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.
9.0
really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
165,350 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
to change it to the old way with the dip stick to check it (2 reports)
The Ford Explorer used to be a really working driving truck, since all this problems it needs to corrected and fixed, such the safety harness does not re tracked, no servicing for the transmission fluid, the rear quarter panel cracking up i had changed three times, it is shifting too much, anti brakes anti skid sensor failing, the front end it really bad it looses the alignment, The dealer has not or the manufactured has not recalled all this problems.
IT IS A PAIN ON THE REAR NOT ABLE TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ESPECIALLY DURING A TRIP WITHOUT GOING UNDER TO CHECK IT, THIS IS BULL, YOU SHOULD ABLE TO CHECK ON A DIP STICK AND ALSO ABLE TO SERVICE THE TRANSMISSION, FORD HAS NOT CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS MY LAST FORD TRUCK I WILL BUY UNDER THIS CONDITION ESPECIALLY FORD DOES NOT WANT TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
- Pedro R.,
San Antonio, TX, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The Ford Explorer used to be a really working driving truck, since all this problems it needs to corrected and fixed, such the safety harness does not re tracked, no servicing for the transmission fluid, the rear quarter panel cracking up i had changed three times, it is shifting too much, anti brakes anti skid sensor failing, the front end it really bad it looses the alignment, The dealer has not or the manufactured has not recalled all this problems.
- Pedro R., San Antonio, TX, US