Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10101980December 1, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 04007,NHTSA RECALL 04V129000 CONCERNING TAILGATE CABLES. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE.*AK. WINDOW PART OF TAILGATE COULD FALL DOWN AN DHURT CONSUMER IF HE WA SUSIN GIT TO LOAD GROCERIES. CONSUMER SUFFERS FROM ARTHRITIS IN HANDS AND FINGERS, AND USES THS WINDOW CONSTANTLY SINCE THE WHOLE TAILGATE IS TOO HEAVY TO CLOSE. WARNING INDICATED NOT TO USE THE WINDOW. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10101870November 30, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 04007, NHTSA RECALL 04V129000 CONCERNING TAILGATE CABLES. NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100397November 23, 2004
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
A ROARING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF MY 2003 EXPLORER AND AN INSPECTION AT THE DEALER CAME UP AS POOR TIRE WEAR. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED BUT THE NOISE NEVER WENT AWAY, IT WAS JUST SLIGHTLY QUIETED THEN BECAME PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER OVER THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. I HAD IT INTO AN OIL CHANGE STATION AND A TIRE DEALER BEFORE TAKING IT BACK TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD ON NOVEMBER 22,2004 THAT THE PROBLEM WAS A FRONT WHEEL BEARING GONE BAD. I NOW NEED THAT PART REPAIRED AND MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT HAD THE WORK DONE YET BUT THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS $400. I DO NOT FEEL THIS PART SHOULD BE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT THIS TIME. THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN TWO YEARS OLD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099053November 22, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE
THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW AND THERE WAS RUSTING AROUND THE WINDSHIELD, THE POWER DOORS AND THE SEATS WERE NOT WORKING , THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL AS WELL. *JB FIVE WINDSHIELDS HAD BEEN REPLACED DUE TO CONSTANT LEAKING INCLUDING THE MOON ROOF AND THE HEADLINER. THE POWER DOORS DID NOT WORK. WHEN IT WOULD RAIN, MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WOULD BE PRESENT. *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100224November 19, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 FORD EXPLORER----5 SECOND LAG, DELAYED ENGAGEMENT, HARSH JERKING MOVEMENT FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE TO REVERSE, AND A BANG CAN ALSO BE HEARD. SHUDDERING IS ALSO PREVALENT. POWER TRAIN MODULE WAS REFLASHED TO CORRECT PROBLEM. LAG CONDITION STILL IS PRESENT SOMETIMES. FIRST INCIDENT WAS ON APRIL 21, 2003, LATEST INCIDENT WAS IN MAY 2004.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10100142November 18, 2004
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
AT 8000+ MILES IN JANUARY 2004, MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER BROKE. I TURNED THE CAR IN TO THE LOCAL DEALER SERVICE SHOP FOR REPAIR. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAULTY COMPONENT, A SHORTED SWITCH. I USED THE SEAT HEATER FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO AND A HALF MORE MONTHS UNTIL IT GOT WARM. NOW IT'S NOVEMBER 2004 AND I WENT TO USE THE SEAT HEATER, AND AGAIN IT IS BROKEN. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED IN JANUARY. HOWEVER, SINCE I TRAVEL A LOT IN MY VEHICLE, IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE PART'S WARRANTY HAS ALSO EXPIRED, 12 MONTH/12000 MILE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT SINCE THE SAME PART BROKE WITH LIMITED USE, THE DEALER JUST TREATED THE SYMPTOM OF THE PROBLEM AND NOT THE CAUSE. BY REPLACING THE SWITCH, THEY DIDN'T FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT CAUSED IT'S FAILURE AND THEREFORE DIDN'T FIX MY VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME FOR FIXING THE SEAT HEATER AGAIN.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099999November 15, 2004
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
GLASS IS LITERALLY HANGING FROM THE FRONT PASSANGER WINDOW FRAME. THIS IS RESULTING IN OBSTRUCTION OF VISION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10094706November 15, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH REAR LEAF SPRINGS FAILED. AS A RESULT, REAR END COLLAPSED, AND VEHICLE COULD NOT BE BE DRIVEN. DEALER STATED THE PART WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 2005. *AK *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096947November 13, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 50 MPH, THE OWNER WAS HIT FROM THE FRONT OF VEHICLE, INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE YET THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM *TC
