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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.
9.5
really awful- Typical Repair Cost:
- $780
- Average Mileage:
- 87,400 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 22 complaints
Most Common Solutions:
- replaced wheel studs (16 reports)
- not sure (5 reports)
- traded the truck in (1 reports)
wheels / hubs problem
Helpful websites
- Ford Explorer Lug Nuts Shearing Off - if you own a ford explorer and want ford to do something about the lugs sheering off contact the department of vehicle safety at 1-800-424-9393 we HAVE TO GET THIS SAFETY ISSUE RECALLED!!!!!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2003 Ford explorer took us on a interstate highway then exited in Iowa to head to the mall when it started shaking like it had a bad tire. I checked the tires nothing wrong with them & are in good working order also have legal tread depth... After shopping @ the mall We had left to return home & the shaking got worse than before so I checked the tires, all fine then I removed the hub caps and all but one stud was holding the tire & rim on the others snapped off the hub & bearing housing (front passenger lugs). We had to have it towed by dealer for repairs over $600.00 because the damages also took out the break assembly & rim... With 3 little girls in the car could have been deadly if this happened on the interstate highway. Ford I really like your products, Give me safety too is all I ask...
- Dj M., Viroqua, WI, US