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.
6.5
fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$450
Average Mileage:
82,250 miles
Total Complaints:
268 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
Ford should recall based on 2002-2005 complaints (124 reports)
Ford should fix it if reported,being it's a known defect!!! (75 reports)
not sure (36 reports)
part needs to be replaced (14 reports)
replace (10 reports)
re-initiate the charity repair solution (4 reports)
Safercar.Gov - This is the site you need to file your complaint with, it is the national safety site for recalls and defects. The more people that complain the better. Call them @1-888-327-4236. I just filed mine today.
Like everyone else...a crack appeared to the right of the Ford emblem on my rear window panel...it expands when it's cold and contracts when it warm...it's all the way through from top to bottom...I have read that it will be over $450 to fix it...I think Ford should recall these panels and fix them since it is obviously a defect. I take very good care of my vehicle, inside and out and this is just such an eye sore as well as worrying about the safety of using the rear window...
I was looking so forward to having my explorer paid off next year, now it looks like I'll be spending my monthly payment on repairs. How sad is that in today's economy>
I have a 2005 Ford Explorer. For some reason the body of my SUV starting splitting in half at the back lift gate! It was a small split at first and I was thinking "OMG, what the heck happened"! I knew it wasn't from a car hitting me or anything like that because it was to high and there were no dents, just the body splitting. By the following week the split had already went past the FORD logo and went clear to the bottom when the door opens. I as so afraid to open the window or the back lift gate because one half might fall off. What can be done about this? Is there any help from FORD to have this fixed? How can I trade it in with that big crack!?!?!
I saw the complaints on your website with regard to the problem that I am having. My rear panel cracked right near the windshield wiper (that is now not working) - this started with a small crack and is now completely split in half. I am waiting for one piece or the other to fall off. I called the 1-800 number listed in another member's post and got the same response about taking it to a dealer and that there currently is no recall in place for this issue. My mother has a 2002 Ford Explorer with the same EXACT problem - don't tell me that there isn't a defect and FORD NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF IT! I can't afford to fix this problem and my warranty expired a long time ago. The customer service representative said that if enough people call about this issue then they will investigate - I believe investigating means contacting all the dealerships to see if this is really a problem, so I will take my vehicle in and at least get it documented. Tell anyone you know or see with this issue to call Ford and complain - please help all of us!
How can Ford justify the price of an Explorer and the body crack before you have had it a full year and then when you take it in they tell you what it will cost to fix it.Your cost not theirs because this is not a saftey hazard. I guess when it finally gets bad enough that the back glass fall out driving down the road and causes an accident then maybe it will be a drving hazard. Why is it someone has to get hurt before something is done. I though Ford took more pride in their automoblies than that. This is a real eye sore and poor advertising for them.
Dealer service said there will not be a recall because it is not safety related. Body-shop person said part is about $150, glue is about $100, and that's before the labor charges, and said the body-men hate these repairs because they are very hard to get all the glue off.
They better replace this free of charge or it's the last Ford I buy. Nobody hit the back of the car and we didn't hit anything, it just appeared. Apparently the door can't handle being shut. I didn't realize that hatch was made of cheap plastic.
This problem (i.e. crack in the hatch pannel below the rear glass) is clearly a manufacturer defect. Ford should fix it but refuses. Now I know why they are not using the Government help. because they still have all that extra money from not fixing veichles they sold that clearly have manufacturer defects. At least GM will own up to thier defective vehicles. Though this issue is relatively minor to say an engine blowing up or a transmission going out, Ford's refusal to resolve this issue has mare then likely caused me to never buy another ford or associated vehicle again. Thank you Ford Motor Co. for making my next vehicle purchase decision a little easier. Unless you fix this problem, I'll be buying from your competition.
After researching and finding this to be a common problem Ford should step up and stand behind their product especially in a time when they should be trying to create customer loyalty. How many U.S. car makers will have to go under before they realize their products are inferior!
I noticed one day that the panel below my rear window was cracked. It's like it just magically appeared overnight! The thing is a terrible eyesore, and I'm so tired of Ford refusing to repair what is clearly a defect. While out and about (I live in Houston, TX, seems like a lot of these issues are in TX) I have seen numerous other Explorers with the same issue. One guy even pulled over to ask me how it happened. He said he simply closed his tailgate one day and it cracked.
This is one of three different issues I have had with my Explorer - it would also randomly die (scary, right?!?) and my cruise control cuts out intermittently. The other two problems started within a few months of buying it new. Sometimes I wish I had just kept my Saturn!
Within 24 hours of noticing this crack we saw 25 cars with same problem from Tallahassee, FL to Boca Raton, FL. We saw it on Mountaineer models of Mercury cars as well. FORD FIX IT... IT'S YOUR POOR WORKMANSHIP!
My husband and I were out to dinner and he notice this BIG crack going down the panel below the rear window. It was obvious that it was not hit or that I didn't do anything to it. Then the other day I was driving down the road and in front of me was another Ford Explorer with the same problem. I don't feel that I should have to pay to have this fixed. It is definitely Ford's problem. I noticed also that they don't make the Explorer like that anymore.!
I haven't tried to get this repaired yet. Based on this site, I don't hold much hope of Ford coming to the rescue. If they do not, I am a two time new Ford buyer, but WILL NOT buy a third. Toyota here I come!
Whats up with ford?! billion dollar company and they cant fix their mistakes? the back panel on my explorer cracked, it seemed like overnight just sitting in the driveway! i know i didn't hit it with anything and i was quoted $980 at the local ford dealership. thats ridiculous! the front windshield did the same thing. big crack all the way across the drivers side, out of nowhere! insurance fixed that of course but ford needs to take responsibility and fix these! the man who manages the local car wash here told me that almost every one he has seen is cracked liked this because there is only 2 thin strips of glue holding that panel on. you can tell its hollow. and yet ford expects us to pay out of pocket for their poor craftmanship. ridiculous!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Hairline crack rear tailgate panel below window and Ford emblem. Crack is vertical approximately 1/16.
- Mel L., Dubuque, IA, US