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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.

6.6

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$420
Average Mileage:
76,900 miles
Total Complaints:
551 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. Ford should recall (226 reports)
  2. repair or replace tailgate (143 reports)
  3. not sure (104 reports)
  4. replace the panel (30 reports)
  5. need a redesigned tailgate (22 reports)
  6. ford needs to pay for being fixed (14 reports)
2003 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Ford Explorer Owner Comments (Page 9 of 28)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #391

Sep 162011

Explorer Eddie Bauer 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,490 miles

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

click to see larger images

cracked panel below the rear window

I had this crack fixed once under warranty. It has reappeared.

- Pamela F., Lawrenceville, GA, US

problem #390

Aug 242011

Explorer LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,000 miles

VERTICAL CRACK JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM FROM TOP TO BOTTOM ON REAR WINDOW HATCH. I HAVE SEEN 8 OTHER EXPLORERS IN TOWN WITH EXACTLY THE SAME CRACK IN THE SAME PLACE. I AM CONCERNED THAT IT WILL GET WORSE WITH TIME. VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD IS NOT DOING REPLACEMENTS. I WAS TOLD THE REPAIR WOULD COST ME $450.

- Al P., Winter Park, FL, US

problem #389

Mar 192011

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,579 miles

I'm not the only one in this situation, now that it's happened to me every time I'm on the road I see lots, if not many, with the same problem. FORD should have had this rectified a long time ago. This is my last FORD purchase.

- Victor C., Luquillo, PR, Puerto Rico

problem #388

Sep 012011

Explorer Eddie Bouer 4.6L V8

  • Manual transmission
  • 35,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

cracked panel below the rear window cracked panel below the rear window

This started being just over an inch long, and once the Winter and Summer came through, the crack grew.

- George J., Longmont, CO, US

problem #387

Jan 012011

Explorer LTD

  • 85,000 miles

This cracked panel thing is really poor on Ford's part. They must have had a Co-op engineer design that liftgate. They didn't take into account the very basic physics of differential expansion/contraction. Sad. This is on top of a recall for this liftgate (another problem). I hope that someone got fired over this one. But, more than likely they got promoted instead. Pure incompetence.

- Rob R., West Chester, OH, US

problem #386

Aug 312011

Explorer XLT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,983 miles

I realize my vehicle is old, but this happens to all of these vehicles, not just mine, so it needs to be taken care of by Ford!

- pcarlton, Enumclaw, WA, US

problem #385

Dec 012009

Explorer LS V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

Ford needs to redesign this flaw and fix all of its Ford Explorers at their expense.

- hudock, Roseville, CA, US

problem #384

Dec 122010

Explorer Limited 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,400 miles

I feel there are enough complaints on this matter that Ford needs to recall and fix problem.

- John A., Goshen, OH, US

problem #383

Jul 122011

Explorer AWD 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,802 miles

ONE COLD MORNING OF COURSE DURING WINTER, ME AND MY FAMILY WERE ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH WHEN I WENT AT THE REAR OF MY TRUCK TO CLEAN UP LITTLE BIT OF SNOW THERE WAS A CRACK BELOW MY LIFTGATE PANEL. ONE AFTERNOON MY TRUCK HORN WAS JUST CONSTANTLY GOING ON (SOUNDING). THE NEXT DAY FROM WORK I DECIDED TO OPEN AND CLOSE ALL MY CAR DOORS PROPERLY. THE REAR LIFTGATE CAME DOWN AS I WAS OPENING IT, COULD NOT CLOSE ANY MORE, IT BROKE OFF OF THE HINGE. I CALL AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THESE ITEMS EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT THEM.

FORD, PLEASE TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. I LOVE FORD CAR AND I WANT TO ALWAYS BE YOUR CUSTOMER BUT IF NOT I AM SORRY AND WILL DISCOURAGE ANY FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIENDS TO BUY YOUR CARS. I AM WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU.

THANKS.

- browneia82ab, Buffalo, NY, US

problem #382

Feb 152009

Explorer Eddie Bauer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

I share the same problem with the broken panel below the glass on my explorer.

Update from Aug 9, 2011: THERE ARE OVER 440 COMPLAINTS NOW POSTED ON THIS WEBSITE ABOUT THE SAME THING. ARE THEIR ANY ATTORNEYS ON THIS LIST? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS IT TAKES TO START A CLASS-ACTION. I JUST RECEIVED NOTICE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS VERY SORRY FOR MY ISSUE HOWEVER THEY WILL NOT BE DOING ANYTHING TO HELP ME FIX IT. I WOULD BE WILLING TO BE THE FIRST PERSON NAMED ON THE CLASS ACTION,IF WE CAN FIND A LAWYER WILLING TO ACCEPT A CASE.

