Ford Explorer Complaints (2003)

1,274 consumer complaints on file.

#10411509July 8, 2011
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A DEFECT WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DID NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 08/10/11
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410529July 5, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HATCH BACK HAD A CRACK FROM THE END OF IT TO THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY STRESS FROM OPENING AND CLOSING OF THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410308July 2, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE IN REVERSE AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE BRAKE WAS APPLIED TO NO AVAIL. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410020June 30, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE FRACTURED DIRECTLY UNDERNEATH THE WINDOW SEAL. SHE NOTICED WHEN THE DOOR WAS AJAR THE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AS IF SHE HAD OPENED THE DOORS. THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407100June 16, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT COULD HAVE LEFT US STRANDED ON THE ROAD. FORD KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS ON THE 2003-2004 EXPLORERS. I THINK THEY SHOULD MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT ON THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. TRANSMISSION ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST LONGER THAN 71,000 MILES. WE DID NOT MISTREAT THIS VEHICLE IN ANY WAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406116June 13, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSING THE REAR LIFTGATE WHEN THE REAR GLASS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GRAB HOLD OF THE GLASS TO PREVENT IT FROM SHATTERING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS OR REPAIRS. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406223June 13, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE BACK PANEL ON MY EXPLORER CRACKED BY JUST CLOSING THE GLASS. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ONLY 65 SO CONSIDERING THE MORE EXTREME TEMPERATURES WE HAVE SEEN IN NORTH CAROLINA WAS DID IT CRACK ON THAT DAY? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405884June 10, 2011
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
THE TAILGATE CRACKS DOWN THE CENTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10405382June 7, 2011
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT. I STARTED MY CAR UP THIS MOURNING TO GO TO WORK. I STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR TO REMOVE AN EMPTY CUP WHEN I HEARD A POP FROM INSIDE MY CAR. AS I TURNED AN LOOKED I SAW MY CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. AS I WENT BACK TO THE CAR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHEN I WAS DRIVING THERE IS NO TELLING WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS CAR IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. IT HAS 130000 MILES ON IT. I AM AFRAID OF THIS HAPPENING TO THE DRIVERS SIDE BAG NOW AS I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE TO THIS MODEL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401403May 18, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHIFT INTO A HIGHER GEAR. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND UPON RESTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MILES, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10401153May 16, 2011
INTERIOR LIGHTING, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT ILLUMINATED FREQUENTLY AND THE DOME LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED EVEN WHEN THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURERS RECALL AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400528May 11, 2011
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRST I MUST SAY I LOVE THIS TRUCK. ITS MY SECOND ONE AND BOTH HAD SAME PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN TRUCH LURCHED FORWARD THEN O/D OFF LITE STARTED FLASHING THEN CHECK ENGINE LITE FLASHING.TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND IT CAME UP WITH A PO775 CODE, HE SAID ITS VERY COMMON AND NOT THE FIRST ONE HES SEEN DO THIS. PRESSURE CONTROL SOLENOID B NEEDS REPLACING FOR ABOUT $400.00 THEN AFTER REMOVING PAN WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDED OVERHAUL NOW $2200.00 LATER. I THINK FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD STAND BEHIND IT. ALSO BLEND DOOR STOPPED WORKING AND ALL 4 CALIPERS SEIZED UP. DONT KNOW IF ILL EVER BUY ANOTHER FORD.ALSO POWER WINDOWS QUIT WORKING, BROKEN WIRE IN DOOR. NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH THIS VEHICLE.I THINK A CLASS ACTION SUIT SHOULD BE STARTED AGAINST FORD FOR REPAIRS ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS.I CANT AFFORD TO DUMP HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS TRUCK AFTER PAYING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR IT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10400492May 10, 2011
WHEELS
THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR HUB BROKE WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM WHATSOEVER. IT DESTROYED THE KNUCKLE AND THE WHEEL NEARLY FELL OFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399747May 10, 2011
WHEELS
A 2003 FORD EXPLORER REAR WHEEL DRIVE WITH 82K MILES. THE WHEEL HUB BEARINGS HAVE FAILED ON BOTH REAR WHEELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399762May 10, 2011
STRUCTURE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED BLEW A SPARK PLUG RIGHT OUT OF THE ENGINE. VERY SCARY & VERY LOUD WHILE GOING TO THE GROCERY STORE. I THOUGHT FOR SURE THE ENGINE BLEW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399684May 9, 2011
STRUCTURE:BODY
CRACK IN REAR PANEL OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10399398May 6, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND IT SOMEHOW ROLLED DOWN APPROX 150 FEET AND SMASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE VEHICLE IT WAS PARKED AND THE KEYS WERE IN THE HOUSE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED MY INSURANCE (STATE FARM) AND THEY HAD ME CALL A COLLISION GARAGE TO COME OUT AND THEY CAME WITHIN THE HOUR. THEY HAVE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE NEXT MORNING I CALLED FORD AND THEY DISREGARDED ANYTHING I SAID AND SAID MY INSURANCE SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT. I AM STILL PAYING ON A LOAN FOR THIS CAR AND I DO HAVE FULL COVERAGE BUT I AM NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE AND I AM SCARED TO THINK OF WHAT MIGHT OF HAPPENED IF MY DAUGHTERS WOULD OF BEEN PLAYING IN THE BACKYARD. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398051April 27, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS STARTED AROUND 100K MILES; HIGH RPM SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR WITH SUBSEQUENT FLASHING O/D LIGHT. MANY TIMES TRANSMISSION WILL "CLUNK" INTO GEAR EITHER FROM GOING INTO REVERSE, STOPPING COMPLETELY, THEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AND/OR WHEN PUTTING IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MY MODEL YEAR EXPLORER (03) AND SAME CODE MANY OTHERS RECEIVE (P0775) WHICH REALLY DOES NOT DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM OR LEAD A NOT SO MECHANICAL INCLINED PERSON TO TRY AND TROUBLESHOOT/BUY PARTS TO FIX. I'M CAREER MILITARY MAN W/FAMILY AND MY TRUCK IS PAID OFF NEXT MONTH--OWNED 5 YEARS AND REALLY SUCKS TO HAVE TO POSSIBLY DUMP $3K INTO A TRUCK THAT FORD HAS KNOWN CONTAINED ISSUES WITH THE 5R55W TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398071April 27, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR AND SOMETIMES WONT ENGAGE. FREQUENTLY OCCURS AT STOP/START MOVEMENTS. OCURRS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. "O/D OFF" LIGHT IS FREQUENTLY DISPLAYED. UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10398955April 19, 2011
VISIBILITY
BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR NOT WORKING. NOT ABLE TO DEFROST WINDOWS EASILY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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