Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10176461December 11, 2006
SEATS
2003 FORD EXPLORER'S DRIVER'S SEAT SHIFTED WHEN THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED OR DECELERATED QUICKLY. *TS THE SEAT WAS REPAIRED ONCE ALREADY. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THE SEAT RECENTLY BUT INDICATED THAT THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THE REPAIR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176460December 11, 2006
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER IT STARTED TO SHAKE CAUSING LOSE OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL THE CAME OFF BECAUSE THE LUGS HAD UNSCREWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD BLOWN APART FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IT APPEARED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY UNEVEN TIRES AND THE 4X4 ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING ON ITS OWN. *TS *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175283December 6, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM, LEAKING TRANSMISSION WAS NOTICED. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE TO THE ONBOARD COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175237December 5, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
REAR LIFTGATE BODY PANEL BELOW GLASS WINDOW DEVELOPED A CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM TODAY AFTER CLOSING THE LIFTGATE. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED AND THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT SINCE THIS PANEL IS BROKEN BUT NOT THE GLASS IN THE LIFTGATE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175035December 3, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE LIFT GATE TRIM PIECE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE 4TH TIME NOT INCLUDING LIFT GATE RECALL WHICH WOULD BE THE 5TH REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY LOCAL DEALER THAT THIS IS "DESIGN FLAW" AND FORD HAS YET INFORMED THEM HOW TO CORRECTLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174927December 1, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 HAS DEVELOPED A SEVERE BINDING, SHUDDER SENSATION IN THE REAR AXEL DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. IT ALSO HAS A WHINING SOUND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TYPICALLY 55 - 70 MPH). THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 34,000 MILES ON IT AND THE DEALER WANTS TO REBUILD THE REAR AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - AT MY EXPENSE SINCE THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY TIME LIMIT IS UP. IF LET GO, THE FORD DEALER INDICATES THE REAR AXLE COULD 'BLOW UP' (THEIR WORDS), RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF DRIVE TO THE REAR WHEEL. I HAVE DISCOVERED AT LEAST SIX (6) TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED BY FORD ON THIS PROBLEM! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A BAD DESIGN AND LATENT DEFECT WHICH CAN EFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174644November 29, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2003 XLT EXPLORER HAS A FIBERGLASS PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE TAIL GATE. WE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM A FORD DEALER IN AUGUST AND WITH IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS A CRACK APPEARED FROM THE WINDOW TO THE TOP OF THE FORD EMBLEM. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN MANY EXPLORERS AND FORD IS AWARE OF IT BUT THEY DO NOT OFFER ANY SAVINGS OR WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR REPAIR. IF THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT, THAN WHAT IS FORD DOING TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174202November 24, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER. 50 TO 60 MPH REAR AXLE WHINE STARTED AT 6000 MILES, AT 12,000 MILES DEALER INSPECTED AND SAID THE REAR AXLE ASSY WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REPLACED THE ASSY. WHINE RETURNED AND DEALER REPLACED THE ASSY AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES. WHINE HAS RETURNED AND I AM CONSIDERING GOING TO INDEPENDENT SHOP TO REPAIR SINCE BEYOND 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD CAN'T FIX THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174089November 22, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT. MY OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I HAVE JUST SEEN ONLINE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND FORD IS NOT RECALLING OR DOING ANYTHING TO HELP WITH REPAIRS. I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. I ALSO GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT IN MAY OF 2006 WITH MY 2002 EXPLORER AND IT WAS TOTALED. I FLIPPED IN THE VEHICLE TWICE AND NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174005November 21, 2006
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
ON 11/07/06 WAS IN HEAD ON COLLISION WITH 4 INCH STEEL POST, AIR BAG ON 2003 FORD EXPLORER DID NOT DEPLOY. WOULD LIKE TO SEND PHOTOS. *NM
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10173736November 17, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER 2WD THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION CONCERNS IN EARLY 2005, VEHICLES JUST OVER A YEAR OLD. AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES IN A YEAR, WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T VERIFY THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, IN MARCH 2005 WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO TEAR TRANSMISSION DOWN AND REPLACE THE CLUTCH PACK, ON TESTING TRANSMISSION, LINE PRESSURE WAS LOW. AFTER WORK PERFORMED, TOOK BACK AGAIN, WAS HAVING SAME CONCERN, AGAIN TOLD COULDN'T VERIFY PROBLEM. HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED, AFTER TELLING THEM I WAS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM, THEY SERVICED TRANSMISSION AND SAID ALL WAS FINE. IN OCTOBER OF 2006, WAS HEADING OUT OF TOWN ON A TWO LANE ROAD, WHEN I WENT TO PASS A BIG RIG ON HIGHWAY 113, JUST OUTSIDE OF WOODLAND, AS I GOT AROUND BIG RIG, AND ACCELERATED, THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO 3RD GEAR, THE RPMS KEPT RACING AND FALLING, RACING AND FALLING. I HAD PLENTY OF ROOM TO PASS THIS TRUCK, OR SO I THOUGHT, UNTIL THE CAR DID WHAT IT DID. I WAS NEARLY HIT HEAD ON BY AN ONCOMING CAR BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET AROUND THE TRUCK, DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO A HIGHER GEAR. WE GOT TO WOODLAND AND IMMEDIATELY WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SERVICEABLE, AND THAT WE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. UPON RETURNING HOME, AND DOING SOME RESEARCH, HAVE DISCOVERED THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE HAD EXACT SAME FAILURE OF THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO., AND HAVE HAD NO RESULT. LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS SORRY, CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW, IT WILL COST AROUND 3600.00. ASKED WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN BEFORE FORD RECOGNIZES THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION, AND WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T KNOW. VERY DANGEROUS IN MY OPINION, TO BE OUT ON A HIGHWAY AND HAVE THE CAR LOSE THE 3RD GEAR, PREVENTING YOU FROM GOING OVER ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172902November 8, 2006
