CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2003 Ford Explorer one of our worst vehicles on record. "Avoid like the plague" is putting it lightly.
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.
Another common problem for the 2002-2003 Explorer is wheel bearing failure at around 90k miles, with a typical repair bill of $500 to $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
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.
At first the crack was very snall, but with time the crack has turned into one very large crack and 3 smaller cracks. At first I thought that it was just my car that somehow someone had hit the car, but as time past I noticed that there are a lot of Explorer's that have the same problem as me.
I think that since it is a faulty part that obiously Ford knows about that they should fix it or at least give some credit to those who choose to have it fixed.
My daughter drove the vehicle to the Northwest to go to school and she noticed the cracked lift gate one day this past winter. She hadn't been using the lift gate for some time so there's no reason that this crack should occur other than the material couldn't handle the temperature cycling of summers and winters. Definitely a manufacturer's latent defect.
Did not know at the time this would end up being a chronic problem for many 2003 Explorer owners. This rear panel cracked just under the rear wiper assembly.
This common problem began about 16 mos ago as a small crack left of the "Ford" emblem on the rear hatch. It has grown to about 5" in length and a new, smaller crack has developed over the emblem. Vehicle has been garaged since new, is driven only 2 miles to work by my wife and parked in the shade while there. We live in a mild climate. We go to Sacramento often, and have been observing a large number of Ford Explorers, which have the same rear hatch, whith the same problem. Is ford deaf and totally ignorant to the customer base, and the problems this creates for their "Quality is Job 1" reputation. After owning 6 fords in the last 15 yrs., this will be the last.
One day I checked the car for dings and drove to check tire pressure. Just five minutes from when I checked the exterior of the car thoroughly for deffects. I walk to the rear and see the hatch has split from the bottom of the glass all the way to the bottom of the hatch seperation(about 10 inches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I am VERY upset and it sounds like am not alone.
- Mj J.,
Oklahoma City, OK, US
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I too have a 2003 Ford Explorer XLT with a cracked plastic panel below the glass lift gate. It has happened twice now, once in 2005 which I had repaired ($650) and again earlier this year (2010). I called the local dealer who had "never heard of this condition before" and stated that they had no recall on the part and therefore wouldn't fix it. I then contacted Ford directly who brushed me aside after saying that they too were unaware of a problem and have no intentions of fixing it. In the past 10 years, I've purchased two Explorers for work and two for personal use. I'll not purchase another.
This will be the very last Explorer I will ever purchase. I will ensure that every person I meet knows how bad the Ford Explorer is. I am in the Military and I meet thousands of people every year..."One person at a time".
Im really getting tired of dealing with ford cars. I go on the internet and see so many unsatisfied ford owners out there. When I get done paying this sh*t off Im never buying a Ford again. I will go foreign. The cars produced by american companies can't compare to the quality of foreign auto makers and they wonder why our auto companies are failing. They produce pieces of sh*t cars and sell them at ridiculous prices and when a defect occurs they leave you high and dry.
I have a 2003 ford explorer xls and out of no where the rear panel cracks. I didnt even know it had cracked until I went to open the trunk area and saw a huge gaping crack in it. I have had so many problems with this car that ford will never get a dime of my money again after this one. They should be ashamed at the quality of cars they produce. America use to be the king of the world auto industry but these companies got greedy and began selling less reliable cars and cutting corners and now their products are worthless. This rear panel issue isnt the only problem I have with my car but that is for another complaint file. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THESE ISSUES OR FADE INTO AUTO INDUSTRY HELL.
I always look at the back panel of the Explorers I see on the road and I see the same cracks as on my vehicle. Def..a defect and FORD should fix this for us.
I have see numerous Ford Explorers with the same defect and I think vehicle owners do not realize it is a common defect throughout this model and is visible on newer models.
I own a 2003 XLT.I woke one winter morning and noticed a crack on the back panel lift gate. The crack is vertical , about 6" long . The crack is now cracking to the left.I first thought that someone came along and cut the plastic panel as it was so perfect.
I have seen only 1 other Explorer on the road in my area with this problem .I thought to myself that this must be an isolated incident until I found this site and read on . With all the complaints listed here, why does Ford not wake up, take action and recall this faulty design ?
I too have been upset with the crack that appeared down the rear panel on my 2003 Ford Explorer. It was in August so it happened to be in the hot weather. I take good care of my vehicles and have always had Ford vehicles. This is my third Ford Explorer. I agree with others that Ford should be paying for these repairs. I may be looking at other Makes to replace this one. I do like the Explorer but I am getting tired of paying for all these little problems I am experiencing with this model. It all adds up!
Just wanted to added my whine to the din! Already bought a replacement Infinity and will use this formerly desirable vehicle to teach my kids how to drive. As others have said, Ford should fix it's own problems. We have cared for our vehicles and this problem is only due to manufacturer design flaws. FIX IT FORD!!
My explorer is in mint condition except for this hidiuos crack below the hatch window. My vehicle is kept in the garage and has been well maintained and I think Ford should fix this problem for all explorer owners!
I have read alot of these complaints about the same thing the rear panel cracking.I agree with all.You work you're butt off to be able to buy a nice vehicle & the panel cracks just because its cold outside.If I had known then what I have read now the vehicle would have stayed on the lot.I think that it should be a recall they recall for everything else why not this especially when they apparently have figure it out & are making the whole back different.
When I noticed the crack in my rear hatch, I was very pissed off to see a crack where I have no idea how it could have occurred. I spoke with one of my friends and was told that another friend of ours have the exact same crack in her Ford Explorer as well. Then as I drove around and saw more vehicles like mine I find myself lurking to find the same defect and 90% of the time the vehicle has the same defect. Ford understands this problem and it sucks that they will not do anything about this defect...this is more of the reason people do not buy American made cars especially ford cars because of the manufacturing defects that happen and they do nothing to solve the problem. A problem as simple as replacing the hatchbacks with a more pressure treated part that will resistant in cracking with environmentally stress issues. I will not buy American again...sucks to be working for a ford company. I will help fight this any way possible please feel free to provide advice.
I have seen so many Ford Explorers like mine in North Carolina with the same crack and It makes me believe that this is a factory defect that should be covered by the manufacturer......lets fight for are rights. Call the consumer affairs division of your State Attorney Generals Office. This can be found on your states governmental website and often the complaints can be filed on line or you can download the forms to file your complaint by mail.
I could not believe when right after I had my car washed the big cracked on the back!!! The next day after I parked my car the surprise! The cracked it was “glued†back!! That was when I realize what was happening the piece expanded and cracked. Very disappointed I took my car to a Carmetics and another surprise $1500 to fix it!!!! I do drive a lot and the same week I was driven and I saw another Ford Explore with the same crack!! I did stopped the car and ask the driver, which was very unhappy with the issue as well, what happened to his car. Same thing as mine. Called Ford and no recall. It is my problem. I have been driving and I always check for Ford Explore cracks and I always find them!! I suggest that we all Ford explorer owners should go on the TV and make it public!! I am searching for my legal rights on this matter and you all should do it too. I really take care of my car and I can’t express how mad I am with Ford indifference!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
At first the crack was very snall, but with time the crack has turned into one very large crack and 3 smaller cracks. At first I thought that it was just my car that somehow someone had hit the car, but as time past I noticed that there are a lot of Explorer's that have the same problem as me.
I think that since it is a faulty part that obiously Ford knows about that they should fix it or at least give some credit to those who choose to have it fixed.
- M C., Whittier, CA, US