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.
Little by little when the car automatically shifted a jolt was felt, especially when braking and the car had to go down to 1st gear. Took it to a transmission repair shop and had to uninstall, repair the transmission and install again. Mechanic said it was due to normal tear and wear.
Transmission seems to shift roughly. Sometimes it doesn't want to shift into another gear at all, just pauses. That has only happened a few times though. Overall the issue is just an annoyance. Nothing we have gotten fixed.
This piece of crap had all 4 wheel bearings go bad ,The ac compressor blew up, and now the trans is jerking and having a hard time shifting between 2nd and 3rd gear
- Scott C.,
Waynesboro, PA, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Little by little when the car automatically shifted a jolt was felt, especially when braking and the car had to go down to 1st gear. Took it to a transmission repair shop and had to uninstall, repair the transmission and install again. Mechanic said it was due to normal tear and wear.
- A K., Calexico, CA, US