Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10294049November 30, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT GEARS, THE COLUMN SHIFT LEVER HAD FRACTURED. HE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD-WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW STEERING COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SERVICE STATION AND REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FAILURE RE-OCCURRED, THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293698November 27, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OUR FORD EXPLORER SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING IN AN INTERSECTION. PEOPLE BEGAN PUSHING MY WIFE, BABY SON, AND TWO OTHER SONS OUT OF THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE TRUCK BEGAN SMOKING AND THEN THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. WE LOST THE TRUCK (WHICH ONLY HAS TWO PAYMENTS LEFT AND WHICH WAS IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER), OUR CAR SEATS, AND A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PERSONAL ITEMS TO SMOKE, FIRE, AND WATER DAMAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE SUMMONED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293255November 23, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS WHAT APPEARS TO BE A STRESS CRACK ON THE PLATE BELOW THE REAR HATCH WINDOW, NEXT TO THE FORD EMBLEM. I'VE SEEN DOZENS OF EXPLORERS SINCE THIS HAPPENED WITH THE SAME ISSUE, AND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS DEFECT, YET I AM TOLD THAT FORD WILL NOT PAY TO REPAIR THEIR DEFECTIVE PART, AS THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292959November 19, 2009
POWER TRAIN
THE REAR END ON THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER STARTS TO WHINE, THEN GROWL' THEN LEAK THEN GO BAD. THE REAREND ON THE FORD EXPLORERS EVIDENTLY GO BAD OFTEN. THE OWNERS WOULD BE PUT IN DANGER WHEN THE BREAKDOWN OCCURS ON THE ROAD. THE EXPLORER IS A FAMILY VEHICLE SO THE REAREND GOING OUT ON A TRIP AWAY COULD BE DISASTER. I GOOGLED 2003 FORD EXPLORER REAREND PROBLEMS AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10292521November 17, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 FORD EXPLORER XLS AWD - DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, VEHICLE BEGINS VIBRATING EXCESSIVELY. O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. TRANSMISSION BAD. $3000 TO REPLACE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291940November 12, 2009
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE REAR WINDSHIELD HAS DEVELOPED CRACKS, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO FAIL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THEY DID NOT PERFORM AN INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, AND IF HER MODEL TYPE WAS RECALLED, SHE COULD INQUIRE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291805November 11, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
I OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I WAS GETTING READY TO GO ON A TRIP WHEN I NOTICED THAT A VERTICAL CRACK HAD FORMED IN THE MIDDLE UPPER LIFTGATE PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSE. HOWEVER, IT APPEARS TO THE SAME DEFECT THAT OTHERS ARE DESCRIBING IN THIS SAME MODEL. AT THE TIME IT WAS ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. FORD NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10291889November 11, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
I JUST NOTICED A CRACK IN THE PANEL UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I SEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL & THERE IS NOT. I CAME UPON A WEBSITE, WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM & NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS AS MINE IN THE SAME MAKE & MODEL & AROUND SAME MILEAGE. I CONTACTED FORD TO LET THEM KNOW MY PROBLEM, REFERENCED THE SITE I FOUND & HOW TO INITIATE A RECALL OR FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM THE MAIN DRIVER & I CAN BARELY CLOSE THE HEAVY TRUNK SO I AM SURE I DID NOT DO CAUSE THE CRACK & IT IS A DEFECT. I HAVE TRIED TO USE THE TRUNK AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE SO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD BE CONCERNED A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE NOT DONE ANY REPAIRS SINCE I WANTED TO SEE IF FORD WOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. OUR CAR WARRANTY WILL ONLY COVER THE REPAIR IF IT IS A DEFECT SINCE THE CRACK WAS NOT CAUSED DURING AN ACCIDENT OR EXCESSIVE USE. I THOUGHT I WOULD TRY YOUR SITE TO FILE THE COMPLAINT TO SEE IF I CAN GET A RESOLUTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10290919November 4, 2009
STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED WITHOUT WARNING. SUDDENLY, THE DRIVER LOSS CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A BRIDGE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH THE MASSIVE IMPACT. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES TO THE BACK NECK AND CHEST. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO COLLISION CENTER. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 165,000. UPDATED 11/23/09. *LJ UPDATED 11/24
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10289462October 23, 2009
AIR BAGS, EQUIPMENT
OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THE AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKS THEN STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY WHETHER MY AIR BAG IS ACTUALLY WORKING OR NOT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET APPARENTLY SEVERAL OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO I HAVE A CRACKED PANEL ON THE BACK HATCH , I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME CRACK AND AT THE SAME LOCATION , TOOK THE FORD DEALER IN CLARKSVILLE INDIANA WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO WEATHER , WAS TOLD SEVERAL FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM BUT UNFORTUNATELY FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NOT DOING A RECALL. WAS TOLD WOULD COST AROUND $300 TO REPLACE THE PANEL THE FORD DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THEY HAVE SEEN TOO MANY THEMSELVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10288640October 16, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER MANUFACTURED IN 01/03. IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT 'VOLUNTARY' RECALL OF FORD VEHICLES DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE SYMPTOMS OF THE VEHICLES WITH A DEFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH (SEE FAQ BELOW FROM FORD.COM): Q. ARE THERE ANY EARLY WARNING SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS I WOULD NOTICE THAT WOULD INDICATE A PROBLEM? A. IF THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, A CUSTOMER MAY NOTICE VEHICLE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS; THE SPEED CONTROL MAY BECOME INOPERABLE, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS MAY