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 airbag warning light came on. I did not count the blinks, but I think it blinked 3 times, then 4, then the light stayed on. My first thought was "what the hell is wrong with this car now" as I just had the transmission rebuilt at 114,500 miles by AAMCO who was significantly less expensive than the dealer, but that is a separate complaint. Anyway, as my wife had moved the seat when she drove it the day before, I moved it all the way back to where I normally have it. The light went off. When I got home, I looked up the problem in this forum. Some folks suggested disconnecting and reconnecting both sets of wires under the front seats, but that is a pain in the rear as they are hard to see and reach. I just jiggled the wires and made sure the connections were tight by squeezing them. I drove it around again, but no light this time.
- kindofirritated,
Colorado Springs, CO, US
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Air Bag Light On and Off during cold temperature. It's disabled due to bad connections.
- jr9306ac, Saint Paul, MN, US