Ford Expedition Complaints (2003)

615 consumer complaints on file.

#10251302December 10, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IN ADDITION TO A STRONG BURNING ODOR. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY. SHE LIFTED THE HOOD WITH ANOTHER PERSON'S ASSISTANCE AND HEARD CRACKLING AND SPARKLING SOUNDS. SHE ALSO NOTICED A HOLE IN THE INSULATOR DIRECTLY INTO THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER YEARS, MAKES, AND MODELS, BUT NONE FOR THE CONTACT'S PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 165,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250972December 7, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 12 WEST. AS I TURNED ONTO A ROAD, I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER MY HOOD. MY 8-YEAR-OLD SAID, " WHAT IS THAT SMELL?" I TOLD HER THAT IT IS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME, I TURNED THE TRUCK AROUND AND WENT TO THE NEAREST QUICK STORE. THE MAN INSIDE LOOKED UNDER MY HOOD AND USED WATER TO PUT ON THE "HOOD BLANKET". THERE WAS A HOLE IN IT ABOVE THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. THE MAN KEPT PUTTING WATER ON IT UNTIL IT STOPPED SMOKING. AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME, HE TOLD ME THAT ME AND LITTLE GIRL WERE LUCKY. I KNEW THAT IT COULD HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. IT WAS COLD AND IF I WERE NOT CLOSE TO THE STORE I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE STAYED IN THE VEHICLE TO STAY WARM. I AM SO GLAD THAT I TURNED AROUND AND TOOK A CHANCE ON GETTING TO THE NEAREST STORE. MY INSURANCE AGENT WILL BE COMING MONDAY (TODAY IS SATURDAY) TO ASSESS THE DAMAGES AND DETERMINE WHAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248978November 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE #3 SPARK PLUG ON AUGUST 22, 2006. THE TRITON 5.4 LITER ENGINE HAS 86K+ MILES. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER PURCHASING 12 FORD VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 32 YEARS. IT IS TIME FOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND AT LEAST TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DEFECT. MY REPLACEMENT COST OF THE ENGINE WAS $5,400.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248984November 17, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE 'BLOWN SPARK PLUG' PROBLEM WITH FORD'S TRITON 5.4 LITER ENGINE FOR A SECOND TIME. MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE # 3 SPARK PLUG ON NOVEMBER 15, 2008. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS REPLACED AUGUST 22, 2006 WITH 86K MILES BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEM AT A COST TO ME OF $5,400. THIS ENGINE HAS 53K MILES AND WAS INSTALLED BY KOONS FORD OF ANNAPOLIS. ALTHOUGH FORD ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAILURE, THE DEALER ASSURED ME THAT FORD'S REDESIGNED V8 ENGINE HAD RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. IT IS TIME FOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND AT LEAST TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248747November 13, 2008
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFERRED THE CONTACT TO HER INSURANCE AGENCY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY. THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 82,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248572November 12, 2008
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WITHOUT CAUSE. THE DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 106,000. UPDATED 12-02-08 *BF UPDATED 12/02/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248386November 10, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOSS OF BRAKE LIGHTS TO 2003 FORD EXPEDITION, TOOK IT INTO DEALERSHIP THEY FOUND A FIRE IN OVERHEAD WIRING HARNESS. FORD CLAIMS TO HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH HARNESS. NONE OF THESE WIRES WERE VISIBLE TO US , BUT HAD MELTED THE UNDERSIDE OF OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT. VISIBLE BURN MARKS ON METAL INTERIOR OF ROOF. ALL OVERHEAD WIRING HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248393November 10, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INDICATORS ILLUMINATED, EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS TORN APART AND THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE DEALER IS ORDERING A NEW WIRING HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE ILLUMINATED INDICATORS; HOWEVER, ANOTHER FAILURE WAS FOUND WITHOUT THE CONTACT'S KNOWLEDGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 83,000. UPDATED 12-02-08 *BF THE CONSUMER ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD TO BE REPAIRED AS WELL. THE CONSUMER STATED HE NEVER REEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL. UPDATED 12/02/08 *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246774October 27, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4 L , V8 . WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH THIS MORNING AND HEARD A LOUD POP COMING FROM THE ENGINE, I PULLED OVER AND DROVE BACK TO THE HOUSE WHICH IS TWO BLOCKS AWAY. I CHECKED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND FOUND OUT THAT MY VEHICLE SPIT OUT ONE OF MY SPARK PLUG AND BROKE THE COIL. NOTICED GAS WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOLE THE PLUG SHOULD BE. I CHECKED THE WEB TODAY AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM DIFFERENT SITES ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS, I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL ADDRESS THIS MATTER BEFORE SOMEONE GET HURT OR EVEN DIE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246350October 22, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AT 92,000 ABOUT MILES THE PASSENGER SIDE PLUG BLEW OUT. I PUT JB. WELD AROUND THE PLUG AND PUT IT BACK IN THE TRUCK. IT WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS AND NOW ITS DONE IT AGAIN. I AM NOW OUT OF WORK AND MY WIFE CAN'T MAKE IT TO HERE JOB BECAUSE OF THE TRUCK. SO I AM LOOKING FOR A HELI COIL REPAIR KIT. BUT NO WAY TO GO AND GET IT I HAVE ONE TRUCK. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244919October 9, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AS I WAS DRIVING, MY VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP, AND THEN A RATTLING SOUND. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND POPPED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND NOTICED THAT MY SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. I THEN HAD TO WALK APPROX 1/2 MILE (WHILE I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT) TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE PLUGS THAT WERE IN WERE FACTORY, AND INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORDS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE PLUGS WITH A HEALING COIL, AND THEN INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A GUARANTEED FIX, IT WAS MORE LIKE PUTTING A BAND AID ON THE PROBLEM, IF I WANTED TO GUARANTEE THE ISSUE WAS FIXED, THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE HEAD. I OPTED TO REPLACE THE PLUGS BECAUSE THEY WERE CONSIDERABLY CHEAPER, AND ABOUT 5 MONTHS LATER, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. SINCE I WAS QUITE A WAYS AWAY FROM THE MECHANIC THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON IT, I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT SHOP. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING AN INSERT IN, AND CHARGING ME AN ADDITIONAL $300. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244482October 6, 2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE STRUCK THE DRIVER'S SIDE CORNER OF HER VEHICLE. ONLY THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. HIS WIFE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10244355October 4, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY
LIVE IN CHICAGO IL. (20 MINUTES OUTSIDE) AND MY EXPEDITION WAS LEFT OUTSIDE. IT GOT COLD (48 OUTSIDE) OVER NIGHT, AND MY FORD WAS DEAD IN THE MORNING, (DOME LIGHTS WOULDN'T EVEN TURN ON). I JUMPED IT, AND NOTICED THAT THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS INOPERABLE (DOESN'T EVEN LIGHT UP). I TOOK IT TO FORD, AND THEY HAD THOUGHT THAT THE UNIT BURNED OUT. COOL, I CAN BUY ONE ON E-BAY FOR ABOUT $40.00 INSTEAD OF 326.00 THAT THEY QUOTED ME... I LEFT FEELING A LITTLE BETTER, KNOWING WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS....THEN SOMETHING STRANGE STARTED HAPPENING... THE 4WD HIGH/LOW IS FLASHING IN 1 MINUTE INTERVALS AT THE SAME TIME. THE DRIVER SEAT IS ADJUSTING ON IT'S OWN, WHILE I AM DRIVING, AND CANNOT BE STOPPED, LEAVING ME CRAMMED INTO THE DASH/STEERING WHEEL, THE BACK UP AID IS NOT WORKING, WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE THE RADIO STAYS ON, I HAVE TO RE-OPEN THE DOORS AND CLOSE THEM AGAIN TO TURN IT OFF, AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROLS. CALL ME STUPID, BUT THIS SOUNDS A LITTLE MORE INDEPTH THAN A CLIMATE CONTROL BURNING OUT. AFTER READING COUNTLESS ISSUES WITH THE EXPEDITION (INCLUDING THE COOL FEATURE OF AUTO IGNITE, WHERE IT DECIDES TO BURN IT'S SELF TO THE GROUND AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 3-5 HOURS DUE TO ELECTRICAL FIRES) I AM NOT SURE I AM VERY FOND OF THIS TRUCK ANYMORE. I AM NOT ENCOURAGED BY EVERYONE ON THIS HAVING SIMILAR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AND NOT HAVING FORD BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM CAUSES GRAVE CONCERN, SEEING HOW MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS (WHO ARE SECURED IN THEIR CAR SEATS) ARE DRIVING IN A FIRE LADEN DEATH TRAP, OR WORSE, MY WIFE GETTING PINNED AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE SEAT GOING HAYWIRE, THEN HITTING ANOTHER CAR