Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10365451November 12, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I SENT A LETTER OF COMPLAINT TO FORD REGARDING MY SITUATION WITH MY TRANSMISSION FAILING ON ME AND THE LOCAL FORD DEALER CHARGING ME $4,300 SINCE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I TRULY HOPE THAT FORD GETS THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND ADDRESSES THIS ISSUES AS I'M SEEING MORE AND MORE COMPLAINTS POP-UP EVERYWHERE REGARDING THIS. POOR EXCUSE!!! DEAR VALUED CUSTOMER, THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER INQUIRING FOR ANY RECALLS ON YOUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I SINCERELY UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATION THAT THIS TRANSMISSION CONCERN ON YOUR VEHICLE HAS BROUGHT YOU. PLEASE BE INFORMED THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) TO PROACTIVELY IDENTIFY AREAS OF CONCERN THROUGH INVESTIGATION OF CONSUMER AND DEALERSHIP FEEDBACK. IF A CONCERN IS NOTED, A RECALL IS CONDUCTED TO REMEDY A SAFETY OR EMISSIONS CONCERN IN THE INTEREST OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY. THUS, I HAVE REVIEWED IF ANY AVAILABLE COVERAGES OR PROGRAMS MAY PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TOWARDS YOUR VEHICLE REPAIR. AFTER EXTENSIVELY REVIEWING YOUR SITUATION, I REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS, WARRANTIES OR OTHER COVERAGES AVAILABLE THAT MAY COVER THE REPAIR ON YOUR VEHICLE. WHILE THIS IS SO, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BRING YOUR CONCERN INTO OUR ATTENTION AS THIS IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE CAN BUILD ON. IF A PROGRAM IS ANNOUNCED ON A SPECIFIC COMPONENT AND/OR FOR THE TRANSMISSION CONCERN ON YOUR VEHICLE, FORD WILL NOTIFY YOU BY MAIL. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU ARE A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER AND HOPE THAT WE MIGHT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY IN THE FUTURE TO ASSIST YOU WITH A MORE FAVORABLE RESOLUTION TO KEEP YOUR CONFIDENCE IN OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER INQUIRIES AND/OR CONCERNS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ASSIST A VALUED CUSTOMER LIKE YOURSELF. SINCERELY, CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10365158November 9, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE REAR LIFT GATE THAT EXTENDED ACROSS. THERE WERE ALSO THREE OTHER SMALLER CRACKS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW LOOKED AS IF IT WOULD EXPLODE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 83,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10363880November 3, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE RPMS INCREASED UP TO 405 AND THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS WELL. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT THE BANDS IN THE TRANSMISSION ARE SHOT AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62010.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10362265October 25, 2010
POWER TRAIN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO STATED THAT THE GEAR SOLENOID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361864October 23, 2010
STRUCTURE
THE BACK HATCH CRACKED ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HEAR THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SUV. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361182October 19, 2010
WHEELS
BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10361199October 19, 2010
SUSPENSION, SUSPENSION:REAR
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THREE OUT OF THE FOUR WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT A TOTAL COST OF OVER $1,100. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A DANGEROUS SITUATION SUCH AS ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR OR THE WHEEL COMING OFF DURING DRIVING. THIS POTENTIALLY UNSAFE SITUATION WARRANTS A RECALL BY FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10360218October 13, 2010
WHEELS
WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359562October 7, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL ATTACHED TO THE GLASS OF THE REAR LIFTGAGE. THE CRACK WAS SMALL AT FIRST BUT BECAME LARGER OVER TIME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO BE INSPECTED FOR THE PROBLEM. ALSO, THE HEATED STOPPED BLOWING HEAT AND WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359425October 6, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
IN TRYING TO DETERMINE WHERE A NEW RATTLE WAS COMING I HEARD ON THE WAY HOME, I NOTICED THE REAR GATE GLASS HINGE HAD BROKEN OR BECAME DISLODGED. WHEN TRYING TO SECURE IT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, THE GLASS SLIPPED AND CUT DEEP GASHES INTO THE BODY. I HAD JUST RETURNED HOME AND HAD IT FALLEN OFF ON THE HIGHWAY IT GOOD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP ATTRIBUTED IT TO WEAR AND TEAR EVEN THOUGH I HAD PREVIOUSLY ONLY OPENED THE GLASS LIFT GATE TWICE DURING THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I WAS CHARGED A FEE JUST TO REPLACE THE HINGE. I DID NOT GET HE BODY WORK REPAIRED. THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM ON OTHER EXPLORER'S MADE DURING THE SAME PERIOD MINE WAS MADE, BUT I WAS TOLD MY VIN WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE RECALL. (FORD RECALL NO. 04S20 AND A CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V442000 AND SAFETY REPORT #10266375 AND #10266836). