Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10057555February 4, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
WHEN DRIVING AT 40 MPH VEHICLE JERKED AND THEN STALLED. WHEN STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT THE LIGHTS ON THE GAUGES CAME ON. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN PARK, THEN RESTART IT. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO, CONSUMER TEST DROVE VEHICLE WITH THE MECHANIC, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056479February 3, 2004
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
GLASS OF FRONT WINDSHIELD LEAKING, WE HAD IT RESEALED AND IT IS AGAIN LEAKING AND THE NEW SEAL IS LIFTING. THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW WAS LEAKING AND THE WATER WAS LEAKING IN BETWEEN THE INNER AND OUTER PANELS. WHEN THE LIFTGATE IS OPENED ONE GETS AN UNEXPECTED SHOWER. THIS TOO REQUIRED REPAIRING.*AK DUP
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056350February 2, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE CLEARLY SHOWS THE POINT OF IMPACT WITH A LARGE POLE TO THE LEFT OF CENTER TOWARDS THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. I SUSTAINED SERIOUS HEAD INJURIES DUE TO A CONCUSSION AS A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG FAILING TO DEPLOY. I DON'T KNOW MY SPEED BECAUSE I HAD FALLEN ASLEEP WHILE DRIVING, BUT IT WAS FAST ENOUGH THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID GO OFF. I BELIEVE MY RESULTING INJURIES AND LOST OF WORK WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY LESS HAD THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AS IT SHOULD HAVE. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10056360February 2, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
ABOUT A MONTH AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT, WE NOTICED A WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WE NOTIFIED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON IT. THEY SAID FORD IS INVESTIGATING THE NOISE AND COULD GIVE NO TIME FRAME ON WHEN IF WOULD BE FIXED. ASKED US TO JUST BE PATIENT.. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, AND THE WAY CUSTOMER RELATIONS HAS BEEN DEALING WITH US, FORD SHOULD BE EMBARRASSED. WE ARE CURRENTLY RESEARCH THE LEMON LAWS. WE DO NOT WANT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE THAT MAKES THIS AWFUL WHINE (WHICH IS GETTING WORSE DAY BY DAY). WHO KNOWS IF IT IS SAFE, GIVEN FORD'S TRAC RECORD! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056362February 2, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE ENGINE WAS STARTED THEN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE AUTO WON'T SHIFT INTO REVERSE. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING HAPPENS. UPON INCREASING THE RPM BY 50-100 THE CAR SLAMS INTO REVERSE AND LUNGES 2-3 FEET. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056270February 1, 2004
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
FORD EXPLORER XLS. REAR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR UNKNOWN REASON. THE WINDOW APPEARS TO BE UNDER ALOT OF TENSION.? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10056201January 30, 2004
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
CAR VIBRATES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAVE HAD IN SHOP THREE TIME NOW. THE FOURTH IS COMING. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT, FIXED SOME BENT METAL, AND ARE NOW GOING TO REPLACE THE REAR.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071069January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
I HAVE RECENTLY BOUGHT 2 BRAND NEW FORDS FROM CHAMPION FORD IN SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA. MY BRAND NEW FORD XLT EXPLORER 2 DOOR SPORT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS LONGER THAN I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 09/27/2003 SINCE THEN THE HOOD HAD TO BE RE-PAINTED, BOTH SIDE BODY MOLDING HAS BEEN REPLACED, THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL LIGHT CAME LOOSE , BOTH BOTTOM EXTERIOR BODY DOOR TRIM HAD TO BE REPLACED, INTERIOR TRIM PIECE BELOW THE REAR WINDOW BROKE AND HAD TO BE RE-PLACED, BUT THE MAIN PROBLEM IS A VIBRATION IN THE MOTOR/TRANSMISSION THAT VIBRATES THE DASH I HAVE SPENT ALREADY OVER $60.00 IN GAS BACK AND FORTH TO DEALERSHIP, ME AND MY WIFE HAVE TAKEN OFF TWO DAYS AT WORK COSTING US OVER $500.00 IN LOSS OF PAY, I HAVE ALREADY PAID THE FIRST TRUCK NOTE AND INSURANCE PAYMENT AND NOW THE TRUCK IS BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE MORE WEEK OF REPAIRS. ON 10/17/2003 THE TRUCK WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND MY WIFE DROVE ANOTHER EXPLORER OF THE SAME MAKE/MODEL AND HAD NO PROBLEMS I THEN WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MGR. THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS INHERENT TO THIS MAKE/MODEL. I THEN APPROACHED THE SALE MGR. WITH THE HOPES OF EITHER EXCHANGING OR TRADING UP TOO THE 4 DOOR MODEL TO HELP DEFRAY THE PROFIT LOSS. