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.
After sheering 2 wheel studs, now have a click/clank noise coming from the rear end. Not all the time but very noisy, makes people on the street look. Mechanic who fixed the studs is now wondering what it is since this noise isn't all the time. I look after my Ford, but now it's going in weekly for maintenance, It keeps it up I'll be repairing as much as a monthly truck payment!!! Can't win!
I just bought this 2005 ford explorer eddie bauer edition. I am the second owner. I have been noticing a very big hesitation in throttle response when accelerating. it has at a least 3-5 sec delay before the car takes off down the road. It's making it difficult to drive. It's hard to estimate when to pull out on to the road before a car hits me. Someone could really get hurt with this manufactured vehicle flaw. I have seen tons of complaints about these vehicle's having this problem. Ford should step up and help me fix this i have children in danger because of this. They should recall this problem before someone gets killed.
Update from Feb 29, 2012: I was recently watching some video's with people having the same problem with their throttle bodies on youtube. People were saying to try to clean the throttle body cause some times there is carbon build up around the butterfly plate in the throttle body, especially with these ford explorer with some mileage. So i went ahead and did it and it worked so far. It is nothing compared to how bad it was at first. so i suggest if anyone has this issue with their car, try to clean the inside of the throttle body to see if that works if not. It probaly needs to be replaced.
- Seth K.,
Rossville, GA, US
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After sheering 2 wheel studs, now have a click/clank noise coming from the rear end. Not all the time but very noisy, makes people on the street look. Mechanic who fixed the studs is now wondering what it is since this noise isn't all the time. I look after my Ford, but now it's going in weekly for maintenance, It keeps it up I'll be repairing as much as a monthly truck payment!!! Can't win!
- firesprayer, Monkland, Ontario, Canada