6.2

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$300
Average Mileage:
67,200 miles
Total Complaints:
33 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (19 reports)
  2. Ford should recall it (7 reports)
  3. take to a body shop and paint (7 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Ford Explorer:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #33

Nov 012016

Explorer LS V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 191,502 miles

click to see larger images

black plastic panels between windows fade and crack black plastic panels between windows fade and crack

Hope the new Trump administration will hold Ford accountable. When a company has made an error they should make it right or lose future business & pay stiff fines.

- sendtoronjones, Duluth, GA, US

problem #32

Jan 012013

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

Ford SUV has held up well. Then one day the plastic around the driver's door decided to lose its sheen. Then the plastic began to peel and crack. Annoying to look at when vehicle was in pretty good shape.

- crackednwacked, Sanatoga, PA, US

problem #31

Aug 182006

Explorer XLT 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 32,431 miles

The side window A pillars and rear hatch pillar moldings start to peel (clear coat) eventually. I covered my side window pillars with a carbon fiber looking kit that sticks on over the existing pillars. For the rear hatch pillars I just painted them black. Quick easy fixes but should not have to spend money fixing all of these defects on this vehicle. There are too many for a Truck that was over 30K dollars new.

- Mark G., Corpus Christi, TX, US

problem #30

Oct 032012

Explorer LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

I wish Ford would admit it is a defect and replace it.

- James R., New Port Richey, FL, US

problem #29

Jul 012012

Explorer Eddie Bauer V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

Purchased vehicle used. Black panel area on door clearly began to get worse with use, and it appears to have a bad skin rash of flaking and peeling the clear coat.

- Dan P., Alexandria, VA, US

problem #28

Dec 072011

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

There's a crack that is growing in the back panel of the rear window of our 2003 Ford Explorer. We've seen others with the same condition. Seems like Ford should be responsible for this Imperfection and recall the vehicles./

- rrickard, Front Royal, VA, US

problem #27

Jun 012010

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,305 miles

I guess I am joining the cracked rear club as well. I have just spoken with Ford and there is no recall on this matter. I'm embarrassed to drive my vehicle and disappointed in Ford for not taking care of this matter and standing behind the Ford name. It is obviously a problem if everyone I see on the road has the same problem. When I see others, I'm like, "Oh look. They have the cracked rear too." Come on Ford back your product!!!!

- madatford, Westfield, NC, US

problem #26

Aug 122009

Explorer Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

The crack was just there, I thought some kids did it, but the crack is so even.

- Vickie B., Oakland, CA, US

problem #25

Mar 112008

Explorer Eddie BauerXLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55,923 miles

Ford never wanted to admit that this is a manufacturing defect.

- Andi B., Hamilton, Ontario, canada

problem #24

Aug 012006

Explorer LTD

  • 50,000 miles

Black panels between the windows has been peeling for years and just looks trashy. Bad for a $45k vehicle when new.

- Rob R., West Chester, OH, US

problem #23

Jul 102005

Explorer XLS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles

.I have very low miles on this car and should be able to get a really good price except that the body has all these flaws. It's clean and well maintained except for the tailgate and trim.

- gmcadams, Cottage Grove, OR, US

problem #22

Nov 012007

Explorer XLT V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

Ford needs to change the black trim between the front and back windows. Every Ford Explorer I see has the same problem with the Clearcoat over the black paint-it flakes off and looks terrible! YOu don't see this happening with any other manufacturer!

- Anne R., Merced, CA, US

problem #21

Apr 012010

Explorer XLT 4,0 V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

More cheap work by Ford. An eyesore that could have been prevented by using better materials

- Bob N., Eufaula, AL, US

problem #20

Dec 082010

Explorer XLT 4L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 78,000 miles

Back panel cracked right down the middle. Fourth thing to go wrong with this car in a few months. Can't sell it for anything because of all the problems!!!

- Lewis B., Pueblo West, CO, US

problem #19

Sep 082010

Explorer Limited 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 123,000 miles

Well since their is a lean on this vehicle i am very upset that their was no recall on this situation this is ridiculous I caught my finger in this crack I just want Ford to pay for this damage woke up one morning and their was born a damn crack

- Rosie M., Winterhaven, CA, US

problem #18

Jan 022010

Explorer LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,000 miles

well, i own 3 ford explorers in the pass 15 years, this is the last one i'll ever own. 1. HEATER /AC MAKE BANGING SOUNDS, 2.ALTERNATOR WENT BAD TWICE, WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERT TO GO DEAD. 3.BACK PANEL UNDER THE BACK WINDOW CRACKED .4. THE SIDE BLACK PANELS BETWEEN THE DOORS FADED INTO WHITE 5. DOOR AJAR LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND ALARM KEEP COMING ON [GOT THIS ONE FIXED 109.00 INSIDE THE DRIVERS DOOR THERE IS A SENSOR THAT SHOULD BE REPLACE] 6.GAS GAGE DOES NOT GIVE YOU A THE PROPER GAS AMOUNT. 7. INSIDE DOOR PANEL FADED TO WHITE [IT WAS GRAY WHEN I BOUGHT CAR] 8. OTHER THAN THAT ITS A WONDERFUL CAR ...LOL

Ford should be in front of congress answering questions about their cars also.

- George R., Scranton, PA, US

problem #17

Mar 062008

Explorer AU Limited 4.6L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,059 miles

All the other Explorers that were sold at the same time have the exact same problem. This problem is the plastic fading and cracking between the windows.

- bignik, Wanganui, Aramoho, New Zealand

problem #16

Feb 042008

Explorer NSX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Ford Dealerships sucks..... They need to take care of there customers that they have or they might switch to Chevy and I think they really wouldnt care

- below2003, Calhoun, GA, US

problem #15

May 012008

Explorer

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I think its not fair! i see lots of Fords with the rear panel below the window cracked/ broken i see more cracked than ones that are still in good shape. Ford should recall since the problem is nation-wide

- Enrique M., Miami, FL, US

problem #14

Feb 012006

Explorer XLT-LTD 4.0L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

Well like many other complaints, the back panel under the rear window is cracked. At first the single crack was annoying at best. Now another crack has formed along with a horizontal split and it looks like *%+^. I wonder how many Ford exec's would ride around with this unpleasant display? I don't think I will stop buying Fords but I may take a little longer before I do, (research, complaints etc) I want to support our USA products so much, but my gosh Honda's, Toy's, Hundais sure seem to back their product a little better.

- Michael C., Portsmouth, VA, US

Read the next 13 complaints »