Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10032202September 12, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY IN THE REAR END. DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED MANUFACTURER'S TSB ON ISSUE ADVISED PROBLEM CAUSED BY REAR AXLE.*AK *PH *PH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10038709September 11, 2003
STEERING
STEERING WHEEL BINDS WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO THE INTERSTATE. THIS BINDING DOES NOT ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO BE TURNED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039828September 11, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT STARTED ROLLING BACK. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039664September 10, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN RETURNING TO VEHICLE CONSUMER HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OF GETTING THE VEHICLE STARTED. AFTER AND HOUR OR SO VEHICLE WOULD START UP AS IF THERE WAS NEVER A PROBLEM. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED SIX TIMES IN THE PAST. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10038651September 10, 2003
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:ELECTRICAL HEATING ELEMENT
WHILE DRIVING AT UNDER 50 MPH, THERE IS A SQUEAK THAT COMES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT SOUNDS LIKE A RUSTY SUSPENSION SPRING. HOWEVER, THIS SQUEAK IS HEARD AT EXACTLY 35 SECOND INTERVALS. I FOUND THIS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER. IF IT IS TURNED OFF, THE NOISE GOES AWAY. THE NOISE IS PRESENT ANYTIME THE VENTILATION SYSTEM IS ON. I TOOK THE AUTOMOBILE TO COURTESY FORD IN POULSBO, WASHINGTON. I WAS TOLD THAT THE NOISE WAS NORMAL. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE. I DONT THINK FORD WOULD WANT ITS AUTOMOBILES GOING DOWN THE STREET WITH AN INTENTIONAL LOUD SQUEAK. I THINK THIS IS SOMEHOW ASSOCIATED WITH WHAT EVER CONTORLS THE AIR HANDLING SYSTEM, SUCH AS THE COMPUTER. HELP ME FIND AN ANSWER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039693September 10, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD
WHILE DRIVING HOOD FLEW UP WHICH IMPAIRED VISIBILITY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10037133September 3, 2003
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. DURING THE IMPACT, MY SEATBACK (DRIVER'S) MOVED BACK SLIGHTLY AND THE CENTER OF THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSED, CAUSING ME TO INJURE MY BACK.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10037170September 3, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I PURCHASED MY 2003 SPORTRACK IN DECEMBER OF 2002 FROM SUNRISE FORD. I DROVE MY SUV HOME, PARKED IT AND WENT INSIDE FOR LESS THAN 20 MINUTES. WHEN I CAME OUT TO DRIVE DRIVE MY GUESTS AROUND THE BLOCK, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. I CALLED SUNRISE FORD AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY SENT THE SALES PERSON TO MY PLACE RATHER THAN A MECHANIC. HE BASICALLY BELITTLED ME INFRONT OF MY GUESTS BY TELLING ME I DID SOMETHING TO MY CAR. IT WAS EMBARASSING ENOUGH THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START NOW I HAD TO DEAL WITH THE SALES PERSON, WHO AS IT TURNS OUT KNEW ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THE SPORTRACK, TELLING ME I DID SOMETHING WRONG TO MY VEHICLE TO MAKE IT NOT WANT TO START. HE FINALLY CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, HAD A MECHANIC COME OUT AND THEY TRIED TO START IT. NO LUCK. LONG STORY SHORT I FOUND SUNRISE FORD'S SALES AND SUPPORT STAFF WERE VERY HARD TO WORK WITH RIGHT AFTER MY SALE. I FELT MISLEADED. FROM ARRANGING A LOANER BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM TO GETTING A QUALIFIED PERSON TO DIAGNOSE MY VEHICLE. I HAD HAD THE CAR NEARLY 1 WEEK BEFORE THE PROBLEM COULD BE COMPLETELY SOLVED. MY NEXT PROBLEM BEGAN IN AUGUST OF 2003, ROUGHLY 9 MONTHS LATER. IT IS NOW STALLING. MOST CASES HAVE BEEN WHILE STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. OTHER TIMES JUST AFTER LEAVING THE STOP LIGHT OR SIGN, IT USUALLY STALLS IMMEDIATELY WHEN I ACCECELERATE. THE WORST CASE HAS BEEN WHILE ON THE ON RAMP TO THE FREEWAY. IN ALL CASES I LOST ALL POWER, EXCEPT FOR THE RADIO, AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. AFTER HAVING THE FORD DEALERSHIP RUN A DIAGNNOSTIC TEST ON MY VEHICLE THE FOUND NOTHING...*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10036681August 27, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
