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.
The crack in the rear panel of my 2005 Explorer has now blown out my rear window. The crack has been there for some time, today I closed the upper part, gently, and the window blew out.... glass went everywhere... my kids almost got blasted by the glass. This problem must be settled by Ford Motor Company, before someone really gets hurt.
I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS A DEFECTIVE PART. I WAS AWAY FOR THE WEEKEND AND CAME BACK AND NOTICED THE CRACK. I THOUGHT SOMEONE DID A HIT AND RUN AT FIRST, HAD THE PLACE I LIVE CHECK, THERE CAMERAS AND NOTHING SHOWED UP BUT JUST A DEFAULT IN THE PART.
I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD HASN'T TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ISSUE, HOPEFULLY THEY WILL TAKE OWNERSHIP ON THIS.
My vehicle just developed the crack this past November. I called Ford and the lady I spoke to said my warranty was up and that there had not been a recall on my vehicle. I asked her how that could be since the problem involved Ford Explorers 2002 - 2005 and mine was a 2005. She explained that it depended on what facility it was manufactured in. I asked what difference that made if it was a Ford defect. She said they only recalled vehicles from certain locations. I am a loyal Ford owner as are all my sons. I cannot believe Ford wants to treat loyal customers like that. I am a senior female getting ready to retire and I cannot afford to buy a new car and have now been put in the position of either paying to get something fixed that was not my fault or driving around with an ugly crack on the back panel. Shame on you FORD!!
It is well documented that Ford is well aware of the problem...and for a while was helping the owners with help towards fixing...but apparently that has stopped...4 out of 5 has this problem
I think the same as every other explorer in this year range, it has the crack. My window hasn't fallen out yet so I haven't gotten it fixed. Plus, I figured if I paid to have it fixed it would just crack again.
- Eric S.,
Pleasant Dale, NE, US
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I have had my Ford for a long time now and one day I notice a crack near the Ford Emblem. It just appeared out of nowhere and I have noticed it on other Ford vehicles. This is definitely a defect and should be replaced by Ford.
The cracked rear lift gate panel is a real disappointment. One I didn't expect from a quality manufacturer. What's worse, Ford has not recognized its responsibility to fix it given the grand scale of occurrences. It makes me very unlikely to purchase another Ford product.
Every Ford Explorer I have seen here in Florida from 2002-2005 models have this crack. I noticed this and was very meticulous about closing the hatch evenly at all times. One morning I went outside to load the car for a get away and my rear panel was cracked. Ever since then I get noises coming from the back sounding like something is uneven on the window. Ford...you are the trusted brand. Stand behind your design!
This was the second time the rear panel had cracked. I sent Ford an e-mail about my 2nd time experience and never received a reply back. Ford should be held responsible for the defect.
The rear panel cracked spontaneously. Since this happened, I have seen multiple Ford Explorers with cracks on the rear panel, therefore I know this is a defect in workmanship/materials and feel Ford should replace it. I contacted Ford myself and received an email telling me it was not covered, and that I should have it fixed and retain the receipts in the event they decide to cover this in the future. Then I might get my money back. I really like my Explorer and have never had any other problems with it, but this crack is VERY obvious and makes my vehicle look bad.
My sister-in-law has a Ford Exp. and I noticed the crack on the back of her vehicle. When I asked her about it she said it just happened out of nowhere one day for no reason. At the time my Ford Exp. was OK- no crack. Well, that didn't last long. The following year when it started to get cold, out of nowhere the crack appeared. I was really upset and asked the dealership about it when I took my Explorer in for its routine maintenance. They said it was not a factory defect and not covered by the warranty. What a bunch of bull !!!!
Now that it has happened to me I have seen a lot more Ford Explorers around here from certain years that have the same crack in the same place. Now something tells me that if all these vehicles have the same problem that it's a defect and should be covered and fixed by the Ford company. Every time I see a Ford Explorer around the same year as mine I look to see if the back window tailgate has a crack in it, and almost everyone of them do.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The crack in the rear panel of my 2005 Explorer has now blown out my rear window. The crack has been there for some time, today I closed the upper part, gently, and the window blew out.... glass went everywhere... my kids almost got blasted by the glass. This problem must be settled by Ford Motor Company, before someone really gets hurt.
- Matt N., Clearwater, FL, US