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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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,641 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.

2005 Ford Explorer brakes problems

brakes problem

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2005 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #1

Nov 302014

Explorer 4WD 6-cyl

  • 113,641 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hello while driving down the highway, the upper ball joint in the drivers side front broke and caused damage to the axle, tire, and wheel. This caused issues with control of vehicle and could have cause a much greater accident than what occurred. I was able to avoid a major accident, partially due to the low speed at the time, however had this occurred while I was on the interstate or on a crowded highway, this could have had exponentially worse outcomes. I have been told by numerous mechanics that the ball joints are an issue for Ford Explorer and this isn't my first issue with them myself. I also had issues with my 2004 Explorer. This was not an original part to the vehicle and was checked less than a week before it broke and passed inspection. Please look into ball joint issues for Ford Explorer and keep something like this from happening again. A picture of the vehicle is below. Please contact me for more information if needed. OI59.tinypic.com/T658xd.jpg.

- Chapel Hill, NC, USA

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