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY DEPRECIATED SOME $4000.00 AND THAT TO SWAP VEHICLES IT WOULD COST ME AN ADDITIONAL $75.00 AN UP A MONTH CAR NOTE. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO BASICALLY TOLD ME I WAS STUCK WITH THE VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE VEHICLE LONGER THAN I HAVE HAD IT. I WAS SENT FROM EMPLOYEE TO EMPLOYEE MGR. OF THIS TO MGR. OF THAT. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION OR IDEAS YOU COULD PROVIDE ME WITH THIS SITUATION. THIS VEHICLE IS TO BE MY WIFE'S TRUCK AND I WOULD LIKE HER IN A SAFE TRUCK THAT IS SAFE FOR HER TO TRAVEL IN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ALREADY REPLACED THE COSMETIC FAULTS BUT HAS STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS OF DOUBTFUL OUTCOME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10071237January 15, 2004
STRUCTURE
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT OCCURED ON OCT. 14, 2003. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN I WAS BROADSIDED BY A TOYOTA CAMRY GOING ABOUT 20 -30 MILES AN HOUR. MY EXPLORER TIPPED ONTO THE DRIVER SIDE. I WAS TERRIFIED IT WOULD ROLL-OVER (UPSIDE-DOWN) I HAD NO IDEA HOW EASY IT WAS TO TIP MY VEHICLE OVER. DO YOU HAVE ANY DATA CONCERNING FORD EXPLORERS? DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO WHAT I CAN DO? I'M NEVER GETTING INTO THAT VEHICLE AGAIN BUT I OWE $22,000. NOW TRADE IN VALUE IS MAYBE $16,000. THE CAR IS STILL BEING REPAIRED AND WILL BE COVERED BY THE OTHER DRIVER'S INSURANCE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070719January 15, 2004
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
I HAVE HAD MY EXPLORER SINCE MAY 27. IT HAD 11 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THE FIRST TIME IT WOULD NOT START IT HAD 300 MILES ON IT. EVENTUALLY I DID GET IT STARTED, BROUGHT IT TO FORD AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE 2ND TIME THE SAME THING HAPPENED I HAD 2300 MILES ON IT. I HAD IT TOWED TO FORD. WHEN IT GOT TO FORD IT STARTED AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 2500 MILES AND 2700 MILES. FORD STILL HAS IT NOW. THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND STILL DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED ON JUNE 5, JULY 8, JULY 25 AND AUGUST 21. SO FAR ALL WORK HAS BEEN WARRANTY BUT I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VEHICLE 21 DAYS IN THE 3 MONTHS I HAVE OWNED IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10053658January 8, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE DRIVING 40-45 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE LOST POWER. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND RESTARTED IT. THEN, RETURNED TO NORMAL DRIVING. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052516January 6, 2004
AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF GETTING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER VEHICLE TO START. AFTER AN HOUR OR SO VEHICLE WOULD START UP AS IF THERE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED MORE THAN 4 TIMES IN THE PAST. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10052324January 4, 2004
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
THE REMOTE DOOR AUTO LOCK DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK WHEN REMOTE PUSHED. THIS HAPPENS VERY OFTEN AND WITH BOTH REMOTES. WHEN THIS PROBLEM EXISTS, THE RADIO GETS CRACKLY TOO. BEEN TO FORD IN PLYMOUTH, MN BUT CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. IF I SHOULD NEED TO USE IN AN EMERGENCY, THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051431December 31, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHILE PARKING WHEN PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL MY FOOT HAS PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO RACE AND THE VEHICLE TO CRIP FORWARD. THE HARDER I PRESS THE BRAKE THE MORE THE ENGINE REVS. ON JUN 6TH 2003 MY SON HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD AND TRAVELED APPROX. 700 FEET BEFORE HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HIS ONLY COMMENT WAS HE COULD NOT STOP. I BELIEVE IT WAS BECAUSE HIS FOOT WAS PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR LINKAGE. MY SON WEARS A SIZE 12 SHOE AND I WEAR A SIZE 14. THE PEDALS HAV ELESS THAN 4" HORIZONAL SEPERATION.THERE IS LESS THAN 1/2" VERTICAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR LINKAGE.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051453December 31, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS VEHICLE STALLS WHEN IDLING AT A RED LIGHT OR AT STANDSTILL. THIS VEHICLE ALSO DOESN'T ALWAYS START AT FIRST TRY. THERE IS ALSO EITHER A BAD CLUSTER OR LOSE WIRES TO THE DASH CLUSTER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051971December 23, 2003
