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.
This was crazy, but I put my second and third row seats down to put two night stands and some crates of misc stuff in the rear and for the first time driving with weight in vehicle, I could not keep the vehicle in my lane. I felt like a drunk driver. I can see how the rollovers occur if you don't keep up your shocks and suspension! I also had minimal acceleration going up the hill, it was like c'mon baby, c'mon! Not a steep hill either coming over the 405 Freeway from the valley to Los Angeles! Why does Ford make this for the weight of 7 passengers? Because 7 people or kids would weigh much more then what I had in my vehicle.
This can't be fixed. It's dangerous because of the short wheel base, we were even denied a rental trailer because of the problems this year of Ford Explorer has with the wheels and suspension. We have never received a recall for repairs but was told this was a recall issue.
- ladonnahawkins,
Belfair, WA, US
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This was crazy, but I put my second and third row seats down to put two night stands and some crates of misc stuff in the rear and for the first time driving with weight in vehicle, I could not keep the vehicle in my lane. I felt like a drunk driver. I can see how the rollovers occur if you don't keep up your shocks and suspension! I also had minimal acceleration going up the hill, it was like c'mon baby, c'mon! Not a steep hill either coming over the 405 Freeway from the valley to Los Angeles! Why does Ford make this for the weight of 7 passengers? Because 7 people or kids would weigh much more then what I had in my vehicle.
- Laura F., Los Angeles, CA, US