vehicle. The fire destroyed the vehicle and I also have damages to my house and property.
While driving on a back country road at 15 to 20 mph vehicle suddenly burst into flames. Thick black smoke was billowing from the front right side of vehicle. Cause of fire was unknown at this time, and under investigation.
While driving on a back country road at 15 to 20 mph the vehicle suddenly burst into flames. Thick black smoke was billowing from the front right side of vehicle. Cause of fire was unknown at this time, and under investigation. Also, vehicle was a rental, and two consumers were in vehicle at time of incident.
- Calgary, 00, USA
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- Red Bank, NJ, USA