6.9
fairly significantTypical Repair Cost:
$1,333.00
Average Mileage:
68,429 miles
Total Complaints:
14 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (6 reports)
- complete rear end repair, replace wheel bearings (5 reports)
- ring and pinion replacement (2 reports)
- clutch pack replacement in rear end (1 reports)
drivetrain problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2003 Ford Explorer rear end noise
2007Sep 21
Explorer Eddie Bauer 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 65,000 miles
Squeaking noise when driving and clanking when changing from park to drive or reverse. Couldn't determine what was the problem. I took vehicle to dealer for inspection of problem. Ford Motor Company replaced clutch pack in rear end. There was no charge for replacement. This was evidently a design defect.
2007Jun 06
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 87,000 miles
Repaired once via replacement of ring and pinion gears at dealership, but problem has now resurfaced and louder than ever. When is Ford going to address this problem??
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Feb 23
Explorer
- Automatic transmission
- 105,000 miles
I had just purchased this car from a small, local dealer. I owned this vehicle for less than a week before I took it out on the highway and heard this God-Awful, high-pitched humming noise. It seemed like it was radiating from everywhere. Within a day or two, I couldn't go over 20MPH before I heard it. On the highway it was so bad I had to literally blare the stereo to try and keep my sanity. I took it to be looked at by a mechanic and I'm looking at a $1200 fix. I wish I would have found this site before I purchased it! The differentials, pins, etc...Basically the whole dang rear end is done for. This car is ridiculous and has definitely earned it's nickname, "Exploder." (BTW, the front end differentials were leaking too...Another $125 fix!) STAY AWAY!!!
2009Jan 30
Explorer XLT 4.0L
- Automatic transmission
- 48,000 miles
i bought my explorer it had 36,000 miles it has 48,000 and the rear end is making a noise . I have a mechanic friend said it's in the rear end could be the spider gear or pinion or something . I'm hearing that explorers have rear end problem ford needs to have a recall or fix the problems ..this is why people don't buy american. FORD FI THIS PROBLEM !!!!
2008Jan 05
Explorer XLT 3.4L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 82,000 miles
after hearing noise that sounded like worn tires or snow tires,took truck to my mechanic,to ask about noise and have 4 new tires installed,after mechanic insp. was told that left and right frt. wheel bearings were worn and lower ball joints had play and the ring and pin. was going out!!!! not wanting to call a long time mechanic friend a bullsh$ter, i went to the truck inside shop to have him and his dad [ a mechanic for 46 yr] show me all the things wrong so i could see for my self.first saw ball joints[worn] then herd and could feel play in both ball joints,then on to the rear end,trashed.... pulled drain plug only to see metal shards mixed with gear oil ! then after backing truck out of bay noticed door ajar light on. 6 mos later fixed frt wheel bearings,not the rear end yet and the rt/frt door ajar switch,that seems to tie into alot of other systems on this truck
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Jun 27
Explorer 3.2L V6 ?
- Automatic transmission
- 110,000 miles
Just brought the car and everything appeared to be fine. Then while driving, I heard this grinding noise. At first I thought it was the transmission. Glad it was not, however I found out that it was the rear end and I decided to see who else was having this problem. Found this website. Please let me know if there is a class action so that I can become a part of it.
Thanks.
2005Jul 24
Explorer ED Bauer 3.2L V6
- Automatic transmission
- 16,000 miles
At 16000mi the factory rearend was replaced. That rearend failed at 56000mi and the dealership installed Ford's TSB 05-223-3 which cost me $500. The rearend started humming in less than 1000mi. The dealership made an adjustment that cost me over $200 and the rearend started humming again in less that 500mi. I initiated a Better Business Breau complaint and Ford Customer Care Service called me and said to have the 03 explorer rearend noise diagnoised by the dealership again. The dealership said that the humming at 52MPH was normal for the Ford 03 Explorer. Well, Ford Customer said since the rearend noise is within normal operating parameters that Ford could not do anything to fix the problem. Get this, a Ford garage mechanic is making engineering decisions for the Ford Motor Company! My contention is that Ford recognized that there was a problem and issued TSB 05-23-3 which was supposed to fix the problem. My dealership has decided that the humming is not a problem and no further action by the dealership or Ford Motor Company is required. Well, I've decided to never buy another Ford product. Ford's Customer Care Service stinks!!
