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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.
6.5
fairly significant- Typical Repair Cost:
- $540
- Average Mileage:
- 91,750 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 12 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- not sure (8 reports)
- dealer replaced wheel bearing (3 reports)
- replaced wheel hub (1 reports)
wheels / hubs problem
Helpful websites
- No one has added a helpful site for this 2003 Explorer problem yet. Be the first!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Bought 2003 ford exporer used in 2008, have had both front bearings replaced cause of noise, and now an even worse humming noise has started. When stepping on gas from being stopped it seems as though it is in 4 wheel drive, and when im driving the noise gets louder the faster i go. Took to ford and they said the noise was from the wheels being low of air, and they set the tire pressure and said the noise was gone. Well when i was driving away from the dealership the noise was still there. Getting pissed with how much money I have wasted fixing this POS
- Steve S., High River, Alberta, canada