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 2005 Explorer has paint peeling off the roof, have not contacted anyone about it because I thought it was just me.... I am blown away by how many of you have this problem. I am searching for a post about cracks in the panel below the back window also... Ford will not fix it... said it is not a safety issue... my back glass is loose, it certainly is a safety issue, contacted my dealer about it. They got really ugly about it.. my last Ford period. Will look for that post.
I cant not afford to get it fixd. I love my SUV. I have gotten quotes from 6 different paint and body shops. I was told that maybe to check if there was ever a recall on the paint for this year. Does anyone know this? This should not be happening to my truck. I take VERY Good care of all my cars. I have never had a truck this young with paint issues ever. I hope Ford paints my whole truck on them. I have heard and known of other Ford owners who has had paint issues before. This is the first Ford I have ever owned. I should of stuck with my GMC.
This is ridiculous the way the paint is peeling off the roof. it is rusting and I think Ford should stand behind their name and fix this problem with the factory paint jobs that are coming out of there plants. You may also contact Ford online and send a complaint like I did to see if anything can come of this. I talked to them and they say they had no complaints. Maybe if they see enough of them we can have our vehicles fixed.
THE PAINT USED ON FORDS IS REALLY BAD. MY CAR IS RUSTING AND MY HOOD PAINT IS BUBBLING/CHIPPING. HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL FORD OWNERS AND HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER FORDS ON THE STREET AND IT APPEARS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS A 2005 FORD EXPLORER XLS BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM TO MATTER WHAT YEAR THE VEHICLE IS. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD PAY FOR NEW PAINT JOBS AND REPLACE THE PAINT THAT IS BEING USED ON THEIR VEHICLES.
I wax the Explorer at least 3 times a year and wash it regularly, while washing the car I noticed the paint in the formed runners on the roof that paint was peeling off, I also noticed chipping of paint on the top of the rear hatch door about 6 months ago and thought that it was something that I had did without noticing it, until I read on another site lemonlaw.com that other people have had the same issue. As I take pride in keeping my Explorer looking good as I do with my Ford Ranger and my Ford Focus, I would be very disappointed if Ford will not a least acknowledge that there is a problem and fix it.
I have been a faithful Ford customer for the last 24 years or so and wish to remain one. As of now my Explorer has been very reliable and I can say I have been happy to own it it is my third Explorer and would like to own another in the future.
- Kurt A.,
Trevose, PA, US
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Paint has been coming off the near the roof rack since 2008. I complained and Ford dealer took pictures. They said it would take 2 weeks to resolve with the corporate office and when I called back they said that they had no record of my paint complaint. And also the service tech. was no longer with their company. So they took more pictures, but nothing ever came of it. Now the dealer said that the paint is out of warranty!! So FRUSTRATING!! The paint is also bubbled up and completely peeling off the front of the hood, too. HELP!!
I have a 2005 Eddie Baur Explorer, in 2006 the paint peeled off of the roof. Ford dealer repainted twice. Now the paint is peeling off all over, starting with the left front fender, a foot long and eight inches wide. The Ford dealer refuses to repair because it is out of warranty. I called Ford and they say they are unaware of a problem with the paint and refuse to fix it. I didn't know that I bought a 2005 DeLorean!
I am shocked at the number of people having the problem of peeling paint on the front of the explorers. I had hoped this was something that was rare, I have not spoken to the dealer yet but looking at this looks like I had better not hold my breath for them to repair. I am very worried now about the roof peeling also. Come on ford let's make this right for folks.
I just found that the roof on my Explorer has paint peeled off in the roof channels. It is mainly on the driver's side, but it runs the length of the roof. I have never had anything on the roof of the vehicle and it doesn't have any scratches, its just peeling for no reason. The paint has peeled off clear down to the metal. I'm just glad that it is on the roof and not on one of the sides or front or back. That makes it a little less noticeable, to me at least, since I am only 5'1". My boyfriend is the one who noticed it and he is 6'0". I guess when I put the vehicle up for sale, I have to hope that only short people look at it! Ford really needs to check this problem out.
The paint has been failing on the roof of our 2005 Ford Explorer for about two years. The vehicle has approximately 54,000 miles on it and we are the original owners. Nothing has ever been transported on the roof racks. The date of our original complaint to the dealership where the vehicle was purchased was August 5, 2010. The dealer refused to address the problem and passed it off to Ford Customer Service. Ford Customer Service directed the dealer to submit an estimate for the repair, which was done. The repair estimate was approximately $750. Ford Customer Service has declined to resolve the issue and stand behind their paint job. We were never notified of their
decision until we called them on October, 22, 2010 to check on the status of our complaint. Seems like new vehicle paint should last more than 4 - 5 years.
