Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10339379June 21, 2010
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED . I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS PREPARING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SPED UP. I INCREASED THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I WAS AFRAID THAT I WOULD HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAITING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I THEN SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. MY TACHOMETER WAS READING ABOVE 5000 RPM. I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RPM RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED BY A FORD DEALER TOMORROW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10339156June 19, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2003 EXPLORER CRACKED FROM THE BACK WINDOW TO THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD TOLD ME ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO RECALL INITIATED. I HAVE 3 OTHER FRIENDS WHO ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS IT IS BY NO FAULT OF THE OWNER AND APPARENTLY IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10336083June 13, 2010
WHEELS, TIRES
MY CAR IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS. OVERALL THE CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION. WHEN WASHING THE CAR THERE IS SOME CHROME PEELING FROM THE WHEEL AT THE HUB EXTENDING OUT TO THE LUG NUTS. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AFTER SOME EFFORT DUE TO THE CORROSION OF THE ALUMINUM. I CLEANED HE CORROSION FROM THE ALUMINUM AT THE HUB AND FOUND INTERNAL PITTING BETWEEN 1/8" AND 1/4" DEEP WHEN PROBING. I AM A ARCHITECT WITH A ENGINEERING BACKGROUND AND IN MY OPINION THE LOSS OF ALUMINUM STRUCTURE IS SIGNIFICANT AND THE WHEEL NO LONGER SAFE. THE OTHER WHEELS HAVE SOME CHROME PEELING AS WELL AND WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE DEPTH OF THE PITTING OR REMOVED THE WHEELS. AS FORD HAS THE EXPLORER HAS HAD ISSUES WITH WHEEL FAILURE IN THE PAST AND THIS IS A ISSUE THAT WAS NOT OBSERVABLE WHEN I CHANGED THE BRAKES ABOUT A YEAR AGO TO VERY SIGNIFICANT NOW IT MAY BE WORTH LOOKING INTO. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE ALUMINUM IF YOU LIKE AND WILL RETAIN THE RIM WHEN I GET A NEW ONE. THE OTHER THREE WHEELS HAVE NOT BEEN REMOVED IF YOU WISH TO SEE THESE IN THE NEAR FUTURE UNDISTURBED PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT. THE THREADED PORTION OF THE AXLE IS CORRODED WITH NO THREADS VISIBLE AND 10% OF THE DIAMETER LOST. THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL BEHIND THE PLASTIC CAP WAS 20% FILLED WITH CORROSION RESIDUE WHEN I REMOVED IT. THE OTHER SIDE HAS NOT BEEN OPENED UP YET. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS OVER THE YEARS INCLUDING FORDS AND NEVER HAVE SEEN AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10335381June 8, 2010
STEERING
REPAIR SHOP "PERRIER AUTO CENTER" CHANGE OIL FOR ME BY OVERLOAD ENGINE WITH 10 QUARTERS OF OIL AND ALSO OVERLOAD POWER STEERING FLUID THAT COST FAILED POWER STEERING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10334675June 4, 2010
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO PICK UP SPEED. ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER YET THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES IN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,900.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331507May 21, 2010
SUSPENSION:FRONT
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND NOW 1 OR BOTH OF THE REAR ONES ARE BAD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10331457May 20, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGES FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS TO FALL AND SHATTER FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDINGLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,950 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10330390May 14, 2010
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF OR WOULD SPORADICALLY FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 161,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329490May 9, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10329119May 6, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
2003 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED EDITION CRACK IN LIFTGATE BELOW THE GLASS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT AND TO REPAIR IT MYSELF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10328674May 3, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, STRUCTURE:BODY
OPENED THE REAR WINDOW (HATCH) AND THE RIGHT SIDE FLEW UP - THE HINGE HAD DISENGAGED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. LOCATED ON NHTSA.GOV #04V442000 WHICH COVERS THE SAME PROBLEM - WAS TOLD BY DEALER MY VEHICLE DID NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL (04S20) AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10327073April 22, 2010
WHEELS, SUSPENSION:FRONT, SUSPENSION:REAR