REAR GLASS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. LOUD WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER DASH/ENGINE. NO POWER. STALLS ON TAKE OFF. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033008August 18, 2003
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
2003 FORD EXPLORER SITTING IN GARAGE. REAR HATCH GLASS EXPLODED AS HATCH WAS HALF WAY TO BEING CLOSED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10032888August 15, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
GASOLINE IS EXPELLED FROM THE FILLER PIPE EVERYTIME I TRY TO REFUEL THE TANK. THE PROBLEM WORSENS WITH EACH ATTEMPT TO REFUEL BECAUSE THE GAS PUMPS CONTINUOUSLY SHUT OFF FOR SAFETY REASONS. DEALER HAS REPLACED A SAFETY VALVE TO THE TANK WHICH TEMPORARILY HELPED BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOW WORSE THAN EVER. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033894August 14, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH NEITHER DRIVER NOR PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACT HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE DEALER. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033938August 14, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING ON A BACK COUNTRY ROAD AT 15 TO 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THICK BLACK SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, AND UNDER INVESTIGATION. ALSO, VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL, AND TWO CONSUMERS WERE IN VEHICLE AT TIME OF INCIDENT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033939August 14, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHILE DRIVING ON A BACK COUNTRY ROAD AT 15 TO 20 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY BURST INTO FLAMES. THICK BLACK SMOKE WAS BILLOWING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF VEHICLE. CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, AND UNDER INVESTIGATION.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10032580August 11, 2003
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS TRAVELING IN REVERSE (LESS THAN 1MPH) WHEN I STRUCK A TREE. THE ENTIRE BACK WINDOW OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER SHATTERED SENDING SHARDS OF GLASS INTO THE REAR THIRD ROW SEATING AREA. THE GLASS WASN'T SAFETY GLASS. THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE (GLASS AND BODY) IS OVER $2,500.00. THERE ARE TWO AREAS OF CONCERN. FIRST, IF THERE WERE PASSENGERS IN THE 3RD ROW SEAT, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN GLASS ESPECIALLY IN THE FACIAL AREA? NUMBER TWO. WHY SHOUL THERE BE SO MUCH DAMAGE AT LESS THAN 1 MPH? IF I WAS REAR ENDED AT LET'S SAY 40 MPH, THE CAR WOULD BE TOTALLED. I FIND THIS INCIDENT POINTS OUT A DESIGN FLAW AND A SAFETY PROBLEM. JAMES HUTCHISON
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10031209August 10, 2003
EQUIPMENT, SEAT BELTS
RE: SECOND (MID-SECTION) SEAT - DRIVER'S SIDE 1. SEAT BELT BECAME LODGED BEHIND SEAT RELEASE CAUSING BACK OF SEAT TO JERK FORWARD AND STRIKE MY CHILD IN BACK OF NECK. 2. FACTS: A) WHEN MY DAUGHTER (12 YEARS; 89 LBS.) LEANED FORWARD IN HER SEAT, PRESSURE WAS PLACED ON SEAT BELT CAUSING RELEASE TO ENGAGE AND JERK FORWARD; B) MY DAUGHTER WAS STILL IN SEAT BELT WHEN I PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF ROAD TO CHECK ON HER; C) I WAS REPEATEDLY UNABLE TO GET THE BACK OF HER SEAT TO "LOCK IN" PLACE; D) UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND SEAT BELT TO BE LODGED SECURELY BEHIND SEAT RELEASE AND EACH TIME MY DAUGHTER MOVED FORWARD AND PLACED PRESSURE ON SEAT BELT, THE RELEASE WAS ENGAGED; E) THIS INCIDENT WASN'T THE RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT; E) BRAKES WEREN'T BEING USED AT TIME; F) SHE WAS SEEN IN EMERGENCY ROOM DUE TO PAIN IN HER NECK. BACK AND HEAD; SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CERVICAL STRAIN AND HAD TO WEAR A NECK COLLAR FOR FIVE DAYS. 3. CONTRIBUTING REASONS FOR OCCURRENCE: A) SEAT BELT IS SECURED TO SIDE OF VEHICLE; B) WHEN A PERSON GETS INTO THIRD ROW SEAT, IT'S EASY TO GET CAUGHT ON THE SEAT BELT CAUSING IT TO HANG BEHIND SEAT RELEASE; (C) IF SEAT BELT DOESN'T RETRACT PROPERLY, IT CATCHES BEHIND SEAT RELEASE; D) IT CAN ALSO CATCH ON FRONT OF RELEASE. 