Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10268363May 11, 2009
SEAT BELTS:INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND ROW MIDDLE SEAT BELT WAS NOT WORKING. THE SEAT BELT CANNOT BE PULLED OUT TO HOOK INTO THE CHILD SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A CHILD SEAT TECHNICIAN AND THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268449May 11, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I RECENTLY WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE WHEN I REALIZED I NEEDED TO CHECK AND SEE IF I HAD MY GLOVE AND SHOES IN THE BACK FOR MY SOFTBALL GAME. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND POPPED THE TRUNK, WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY CAR THE CAR KICKED BACK INTO REVERSE AND STARTED TO ROLL. LUCKILY THE DOOR CAUGHT ON THE GARAGE DOOR AND BENT IT, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT. CLEARLY, THE TRANSMISSION KICKED BACK INTO REVERSE WITHOUT ME DOING IT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ITEM I HAVE NOTICED SOMETHING 'SCREWY' LIKE THIS WITH MY CAR, IT HAS BEEN ACTING UP A TIME OR TWO BEFORE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268217May 8, 2009
SUSPENSION:REAR
2003 FORD EXPLORER 4 DR. REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN. NO RUST ON OUTSIDE OF SPRING, BUT ITS BROKEN DUE TO BAD METAL USED TO MAKE IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267963May 7, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
II PURCHASED A 2003 EXPLORER, 2-11-03. KEPT HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING OUT OF REVERSE, AND FINALLY, 3-8-04, AND AGAIN, 9-13-04, AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE PROBLEM WAS NOT VALID, AND WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY, WITH NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. I CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS, ON AND OFF, AND NOW HAVE OVER 89,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, AND IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. SOMETIMES, I HAVE TO CONTINUE CUTTING THE ENGINE OFF, RESTART, AND KEEP TRYING TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION, EITHER FROM FORD, OR DEMPEWOLF, THE DEALER. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT, ENOUGH TO MAKE ME NERVOUS THAT ONE DAY IT MIGHT NOT BACK UP AT ALL. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT, THE FORCE ALMOST THROW ME OUT OF THE SEAT. IT IS A SCARY SITUATION. I ALWAYS TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEMPWOLF FOR SERVICING, AND TO TRY AND GET THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RECTIFIED. I HAVE MY MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS, ALL OF THEM! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267663May 4, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I NOTICED MY VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE THIS TAPING NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT IT COULD BE THEN NOTICED IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I DIDN'TTT FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY SO DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT AND GOT OFF. THE NOISE STARTED TO GET LOUDER SO I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND WAITED FOR SOMEONE TO COME PICK ME UP BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. AS I WAS SITTING THERE WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF, SOMETHING ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME OUT AND PUT VEHICLE FIRE OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267377April 30, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I JUST READ THE ARTICLE IN THE PAPER REGARDING TRANSMISSION HAZARDS. I CAN HONESTLY SAY I DO BELIEVE THESE SUV'S DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR ON THERE OWN. I HAVE SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE MINE HAS DONE IT. ONE TIME I HAD PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND IT JUMPED FORWARD AND I ACTUALLY RAN OVER THE CURB IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN REVERSE. THERE IS PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS SUV. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO CARMAX WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM BUT IT STILL DOES IT. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. IT WILL DO IT RANDOMLY. I DON'T KNOW THE REASON BUT I DO THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266836April 27, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR LIFTGATE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GLASS WAS LOOSE AND THE HINGE WAS FAILING. HE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY CATCH THE GLASS BEFORE IT STRUCK THE GROUND OR HIMSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO CURRENT RECALL REGARDING THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,250.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267039April 27, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE BACK REAR PANEL OF THE HATCHBACK CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH THE COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO PAY FOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266375April 22, 2009
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER SPORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, AN EXCESSIVELY LOUD RATTLE AND WIND NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE INTERIOR REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND OBSERVED THAT THE LIFTGATE HINGE FAILED AND THE BOLTS LOOSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE LIFTGATE HINGE WHICH WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER; 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODYHATCHBACK/LIFTGATE;HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) IS A IDENTICAL TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SINCE IT ONLY APPLIED TO FOUR DOOR VEHICLES. THE VEHICLE WAS TEMPORARILY REPAIRED AND RESUMED OPERATION WITH CAUTION. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000. UPDATED 05/18/09. *LJ THE REAR DEFROSTER WAS INOPERATIVE. UPDATED 05/20/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266036April 19, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