THE FRONT BEARINGS ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAVE GONE OUT IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR STOPPED STEERING AND I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME DRIVING IT TO THE NEAREST REPAIR STATION. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING WENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH AND THE LEFT AT THE END OF THE MONTH. THE MECHANICS THAT WORKED ON THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THEY SEE MANY OF THESE. ADDITIONALLY WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR STRUT ASSEMBLY SINCE THE SPRING ACTUALLY SNAPPED. THIS TOO WAS FAMILIAR TO THE MECHANIC. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO STATED THAT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD NOT GO THAT SOON AND THAT THIS IS A HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10326246April 18, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW, IT NOW HAS 135,553 MILES ON IT. HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS AND IT ACTUALLY DRIVES VERY WELL, BUT THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER 3 DAYS LATER, WAS TOLD THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,225.00. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE O/D OFF LIGHT STILL FLASHING AND AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS THEY HAVE NOW DETERMINED THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $1,325.00. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10325595April 14, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO I AND A FRIEND CAME OUT OF A GROCERY STORE TO DISCOVER THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I DROVE RIGHT OVER TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. I DO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES. IT WAS REPORTED TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I WAS DENIED REPAIR. I WAS TOLD I COULD PAY $1,000.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED OR PUT CAULKING ON IT TO HELP TO SEAL THE CRACK. I PUT THE CAULKING ON IT AS I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM RETIRED AND ON A FIXED INCOME. OVER THE COURSE OF TIME THE CRACK WIDENED CAUSING THE PANEL AND WINDOW TO SHIFT TO THE LEFT. ON MONDAY 4/12/10 I OPENED THE HATCHBACK WINDOW TO PLACE A FEW ITEMS INSIDE AND THE WINDOW CAME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD ALMOST DRIVING ME INTO THE GROUND. THE HINGES BROKE AND HAD A FRIEND NOT BEEN THERE WITH ME I COULD NOT HAVE LIFTED THAT WINDOW. HE AND I WORKED FOR 45 MINUTES TO GET IT PLACED BACK TO WHERE IT WAS NOT HANGING AND HAD TO PUT BUNGY CORDS ON TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. I HAVE HAD A HEADACHE FOR 3 DAYS NOW. I DROVE RIGHT OVER TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOOK MY INFORMATION AND CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY WHO GOT BACK TO HIM AND STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE HINGES. I TOLD HIM THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! THIS CRACK HAS WIDENED OVER THE LAST YEAR AND THE HATCHBACK HAS SHIFTED TO THE LEFT. REPLACING THE HINGES IS A TEMPORARY FIX. LIKE PUTTING A BANDAID ON A COMPOUND FRACTURE! I THINK THE ENTIRE HATCHBACK HAS WEAKENED AND IF THE BIG DOOR FALLS ON ME I COULD BE KILLED. AT THIS POINT I AM UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE HATCHBACK AT ALL AND MUST CLIMB OVER THE BACK SEAT TO RETRIEVE ANYTHING BEHIND IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324864April 10, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
STEERING COLUMN.. HARD TO SHIFT INTO PARK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324865April 10, 2010
WHEELS
WHEEL BEARING/HUB FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324871April 10, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE UPPER PANEL ON THE BACK LIFT GATE, CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT HAS 2 CRACKS STARTING FROM ONE SINGLE ONE. IT HAPPENED DURING THE WINTER, SO WATER MUST BE ABLE TO GET IN UNDER THE SEAL AND FREEZE AND CRACK THE PANEL. I HAVE SEEN OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THIS SAME CONDITION. THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF DEFECT IN THE PANEL ITSELF TO ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10324043April 6, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
REAR APPLIQUE "REAR LIFTGATE PANEL" BELOW THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED IN HALF. NO IMPACT INVOLVED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10323039March 31, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HINGE ON THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS DETACHED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HER THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10322356March 26, 2010
SEAT BELTS, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WATER RUNS DOWN FRONT PASSENGER SEATBELT APPERATUS, INSIDE THE CAR. WATER DAMAGE SEEN ON INTERIOR ROOF FROM WATER LEAKING INSIDE THE ROOF OF THE TRUCK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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