4. ADDITIONAL CONCERNS: A) SECOND SEAT RELEASE IS A TWO STEP RELEASE: IF THIS WAS A SITUATION WHERE THE BRAKES HAD TO BE APPLIED QUICKLY AND FIRMLY, SECOND PART OF RELEASE COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY ENGAGED CAUSING MY DAUGHTER TO BE STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND THROWING HER FORWARD CAUSING HER TO STRIKE THE FRONT OF HER HEAD ON THE BACK OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHICH IMPACT COULD HAVE QUITE LIKELY CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. 5. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION WHICH COULD CAUSE CATASTROPHIC RESULTS IF NOT CORRECTED IN ALL EXPLORERS EQUIPPED WITH THIS TYPE OF SEAT BELT AND SEATING ARRANGEMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. I LOOK FORWARD TO A RESPONSE IN THIS REGARD. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10030873August 5, 2003
STEERING, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHILE MAKING SHARP, SLOW RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS. DEALER NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, SAYS ALL SPORT TRACKS DO THAT, HOWEVER WHEN I BOUGHT IT, IT DIDN'T. I DROVE ANOTHER NEW ONE FROM THE DEALER WHILE MINE WAS IN SERVICE...AND THE STEERING WAS FINE. ALSO, THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS OUT AND BEING REPLACED AND I'VE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030380July 29, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ON JULY 28 WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR NEW EXPLORER SPORT TRAC IT JUST STOP RUNNING. SHE STARTED IT UP AND IT RAN FOR ABOUT 1MIN THEN CUT OFF AGAIN STRANDING HER IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY IN A TURN LANE WE REPORTED IT TO FORD IT TOOK OVER 2 HRS FOR THEM TO GET A TOW TRUCK TO TOW THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER IT ALSO HAPPENED ON THE 27TH. ALSO THE OWNERS MANUAL PAGES ARE NOT RIGHT WHEN YOU LOOK AT ABOUT HOW TO CHANGE A TIRE IT GIVE YOU A PAGE NUMBER AND IT SHOWS SOMETHING ELSE LIKE HOW TO CHANGE OIL.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10030331July 29, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
ANTILOCK BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND GOES OFF. WHEN LIGHT COMES ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL GO TO THE FLOOR AND WILL STILL STOP, BUT PEDAL PULSATES VIGOROUSLY. THIS OCCURS UNDER NORMAL BRAKING. ALSO WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON, UNDER A HEAVY STOP, ALL FOUR WHEELS WILL LOCK UP. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER (GWINNETT PLACE FORD, DULUTH, GA) FOR FIVE WEEKS NOW. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE FOUR OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD CURRENTLY DOES NOT HAVE ANY WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THIS POINT. THERE HAS BEEN A REVISED ANTILICK BRAKE CONTROL MODULE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE RELEASED LAST FRIDAY. AS OF THIS MORNING, FORD HAS STOPPED THE RELEASE WITH "QUALITY ISSUE - ALL PARTS ARE BAD AND CANNOT BE SOLD" SO NOW I AM BACK AT THE STARTING POINT AND STILL DRIVING A SMALLER RENTAL VEHICLE INSTEAD OF THE $34,000 TRUCK MY COMPANY BOUGHT FOR ME TO DRIVE TO DO MY JOB.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10031432July 29, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS IN A COLLISION. UPON IMPACT,BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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