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CarComplaints.com Notes: 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.

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:
85,000 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
2005 Ford Explorer accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2005 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #2

Aug 012015

Explorer XS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

The ABS light and check Advance Trac lights come on randomly when going around slight curves. No codes when checked out, so WTH? Now, the tire pressure fault warning comes on, when and whenever it wants. According to the tire store where I just had tires put on, nothing is wrong with the sensors. Everything resets when the car is shut off and then restarted. This SUV is a possessed piece of crap!!!

- tmsnowflk, Ocala, FL, US

problem #1

Oct 192009

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I just replaced the hub assemblies on my '05 ford exploder because I had reason to believe that the wheel bearings were bad. To my disappointment you can't just change out the bearings, you have to replace the whole thing as a unit with the abs sensors attached the hubs. It took $300.00 in parts and about 10 hours to complete the swap out do to the horrible design and engineering of ford parts and vehicles. I drove the car for a day after the swap out and everything seemed to be fine. The second day I went to start the vehicle I drive it to work the abs warning light along with the advance track warning light, and 4x4 high light was blinking on and off. First thing I did was unplug the abs sensors and plug them back in to see if they were plugged in their harnesses all the way. The warning lights went off and everything seemed to be fine until the next day when I left for work again. Same thing warning lights going off and the whole bit. So next I cleared the computer by disconnecting the negative lead on the battery for 10 minutes and hooking it back up to see if that would fix the problem. Same deal, the car drove great for a day with no lights coming on and the next day they were coming on again. After all this I was lost and decided to call the ford dealership to see what they could do. The tech at the dealership said that he could run a diagnostic on the vehicle and it would tell him exactly what is going and where the problem was located for a flat $105.00 fee. After the diagnostic was performed the tech at dealer said that everything checked out fine but the battery was bad and thats why the sensors were acting up, do to low voltage on the system and that he could change out the battery for another $145.00. So I figured since they already had the vehicle for the day I would go ahead and let them just swap it out. I drove the car home and for the rest of that day with no problems. Until the following morning when I went to drive it again same deal warning lights going off again and the abs is disabled. After a $250.00 bill from the dealer I still have the same problems and nothing is fixed. I spoke with the dealership again the following day and they said to bring it back and were convinced that the problem is electrical. So I suppose I'll tack back again and see what they can come up with but I already feel that they have taken me for a ride, took my money replacing parts which were fine and not even related to the problem. The whole situation is absolutely frustrating and down right infuriating. What is with these damn unreliable and poorly engineered American cars and the scandalous dealerships who are supposed to be experts and certified to know these cars? What should I do? Has anyone ever had this problem and was able to eliminate it?

- Aaron H., Gardnerville, NV, US

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