AND THE AIR BAG GOING OFF.... THIS IS SERIOUS, I NEED YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY, PLEASE FOR MY FAMILY'S WELL BEING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244188October 2, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY HUSBAND'S 2003 FORD EXPEDITION CAUGHT ON FIRE. HE HAD BEEN OUT OF THE CAR FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. WE HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE AND THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT. WE HEARD ANOTHER LOUD POPPING NOISE, AND WENT TO SEE WHAT IT WAS. WHEN WE GOT OUTSIDE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THEN WE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. AT THAT POINT WE CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT THE FIRE OUT, AND SAID IT WAS CAUSED BY SOMETHING ELECTRICAL. THERE WAS SOME SORT OF SHORT IN THE WIRING. HE HAD TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR REPAIR BECAUSE THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYED ON, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE NO DOORS OPEN. THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED BY CAR MAX. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243362September 24, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY WIFE WAS ALMOST TO THE END OF THE OFF RAMP TO THE 210 FREEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN AN AWFUL NOISE. IT SOUND LIKE SHE BLEW A HOLE IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE #3 SPARK PLUG BEING EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER AND HAVE NEVER CHANGED PLUGS. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED LOCAL AND NOT ON THE ROAD FOR VACATION. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED AND REPAIRED AND A TUNE UP DOWN. AN EXPENSIVE DAY AND NEEDLESS TIME OFF WORK FOR A PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO DUE TO BAD ENGINEERING. A TAPERED SPARK PLUG AND 1/4 THREAD LOCK IN THE HEAD IS NOT A SAFE AND SMART DESIGN. A 3/4 THREAD LOCK WOULD BE MUCH BETTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243215September 23, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE HEAD ON A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH A 5.4L ENGINE THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE HEAD AND GASOLINE WERE EXPELLED ON THE ENGINE AND EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE ENGINE HEAD HAD TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF $1,832.48. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243032September 22, 2008
TIRES
DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 50, OUTSIDE SACRAMENTO AT ABOUT 65MPH IN THE EARLY EVENING ON 9/21/08 WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SWING OUT OF CONTROL. I MANAGED TO REMAIN IN CONTROL AND GET TO THE EDGE OF THE FREEWAY. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE TIRE, THE TREAD FROM THE BACK DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS TOTALLY GONE, BUT THE TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED. THE TREAD HAD CAUSED QUITE A BIT OF DAMAGE TO MY BACK PANEL AND BUMPER ASSEMBLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243115September 22, 2008
SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP AND ASSUMED THAT A TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE DROPPED AND BEGAN TO SCRAPE THE ROAD SURFACE. SHE WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE STATION AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE A-ARM AXLE RUPTURED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 111,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *BF UPDATED 11/18/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242831September 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TODAY IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD A SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE CYLINDER OF OUR FORD EXPEDITION. THE FIRST TIME IT STRANDED MY FAMILY IN THE MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN THE WINTER. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO GO AWAY FOR A WEEKEND TRIP TOMORROW. IT COST US 3K THE FIRST TIME AND TODAY'S QUOTE IS ABOUT THE SAME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNBELIEVABLE GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF OCCURRENCES THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE. THIS IS BS! FORD IS DIGGING THEIR OWN GRAVE AND IF SOMEONE DIES DUE TO THIS HAPPENING IT WILL COST THEM MORE THAN MONEY....BLOOD ON THEIR HANDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241392September 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE # 1 SPARK PLUG ON MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW OUT AND STRIPPED THE THREADS AND BROKE THE COIL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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