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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.

8.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$390
Average Mileage:
51,250 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
  2. wheel hub replaced (1 reports)
2005 Ford Explorer wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2005 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #3

Mar 212011

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,700 miles

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

Wheel hubs need replacement at with less than 39000 miles, are you kidding me?

- Dan M., Hanover Park, IL, US

problem #2

Oct 032010

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

Was about 400 miles from home ... Driving on highway at speeds up to 65 MPH ... my tire nearly fell off (left rear) .... had to get towed for 114 miles.The studs that the lugs are attached to cracked off .... only one was completely attached 2 were hanging off ... and 2 were gone. Was hearing a flapping noise before this happened ... but the noise went away if I stepped on the gas or break ...only heard it if I took my foot off the gas ... Checked everything to see what was wrong ... checked the lugs by hand ... could not find anything wrong ... Had the tires rotated about 2 months ago and had driven almost 2000 miles before this happened ....

Would like to sue Ford for having a defective part and not having a recall ....

- Rocco R., Ramsey, NJ, US

problem #1

Dec 102009

Explorer XLT 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

I had a 99 explorer that was in the shop one time, sold with a little over 100,000 miles. this 2005 has been the bigest piece of crap. I can't count on two hands how many times it's been in the shop. And of course I called ford, there is no recalls. so of course no help. I bought this with 46,000 nice clean used suto. #1 48,000 miles hatch back center plastic cracked. #2 52,000 harmonic balancer broke. # 3 60,000 sunvisor's plastic support cracked broke. #4 62,000 transmission ( i serviced twice beforehand ) #5 63,000 front hub #6 65,000 traction control light on #7 68,000 cv joint drivers side #8 72,000 vibration bad going to the shop tommorow $$ I have bought fords for over 20 years, never have I had major problem under 100,000 miles someone needs to get a class action going!

- offduty101, Littleton, CO, US

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