Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10182861February 17, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
BRAKE & ACCELERATOR PEDALS TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. MANY TIMES APPLYING BRAKES WILL HIT ACCELERATOR AT THE SAME TIME AND THE ACCELERATOR WINS. PRIMARILY GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE, BUT HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN TRAFFIC. (V8 2003 FORD EXPLORER) . *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182598February 14, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
TL*- WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER AT 60 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE AND THE BACK OF THE SUV BEGAN TO VIBRATE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS AT AN ANGLE. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE DEALER FORGOT TO PUT THE LUGS:NUTS BACK ON THE WHEEL. THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR AXLE SHAFT FAILED ,ALMOST CAUSINGA CRASH AFTER THE DEALER HAD WORKED ON IT. ONLY ONE NUT WAS HOLDING THE SHAFT IN PLACE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THIS WAS ALSO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE WEATHER WAS OVERCAST AND 20 DEGREES. IT SNOWED, BUT THE ROAD WAS DRY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED THE NEXT DAY TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 60000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182599February 14, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:SPINDLE
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WAS SERVICED AT DICK EDWARDS FORD IN JUNCTION CITY , KS TO REPLACE A LEFT HAND REAR AXLE SHAFT SEAL ON THE 12TH OF FEBUARY 2007. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP AT THE DEALERSHIP BY MY WIFE. ON THE 13TH OF FEBUARY SHE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK (ABOUT 3-5 MILES) SHE CALLED ME ON HER CELL PHONE AND SAID SHE COULD HEAR NOISES, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS MOVING AROUND AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOW. I TOLD HER TO PROCEED HOME WITH CAUTION. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME I LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE, AND NOTED THE LH REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY WAS AT A 30 DEG ANGLE. I CALLED DICK EDWARD FORD AND THEY INFORMED ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. TODAY THEY IMPLIED IT WAS A BEARING FAILURE. I LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE, SPOKE TO THE MECHANIC AND I NOTED IT WAS A REAR AXLE SHAFT RETENTION NUT MALFUNCTION. THE NUT HAD BACKED OUT ON THE AXLE TO THE POINT THAT THE ASSEMBLY WAS ABOUT DEPART FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC WANTED TO BLAME THE AXLE BEARING, WHICH WAS DESTROYED. THIS NUT IF IMPROPERLY TORQUED, OR THE ASSEMBLY IS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY PRIOR TO TORQUING THE NUT, THE NUT CAN BECOME LOOSE AND BACK OFF, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS RH THREAD, THERE IS NOT A COTTER PIN OR ANYTHING HOLDING THIS THING TOGETHER, ONLY A TORQUED NUT. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT AS IT WAS A COINCIDENCE THIS HAPPENED. I REFUSE TO PAY. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN PICTURES AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT WAS TAKEN APART. IF MY LOVED ONE HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE DOING 70 MPH THIS WOULD HAVE PROBABLY HAVE ALLOWED THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO DEPART FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT. AND POSSIBLE DEATH TO HER AS WELL AS OTHERS. HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES OUT THERE WITH THE SAME POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN ? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182432February 13, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW THAT CRACKED IN HALF VERTICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ,AND WHEN HE GOT TO THE VEHICLE HE FOUND IT THAT WAY. HE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE THAT DAY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. ALSO, THE REAR WINDOW OF EXPLODED . THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 48000.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182295February 12, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
CRACKED PANEL BELOW GLASS ON 2003 FORD EXPLORER, BOTH ON MINE AND MY WIFE'S EXPLORER, BOTH BOUGHT BRAND NEW WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10182065February 9, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE PLASTIC PANEL JUST BELOW THE TAIL GATE WINDOW HAS CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE 100'S OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181757February 6, 2007
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED NEAR THE LOCATION OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THE NHTSA WEBSITE LIST SEVERAL RELATED COMPLAINTS. THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,890. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181830February 6, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, SEATS
1. WHILE STOPPED ON THE INTERSTATE WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO MOVE, MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER SUV TRAVELING AT PRESUMABLY HIGHWAY SPEED. AS A RESULT, MY SUV WAS PROPELLED FORWARD, HITTING THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. 2. **DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY.** PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED (THE DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PASSENGER). **THE BASE, AND POSSIBLY THE BACK, OF THE DRIVERS SEAT BROKE.** (I WAS RESTRAINED IN A SEAT BELT.) I HIT THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE, HITTING MY HEAD QUITE HARD ON THE RUBBER GASKET EDGE OF THE MOONROOF, AND WHEN LANDING I THINK I HIT MY NOSE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I LANDED, THE BASE OF THE SEAT BROKE...WHEN LOOKING AT IT FROM THE SIDE (LOOKING AT THE CONTROLS), THE BASE OF THE SEAT HAS A BEND IN IT LIKE AN UPSIDE-DOWN V, AND THE SEAT BACK APPEARS TO BE RECLINED. I STILL HAVE A KNOT AND PAIN ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD, MY NECK IS STIFF AND NOW SOMETIMES POPS/CRACKS/CRUNCHES WHEN I TURN MY HEAD, MY LEFT SHOULDER JOINT IS VERY SORE, AND I HAVE SOME DULL INTERMITTENT LOWER BACK PAIN. BESIDES TEMPORARY BLEEDING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, I AM UNAWARE OF ANY DAMAGE TO MY NOSE. 3. NO REPAIR HAS BEEN DONE. INSURANCE DAMAGE ESTIMATE IS PENDING, BUT I EXPECT IT WILL BE CONSIDERED TOTALED. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10181683February 5, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND OUT HOW WIDE SPREAD THE ISSUE IS. IN READING OTHER COMPLAINTS, THE COMMON THEME IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION @ ROUGHLY 50,00 MILES OR LOWER. MORE SPECIFICALLY, MY OD LIGHT KEPT FLASHING ,NOT ABLE TO SHIFT TO REVERSE, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT TO HIGHER GEARS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181532February 4, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
