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.
I have always tried to take pride and care in my Explorer. The area below the back window cracked last year. It is an eye sore. I have noticed several other Ford Explorer's on the road and in the area that I live with the same defect. Ford should take care of this problem because all of the defects that I have noticed are in the same location as mine. The crack is to the right of the Ford emblem and it goes from the top to the bottom of the panel section.
this is such a common and fairly expensive issue, i find it insulting and annoying that ford has let this continue without any action.it gets worse and worse without any fault of my own. I strongly believe there has to be a resolution to this ridiculous problem. Ford needs to hold some accountability and do something quick.
This is a design flaw that Ford knew about for 2002-2005 Explorers. A class action suit has been filed, but thousands of Explorer owners are left in the dark. It costs about $450 to have this repaired, Ford knew about the problem but covered it up, and thousands of Explorer owners are left holding the bag with de-valued vehicles and a safety hazard.
This crack is above the Ford logo on my truck, and the court clerk in my city has the same things on ;hers. Its a pain, Ford dealership says no recall and they were not aware of a problem. Just wish Ford would fix it.
One day while driving, I heard a loud crack and felt my 2003 Ford Explorer XLT jolt from the impact of the crack. I stopped to see if someone had hit me with their vehicle. But there was no one else on the road but me. I arrived at home and inspected the vehicle and found that the rear panel under the back window had cracked and split completely. Upon researching, it has come to my attention that this is a known issue with this vehicle. Up to this point, I have no recourse but to fix it myself. This is a widely know problem and should be recalled. This is not normal wear and tear, and my vehicle has never been in an accident.
- Lisa A.,
Tecumseh, Ontario, canada
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2003 Ford Explorer XLT purchased new in 2003. Car has many flaws. The one which I am going to rant about is the rear lift gate. Rear applique crack formed in February of 2014 as on almost every Explorer Mountaineer and Aviator all have. On April 25th 2014 I opened the glass lift gate to retrieve some items. I then closed the glass lift gate and it shattered into a million pieces. I suffered cuts on my arm but nothing needing medical attention. After researching this problem I see I am not alone on both these issues.
I am joining the class action law suit in hopes to recover some if not all costs to repair. So far cost is about $750.00 for new glass and a new set of hinges because one was bent. I still have to find a body shop to paint the rear applique because this part is not painted to match the vehicle. So I am estimating the total cost to be close to $1000.00.
This has been an ongoing conversation with my Ford Dealer. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the exact month and year I first began having a conversation with the service manager about this problem. It has been several years. During each regular car maintenance, I have been informed that the crack was cosmetic only. I was assured nothing bad could happen as a result of the cracks. Unfortunately, over time the cracks have gotten wider and longer. The change in temperature affects the cracks on a daily basis. I am so sorry I accepted the explanation of the service manager and did not press the issue from the very beginning! We worry about the integrity of the tailgate every time we close it. It seems reasonable to think that at some point, parts are going to fly off and someone is going to get hurt.
My Ford Dealer is still saying this is not a problem and will not affect the resale value of the car. He gave a quote of $700 to replace the panel. That has since been reduced to $450. He tells me that because of the age of the car, it is not worth spending the money to fix the tailgate panel. In fact he recommended I consider trading the car in for a new Ford. The car has about 50,000 miles on it. It has had regular maintenance and runs well. It looks great, unless you are looking at the back end!
Observation confirms that this is a problem with a huge percentage of Explorers, Mountaineers and Aviators. It is very difficult to find one that DOES NOT have at least one crack. Most have two or three cracks.
We have loved our Ford Eddie Bauer Explorer since the day we bought it. We have sung the praises of the car for many years. Unfortunately, any conversation about our vehicle these days reflects negatively on Ford, and the Ford dealer. As anyone who has discussed the issue with Ford knows, they have not been able to offer a reasonable explanation for not accepting responsibility and offering customer support to address the cracked tailgate problem.
First, I never use the tailgate, just use passenger doors for stores and stuff. Months later, my wife started to use the tailgate and so did I. Less than a month after I used it the first time I notice a small crack in the tailgate plastic panel over the logo. 6 months of driving later, and its nearly completely through the entire panel. 2 years into it, I now have two cracks!
SERIOUSLY!
THIS IS THE REASON THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR CRACKED TAILGATES! EVERY EXPLORER OF THIS MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD KNEW ABOUT IT AND DID NOTHING!
Metal panel looks ugly with crack. Also, plastic panel below metal crack where rear tailgate release is has cracked. This should have been a metal piece to begin with. Over the years, it has cracked due to people reaching for release handle.
Ford COME ON!!! MY CRACKED REAR PANEL IS EMBARRASSING! Please fix it.
Update from Nov 12, 2014: Since the first complaint, I have been experiencing electrical, transmission, water damage underneath. The padding is eroded. The wiper doesn't work any longer. Im really upset at ford for not believing this consisted problem. I love my truck, and this is out of control. Please help me!
I am waiting for a callback from Purvis Ford regarding getting the TWO cracks that need to be repaired. The person I spoke with said she knew nothing about this problem! Seriously? Every freakin' Ford Exploder I see on the road has the same cracks! Pretty certain they are going to give me a hard time and want me to pay for it! NOT!!!
I have had 3 paint/body defects now and am furious that this is NOT an isolated issue. I take very good care of my vehicle and was flabbergasted that this crack suddenly appeared. In the 5 days since it has happened I have randomly spotted 5 more Explorers with the same crack....Not a coincidence, just poor manufacturing. I am really going to rethink purchasing another Ford (I have always owned one) if they do not correct this problem.
We were completely caught off guard with this major vertical crack through panel under rear window! Parked at local rink when it was discovered, first thought was someone hit the car. That didn't seem to fit though, lack of any other scuffs etc. then came home to research. Imagine my surprise to see what a common problem this is! What the heck ford? Can't believe that such a common problem exists and there is no attempt by ford to recall or fix. Unacceptable. I really loved this car which I bought used for my teenager, was looking at an explorer for my next vehicle myself. Would not even consider it now. Ps we already had to replace the alternator, and I just thought no big deal, common needed repair. I tend to be pretty patient and get that cars will need maintenance. This is not the same category.
Bought this vehicle about a month ago for my daughter. It had been wrecked in the back end so we took it to a body shop and spent over $3000. 2 days after picking it up from the body shop it cracked under the back window. Thinking it was the body shops fault, we were furious. in the last 3 weeks since that happened I have taken pictures of 5 (FIVE) other explorers with the exact same crack! and that is just in our small town! UNBELIEVABLE! Can nothing be done about this?
Cracked lift gate. Ford needs to repair our trucks, we sure paid enough for them. I didnt crash or mistreat my truck,so it should look like crap because they f* up! And have a nice day ford!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I have always tried to take pride and care in my Explorer. The area below the back window cracked last year. It is an eye sore. I have noticed several other Ford Explorer's on the road and in the area that I live with the same defect. Ford should take care of this problem because all of the defects that I have noticed are in the same location as mine. The crack is to the right of the Ford emblem and it goes from the top to the bottom of the panel section.
- Sandy R., Ringgold, GA, US