I have a 2005 Ford Explorer where the paint is peeling off the roof and the top edge of the liftgate went to the dealership and complained of this matter and they couldnt help me told me there was no recall on this matter and there was nothing they could do and to top it off they went out of business now the warranty is out on the truck and i am screwed put a claim in with the national traffic and highway safety on this matter cant believe ford will not stand behind this problem or check that there r thousands of complaints out there about this matter
I just bought this explorer used with 55k miles, my wife loved it so we took it home. we never saw the roof until we got it in the driveway, all the paint in the roof channels is peeling out and bare metal exposed. Maaco quotes about 600 to fix it.
I haven't checked the roof of the Explorer but after reading everyone else's comments I will check it first chance I get. The paint is peeling off the body of my SUV. No dent, no scratched just started to peel for no reason. Wow, considering Ford used to be my favorite American made vehicle. Let's see if Ford steps up to the plate on these issues.
Washed and polished truck this spring with no signs of any problem. last night I found an 8" long strip of rust on the roof at the bottom of the roof ridges. Doing an internet search to see if covered by warranty and find lots of people having this problem and no one able to get FORD to cover. I can't believe in this day and age that we have peeling paint and rust problems when I have a 93 Mercury with perfect paint (never garaged), I guess we need to check these sites BEFORE we buy. I will try to get FORD to repair next week but it sounds like I will be wasting my time. Maybe if enough complaints some lawyer will start a class-action lawsuit or will cause FORD enough embarrassment to give us all some satisfaction
I went to the dealer while it was under warranty and they said no problem this has been happening- I was strung along for 4 months in which case the warranty expired and they wouldn't do anything about it, and ford corp blew me off also.
I have done quite a bit of research on this paint peeling issue, not only on the internet, but also with other Ford owners of the Explorer. One fellow, one town over from me said, "good luck" Ford Motor Company won't do a thing about it. I found him to be correct.
I will say one thing. The Dealership I bought my vehicle from in Acton, MA., has come through by paying 3/4 of the cost. The rest I am paying out of pocket. Even though I have the extended warranty, it doesn't cover a paint peeling problem. Kudos to Acton Ford~~ shame on you Ford Motor Company. Step up to the plate and own this problem . It has made me reconsider ever purchasing another Ford and this was my first.
Noticed paint flaking off the top of the liftgate which caused me to notice more in the grooves of the roof. Pop up to take a closer look and was horrified to see that most of the paint from the channels is gone & worse there are some great big areas of RUST!!
According to dealer FORD will not cover as it is out of warranty (3yr 36,000). Never mind that this is obviously a significant issue with a number of their vehicles. Judging by the rust on the roof I would say that this has been happening for quite a while - who looks up there?!
I called Ford today and told them that I was having peeling paint in numerous spots all over the roof of my 2005 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition. I was told that my 3 year 36,000 mile warranty had expired and the problem was now mine to deal with. I told him that I paid a lot of money for a top of the line Ford who has always claimed(American made, built Ford tough) for years. I told him, "so you're telling me that Ford only does a paint job that lasts 3 years?" He told me that was my opinion and that supposedly that this hasn't been an issue that Ford knew of. Bull!!!! I told him I was going to call the Better Business Bureau and put neon poster board on mine in the Wal Mart parking lot saying, Do Not Buy A Ford Because They Only Do Paint Jobs That Last 3 Years!!!! He said to do what I thought I needed to do. When I took mine to our local Ford dealership, the lady that worked there said she thought it was her husband pulling up because she has the exact same year and model that is doing exactly the same thing! She also knows of others that she has had to have fixed for the same problem when she worked at a different dealership. Ford isn't living up to their name at all! I am so unhappy I would never recommend Ford to a friend and I definitely would NEVER buy another one! The man at Ford is a LIAR for what he told me because I know if people have taken the time to write this website, they have also contacted Ford and reported their problem. There has to be known problems for this and there should be a RECALL!!!! Ford should be taking care of it's customers!!!!!!!!! And, they're not.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My 2005 Explorer has paint peeling off the roof, have not contacted anyone about it because I thought it was just me.... I am blown away by how many of you have this problem. I am searching for a post about cracks in the panel below the back window also... Ford will not fix it... said it is not a safety issue... my back glass is loose, it certainly is a safety issue, contacted my dealer about it. They got really ugly about it.. my last Ford period. Will look for that post.
- Rebecca C., Cartersville, GA, US