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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.

8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$110
Average Mileage:
73,250 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
2005 Ford Explorer accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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2005 Ford Explorer Owner Comments

problem #4

Jan 012013

Explorer XS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

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

The check engine light has been on for three years. It has been checked out and reset a billion times. Always comes right back on. Different codes each time, nothing to fix, so not sure what to do besides disconnect. This is only one problem in a host of problems for this SUV. Should have been smashed as a big fat ass lemon!

- tmsnowflk, Ocala, FL, US

problem #3

Aug 182010

Explorer LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Engine light STAYS ON ALL TIME.

- metcalfe-farmer, Shepherdsville, KY, US

problem #2

Feb 102012

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 98,000 miles

WHAT THE HELL!?!?!?! What a total pain in the ass to have the gas gauge stop working!! The digital one and the dial one!!! So now I never know how much gas I really have. It makes me so very mad! I don;t have money to fill it up EVER...so I put in $20 here and $20 there, so I have to write on a piece of paper how many gallons I got on the date I got it and reset my trip counter every time and then kinda guess how many miles I can go on those gallons!! NOT FUN!!!! =( And it makes me never want to buy a Ford again cause I've read that this too is a common problem and Ford won't fix it either!!

- nsmithart, Fair Oaks, CA, US

problem #1

Mar 302007

(reported on)

Explorer 4.0 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Two weeks ago the check engine light came on, the manual mentioned the fuel system/fill valve cover so I made sure it was properly sealed but the light did not go out, so I went to the dealer $85 JUST to plug it in to the computers! They mention a high sulfer reading and charge an additional $12 for a fuel additive. Three days ago I filled the tank for maybe the second time and that night the stinking light is back on! So help me, if they try to charge the computer fee again I will scream so loud the roof on the sales floor will lift off the building!

- marynj, Lakewood, NJ, US

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