NOT WORK, BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK AT THE SWITCH, THE BATTERY MAY DRAIN OR GO DEAD, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT MAY FLASH OR A FUSE IN THE SYSTEM MAY OPEN. MY VEHICLE HAS AN INOPERABLE SPEED CONTROL. IT STARTED AS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, BUT IS NOW INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY DOES NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, AND THE ABS LAMP FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, AND THE DEALER TO REQUEST THE VEHICLE BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED AT NO COST. BOTH HAVE REFUSED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287324October 14, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE EXPERIENCED ALL OF THE WARNINGS THE NHTSA LISTED FOR FORD DRIVERS REGARDING POSSIBLE IMMINENT FIRES INCLUDING GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK MODE. MY PROBLEM IS THE RECALL ONLY INCLUDES 1995-2002 EXPLORERS AND I HAVE A 2003 EXPLORER. THE MANUFACTURE DATE IS 02/03. IS IT POSSIBLE THE PLANT STILL HAD THE TEXAS INSTRUMENT CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IN STOCK FROM 2002 AND INSTALLED IT IN MY VEHICLE? APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE IS THE MOST RECENT DATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF THE PARK MODE ON THAT PARTICULAR DATE (8/27/2009). THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING HAS BEEN AN ON AND OFF PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 2 YEARS. BRAKE LIGHT WARNING ON DASHBOARD ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE MALFUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL LAST HAPPENED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AND MAY HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN BUT DON'T REMEMBER WHEN FOR SURE. THE ONLY ITEM I HAD CHECKED OUT WAS THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. NOVEMBER 21, 2008 THEY REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL SPEED SENSOR, I HAVE YET TO FIND OUT IF THAT IS RELATED TO THE RECALLED SWITCH. IT FIXED THE ANTILOCK BRAKE DASHBOARD LIGHT FROM COMING ON MOSTLY. IT HAS COME ON AFTER THAT, BUT ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286004October 1, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEALS ON 3 AXLES WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED; THEREFORE, THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE AND BOTH REAR AXLES WERE REPAIRED. THE AXLES WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND WERE REPAIRED AGAIN FOUR WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE AXLES COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,828 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,294.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285804September 30, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
BOUGHT USED 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT XLT IN OCTOBER 2008. FIRST CAR I BOUGHT FROM DEALERSHIP. CAR STALLED PRIOR TO LEAVING LOT AND THE DEALERSHIP SERVICED IT CLAIMING IT NEEDED A CARBON CLEANUP. COME TO FIND THE FUEL RESET SWITCH'S CABLE CONNECTOR IS MELTED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND CAUSES CAR TO SHUT OFF EVEN WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285545September 28, 2009
VISIBILITY
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER AT 70 MPH IN THE FAST LANE OF THE FREEWAY AND DECIDED TO PULL THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR DOWN TO CUT DOWN ON THE SUN'S GLARE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE PLASTIC MOUNT THAT HOLDS THE VISOR METAL STEM IN PLACE SHATTERED AND THE VISOR CAME LOOSE DANGLING IN FRONT OF MY FACE BY AN ELECTRICAL CABLE. THE VISOR WAS SEVERELY OBSTRUCTING MY VISION SO I HAD TO QUICKLY GRAB THE IT AND HOLD IT OUT OF THE WAY WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE STEERING WITH MY RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE ACROSS 4 LANES OF FREEWAY TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. THE ELECTRICAL CABLE DOES NOT HAVE A CONNECTOR SO IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DISCONNECT IT FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO DRIVE THE NEXT 20 MILES USING MY LEFT HAD TO HOLD THE VISOR UP WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE DRIVING WITH MY RIGHT UNTIL I COULD REACH HOME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285042September 23, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE, THEN THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT, WE WERE ON INTERSTATE 70 EASTBOUND BETWEEN WHEELING WV AND WASHINGTON PA TRAVELING AT 65 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW WITHOUT WARNING WE WERE NEARLY HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER THAT HAD BEEN FOLLOWING US! WE SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE AND LO AND BEHOLD HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WERE LISTED ON NUMEROUS SITES, THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND BEFORE ITS ALL DONE IT WILL COST AT LEAST $2300 TO REPAIR AS THE TRANSMISSION WENT ALL AT ONCE WITH NO WARNING AT ALL! THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE DIY MECHANIC TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SEALED (NO DIPSTICK) SO I GUESS I AM GRATEFUL THAT THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SWERVE ENOUGH TO NOT HIT US OR FORD WOULD BE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DEATHS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284213September 16, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE PURCHASED HER VEHICLE THE HINGE ON THE BACK OF THE WINDOW WAS BROKEN. THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THAT IT COULD BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER LATER ADVISED HER THAT HER VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. LAST YEAR THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE BROKEN HINGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284007September 15, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AS THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS COME ON. I HAD THIS OCCUR ONCE IN THE PAST AND THE DEALER REPLACED A SWITCH / RELAY BUT NOW IT IS OCCURRING AGAIN... MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY ... IN FACT, IT IS ILLUMINATED MORE THEN NOT NOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284069September 15, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
TAILGATE IS SPLITTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283035September 7, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
JUST HAPPEN DON'T NO WHY THE BOTTOM FRAME OF THE LIFT GATE HAS TWO CRACKS AND IM AFRAID THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS THE GLASS MAY FALL OFF THE FRAME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, THANKS HOPE WE GET HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Ford Explorer