5.4
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$733.00
Average Mileage:
83,071 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints
Most common solutions:
- replace and repaint hood (5 reports)
- not sure (2 reports)
body / paint problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Explorer corrosion of aluminum hood
2009May 01
Explorer ELT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 68,500 miles
The hood started bubbling and peeling a couple of years ago, when I took it to my dealer the response was that the warranty only covers perforation due to corrosion. As it got worse I tried again but by that time the warranty had expired. I called and emailed Ford Customer service and was told that there was nothing they would do. The most frustrating thing is that Ford doesn't seem to think that I should be upset, in their view I guess the paint falling off a car after 4-5 years in acceptable. I (just this week) traded in my other Ford. a 1997 Taurus SHO for a Camry and as soon as that is paid for the Explorer will go too. I have owned nothing but Ford vehicles for the past 15 years but will never own another.
For others having this problem I would suggest an aftermarket hood, it will come with a 5 year warranty instead of the 3 years for a genuine Ford hood and my body shop says they have significantly fewer problems with these hoods (also a couple hundred dollars cheaper.
There is no question in my mind that this is a manufacturing defect and it is very common in both the 2002 and 2003 models.
2006Aug 02
Explorer Eddie Bauer V8
- Automatic transmission
- 55,000 miles
P.O.S. Ford. This is one of so many problems with this Explorer. I am the original owner, and I babied this thing. Major P.O.S. and Ford will not stand by their vehicle.
NEVER AGAIN will I buy a Ford.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2006Jul 04
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 300,000 miles
I had paint bubbles at the very front of the hood all the way across. I had my whole hood stripped and repainted under warranty and now (2 years later) it is starting again. This is the sixth major problem I've had with this truck. I will not buy another FORD.
2006Jul 14
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 55,000 miles
I have seen many explorers with the same problem and I am waiting for Ford to make a recall on this issue. Hopefully I do not have to pay to fix it.
2007Mar 17
Explorer 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 28,000 miles
Front edge of aluminum hood had paint bubbling up and then flaking off.
2008Jan 27
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 35,000 miles
Great dealer service department discovered small paint bubble on the edge of the hood while doing other work. Zone rep authorized replacement of hood. This, of course, required painting of new hood and blending into fenders. Any repaint reduces resale value. I'm grateful to the dealer for noticing it; I'm sure I wouldn't have spotted it until the warranty had passed. Who knew aluminum could corrode?
We have partnered with JustAnswer to offer online auto repair help and advice from expert professional automotive technicians. You describe your body / paint problem or ask your question and they try to help you figure it out. The fee is typically $9 to $15, but you can offer to pay more for really tough questions. You will usually receive an answer in 10 minutes or less, and you do not have to pay anything unless you accept the answer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Sep 15
Explorer V6
Supposedly it was covered under the warranty--but since I had it fixed at the Ford Body Shop (horrible service) in Mexico--I was told I would have to pay and then get reimbursed for it--never happened--even after a dealer in the U.S. consistently sent in the paperwork and was consistently denied because the hood is aluminum--so according to Ford, it's "impossible" for corrosion to have occurred--although it's an obvious fault in the original paintwork.
tdepew
Electric City, WA, USA
SEND A COMMENT »