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10359095October 4, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE HATCH BACK OF THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER DEVELOPED A CRACK DIRECTLY IN THE MIDDLE. THIS DEFECT CAN BE SEEN AROUND MANY OTHER 2003 FORDS. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE HATCHBACK PIECE IS RATTLING AND SEEMS LIKE IT WILL COME OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10358100September 28, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT (N/A). WHILE DRIVING THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357758September 27, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN AUGUST OF 2003. BUT IRONICALLY THEY HAVE ALL APPEARED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IN SEPTEMBER 2007 THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NO LONGER WORKED. IT COST ME $2000 AND A WEEK WITHOUT A CAR, TO GET IT FIXED. IN AUGUST 2009 THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW WOULD NO LONGER WORK. IN SEPTEMBER 2009 MY SUV STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING ON THE HEATER. SINCE WE LIVED IN A WARM CLIMATE THIS DID NOT CONCERN US MUCH, AS THE HEAT HAD WORKED EVEN WITH THE CLICKING SOUND. BUT WE MOVED TO A COLDER CLIMATE AND THE HEATER WENT OUT IN MARCH 2010. IN APRIL 2010 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND FROM 4TH TO 5TH GEAR. HE COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY MORE INFORMATION AND WAS NOT WILLING TO FIX MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM (HE SUGGESTED I GO ELSEWHERE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT AN EXPERT IN TRANSMISSIONS). IN MAY 2010 THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING OFF. AFTER SPEAKING TO MECHANIC AGAIN, HE SAID IT WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IN AUGUST 2010 THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STARTED COMING ON RANDOMLY, EVEN WHEN THE DOOR IS NOT OPEN. AND IN SEPTEMBER 2010, I NOTICED MY ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON RANDOMLY. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE TRIGGERED BY ANY SPECIFIC REASON, AND DOES NOT ALWAYS COME ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357664September 26, 2010
WHEELS
ABS LIGHT ON,SECOND WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10357320September 24, 2010
WHEELS
2003 FORD EXPLORER, FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW THEY ARE GOING OUT AGAIN. AFTER INVESTIGATION, THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR. SOMETHING ABOUT POOR DESIGN. CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEAL AND HE SAID FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS, BUT ON SUCH AN "OLD" VEHICLE, FORD ISN'T GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356610September 20, 2010
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, WHEELS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
93,000 MILES AND ABS LIGHT AND LOUD GRINDING NOISE (IN ADDITION TO APPLIQUE CRACK IN REAR). NEED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR HUB BEARINGS, BRAKE PAD ROTORS, AND PARKING BRAKE SHOES. SEARCH THE WEB ON THESE PROBLEMS, AND OVER 3 HUNDRED COMPLAINTS SEEN ON JUST ONE SITE FOR 2003 EXPLORERS ALONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10356331September 19, 2010
WHEELS
2003 FORD EXPLORER RIMS ARE CORRODING CHROME IS PEELING OFF COULD CAUSE RIM TO BECOME WEAK OR BREAK PEELING CHROME IS SHARP AND COULD CAUSE SEVERE CUTS TO HAND WHEN CLEANING OR HANDLING WHEELS OFF CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10355444September 14, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SLIP FROM 2ND T 3RD GEAR. HAD THE TRANS SOLENOID PACK REPLACED WHICH HELPED FOR AWHILE BUT PROBLEM CAME BACK AFTER A MONTH OR SO. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY SAID IT'S THE 4TH AND 5TH GEAR SERVOS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354904September 10, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY, STRUCTURE
THE FORD EXPLORER'S MOST FREQUENT PROBLEM - IS IT CRACKS IN THE PLASTIC PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THIS OCCURS ON EXPLORERS FROM MODEL YEARS 2002, 2003 & 2004. WITH MOST AFFECTED EXPLORERS NOW PAST THE STANDARD WARRANTY PERIOD, MOST OWNERS WILL END UP HAVING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. BECAUSE THE CRACKED PANEL IS NOT A SAFETY DEFECT, THERE IS VERY LITTLE CHANCE OF A RECALL. FOR A SHORT TIME IN LATE 2006, FORD STARTED A "SPECIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM" FOR OUT-OF-WARRANTY EXPLORERS, WHERE FORD PAID FOR ALL BUT $100 OF THE ~$450 REPAIR COST. HOWEVER SINCE JANUARY 2007, PEOPLE CALLING FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE BEGAN TO REPORT BACK THAT APPARENTLY FORD HAS ENDED THE BRIEF ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10354631September 9, 2010
TRAILER HITCHES, STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE TAILGATE HATCH IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RENT A TRAILER FROM U-HAUL, THE COMPANY WOULD NOT RENT TO ANYONE WITH A FORD EXPLORER WHICH SHE BELIEVED TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000-
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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