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 striker (the part that's on the window) doesn't line up with the latch(the part the striker hooks on to). Take a look at where the striker hits the latch. If it hits the outer lobe of the latch you must very carefully grind it down (with a dremel or a file) until the striker clears it.Obviously the striker is supposed to hit the inner lobe of the latch forcing the outer to wrapping around it locking it in place. If you can't see the striker hitting the latch, look at the latch and see if there are wear marks on the outer lobe, or if the window hits really hard, then you'll know if this is the problem. Let me know how you made outor any ? e-mail me (tombencze @aol.com) Thanks.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The striker (the part that's on the window) doesn't line up with the latch(the part the striker hooks on to). Take a look at where the striker hits the latch. If it hits the outer lobe of the latch you must very carefully grind it down (with a dremel or a file) until the striker clears it.Obviously the striker is supposed to hit the inner lobe of the latch forcing the outer to wrapping around it locking it in place. If you can't see the striker hitting the latch, look at the latch and see if there are wear marks on the outer lobe, or if the window hits really hard, then you'll know if this is the problem. Let me know how you made outor any ? e-mail me (tombencze @aol.com) Thanks.
- Thomas B., Schenectady, NY, US