SUSPENSION
THERE'S A LOUD AND SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN THE TRUCK REACHED SPEEDS BETWEEN 59 - 63 MPH. THE DEALERSHIP, IN ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, HAS REPLACED THE TIRES 3 TIMES, ROTATED THE DRIVE SHAFT SEVERAL TIMES AND NEUTRALIZED THE ENGINE MOTOR MOUNT YET THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051606December 16, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE TRUCK STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED THE TRUCK LOST ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT NO FAILURE CODE WAS FOUND. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049729December 14, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN DIRVING VEHICLE AT SLOW SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES IT FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS REAR ENDED YOU, AS THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME THREE OR FOUR TIMES AND IS MORE FREQUENT WITH MY WIFE AS IT IS HER VEHICLE. TODAY MY WIFE WAS BACKING UP AND IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE RAN INTO THE FRONT OF HER AS THE VEHICLE LURCHED BACKWARD. SHE SAID IT REALLY BOUNCED HER HEAD. TODAY IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED IN REVERSE. THIS IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER, V-8 XLT 2WD. I HAVE SOME TIME OFF LATER THIS MONTH AND WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049223December 4, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 EDDIE BAUER EXPLORER VIN [XXX] WITH 1 MILE REGISTERED ON IT. WE PURCHASED IT 9/15/03, SINCE DAY ONE THE VEHICLE HAS HAD A WHINE IN THE REAR, A VIBRATION AT 55 MPH. COMPLAINTS TO FORD AS WELL AS TO THE LEN STOLER DEALERSHIP,11275 REISTERSTOWN ROAD, OWINGS MILLS, MD 21117 PHONE 410-356-2635 HAS BROUGHT NOTHING BUT FRUSTRATION. THE VEHICLE CAN'T BE FIXED IS WHAT WE ARE TOLD! BUT AFTER 5 VISITS, IT IS BEING WORKED ON NOW FOR THE VIBRATION 12/04/03, THE WHINE IN THE REAR STILL CANNOT BE FIXED. NOTIFICATIONS FROM FORD TO ITS SERVICE CENTERS: DRIVELINE AXLE CONCERNS FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY 509000 DEALING WITH PROBLEM 17054 QUOTE: 2002- 2004 EXPLORER 4 DR-REAR AXLE WHINE, SOME 2002-2004- EXPLORER 4DR VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AXLE WHINE AT NORMAL OR DURING ACCELERATION. TO SERVICE, PERFORM NORMAL DIAGNOSTICS. IF SPECIFIC ROOT CAUSE IS NOT IDENTIFIED, BE AWARE THAT ENGINEERING IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING VIA THE QUICKER SERVICE FIX PROCESS. A SERVICE PROCEDURE WILL BE PUBLISHED AS SOON AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUBMIT CONCERN REPORTS FOR ANY VEHICLE WHICH EXHIBITS THIS CONDITION. MONITOR OASIS FOR UPDATES.-THIS IS ONE OF OUR PROBLEMS, DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX IT AT THIS POINT, SO WE ARE STUCK WITH A WHINING REAR IN NEW VEHICLE. THE SECOND PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE IS TRYING TO BE FIXED, QUOTE: 17107 2002-2004 EXPLORER 4X4 DRIVELINE VIBRATION OR DRONE/BOOM AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SOME 2002 -2004 EXPLORER 4X4 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A VIBRATION OR DRONE/BOOM AT 55 - 75 MPH. ELECTRONIC VIBRATION ANALYZER [XXX] READING WILL FALL UNDER 1ST ORDER REAR DRIVESHAFT AT 2700 RMP . IF CONCERN IS TILL PRESENT IN 3RD GEAR AND ISOLATED TO THE DRIVELINE, A PREMIUM BALANCED DRIVESHAFT IS AVAILABLE. INSTALL 3C5Z-4602-AA DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY, REFERRING TO WORKSHOP MANUAL SECTION 205-00 FOR PROCEDURE. IF VIBRATION PERSISTS AFTER REPLACING DRIVESHAFT, REINDEX AT PINION FLANGE 90 DEGREES AT A TIME, FOR 360 DEGREES, UNTIL VIBRATION IS MINIMIZED. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049145December 3, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
PLASTIC UNDER THE REAR LIFTGATE (REAR HATCH) CRACKED WHEN CLOSING IN COLD WEATHER. THE TWO CRACKS WERE OVER 6 INCHES LONG. THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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