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.
Last year I was looking into trading in my 2005 Explorer for a 2013 Escape. At that time my truck had no damage to the body except on tiny (smaller than a dime) dent in the front passenger door (one of the dangers of shopping at WalMart). Then about a week later, I saw, what I thought was, a scratch just under the corner of the Ford oval. Two days later, that small scratch turned into a gaping crack that extended from bottom of panel, around the side of oval, then all the way up!
I was sure that if I traded it in, I would get less money because of the damage. So, I got online where they sell OEM Ford parts & found out you can buy the panel for $175.00, but it comes unpainted. I'm cheap, so I decided to keep it for a while longer & see if I can find it elsewhere. Between then (last winter) & now, I noticed that when it's cold outside, the crack opens. When it's warm, the crack closes up and looks like a scratch. I also noticed that every time I saw an Explorer that was around same age as mine, they also had cracks in the same location. On top of that, my boyfriend's mom has a 2005 Explorer that has a crack in the same panel, but on the opposite side of the oval. This obviously isn't a problem caused by the vehicle owner.
It was bad enough to take time out to get the repair done. BUT THEN I HAD TO PAY FOR IT. It cost me $690.64 to have it fixed. Now, its happened again and I have to go through all that pain again. I shouldn't have to pay for it again.
I have noticed more Ford Explorers on the road with this damaged Panel....It's unacceptable and Ford should replace at Ford's cost not the consumers. Shame on Ford especially when I believe to buy American, this type of poor quality makes me rethink buying an import!
I love my Explorer, I have taken great care of it and have owned it since 2005. I cannot believe this crack. Very annoying. When driving down the road I notice almost every Explorer has the exact same crack. This is obviously an issue! Ford should fix.
- Sherry B.,
Pembroke, VA, US
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When purchased two years ago, there was no visible signs of defect. I began to notice a small crack on panel in winter of 2013, which got progressively worse as the season wore on. The crack became a full fissure, migrating from the top to bottom edge on the right side of the Ford emblem.
The crack just appeared one day on the back door. I take pride on my car and keep it nice & shiny! Now I have this dam crack and Ford should fix since it's a defect. I am also noticing other 2005 explorer's with the same crack. Due to this and the fuel gauge not working all the time is a good enough reason I have decided not to buy any more Ford products, as I have been a dedicated customer for over 20 years....moving on to a nice Dodge Ram!! Let's not mention rotors being a piece of crap from the day I drove it off the car lot brand spanking new.
I had this crack mysteriously appear a few of months ago so add me to the list. I am going to purchase the piece myself and repair it for about $100. It's not a matter of just letting it go as water gets into the crack. I am very dissappointed that Ford won't even recognize the fact that there is a problem.
When I bought this vehicle it was a very nice looking car. There were no dents, or any other problems with the exterior. I opened the back top hatch to put groceries in and shut the hatch, that's when I noticed the crack. At first I thought it should not have cracked like that. As I see more and more of these same vehicles with the same crack I am certain that it was something that Ford should have made better or at least fix now.
We were aware of this problem from other acquaintances with Explorers which ALL had the cracked panel, so we were always extra careful not to slam the door. We were successful avoiding the crack until we had some other body work done at the dealership and when we got it back from the shop, THEY had cracked it! This is absolutely ridiculous that Ford has not issued a recall on this.
I was unaware that the liftgate crack was a common problem until I was researching how to fix it. I love my truck and am surprised and frustrated that Ford has not taken care of the problem.
Update from Jan 1, 2015: liftgate crack has spread and now the liftgate may or may not unlock
Another cosmetic flaw Ford knows about and won't fix or even partially reimburse for. Been apart of the Ford family for generations. Guess that doesn't mean much anymore.
Went to shut my tailgate one very cold day and it just cracked. It looks bad, I had no idea this was an issue for this model. Ford knew about this and should definitely fix it at no cost.
I am embarrassed to drive my vehicle with this major crack. I use my car with advertising for my business just above this crack. If Ford doesn't fix this, I think I may have to advertise their negligence on my back window too!! There are so many things that constantly break on these vehicles. Its no wonder why people buy foreign cars!!
When I purchased my 2005 Eddie Bauer in 2008, I was aware that many had cracked panels and thought I was pretty lucky to have found one that wasn't. Well, this past summer, mine cracked too. Nothing I did, just came out one morning and it was cracked.
it's an eyesore and annoying since it was NOT due to any rough handling ... it has also caused a cople of pinched fingers if hand is near crack when closing hatch or window. just aggravating since problem seems to be common yet NEVER addressed by FORD!
My 2005 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer is garage kept and low mileage, as I work from my home office. I literally drive it very little. In 2013, a crack appeared on the panel below the back hatch window. I was horrified. When I called my insurance company they indicated that this is a known problem by Ford, common on many SUV's they produced for a large period of time. They also told me that all of the Ford Dealers know about it (and laugh when we bring them in to be fixed). I contacted Ford in Aug. 2013 with a letter and email and in both cases I was told that it is nothing that they are responsible for. I see other Ford SUV's on the road with a similar crack. When I contacted other Ford owners that share the same problem, they have let me know that the crack starts out as 1 crack and can quickly expand to more. The 'crack' appears because there isn't anything to support the panel and the simple closing of the hatch door causes the damage. The crack also causes water to leak into the interior workings of the door, causing rust as well as damaging the back window wiper. In some cases, the motor stops working completely, in others, it is reduced to 1 of the 2 operating speeds. Ford is not accepting this as a manufacturing defect, even though they changed the design in later models.
This is an embarrassing problem & Ford should have a recall on this if they value their customers. After all, where would they be without us. When you buy a car you don"t expect to have problems like this. Bail us out Ford before water gets in & ruins the car. Could damage wiring, lights, etc.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Last year I was looking into trading in my 2005 Explorer for a 2013 Escape. At that time my truck had no damage to the body except on tiny (smaller than a dime) dent in the front passenger door (one of the dangers of shopping at WalMart). Then about a week later, I saw, what I thought was, a scratch just under the corner of the Ford oval. Two days later, that small scratch turned into a gaping crack that extended from bottom of panel, around the side of oval, then all the way up!
I was sure that if I traded it in, I would get less money because of the damage. So, I got online where they sell OEM Ford parts & found out you can buy the panel for $175.00, but it comes unpainted. I'm cheap, so I decided to keep it for a while longer & see if I can find it elsewhere. Between then (last winter) & now, I noticed that when it's cold outside, the crack opens. When it's warm, the crack closes up and looks like a scratch. I also noticed that every time I saw an Explorer that was around same age as mine, they also had cracks in the same location. On top of that, my boyfriend's mom has a 2005 Explorer that has a crack in the same panel, but on the opposite side of the oval. This obviously isn't a problem caused by the vehicle owner.
- erica1483, Auburn, IN, US