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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,569 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a fracture on the lift gate under the window. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was rust on the rear passenger's side fender. The contact was unaware of what caused the rust so the contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer did not state what caused the rust but stated that the rear passenger's side fender needed to be replaced with new metal. The contact did not have the rear passenger side fender replaced. The failure mileage was 105,000.
2005 Ford Explorer: I am worrying about the integrity of my 2005 Ford Explorer rear end and what would happen if I were to be rear ended. The following occurred: I shut the tailgate and the area above and below the Explorer emblem cracked vertically. My friend has the same car and hers cracked exactly like mine a year ago. Now I just saw an Explorer parked at the store and it was cracked too!!!
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate panel became fractured. The vehicle was not taken to a local mechanic or a dealer for diagnosis. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000.
- Covington, KY, USA
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I have a 2005 Ford Explorer and there is a crack in the back on the hatch this is not only on my vehicle there are many out there from the year 2000 and up that have the same crack in the back this should have been recalled I call Ford about this and they are telling me that I have to contact the nhsm I feel that I am getting the run around there are so many Ford Explorer out there with this same thing I feel that Ford should fix this.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatch back panel developed a fracture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised the contact that the panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 123,000.
Driver side hinge disconnected, the bolt was missing. The shifting, unbalance weight caused passenger side hinge to crack. The window fell striking the back of the head of the owner, unlocking and reaching in to the cargo space. A small child was with her who could have been seriously injured, . had this top of the liftgate fallen off in traffic it would have caused serious injury and car damage. Many complaints of this manufacturing defect have been filed and recalls were in effect for other model years.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 mph, the panel around the rear glass of the liftgate detached from the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear liftgate panel became fractured. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic advised the contact that the panel would have to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a massive fracture under the rear exterior liftgate window panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 74,976......updated 05/09/13 updated 06/10/2013
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that there was a crack in the lift gate. The manufacturer was notified but they offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 81,300.
The panel at the bottom of the rear lift gate window cracked the entire length of the panel. Approximately 8 inch crack. I have since seen several other Ford Explorer and a Mercury SUV with the same crack. Obviously Ford has a problem which they are not making good on.
The paint in the valleys on the roof has all flaked off and is rusting. Problem with the paint. I purchased this vehicle 2 years ago and first noticed it last year.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the rear hatch back panel developed a fracture. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician advised the contact that the panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 127,000.
The panel under the back lift window next to the emblem is cracked all the way across just like every one else's have done I wish they would fix it but that may not happen all the cars I have owned since I got my license have been Ford my first car was a 1955 2 door I still have it I guess the warranty is no good on it either.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Port Chester, NY, USA