Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10255489January 18, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
WE HAD COLD WEATHER THE LAST FEW DAYS (-11 BELOW) AND NOW THERE IS A CRACK IN BODY, JUST BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE REAR HATCH. IT EXTENDS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW TO THE END OF THE HATCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10255093January 14, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
CRACKED REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE FOR MY EXPLORER AND WILL NOT BE REPLACED BY ME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254639January 11, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
JUST HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED LAST WEEK. NOW O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING AND CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS COMING ON. SEE BY INTERNET THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE FORDS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254218January 8, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE LIFT GATE GLASS, THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,773.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254222January 8, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
I HAVE A 2003 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER. LAST NIGHT, WHEN MY SON WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR LIFT GATE GLASS DOOR, THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF. THE GLASS LIFTGATE IS PRESENTLY BEING HELD UP BY THE OTHER HINGE AND IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THAT ONE BREAKS ALSO. I SPOKE WITH AN ANDREA AT FORD 1-800-392-3673 AND SHE BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT I WAS OUT OF LUCK, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY, I TOLD HER THE DESCRIPTION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO OWNS A FORD EXPLORER AND HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SINCE HIS WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HE DIDN'T ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEMS IN HAVING IT REPAIRED. YOU WONDER WHY SO MANY PEOPLE BUY JAPANESE CARS AND TRUCKS. HERE IS ONE OF MANY REASONS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS OBVIOUSLY ATTEMPTING TO SAVE MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR SAFETY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254265January 8, 2009
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE BACK PANEL OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. IT IS THE PANEL JUST BELOW THE BACK WINDSHIELD. IT WAS FINE ONE DAY, AND SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE THE NEXT. I KNOW IT IS NOTHING I DID. I GOOGLED TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME THING! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT, NOT THE CUSTOMER. PLEASE, PLEASE, RECALL THIS FOR US. WE PUT OUR TRUST IN FORD BY PURCHASING THEIR VEHICLES AND WE WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THEIR MISTAKES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254165January 7, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
APPLIQUE UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED NEXT TO EMBLEM WITH NO IMPACT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254020January 6, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
CRACKED REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252962December 28, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BEFORE DAWN AND HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE (IT WAS THE SOUND OF AN EXPLOSION). I THOUGHT THAT A TIRE MAY HAVE BLOWOUT, WHICH WAS STRANGE SINCE THE CAR HAS A SET OF NEW TIRES AND I DID NOT NOTICE ANY CHANGES IN THE DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKED THE CAR USING A FLASH LIGHT. I SAW NOTHING. LATER THAT DAY WHEN I WENT TO GET GASOLINE, I SAW A CRACK IN THE PANEL THAT CONTAINED THE FORD LOGO, ABOUT 2 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE LOGO THAT EXTENDED FROM THE TOP OF THE PANEL TO THE BOTTOM. IT WAS JUST A CLEAN CRACK ON THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THIS HAPPENED ON A COLD NIGHT (19 DEG. F). FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND READ IT SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FACT THAT A PLASTIC PART IS GLUE TO A METAL PART WITH A DIFFERENT COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION. THE CAR IS A FORD EXPLORER XLT 2003. ALTHOUGH THE CRACKED PANEL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT, THE DISTRACTION CAUSED BY THE LOUD BANG NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STOPPING IN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE CLEARLY PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK. MOREOVER, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THE REAR WINDOW PANEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AT SPEED, BEING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHER MOTORISTS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252893December 27, 2008
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I TOOK MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS REFUSE RECALL REPAIRS. WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AT MY OWN EXPENSE BECAUSE HE COULD NOT FIND RECALL NOTICE IN FORD SYSTEM. BELOW IS THE DETAILS OF RECAP. AT THIS TIME THE LIFTGATE HINGE IS BROKEN AND WINDOW IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. PLEASE HELP. VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): FORD / EXPLORER 2002-2003 FORD / MOUNTAINEER 2002-2003 MANUFACTURER: FORD MOTOR COMPANY MFR'S REPORT DATE: SEP 09, 2004 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 PE04045 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE04045. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252898December 27, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH DEFECT, CRACK IN HATCH, FORD HAS RELEASED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN BUT SAYS IT IS AN OWNER RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. AS A DISABLED VETERAN ON A FIXED INCOME I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH BASICALLY THE SAME ANSWER FROM FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10252749December 24, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AND TURNS ON INTERIOR LIGHT WHICH MAKES DRIVING DIFFICULTY. INTERIOR LIGHT COME ON WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE HAS NO DAMAGE AND PERIODS OF EXTENDED WET WEATHER CAUSES SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251823December 15, 2008
