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 $1000 depending on how many wheel bearings failed.
Adding insult to injury, the 2002-2005 Explorer also has a massive problem with the rear panel cracking. While it's a minor annoyance compared to transmission failure, ironically the crack usually goes right through the Ford logo.
Ok is this enough, what good does it do to vent with no results? I went to my local Ford dealer, and wants Me to pay 200$, and why I ask, he said he didn't know?????? Can we get a campaign going directly to Ford, I am sure with the state of the automobile industry, they don't need any bad press......I honestly and fortunately have not had another single problem with this car in 5 years. So why is Ford playing "See no evil, Speak no evil with us?" Anybody game?
We woke up one morning and found that the tailgate panel had a vertical crack that ran from top to bottom. We have never had an accident in the car and the car does not experience temperature extremes. It seems that at least 1 of every 3 Explorers of this body style that we see on the freeway have the same problem. The Ford dealer told us that it has not been recalled and that it will cost $250-300 to fix. This is clearly a widespread problem that Ford has implicitly acknowledged by changing the body style in later model years. I plan to call customer service (800-392-3673) and make them pay for at least a portion of the repair (a strategy that has worked in the past). If you have this problem you should call in and make them suffer for manufacturing a defective product!
Today I spoke with Ford of Canada Customer service (1-800-565-3673). I indicated my vehicle had a crack in the panel that contained the Ford logo, about 2 inches to the right of the logo, that extended from the top of the panel to the bottom. They indicated they had zero interest in me if I was not under the distance or time warranty. Like many others, my Explorer was parked in the garage when this happened. One evening we just came out and there it was. The representative on the phone indicated she'd never heard of this issue before, WHICH was in contrast to the Ford Repairman I spoke to in December who said every other Explorer they see has the same problem.
I asked if they cared about Ford drivers and the only answer they gave was that I was not covered by the warranty.
Crack occurred in March of 2007. It just appeared one day that was not particularly cold. I thought someone had tried to pry open my tailgate. Took it to Ford dealer to ask if they had heard of this problem and they said no, never. I asked the dealer if this was a defect that they would fix, and they said no.Due to this incident and other paint issues I will never buy another Ford.
- E. B. R.,
Indianapolis, IN, US
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I NOTICED ONE DAY A CRACK GOING DOWN THE PLASTIC PANEL ON THE BACK HUTCH. I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME DEFECT ON OTHER EXPLORERS WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN. SAME EXACT LOCATION!!
I called the 800 number and was told by "SAM" this was the first complaint he has received. He has been working there since January of 2007. When I asked to speak to his superior he said I would be told the same thing. Ford will not fix it since I am past the 3 years 30K. I have a bumper to bumper that he said would not cover it as well. When asked a second time to speak with his superior he supposedly transferred me... but there was no connection. I waited on the phone only to hear a busy tone and then realized I was disconnected.
To file a complaint with Ford he said write Ford a letter:
My complaint is that I have a 2003 Ford Explorer. One day I came out and saw a long crack in the panel and I researched online and went to Ford Dealers to see if
this was ever recalled. I have gotten no where with this and feel that The Ford
Company should recall this. After still calling and researching, I found that other
people are experiencing the same problem from US to the Caribbean. WIndows,
rear windows and other faulty parts falling out. This is my 4th vehicle from Ford and
Bought the vehicle in June of last year with 73000 miles on it, but if was in real good shape. Noticed some months later (showed Jan 2, 2008) the crack in the panel from top to bottom next to the Ford symbol. I haven't gone to the dealer to get an estimate for repairs, but plan to in the future. From what I've seen on this site, it will probably stay cracked.
Basically Ford was the hardest company to deal with, This was a defect discovered by Ford when then installed this panel. There was only 1 factory that was covered by the warranty on this issue and unless you can tell them the Factory they claim that it is not not covered. I cant tell you how many I see on the road with the same problem. I will never allow myself or family to purchase Ford again.
Is there any hope that Ford will "step up to the plate" and admit that they have a design flaw in this model? The plastic panel snapped today as I was loading boxes at the rear of my car. Just like all of the other complaints, it is a vertical crack running the width of the panel just below the rear window and just to the right of the FORD logo.... Dear Ford, You can expect a call from me on Monday to help me understand your meaning of selling vehicles "Built FORD Tough" -- What a joke!
Our company has two 2003 Ford Explorers. Both have had the panel below the rear trunk lid window crack. Both have happened in winter during very cold temperatures. But, this is Canada and Ford knows it gets cold here. This is obviously a defect in materials and should be fixed by Ford. These are top end vehicles and we expect better materials to be put into them.
I found this big crack right at the center of the panel below my rear window one day when I washed my ford explorer 2003 LT, Immediately blamed my wife, but believe me the truck is been parking in my garage for a few weeks.
i called ford today -800.392.3673. the representative informed me that 'ford has not issued a recall for this problem - but they have issued a 'technical service bulletin' (which confirms that this is a problem that ford knows about). she encouraged me to encourage all ford owners who are experiencing the same problem (vertical crack on the bottom panel of the top half of the lift gate) to call and log their problem with ford. they will give you a case # - hopefully if enough of us do this we can get ford to go good for the problem and reward us for having bought American Made!!! Call today! if anyone has luck in getting ford to go good for the repair costs please share! thanks.
I was driving on the freeway and heard a noise. I thought I may have ran over something. Looked in my rear view mirrors and saw nothing. Later that day when I went to the store, my husband saw the crack and asked what had happen? There was no sign of vandalism or someone hitting me or me backing up.. Just a clean crack on the panel below the rear window. When I called Ford, they acted as though they had never heard of this problem. I told them about this website and proceeded to read that I was not alone with this problem. I was told to go to a dealer to get a diagnosis, and then call them back. Not sure if it will do any good, but I will do so..
I thought maybe i was at fault, when i first saw the problem, then i stumbled upon this website. I am furious to know that this happened to everyone here that is "B.S." and this should be taken care of by FORD. I will update my situation to let everyone know what happened, please let me know if anyone didn't have to pay.
Got the same problem as others on this site. When I noticed the crack I wondered had did it happen with no signs of being hit by any object. Did a search on the Web and found this site and wanted to add my complaint to the growing list of disgruntled Ford owners. Also have had the Explorer back in the Service Department twice for noises in the rear end. Also had a problem with the shifter not going into drive when I try to put it in drive. Love my vehicle and had talked to Salesman about possibly trading for a new one, then this happened. Maybe I will look somewhere else.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Ok is this enough, what good does it do to vent with no results? I went to my local Ford dealer, and wants Me to pay 200$, and why I ask, he said he didn't know?????? Can we get a campaign going directly to Ford, I am sure with the state of the automobile industry, they don't need any bad press......I honestly and fortunately have not had another single problem with this car in 5 years. So why is Ford playing "See no evil, Speak no evil with us?" Anybody game?
- mad@ford, Newnan, GA, US