Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10302112January 24, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT - OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTING FLASHING AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO SECOND GEAR. ENGINE REVS TO 3200 RPMS AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE BEFORE FEATHERING THE GAS TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. VERTICAL CRACK IN FIBERGLASS TAILGATE PANEL JUST BELOW REAR WINDOW GLASS. NO IMPACT TO TAILGATE OCCURRED-CRACK JUST APPEARED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10302002January 23, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2003 FORD EXPLORER , 70,000 MILES REAR LIFT GATE CRACKED IN MIDDLE SPLITTING OFF IN "Y" SHAPE THERE WAS NO IMPACT DONE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. HEARD LOUD POP TOLD THAT FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING & I WILL HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10301695January 21, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EXAMINING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK ON THE PANEL UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10301724January 21, 2010
VISIBILITY
TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR STARTS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND THEN THE HEATER STARTS PUTTING OUT COLD AIR. THE FRONT WINDOW DOESN'T DEFROST. NO HEAT IN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE CAN REACH 0 DEGREES. THE AVERAGE COST TO REPAIR THE PART IS $734. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300238January 19, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 FORD EXPLORER "O/D OFF" LIGHT BLINKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10300347January 19, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. SHE STATED WHILE UTILIZING THE REAR LIFTGATE TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT, THE REAR LIFTGATE FELL CAUSING THE GLASS TO SHATTER. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALTHOUGH THE EXACT SAME FAILURE OF HER VEHICLE IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000- STRUCTURE, STRUCTURE BODY, HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE, HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS AS A RESULT OF NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04045, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299636January 13, 2010
SUSPENSION:REAR, SUSPENSION:FRONT
I SUGGEST YOU CHECK THE ONE URL SHOWN BELOW - THERE ARE OVER 400 EXAMPLES OF FORD SPRINGS FRACTURING BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE SPRING MATERIAL. HTTP://WWW.CONSUMERAFFAIRS.COM/AUTOMOTIVE/FORD_SPRINGS.HTML I HAVE TWO BROKEN SPRINGS - I CALLED FORD TO ASK IF THEY WOULD FIX THE DEFECT OF COURSE THEY SAID NO WAY - NHTSA HAS NOT FORCED US TO DO A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299666January 13, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE LIFT GATE WHICH INCLUDES A PLASTIC PART JUST BELOW THE WINDOW. THE FORD MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND HE SHOULD CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. UPDATED 2/26/10 *CN UPDATED 07/09/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299698January 13, 2010
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT AND THE O/D LIGHT CONSTANTLY BLINKS. THE TRANSMISSION IS SLUGGISH SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND MY CAR FAILED AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE READ HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM EVEN AFTER A TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPAIRED OR REPLACED. HOPING THIS PROBLEM COULD BE RECALLED BECAUSE THIS IS TOO WIDE SPREAD FOR IT TO BE A CONSUMER ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10299125January 12, 2010
STRUCTURE
THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. IT CRACKED WHEN THE REAR DEFROSTER CIRCUIT WAS ACTIVATED. INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, POSSIBLY AFFECTING 10-20% OF VEHICLES MANUFACTURED. IT IS CLEARLY A DESIGN PROBLEM. FORD, IN IT'S INFINITE WISDOM, GLUED THE LARGISH PLASTIC TRIM PIECE DIRECTLY TO THE REAR GLASS. IN COLD WEATHER, WHEN THE DRIVER ACTIVATES THE REAR DEFROSTER, THE GLASS EXPANDS AND THE PLASTIC TRIM PIECE, STILL EXPOSED TO THE COLD DOES NOT. THIS UNEQUAL THERMAL EXPANSION RESULTS IN THE PLASTIC APPLIQUE PIECE CRACKING. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN EASILY FORESEEN BY DESIGN ENGINEERS. IN TALKING WITH LOCAL FORD BODY REPAIR SHOPS, THE STAFF ADMITTED THAT THE ISSUE IS WIDESPREAD. THE REPAIR COSTS ABOUT $500. