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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.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
76,000 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (1 reports)
2003 Ford Explorer body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #1

Jun 182006

Explorer Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles

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

The wood trim on the Eddie Bauer editions falls off way too easy. And you can't even buy a new piece to replace it, all the dealer ships say I have to buy a new door panel. That's ridiculous! Why can't I just buy the wood trim for the piece missing. And it's way over priced. Ford really needs to get there act together and make there vehicles a little more durable.

- supermom4, Redding, CA, US

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