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.
Rear liftgate panel cracked when the vehicle sat outside one evening with temperature near or below freezing. Crack is approximately 1/16 inch wide and runs vertically the length of the liftgate near the center of the liftgate. Ford dealership said full cost to repair was $322, and that Ford would pay all but $100
Found this crack under my rear window. Did some searching on the web and found out that this is a VERY COMMON issue (along with the faded black trim panels around the doors). I will call the customer service # tomorrow.
Add our Eddie Bauer to the list. After first cold spell ( 33 in South Texas) it cracked to left of ford emblem. It's ugly on this beautiful car. I haven't gone to dealer yet , but sounds like it will do no good. We have started noticing all the explorers with this style of tailgate that have cracked in same spot. Also some expeditions. I have owned nothing but Fords for 40 years and own 5 right now. But if Ford doesn't do something about this, as much as I paid for this car , I will never own another.
Vertical crack under rear window, now water will get in the panel. I have read of many 2002 models with this problem, now it looks like its going to the 2003. They may as well close the doors at ford. PS, replacing rear end next week. That complaint is already listed
Yesterday we noticed the 6-8 in crack from the rear window down past the Ford emblem. I plan to call the dealership today but I don't hold out much hope that this will be fixed by Ford. If I have to pay for this defect it will be the last Ford I purchase.
- John B.,
Raleigh, NC, US
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It seems that Ford would have received the message by now that their customers are not satisfied. With the amount vehicles cost, it's a minimal investment for Ford to ensure return customers. This is not just a matter of a cracked rear valence, it's an advertisement as to the quality of craftsmanship that goes into its widest selling SUV. Come on Ford, this is why you're losing money and the foreign companies report gains. Endorse your product.
I had the same problem and help getting it resolved. I tried to not fix it (mine cracked in a perfectly straight line and you couldn't tell it wasn't intentional. But, the crack spread and allowed water inside the rear door. Can't we do anything about this???
Back in September I noticed a crack in the fiberglass to the right of the FORD emblem. I called my dealer and they said that it was cosmetic and only covered for 3 years/36,000 miles. Well considering I bought my vehicle used and only had a few months/miles left on the original manufactures warranty that didn't help me. A few months later I found another crack which really began to bug me since this was not anything that I had done. My best friend has the same vehicle except her's is an Eddie Bauer edition. Her's has since cracked as well and she called a different dealer who told her that the cracking is caused by a faulty seal between the window (glass) and the fiberglass which is allowing water to get in there and when it freezes it cracks the fiberglass. Her & I are putting together a letter along with this website to put on the windsheilds of all Explorer owners that we see and hopefully we will get FORD to repair this problem OF THERE'S without any charge to us. Please feel free to email me so we can get FORD to do something.
This morning I discovered the crack in the lift gate. This is definitly a problem with the design and or materials used for that part of the SUV. Ford should correct the problem.
the dealer wouldnt help me a bit, this really ticked me off, i had the vehicle only 2 weeks before this happened, ford should pay to replace our tailgates
Add me to the list. Wow, until tonight I didn't even know this problem existed. I got my Explorer washed this afternoon and noticed two vertical cracks below the tailgate window. The crack on the right is about 6 inches long, and one on the left is about half that. I decided to do a Google search to see if by chance anyone else had this issue. I had no idea. Ford HAS to do something about this. I'm talking to my Ford Dealer tomorrow. We'll see what happens. I'll be happy to post the resolution or lack of one.
this problem says a lot for the auto industry. they are building vehicles cheaper by using plastic, it doesn't matter after they are sold that they are no going to last even 3 years before the body work starts tearing up.
We own our 3rd Ford Explorer..... and never had a problem like this rear window panel crack. .... and we are extremely upset about the company's lack of assistance.... Dealer estimate was $648 so we are checking other estimates. Does anyone know how we can get Ford to realize that this is a huge problem and they need to take responsibility for it..... I can't believe how many people have had the exact same problem. How can we get statistics on how many cars have this?
The plastic panel on mine cracked top to bottom, about 2 inches to the left of the FORD emblem. Panel cracked while NEW ENGINE was being installed (how's that for adding insult to injury)!!! After reading reports on this site, I don't believe the dealer caused the problem. Dealer reported no recalls or factory assistance for the problem, but will fix it for $300 + tax. They told me that the new plastic piece has been redesigned and should not crack again. Can anyone confirm this?
I had heard of many Explorers developing a vertical crack thru the trim panel below the rear glass. Today 12/20/06, mine cracked open about 1/8". The car was washed, and while drying the vehicle noted the NEW crack. It appears to be a very common occurrence with all the Explorers of this design. I have not yet contacted my dealer to see what they will do about repairing / replacing the part.
It seems my explorer has the same problem than a lot of explorers (cracked panel). We went to the Ford dealership. They sent us to a first body shop. This body shop made us a estimate quote of $1600!!! So we went back to the Ford dealership. They sent us to another body shop. This time it was better, $260, but it's just an estimate. We talked more with the dealership people and they told us to call the Ford customer relationship center @ 800-392-3673. I did it. I waited patiently to hear at the end something I've already been told: not a recall, not under any warranty... no financial help. And she didn't want to listen to my arguments. She kept asking if I understood what she was telling me and if I was satisfied by the answer... We'll pay, because I want to get rid of this car and buy a brand new Honda Odyssey with a real customer relationship center.
Crack in rear hatch. Starts at bottom of window, 3 to 4 inches right of window center and moves vertically downward through the hatch door. (upper half of back lift gate)
Taking to local dealer in the morning and don't expect much from the other listings reviewed here on AutoBeef. Any help please leave comments !! Phone number at FORD Headquarters? I have always been a FORD Man........ beginning to wonder if the quality is going to make me change?
Wife called and stated the rear hatch panel was cracked (i thought, here we go again). Googled the problem and found all the complaints on Autobeef and advised the wife to take the car to the local dealer. Dealer was nice and stated he would do what he could. I called another dealer and was advised he sees case after case of this and Ford has yet to handle the first case through his dealership. He advised me to give FORD Customer Service a call @ 1-800-392-3673. I did, call took about 30 min total. Less than 2 hrs later I received a call stating Ford was taking care of the entire bill through my local dealer and apologized for any inconvenience. I call the local dealer and spoke w/ the service manager and he advised he was shocked and had also already ordered the part. I honestly had no idea i would receive this kind of service after what all I had read here.. In essence, if any here have not called the customer care line you may want to do so... Good luck... Just thought I should give praise where praise is do.. Also to add, we had no extended warranty whatsoever...
Noticed the crack to the left of the emblem from top to bottom today while closing the tailgate. Clearly this is a design defect if this plastic piece is broken and not the glass. Very troubling that Ford is not stepping up to fix this design issue.
It's sad to see I'm not the only one with the lift gate problems. I was astonished to see that my Explorer would just "crack." I definitely won't be buying another Ford.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Rear liftgate panel cracked when the vehicle sat outside one evening with temperature near or below freezing. Crack is approximately 1/16 inch wide and runs vertically the length of the liftgate near the center of the liftgate. Ford dealership said full cost to repair was $322, and that Ford would pay all but $100
- Bob N., Plano, TX, US