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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.
9.5
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $780
- Average Mileage:
- 87,400 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 22 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- replaced wheel studs (16 reports)
- not sure (5 reports)
- traded the truck in (1 reports)
wheels / hubs problem
Helpful websites
- Ford Explorer Lug Nuts Shearing Off - if you own a ford explorer and want ford to do something about the lugs sheering off contact the department of vehicle safety at 1-800-424-9393 we HAVE TO GET THIS SAFETY ISSUE RECALLED!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
We were travelling on the high way at 110 kms/hr and the rear wheel started vibrating . I almost lost control as I pulled off a busy 4 lane where i discovered 4 of 5 bolts had been sheared off the wheel! this was incident#3 and the most serious . This is a serious design flaw . I can't get the dealer to acknowledge problems but know of 2 others with the same problem.
- Kim M., Fredericton, NB, Canada