FORD EXPLORER 2003. TAILGATE CRACKED IN HALF BELOW WINDOW. NO PRECIPITATING CAUSE. CAR UNDER WARRANTY, DEALER STATED THIS WAS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. REPLACED AT NO CHARGE, APPARENTLY WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE TAILGATE. TAILGATE CRACKED AGAIN 9 MOS. LATER. DEALERSHIP REQUIRED PAYMENT OF 20% FROM OWNER SINCE VEHICLE OUT OF WARRANTY (38K MILES) EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ADMITTEDLY FORD'S MANUFACTURING DEFECT. FORD REPLACED THE TAILGATE WITH A THIRD DEFECTIVE TAILGATE THAT WILL UNDOUBTEDLY CRACK AGAIN. BOTH FORD FACILITIES STATED THAT THEY'D WISH THAT FORD WOULD DO A RECALL AND "ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT". THEY'D REPLACED ONE A MONTH AT THE SMALL DEALERSHIP AND "MANY" AT THE LARGER DEALERSHIP. PICTURES AVAILABLE PER E-MAIL IF DESIRED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181544February 4, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT VERTICAL CRACK IN FIBERGLASS TAILGATE PANEL JUST BELOW REAR WINDOW GLASS NO IMPACT TO TAILGATE OCCURRED-CRACK JUST APPEARED WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT AT 50000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10181085January 30, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
UPON GOING OUT TO MY TRUCK THIS MORNING TO PUT MY SONS STUFF IN THE BACK, I NOTICED THAT I HAVE A CRACK IN THE PANEL JUST BELOW MY LIFTGATE GLASS. THIS STRUCK ME AS UNUSUAL AS I DON'T EVEN USE THE LIFTGATE WINDOW. I DECIDED THAT I WOULD DO A SEARCH FOR A RECALL THAT I MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PRIVY TO...AND I HAVE FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS, BUT NO RECALL. THE DEALERS ARE REFUSING TO REPLACE THIS ITEM EVEN WHEN IT IS UNDER WARRANTY, THEY SAY IT ISN'T COVERED. IF THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT AND THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ... WHY ISN'T SOMETHING BEING DONE ABOUT IT. IF IT KEEPS CRACKING THE GLASS IS GOING TO FALL OUT!! THE DEALERSHIPS ARE SAYING THAT IF YOU STILL HAVE WARRANTY THAT THEY WILL REPLACE IT NO CHARGE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME EVEN IF YOU DO HAVE WARRANTY ... IT ISN'T COVERED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS...AS IT DOES POSE A HAZARD IF THE WINDOW FALLS OUT DUE TO THE CRACK IN THE STRUCTURE. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS OR WHO WE NEED TO CONTACT??? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178617January 13, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2003 EXPLORER HAS CRACKED/BROKEN INTO PIECES. THE 6-8 INCH BREAK RUNS TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN 2002-2003 EXPLORERS WHICH FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178640January 13, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
REAR HATCHBACK WAS TAKEN TO FORD FOR A RECALL REGARDING THE HATCHBACK HINGES. THE STRESS OF THE FAILED HINGES HAS CAUSED CRACKS TO DEVELOP BELOW THE REAR WINDOW IN THE FACIA, IT IS CRACKING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178170January 9, 2007
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR
TL* -THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH AN ODOMETER READING 58000 MILES AND THE FRONT DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH HE HEARD SOUND COMING FROM DASHBOARD, THEN THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO BLOW HOT AIR. PRESENTLY, ONLY COLD AIR BLEW OUT FROM THE DEFROST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. ALSO, HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME.*AK UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178041January 8, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
REAR AXLE NOISE. STARTED AT ABOUT 34,000 MILES BUT I DID NOT BRING TO FORD UNTIL JUST AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. FORD WOULD DO NOTHING AND SAID REPAIR WAS ABOUT $2,000. AT 42,000 NOW AND NOISE IS GETTING WORSE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177954January 5, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
JUST NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN PANEL UNDERNEATH REAR WINDOW OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CRACK JUST APPEARED WITHOUT ANY REASON. DEALER REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED YET BECAUSE WE ARE SEEKING DEALER REIMBURSEMENT. THERE ARE A HUGE NUMBER OF CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM IN 2002 AND 2003 EXPLORERS. ONE WEBSITE THAT LISTS MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM IS AUTOBEEF.COM. DEALER ESTIMATE WAS $648. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT AND INFORM US ON HOW TO PROCEED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177290December 29, 2006
WHEELS:MULTI PIECE
2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS HUMMING COMING FROM THE BACK WHEELS. THERE IS A SQUEEK AND GRINDING COMING FROM THE FRONT AXEL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177021December 26, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE CRUISING UPHILL ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO MAINTAIN SPEED. AFTER CRESTING THE HILL, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT 1-2 UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 4500 RPM AND THEN WOULD DO SO VERY HARSHLY. WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND DOES NOT PROVIDE FULL ACCELERATION. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP THE REPAIR WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $3000 AND REQUIRE AN ALL NEW TRANSMISSION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176396December 18, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
EXCESSIVE NOISE FORM REAR DRIVETRAIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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