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.
Just bought this 4.0L V6 Ford Explorer XLS last Friday. When driving it on free way, I felt some swings on the wheel. First I thought it is the alignment problem. I took it to a Ford dealer for inspection, then they give me a long list of items to fix, which include the front right lower ball joint, rear tie rods/toe links/toe bars (people use different names for that piece of jerk), rear wheel hub bearings and a lot more. In one word, all these things add up to $2100 while I only paid $6000 for the car.
The other funny thing is the rear toe links/tie rods/toe bars, whatever you call them are so difficult to find on the after market. You can hardly find it from any where. Therefore, the Ford dealers will charge you some good money for that rare piece of jerk, which is about $105 per each. If you have them change it for you, it will be $586 for both sides.
Basically, I regret that I bought a FORD, which stands for Fix Or Repair Daily. (Man, I should know this earlier). However, this will be the one last FORD that I will ever touch.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Just bought this 4.0L V6 Ford Explorer XLS last Friday. When driving it on free way, I felt some swings on the wheel. First I thought it is the alignment problem. I took it to a Ford dealer for inspection, then they give me a long list of items to fix, which include the front right lower ball joint, rear tie rods/toe links/toe bars (people use different names for that piece of jerk), rear wheel hub bearings and a lot more. In one word, all these things add up to $2100 while I only paid $6000 for the car.
The other funny thing is the rear toe links/tie rods/toe bars, whatever you call them are so difficult to find on the after market. You can hardly find it from any where. Therefore, the Ford dealers will charge you some good money for that rare piece of jerk, which is about $105 per each. If you have them change it for you, it will be $586 for both sides.
Basically, I regret that I bought a FORD, which stands for Fix Or Repair Daily. (Man, I should know this earlier). However, this will be the one last FORD that I will ever touch.
- silers, Richmond, VA, US