CarComplaints.com Notes: 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.
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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,569 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Went to load stuff into the back and noticed a spider crack on the plastic panel right below the rear glass panel. I have no idea how it got there but this seems to be reported by almost all 05 Explorer owners and it needs to be replaced under Ford's liability since it is such a common issue and not just a small amount of vehicles occurring this problem.
My vehicle was parked. I went out in the morning to take my children to school. I noticed a large vertical crack in the lift gate panel to the right of the Ford emblem. It had not been driven. This happened overnight while my vehicle was parked. I did some research to find that this is a common problem with this year/model.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while parked the panel below the rear window of the tailgate of the vehicle was split. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not under any recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not seen by a technician or mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 68,292.
Nothing that I am aware of happened. I was walking behind the vehicle in my drive way and noticed a long crack below the glass on the liftgate. As the weeks went on it kept cracking and now it is almost cracked all the way.
- Holyoke , CO, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the panel under the rear window split around the outside of the window, which extended to the Ford emblem. The damage became progressively worse over time and the contact was concerned that the window could explode when she drove through a car wash. The contact also stated that heat could be a factor in the failure. In addition, the rear latch failed to engage when she attempted to close the rear window. The dealer was contacted and advised that she would be responsible for the repair costs since there were no recalls for the failure. Also, the tire sensor gauge remained illuminated at all times. The tire mechanic stated that the failure was a common problem that could have been caused by the spare tire. The contact stated that she had to check the air pressure of the tires on a continual basis. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 72,000.
Parked and went into grocery store. Came out going to where I had parked. As I walked up to the back of my vehicle I noticed a vertical crack in the panel under the rear window. At first I thought I was at the wrong vehicle because I knew my 2005 Explorer was not cracked. Upon further examination, I realized this was my vehicle. I have seen another Explorer around town with a vertical crack in the same spot. Seems to me this just might be a design problem. Believe Ford motor should repair at no cost.
My car was parked in a small lot at work. When going out to load some items in the cargo area, a friend noted the vertical crack in the lift gate. It is to the left of the Ford emblem and I have since seen numerous identical cracks on other vehicles. There was no collision that cause this, there are no scratches or dents. It is a manufacturer defect.
Found a crack on the rear liftgate right around the Ford emblem. After mentioning it to a friend, turns out she had the same problem with her Explorer and a search online shows many others have had the same issue with this model year.
Right next to the Ford emblem a crack developed. It's on the rear glass hatch and runs from the top of the fiberglass panel to the bottom. The panel keeps expanding and contracting with the crack going from just a slight line to a 3/16" gap! definitely a manufacturer defect. I've seen many other Explorer with the same issue. The truck was in perfect condition when it appeared and Ford says that it's not their problem. Too bad your warranty has run out! poor design that Ford should fix for the money we have given them for the vehicle.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the exterior plastic trim of the liftgate glass was cracked. The dealer advised the contact that the failure was common. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 89,000.
Cracked rear door panel just below the window, in the middle of the Ford emblem. May cause rear window to fall out unexpectedly. Ford is aware of the defect but refuses to recall and fix it.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact noticed a crack on the rear liftgate near the manufacturing emblem. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer offered any assistance since there were no recalls for the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were 56,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the hatch back panel was cracked. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that the failure was a manufacturing design flaw. As a result, the panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 62,000. Updated 12/06/11 updated 12/12/11
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Explorer. The contact stated the rear liftgate was cracked underneath the window and extended to the bottom of the gate on the left side of the emblem. The crack had become progressively worse over time. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was a design flaw and if it was repaired, it would probably crack again. The current mileage was 99,992.
Front aluminum hood began paint blistering at about 2 years of ownership. Took back to the dealer for repair. Two years later, paint blisters return. Tsb 6-25-15 issued with painting guidelines but no repair authority. After second occurrence, dealer said no repairs would be made and advised us to pay to replace the hood and paint. This is unacceptable for a $45K car (limited version with all options)
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Renfrew, PA, USA