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATION MECHANISM FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED OFF WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE RPM'S RACED WHEN THE IGNITION WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE IDLED NORMALLY. WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS NOT IN USE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN UPDATED 06/01/10.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251833December 15, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I PUT THE DATE OF INCIDENT AS THE DATE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I PUT THIS DATE AS SUCH BECAUSE EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT RUN AROUNDS BY THE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND CONSTANT REPAIRS EVERY 3-7 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST MAJOR REPAIR OCCURRED WHEN I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 18 MONTHS, AT 35,998. IT HAD AN $1800 TRANSMISSION JOB. SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS HAVE BEEN FOCUSED TRANSMISSION ISSUES (ALWAYS SOMETHING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN PREVIOUS), ENGINE FUNCTION, AND OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUES. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED, BUT DUE TO THE PARAMETERS OF THE WARRANTY, ALL ISSUES WERE NOT FIXED BECAUSE THEY "WERE NOT ABLE TO BE DUPLICATED", (I.E. AN INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT HAD BEEN OCCURRING FOR 30,000 MILES). NOW THAT WE ARE OUT OF OUR WARRANTY VEHICLE, WE HAVE AN OVERPRICED VEHICLE THAT IS STILL OWED ON THAT WILL CONTINUE TO NEED SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS. THE MOST RECENT ISSUE IS THE HEATING ELEMENT, INCLUDING THE ACTUATOR AND BLEND DOOR FUNCTION. THIS FAULTY PIECE WILL FAIL IN THE COLD POSITION. THIS CAUSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU ARE FACED WITH A REPAIR THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE AFFORD (SINCE THEY CAN RUN UP TO $1200) AND HAVING HEAT IN THE WINTER. WITH THE CURRENT AUTO INDUSTRY HAVING THE ISSUES THEY ARE, THEY NEED TO BEGIN TO MAKE QUALITY VEHICLES THAT AREN'T MADE TO BREAK JUST TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF CUSTOMERS. TO HAVE CONTINUED CUSTOMERS, A COMPANY MUST HAVE A CONSISTENT PRODUCT THAT PEOPLE CAN TRUST. THE CURRENT AMERICAN AUTO INDUSTRY DOES NOT HAVE THAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251771December 14, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
2003 FOR EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL UNDER THE REAR GLASS HAS A CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT. NO KNOWN CAUSE. THERE APPEAR TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251486December 11, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 58,000 MILES. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH 2003 EXPLORERS AND I WANTED TO DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM WE HAD. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10251114December 8, 2008
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING LOUD GRINDING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A PULLING TO THE SIDE. A DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC EVENT. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS. HAD CAR TOWED AND NEW WHEEL BEARING PLACED. A VERY EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD BE UNNEEDED REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250772December 4, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE HATCH JUST SUDDENLY CRACKED... IT WASN'T HIT OR ANYTHING, IT JUST CRACKED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10250421December 1, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY
TRIM PANEL ON THE BOTTOM OF REAR HATCH WINDOW DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK UNEXPECTEDLY. CRACK IS VERTICAL FROM WINDOW TO BOTTOM OF LIFTGATE GLASS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249923November 26, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AROUND 27 OCT 29TH 2008, TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR WHAT I PRESUMED WAS PERHAPS A NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUSH, THE SERVICE MANGER TOLD ME THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAN GO AT ANY TIME, TWO DAYS, TWO MONTHS OR TWO YEARS, TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME THAT NIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AAMCO FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTIC, WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT AT A COST RANGING FROM 2500 TO 3500, I THEN CALLED FORDS NATIONAL NUMBER TOLD THEM THAT I AM A (4) TIME EXPLORER OWNER AND ASK IF THERE IS ANY HELP OR ASSISTANCE THAT I CAN RECEIVE FORM FORD, I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WILL HONOR ANY PRICE ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO ME BY ANY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION, I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT NATIONAL HAD TOLD ME, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION FOR $2200 OUT OF THE DOOR, LATER THAT DAY THAT NUMBER WAS REDUCED TO $1900, I TOLD AAMCO TO PLEASE MOVE MY VEHICLE TO THE DESIGNATED FORD DEALERSHIP, AFTER ABOUT 5 DAYS I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS FINISHED AND WAS TEST DRIVEN AND EVERYTHING WAS OK,, THEN IT WAS TEST DRIVEN AGAIN LATER THAT DAY AND A PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND NOW THE VALVE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $400.00. I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK THEN AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AGAIN AND THERE WAS LEAK SPOTS ON MY DRIVEWAY, I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SOME SEAL IN THE TRANSMISSION IS LEAKING, HOWEVER IT IS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I SHOULD REPLACE SOME SORT OF PUMP WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION FOR AND ADDITIONAL $300.....THIS IS THE CLASSIC BAIT AND SWITCH, THEY ARE THE PROFESSIONAL AND SHOULD BE COMPETENT AND EXPERIENCED ENOUGH TO DIAGNOSE AND FIX A TRANSMISSION. THE $1900 IS NOW $ 2600; I AM DONE WITH FORD AFTER OVER 15 YEARS OF LOYALTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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