2007Mar 01
Explorer XLT 4.6L V8
- Automatic transmission
- 75,000 miles
I got this noise @ 75.000 miles. Ford service told me noise comes from front bearings. I replaced bearings. Noise never stopped. Now @ 100,000 they said its differential. They estimated repair for $1400, verbally without specifying any parts, part prices or labor. Now I’m learning on internet that it is very common problem. I found law office that is familiar whit this case. See what they can do.
2008Jun 04
Explorer XLS
- Automatic transmission
- 71,000 miles
I just posted on June 1st about another problem with my 2003 Ford Explorer, now I am back with another complaint. I have been hearing a loud humming noise from the back of my truck for sometime. I was told I needed new tires and brakes. Had both replaced and still the same problem. This week I had transmission problems, which was already submitted. I took the truck in and was told I needed a new transmission was also told basically the rear end of the truck was bad and that is what caused the transmission to go out. They can repair or replace the transmission for 2K and on top of that the rear end for over 3K (give me a break).
This truck is a piece of crap and I wish I could call some other things and I think it is ridiculous that Ford will not do a recall because "This isn't a Safety Hazardous". I have 2 little kids and had that rear end fell off while I was driving the truck Ford would definitely have something on their hands!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Apr 28
Explorer XLT V6
- Automatic transmission
- 130,000 miles
Took my Explorer into Crossroads Ford Cary, NC to have the rear end noise investigated, fixed. They came back and told me it was a bad speed sensor in driver front and the whole hub had to be replaced. I questioned them about the it repairing the noise in the rear end; their reply: Absolutely it will fix that problem. It didn't. It cost $1200 to fix the front hub. The rear end noise was the clutches (it made a grinding noise when taking off or when turning, to help those of you out with the description). They told me it would be another $3200! The mechanic even said that he knew what the problem was but never told me that it was the rear clutches, but instead went ahead and fixed the speed sensor. GET RID OF YOUR EXPLORER!!!! Mine had to have the transmission replaced on it at 52,000!!!!
2008May 12
Explorer XLT 4.O
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
2003 Ford Explorer, rear end noise. Turned out to be a rear bearing issue. However, this vehicle had to have a complete rear end repair at 28,000 miles. This rear bearing is just one of the issues with bearings, turned out both front wheel bearings were also bad. The mechanic couldn't believe that the rear wheel hadn't fallen off. We jacked the vehicle up and the tire and wheel assembly leaned in about 6 inches, it could be rocked by hand very easily. So now three wheel bearings and a complete rear end repair with only 80,000 miles. Rear end was about 1500.00, front bearings about 250.00 a piece, now who knows what the rear bearing will be?
2003Dec 25
(reported on)Explorer XLT
- 5,000 miles
At around 1,000 miles I started hearing a slight whine coming from the rear-end of my Explorer. At first I ignored it but, as a few more miles were added to the odometer, the noise increased in intensity. The car now has 5,000 miles on it and the whine is louder by a lot. It's only noticeable when the car is in positive torque. When you let off the gas the noise stops.
I visited the dealer and they confirmed the noise. The next thing they told me was they didn't have a repair for it! I contacted Ford customer service and they told me the same thing. They also said that their engineering department was working on identifying the noise and how to go about fixing it. They hoped to have a procedure for fixing it sometime in the future. My response was, 'Ford has been building cars for 100 years and you're telling me they don't know how to fix this problem??' Answer: yes
Needless to say, I am not happy with Ford motor company! I guess the only option left me is to keep after them.
2005Jan 19
(reported on)Explorer Eddie Bauer
- 24,000 miles
The problem has to do with the rear differential of the Explorer. The noise is a slipping sound in the rear of the vehicle during a take off from a stopped position. /mostly happens when turning from a start. 2 friends of mine had purchased their explorers around the same time and one had to have his rear differential repaired at around 20,000. The other friend has about 29,000 on his and has the same identical symptoms. He thinks it is a gear in the rear end.
Not sure if this is a problem with most of the Explorers but it is quite a coincidence that 2 close friends, purchasing the same vehicle around the same time, around the same mileage, are having similar problems.
Have scheduled an appointment to take out to dealer to get serviced next week.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2006Jun 13
Explorer XLT 4.0L V6
The rearend has been whining since about 40,000 miles. The explorer now has 102,000 miles on it. Explorers are great vehicles but this noise is really annoying. The wife is now wants a freekin Tahoe.
Jeff W.
Owensboro, KY, USA
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