Update from Aug 10, 2011: I HAVE CONTACTED THE LAW FIRM OF AUDET AND PARTNERS,IF YOU ARE TRULY INTERESTED IN GETTING RESULTS ,GOOGLE THEM AND INQUIRE,MAYBE THEY CAN HELP. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO AT THIS POINT. GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF US.

- ronchapin6, Irmo, SC, US

problem #381

May 172011

Explorer XLT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,200 miles

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

click to see larger images

cracked panel below the rear window

I am a person who takes pride in the up keep and look of their car, and having an issue such as this, that I have to pay for out of my own pocket is an annoyance. I discoverd the crack one morning, it ran half way through the panel on the right side, it was approximately 66 F, as the day continued and the temperature rose the crack sealed itself up tightly but as the temperature cooled down the gap in the crap expanded. Ford should cover the entire repiar if not, at least cover half of the cost or atleast lower the price of the repair. Yes, this crack only deals with asthetics, but at times may also allow for water to enter through the crack and start to accumalate behind the panel. A repair price of around $400 is just unacceptable especially since it is a design flaw.

This issue is due to the factory adhensive not allowing for the necessary amount of play for the plastice to expand and contract causing the cracks to appear in either colder or hoter climates. An effective repair method is to replace the factory adhesive with 3M double sided molding tape that will give then panel the necessary amount of flexion. Ford acknowleges that this is an issue and if it wants to continue to see returning and continues increases in customer satisfication, than they need to go back and fix their wrongs.

- llado, Bethel Springs, TN, US

problem #380

Apr 012011

Explorer

  • 40,000 miles

This is totally unfair. I noticed the crack on the back panel of my 2003 Ford Explore with no explanation of how it got there. Than I start seeing other on the street with the same problem.

Now I learn that its hundreds with the same complaint. WHEN IT THE RECALL?

- V E., Kansas City, MO, US

problem #379

Apr 012011

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 99,000 miles

I think if there are so many of this same problems with the crack in the rear panel it should definitely be fixed by ford with no cost to the customer because it is clearly a manufacturers defect.

- Nancy B., Chesapeake, VA, US

problem #378

Dec 202009

Explorer XLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles

There really should be some recourse for my problem. It seems to be a design flaw and one that should not be my responsibility.

- gmcadams, Cottage Grove, OR, US

problem #377

Jan 132011

Explorer ES 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,518 miles

THE CRACK IN THE REAR WINDOW SEEMS TO AFFECT THE LATCHING SECURITY OF THAT WINDOW , AS THE LIFTGATE WINDOW POPS OPEN ANY TIMES IT FEELS LIKE IT WHEN I AM DRIVING. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

- William S., Erie, PA, US

problem #376

Jan 052011

Explorer 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,000 miles

Ford should really recall this problem. This is obviously a common problem, they should fix it. My father is a retired Ford employee. I have always bought a Ford. I would think they would want a returning customer. Please fix the problem.

- colonny, Middletown, NY, US

problem #375

Oct 122006

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles

Members of the Rear Crack Club should caulk the crack in the most obvious color: Ford Blue.

- ralph renard, Harvest, AL, US

problem #374

Jan 012010

Explorer 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Ok, on the back lift gate, right around where the all important "FORD" emblem is there is a crack from the bottom of the glass to the bottom of the gate. Looks very attractive and mine is by far NOT the only one of these I have seen cracked. The sad part is, I love my SUV, it's the second Explorer I have owned but I am not happy with the way my truck looks right now. In another complaint I told about the paint on the hood being almost completely gone...Sad, Sad, Sad...I fill like both of these should be recalled.

- Jacqueline P., Rainsville, AL, US

problem #373

Jan 292004

Explorer XLS V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,981 miles

After many years of holding only half the panel in place, my car is tail-less now [the back panel is totally gone]. First it cracked, of course it was replaced. Then, it cracked again. We decided that it "normal" after seeing all Fords with the same problem!!!. I used to like Fords. In fact I have Ford cars most of my life. But this last Ford has been a pain in the neck, too many defects, including the A/C that never shuts down, even when I turn it off. The Ford dealer told me that "it was normal" hahaaa and never fixed it.

I am ready to buy a car but it is not going to be a Ford! No, thanks.

- Dores J., Edinburg, TX, US

problem #372

Dec 162010

Explorer XLT 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

The tailgate crack appeared after a cold weather snap. I hardly ever use the liftgate. when I found out my nephew's, explorer did the same I started checking others on the road and sure enough, there were quite a few with the same crack. We have always owned fords but I will rethink this body style. Ford should definitely fix.

- Jeri H., Alton, IL, US

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