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
5
Deaths:
1
#10099655November 9, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKING BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096622November 3, 2004
STRUCTURE
THE WINDSHIELD, MOON ROOF AND HEADLINER WERE LEAKING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED AT LEAST 5 TIMES. THE OWNER HAS BEEN CORRESPONDING WITH THE MANUFACTURER FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. OWNER IS ASKING FOR A NEW VEHICLE. *JB *SC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099397November 2, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2003 EXPLORER'S TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD "POP" OR "WHUMP" SOUND WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20-24 MPH. IT WAS INFREQUENT BUT ALARMING. *BF THE NOISE SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING WHEN THE VEHICLE SHIFTS GEARS. *NM *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099391October 29, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE LIFTGATE WINDOW WOULD OPEN WHEN NO ONE WAS NEAR IT AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE LIFTGATE RECALL AND HOPES THAT THE REPAIR WILL ALSO REPAIR THE WINDOW. *NM CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V442000 *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097717October 26, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHEN BRAKING CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM, BUT CONSUMER WAS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096320October 24, 2004
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
AT 600 MINI WINDING IN REAR END DELER SAID DRIVE IT AND SEE IF IT GETS BETTER IT DID NOT SO AT AROUND 2000 MI DAMEROW FORD REPLACED ALL BEARINGS AND SEALS PROBLEM WORSE THEN BEFORE SEALS WENT OUT, AND HAD TO BE TOWED IN TO DAMEROW FORD REPLACED REAR END WITH TESTED REAREND SAME PROBLEM AT 2400 MI SAME PROBLEM AT APROX. 3000 MI LATER DAMROW REPLACED WITH ANOTHER SVT REAR EDN THIS WAS ALSO, TESTED AND AGAIN AT 19,000 MI AND AIT WAS REPLACED AT MACKENZIE FORD AT 25,000 MI IT WAS REPLACED AGAIN AND NOW IT HAS ABAD VIBRATION NOISE 40 TO 70 MI AND ABOVE AT 28,000 IT GOES BACK TOMMORROW WE WILL SEE WHAT IF NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097397October 21, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL PROCEEDED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THIS PROCEDURE WAS NORMAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097749October 20, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE STOPPED WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WHEN APPLIED. *BF CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096070October 19, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS NO ABS SAFTEY FEATURE. THIS IS HAPPENED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THEY SAID FORD RELEASED A NEW SENSOR THE 2ND TIME I WAS THERE AND I HAD THE PROBLEM AGAIN. WHAT IS FORD GOING TO DO, IF THE ABS FAILS AGAIN. I HAVE DRAFTED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND I AM AWAITING FOR A REPLY. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE SAME PROBLM 3 TIMES.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096073October 19, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND BEGAN TO BRAKE, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE AND THEN WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I BEGAN TO PUMP THE BRAKE AND LUCKILY ENOUGH I STOPPED BEFORE ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM BECAUSE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASE THE EXPLORER AND THEY HAD ME CALL ROAD ASSISTANCE TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE. OF COURSE, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO "DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ABS PROBABLY LOCKED UP BECAUSE THE STREET MAY HAVE BEEN WET, WHICH IT WAS NOT. THEN THEY SAID THAT MAYBE I WAS ON A GRAVEL OR DIRT ROAD, WHICH I WAS NOT. I WAS TOLD TO KEEP AN EYE ON IT AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY WILL LOOK INTO IT AGAIN. IF THERE IS A NEXT TIME, I HOPE THERE WILL NOT BE ANYONE INJURED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093993October 15, 2004
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS UNEXPECTEDLY DEPLOYED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BECAUSE THE RESTRAINT MODULE HAD RECEIVED A SIGNAL FROM THE CRASH SENSORS INDICATING AN EXCESSIVE LATERAL FORCE THAT EXCEEDED THE THRESHOLD OF ITS DESIGN FOR DEPLOYMENT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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