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE VEHICLE'S PAINT IS BUBBLY/BLISTERING ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GERMAN FORD DEALERSHIP WHO NOTED THE CORROSION, TOOK PICTURES, AND INITIATED A REPORT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. AT THIS TIME THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S 36/36,000 WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, AND IS AWAITING A FORMAL RESPONSE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR FIRE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172934November 8, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING TO ANY GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE OIL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED EVERY MONTH.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172699November 6, 2006
STRUCTURE
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT, AND YESTERDAY I NOTICED THAT THE BACK PANEL BELOW THE BACK GLASS, HAS A 1/4 CRACK ALL THE WAY DOWN IT! IT IS LOCATED A INCH OR TWO RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN FOR AN ESTIMATE, SINCE I HAVE 59,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. WELL, ON THE FORD WEBSITE UNDER MY WARRANTY INFORMATION IT STATES THAT CORROSION AND DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE COVERED FOR 5 YEARS REGARDLESS OF MILES DRIVEN. WELL WHAT DOES THIS FALL UNDER? I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, THAT I AM NOT GOING TO PUT MORE MONEY IN IT FOR THIS. FORD NEEDS TO COVER IT, OR START SOME TYPE OF INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172768November 6, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY
FORD EXPLORER- 2003 LOCATION REAR HATCH OR DOOR. PANEL BELOW WINDOW WHERE FORD EMBLEM APPEARS. PLASTIC BODY PART SPLITS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER EXPLORERS. DEALER SAYS IT IS CAUSED BY REAR WIPER MOTOR BEING HOUSED BEHIND CRACK. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR, THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, WITHOUT CHARGING CUSTOMER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172525November 3, 2006
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THE END OF APRIL 2006 AT TIME OF PURCHASE ABS LIGHT WAS ON- DEALER FIXED PROBLEM WITHIN FIRST 1 1/2 WEEKS OF PURCHASE AFTER ORDERING A PART. NOW 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE CHECK ENGINE AND O/D LIGHT COME ON UNEXPECTANTLY. WITHIN 1 WEEK OF LIGHTS COMING ON CAR STOPS ON ME UNEXPECTANTLY. WHEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR I AM TOLD I NEED A NEW ALTERNATOR AND A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AS THE SUV SLIPS OUT OF 2ND AND 5TH GEARS. I DIDN'T PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THINKING IT WAS STILL UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND JUST PURCHASED. I FELT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE OVERHAULED THE VEHICLE AND MADE SURE EVERYTHING WAS WORKING UP TO PAR. I NOW HAVE A REPAIR BILL OF ALMOST $2000 AND DON'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172020October 27, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO LURCH AND SLIP UNEXPECTEDLY. FEARFUL OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT LOCK UP. FORD IS AWARE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2002 AND LATER MODELS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171760October 24, 2006
STEERING:COLUMN
WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS ON AN INCLINE, I PROCEEDED TO START THE CAR AND SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND. I WAS FORTUNATE BECAUSE I WAS NOT ON THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY, NOR DID I BACK OVER A CHILD, CAT OR DOG, ETC. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF I WERE ON TRAIN TRACKS AND THE TRAIN WAS COMING AND I COULDN'T GET OUT OF GEAR, OR TRY TO PARK ON A HILL IN SAN FRANCISCO, OR DOWNSHIFT TO MAKE IT UP A MOUNTAIN GRADE. TOWED VEHICLE TO TUTTLE CLICK FORD. RECEIVED QUOTE FROM THEM AS WELL AS SANTA MARGARITA FORD. (OVER $600 DIFFERENCE. QUOTE WAS DOUBLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TUTTLE CLICK VS OVER THE PHONE QUOTE!) CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO AUTOMOTIVE PLUS WHERE A RELIABLE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, AS FORD RECOMMENDED. ALSO, A RENTAL CAR WAS NEEDED, AND THERE WAS A "DIAGNOSTIC" CHARGE OF $50. I SAVED THE OLD PART FOR INSPECTION/LEGAL ACTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171521October 22, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. AT 13,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEIR INITIAL ASSESSMENT WAS THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DUE TO A "FACTORY DEFAULT". THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. AFTER 3 WEEKS, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, MADE NO REPAIRS AND DID NOT REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM MYSTERIOUSLY FIXED ITSELF. NOW AT 28,000 MILES, MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING EVERYTIME INTO 3RD GEAR, SOMETIMES JUST REVVING INSTEAD OF GOING AND THEN JERKING VERY HARD INTO GEAR. FORD DEALERSHIP STATES THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT FORD EXPLORERS AFTER 2002 AND TRANSMISSIONS GOING OUT TOO EARLY. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND RECALL THOSE PARTS. IT FEELS AS IF THEY ARE BLOWING ME OFF UNTIL MY WARRANTY EXPIRES SO THEY WON'T HAVE TO FIX MY CAR. I AM SCARED DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THAT I WILL GET REAR ENDED EVERY TIME MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND GOES INTO NEUTRAL. I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS. I AM GOING BACK ON MONDAY, STILL TRYING TO GET THEM TO FIX MY CAR... *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171357October 19, 2006
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY UNLOADING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR GATE HINGES FRACTURED AND THE GLASS DROPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE HINGES HELD THE GLASS AND THE INCIDENT COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AFFECTING OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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