CarComplaints.com Notes: 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.
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.
My husband was attempting to shift our 2005 Explorer into reverse when the gear shift broke off in his hand. We had the truck towed to a local Ford dealer and was told this morning that the entire steering column needs to be replaced. The cost - $1600 plus tax. An internet search brought me to this website.The old saying "misery loves company" aside, I saw that we were not the only people with this freak problem. So I called Ford Motor Company in Detroit and, of course, was told that there is no recall. The man I spoke with said that the problem would be documented and sent to the Ford engineers but, in order to substantiate a recall, they would need numerous complaints. I AM ASKING ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TO CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT 1-313-322-3000. AFTER THE INITIAL RECORDING, PRESS 3 AND THEN KEEP PRESSING THE PROMPTS UNTIL IT ASKS IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. If you have your VIN number handy, it makes it easier for them to look up your vehicle. If not, they can still look it up by your name. Also, since this is definitely a safety issue, the Ford rep suggested I report it to the NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. Their phone numbers are 1-800-424-9393 or 1-888-327-4236. He said if they get enough complaints, they will put pressure on Ford for a recall. I called them today but, being a government agency, they were closed for Columbus Day. I will call them tomorrow. IF EVERYONE CALLS FORD AND THE NHTSA, WE COULD GET REIMBURSED FOR THE AMOUNT WE PAID FOR THIS REPAIR!!!
Bought this car 16 months ago and added a warranty. No one will tell me if this covered. The gear shifter broke off when I tried to take it out of park. Has been hard to move since the day I bought It. Now I might be looking at a whoppying bill. I am going to call everyone to fight this.
Hello .. first I'll start to blame myself for buying an american car ; where I had other options! I was coming from work very late that night when the gear stick broken in my hand! It was not good time even! I just left the car on the road and went home with a limousine ... I hoped that the next day I found the car burned or fully destroyed! ... I had to have a Japanese car for long time ... I never face such problem! since I bought this car on Nov 2005 the problems never stopped .. I changed the compressor for almost $ 800 ... now I'm not able to fix the gear problem because the agent doesn't have the part!! I really advice Ford to close their company and go sell burgers!! and if anyone from Ford is seeing my complain .. I tell him that I'm planning to destroy the Ford name in my region ... I'll make my life goal ...
- Fakhri A.,
Dhahran, Eastern, Saudi Arabia
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My husband was attempting to shift our 2005 Explorer into reverse when the gear shift broke off in his hand. We had the truck towed to a local Ford dealer and was told this morning that the entire steering column needs to be replaced. The cost - $1600 plus tax. An internet search brought me to this website.The old saying "misery loves company" aside, I saw that we were not the only people with this freak problem. So I called Ford Motor Company in Detroit and, of course, was told that there is no recall. The man I spoke with said that the problem would be documented and sent to the Ford engineers but, in order to substantiate a recall, they would need numerous complaints. I AM ASKING ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TO CALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT 1-313-322-3000. AFTER THE INITIAL RECORDING, PRESS 3 AND THEN KEEP PRESSING THE PROMPTS UNTIL IT ASKS IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK WITH A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. If you have your VIN number handy, it makes it easier for them to look up your vehicle. If not, they can still look it up by your name. Also, since this is definitely a safety issue, the Ford rep suggested I report it to the NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. Their phone numbers are 1-800-424-9393 or 1-888-327-4236. He said if they get enough complaints, they will put pressure on Ford for a recall. I called them today but, being a government agency, they were closed for Columbus Day. I will call them tomorrow. IF EVERYONE CALLS FORD AND THE NHTSA, WE COULD GET REIMBURSED FOR THE AMOUNT WE PAID FOR THIS REPAIR!!!
- daria, Milford, CT, US