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298822January 9, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER DEVELOPED A CRACK IN THE REAR APPLIQUE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE LIFTGATE. AFTER CONTACTING MY DEALER, I WAS TOLD TO EMAIL FORD, AS THIS WAS A COMMON COMPLAINT. AFTER DOING SO, FORD TOLD ME THAT ALTHOUGH THAT ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE, THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. MOST OF THE PEOPLE HAVE PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIRS. THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME. I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO DO SO. IF THE CRACK GETS WORSE, I WILL HAVE TO PUT IN A CLAIM TO OUR INSURANCE COMPANY. UPON GOING ONLINE AND GOOGLING FORD DEFECTS, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD VEHICLES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW, HOW TO GET A RECALL ON THIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10298758January 8, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE/APPLIQUE SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE WHICH CAUSED WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE, ALSO KNOWN AS A CRACKING FRACTURE OF THE PANEL. RECALL NUMBER 04V442000, STRUCTURE, BODY, HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT EXPECTS THE MANUFACTURER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS SINCE THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. UPDATED 01/12/10 *BF UPDATED 01/15/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10297969January 4, 2010
STRUCTURE:BODY
LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE DAMAGED/CRACKED - SERVICE PROCEDURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10297207December 28, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR WINDOW PANEL HAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FORD MANUFACTURER DID NOT RECOGNIZE THIS FAILURE AS A DEFECT. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10296448December 19, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER ON HIGHWAY WHEN GEAR SLIPPED..O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING! IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION THEY SAY BUT I HAVEN'T DONE THE REPAIR YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295545December 14, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I JUST NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW OF MY EXPLORER. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED IT. I NOTICED OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS. DIDN'T THEY GET BAIL OUT MONEY FROM UNCLE SAM?!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294693December 7, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I STARTED NOTICING THAT MY EXPLORER WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS STAYING ON, ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I HAD THE COMPUTER TESTED AND IT RESULTED IN CODE P0775. I CALLED FORD (IN BETHLEHEM PA) AND THEY COULD NOT GET ME IN UNTIL THE W/O 7/20. SINCE I WAS LEAVING FOR VACATION AND NEEDED IT, I TOOK IT TO BETHLEHEM TRANSMISSIONS. AFTER THEY FIXED IT REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND $3309.70 LATER, THE OWNER STATED TO ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 EXPLORERS. SO I CALLED FORD, WHO TOLD ME TO TAKE MY RECEIPT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THAT WAS A WASTE OF MY TIME B/C THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS RUDE, AND DIDN'T CARE ABOUT THE PROBLEM. MY TRUCK ONLY HAD 82,000 MILES ON. I UPGRADED TO THIS VEHICLE TO NOT HAVE PROBLEMS. WELL, I RECEIVED NO SATISFACTION WITH FORD, SO I AM NOW COMING TO YOU. THERE ARE NO RECALLS, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF, I SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO SPEND THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO FIX A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. THE TSI FOR THIS ISSUE IS 5R55W. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME? THIS IS ALOT OF MONEY AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE STANDING BY THEIR PRODUCT AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE THE COMPLETE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR, BUT I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294171December 1, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER EXHIBITS MOST OF THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN CONSUMER ADVISORY DATED 13 OCTOBER 2009. IT HAS AN INTERMITTENTLY FUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL, A PERMANENTLY ON ABS INDICATOR LIGHT, AND IT OCCASIONALLY GETS STUCK IN PARK. I WAS WONDERING WHY 2003 WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293947November 30, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE NOTICED OVER THE PAST 2 WEEKS THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER GETTING HARDER TO MOVE FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND VISE-VERSA. NOW, THE STEERING COLUMN MOUNTED GEAR SELECTOR (PRND321) AT TIMES WON'T COME OUT OF PARK. I HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE GEAR SELECT LEVER/BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO GET THE INTERFACE TO RELEASE. I HAVEN'T AS YET TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293948November 30, 2009
WHEELS
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING. THERE IS ONLY 68,000 MILES ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND THE WHEEL BEARING HAS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL THOUSAND COMPLAINTS ABOUT BAD WHEEL BEARINGS FOR THE EXPLORER. SHOULDN'T THIS BE A RECALLED SINCE IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD???? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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