BOTH FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER AT 67,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADWAYS AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY BOTH MYSELF AND FORD. UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS ALL 4 OF THESE BEARINGS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265938April 18, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND TRANS STARTED SLIPPING. O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THEN NEXT DAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO TOLD ME I NEED TO EITHER REBUILD MY TRANS FOR $3200 OR PUT IN A REBUILT FROM FORD FOR OVER $4000 WHICH WOULD GIVE ME A 100K MILE WARRANTY, 64K MORE THAN THE BRAND NEW ONE THAT WAS IN THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT. CAR HAD 74,500 MILES ON IT BUT WAS LESS THAN 3 WEEKS OVER THE 5 YEAR/ 75K EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED FROM FORD. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP NUMBER AND THE WARRANTY PEOPLE NUMEROUS TIMES AND NO ONE OFFERED ANY HELP. I EVEN OFFERED TO BY A NEW FORD IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME A FAIR TRADE ON MY OLD ONE, IT SEEMED AS IF AFTER DRIVING FORD'S FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS THEY DID NOT WANT ME AS CUSTOMER ANY LONGER. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND FIXED IT FOR $2000 AND I JUST TRADED IT FOR A NEW NISSAN PATHFINDER WHICH COST ME LESS, HAS MORE POWER AND GETS BETTER GAS MILEAGE. I AM HAPPY TO SAY I HAVE OWNED MY LAST FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265547April 15, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER IT HAS A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL UNDER WINDOW OF LIFTGATE I HAD IT REPLACE BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM NOW FORD REFUSE TO FIX THE CRACK SAYING THE HAVE NO RECORDS OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265259April 14, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM WI TO MN AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE FORD EXPLORER WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND A FEW TIMES WAS STUCK AT 50+ MPH EVEN THOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. WE RETURNED TO OUR HOME AND TOOK THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER IN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO SAID THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THESE VEHICLES DOESN'T ALLOW THE OWNER TO CHECK FLUID LEVELS. IT FELT LIKE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND ACTUALLY "REVVING" AND STAYING AT 50+ MPH WHILE THE CRUISE WAS NOT ON. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264346April 7, 2009
STRUCTURE
HORIZONTAL CRACK IN LIFT GATE RUNNING FROM TOP OF PIECE (BOTTOM OF WINDOW) TO BOTTOM OF PIECE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264243April 6, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON AND BEGAN FLASHING. I BROUGHT IT IN TO GET CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SUPPOSEDLY NEED TO CHANGE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I AM NOT THE FIRST AND AFRAID THAT I WON;T BE THE LAST WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10264304April 6, 2009
STRUCTURE
THE PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE REAR HATCH OF MY WIFE'S 2003 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED FORNO APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT WILL COST $800 DOLLARS TO REPAIR PLUS A BODY SHOP EXPENSE (PAINT). I'VE NOTICED ON MANY FORUMS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD ADDRESS IT! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10263990April 2, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS, STRUCTURE:BODY
WE HAVE OWNED THE SUBJECT 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT SINCE IT WAS NEW. THE REAR LIFTGATE HINGE HOLDING THE REAR GLASS FAILED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS FAILURE IS THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA RECALL #04V442000. FORD INFORMS ME THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS CONTINUING SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THEY REPLACED THE HINGE ONCE BEFORE IN 2006. I HAVE NO RECORD OF SUCH A REPAIR, NOT DO I AGREE THAT FORD'S POLICY OF ONLY PERFORMING ONE REPLACEMENT IS VALID. EVEN IF THEY DID REPLACE IT ONCE, THE DESIGN IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AND THE SAFETY ISSUE STILL REMAINS. I WOULD EXPECT NHTSA TO DIRECT FORD TO PROPERLY FIX THE PROBLEM, RATHER CAUSE ME TO PAY FORD FOR YET ANOTHER REPLACEMENT FOR THE INEFFECTIVE ONE THEY PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262682March 22, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
LARGE SPONTANEOUS STRESS CRACK APPEARED, BISECTING THE UPPER LIFTGATE BODY PANEL ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. FORD REFERS TO THIS PART AS LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262563March 20, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THREE DAYS AGO I GET INTO MY TRUCK AND START TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND MY TRUCK DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEARS. THEN WHEN IT FINALLY DID IT JERKED REALLY HARD AND I BOUT WENT INTO A DITCH. THEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. LATER THAT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TRY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL BUT YOU CAN'T IN THIS TRANSMISSION. WHEN I GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM I FIND ALL THESE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE. THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ON MY TRUCK AND IT ONLY HAS 69,000 ON IT. I OWNED AN OLDER MODEL EXPLORER AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TWO TIMES IN IT. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM FORD HAS WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THEY AREN'T DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS FIX IT OR FIX IT THEMSELVES. I THINK THIS BEING SUCH A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH FORD EXPLORERS THAT FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE CONSIDERING YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOUR TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO GO OUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN FIND SOME SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10262371March 18, 2009
STRUCTURE
REAR HATCH BELOW WINDOW HAS CRACKED FROM TOP OF PANEL TO BOTTOM THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO COLD WEATHER BUT I'M READING ABOUT ALL KINDS OF THESE CRACKS HAPPENING IN ALL PROVINCES AND STATES. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO ACCEPT THE FACT THIS IS A DEFECT AND MAKE A RECALL? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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