Anyone in this group drive a 2003 Ford Explorer?

Just like to know if you have had problems with this SUV. My daughter has had nothing but problems. Now, at 52,000 miles, the transmission is shot and the wheel bearings need something done. I looked on-line today and found that many people have had trouble with this model. My daughter called Ford to see if there was any kind of a dealer good-will repair adjustment and they told her no. No further discussion.

It seems to me as I searched for recalls for Ford Explorer, that this model has had all kinds of transmission problems. Would it have been greater wisdom on Ford's part to fix the problem that started before 2003. I'm angry on my daughters behalf. It is $3000 down the tubes on a car that has been nothing but problems. Sometimes I feel we are completely justified to buy a foreign car. If Ford cannot build something better than this for the very large amount of money they charge, why should any of us stay loyal. Not only has Ford lost a future customer with my daughter, but we will will never buy a Ford.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Since Ford has changed the transmissions (I don't know who makes them) to have electronic actuators serious problems have occurred. Basically, when one of the actuators goes you have about ten miles before the transmission is shot and needs a total rebuild. I know that in 2004 these problems had not been addressed yet and I do not know when they were. Ford has held the line that there are no problems but ask any transmission guy familiar with them and they will tell you about the problems with the actuators.

The Ford Explorers are notorious for bad transmissions. We bought several of them where I work and had many problems though they generally lasted longer than 52,000.