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.
Crack down from back window center. I've noticed that a majority of Explorers have this problem. A Ford tech says he sees it all the time--an engineering problem. I asked about getting it fixed, and he said the way that it's made, it would just do it again. I asked about a recall from Ford, and he told me, I'd have to pay out of my own pocket to get it fixed. Since this is such a common problem, too bad Ford doesn't provide a fix.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Crack down from back window center. I've noticed that a majority of Explorers have this problem. A Ford tech says he sees it all the time--an engineering problem. I asked about getting it fixed, and he said the way that it's made, it would just do it again. I asked about a recall from Ford, and he told me, I'd have to pay out of my own pocket to get it fixed. Since this is such a common problem, too bad Ford doesn't provide a fix.
- Jewell M., Burgin, KY, US