What can you tell me about 03 Explorers

[eaglesguy1981j]

Well I currently own a 97 4.0 Explorer but it has a bad head gasket. Its got some rust issues and not the best body wise. Im looking for a replacement and found a 03 Explorer on craigslist just wondering if there is anything certain I should look for on the 03's and problem areas. Thanks fellas.

 

[eaglesguy1981j]

Nobody owns a 03 Explorer and has some info on them?

 

[sport97]

Fairly solid vehicle. 02s were the problem child of the 3rd gen explorers. I know 02s had trans and rear end problems, but i think in 03 that was cleared up with. 3rd gens also usually get that crack in the plastic on the rear hatch. Is it a v6 or v8 model?

 

[eaglesguy1981j]

Im unsure right now. its a CL ad I sent an Email to find out some specs.

 

[EasyRhino]

I can tell you that I had a 97 XLT 5.0 AWD and now have a 2002 Limited 4.6L 4WD. The '02 is effectively identical to the '03.

97 things I liked better: Smaller, an overall tighter package, and I liked the low end torque of the 5.0. My XLT was not super loaded, but I liked it a lot. The seats were perhaps the most comfortable of any car I ever owned. Only kept it 5 years and about 75K miles.

'02 things I like better: Much more luxuries, being a Limited. The auto tranny (although problematic) is smoother than the '97. The ride is much smoother and less bouncy on undulating surfaces. Sits marginally higher and is heavier and wider. Also has the third row seating, not available on the '97. My wife likes the 02 better than the 97.

 

[D Hook]

Spend the money on the carfax. Better, have the seller do it.

Ask about transmission repair history especially but all repairs in general.

I don't think these have many more issues than any other vehicle I've owned but there are some big ticket items that can do some serious damage to the wallet. If some of these have already been taken care of, you're doing well. Mine is on it's third transmission, all replaced by the previous owner, and the third should be good for another 80k miles, more than I'll ever put on it.

Most repairs won't be on the carfax (the transmissions were on mine, for some reason) but I think a ford dealer might be able to run the vin and tell you what all has been done at a dealership level. And can check for recalls, too.

There's some Ford techs that are here that might be able to run an Oasis report (Ford report giving all specs, options, recall info, build date and dealer-performed repairs). If you have a dealer nearby and have the VIN, it's worth a shot to ask.

Good luck!

 

[shadowless127]

I'll compare my 01 EB to my 03 Mounty, since they are equipped almost identically.

2001 Eddie Bauer AWD:
-Low end torque in the 5.0
-Easier to work on
-Just feels like it was built tougher. While the lack of IRS in the back kills me sometimes, I like having that Solid Axle back there for off road situations
-Better/more mods

2003 Mountaineer AWD V8:
-Seats were way better.
-taller ride height from factory
-Dual Zone climate control
-22mpg hwy with A/C on full blast, doing 72mph.

I love them both, and I do miss my 03 for daily driving. However, I had tranny issues and rear end issues in my 03 that made me upset.

@60K I had to have new clutch packs and shift solenoids installed on the tranny, and the ring and pinion in the rear had to be done.

@80K I started to notice the 2-3 shift flare slowly returning.

However. MY mom got her Aviator with the same mileage I got my mounty, and her transmission is smooth as silk with almost 80K on it.

 

[swetrid]

02-05 are problematic, hopefully the previous owner replaced common items.

 

[RKelly2233]

have an 03 with 180K. I have the horrible whine in the rear differential and I don't plan on fixing it (2K). Although ive done more than normal "off roading" ive had to pay for it. literally. Im at $2500 now in suspension repairs. I also have the timing chain rattle in the AM- that too will cost $1000- but It hasn't changed in 100K miles since i've owned it. Replaced the alternator at 120K and thats it... oh, and brakes. It really has been a fine truck and would buy it all over again. I got it at 80k at 4 years old for only 7900 and its far from a base model (not an eddie bauer or limited though). im selling it now for 6000 to get an aviator. not tryin to sell you mine but just throwin it out there. buy one of those powertrain warranties if you can for 1000. I'm considering putting one on mine before I sell it... everything else is original- except for the left side because of a corolla that skipped a red light... or the whole front end to a plow truck that backed into it...

 

[mkewitsch]

Maybe this is a stupid question... but what is a powertrain warranty??

 

[RKelly2233]

no question is a stupid question- we're all here to learn from each other. A powertrain warranty is basically a "general stuff" kind of warranty. It will cover the engine and the transmission. some cover the transfer case (4wd stuff) and other items. Some places will offer an electrical warranty for an extra $200 which will cover window motors and other items. Im pretty sure u can get one for around 1200 at "warrantydirect.com" for a 5 year/ 100K mile contract. Some even let you pay month by month. BUT i've never had a warranty claim on mine so I dont know how particular they might be. You have to read over the whole contract to see what they will and will not cover. I told my mom to get one for her Jag after the factory warranty ran out, she did, and not more than 5K miles later they replaced her transmission. A transmission in a Jag is almost 6K. She got the most expensive warranty out there- 5 years and bumper to bumper (even covers navigation sysem) but it coost her just over $3K. Like a dealer, when you give them your number for a free quote- they blow up your phone. BUT- like a dealer, at the end of the month they will knock down the price just to make a sale... Im thinking of putting one on my X within the next month- I dont know if im keeping it or selling it just yet (the lincoln I was goin to buy is sold). If you have warranty left when you want to get rid of your truck eventually, it might help sell it too... Just an OP- Maybe you can even find a local dealer that will sell you one instead of the online stuff.

 

[rocco123]

Wheel bearings frequently go bad, check for broken rear springs, I had a leaking steering rack