NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Expedition. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
DECEMBER 15, 2007, MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION'S SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT. LEAVING MY THREE KIDS AND MYSELF STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER PAYING $1,200 TO GET IT FIX, ON MARCH 9, 2008 THE SAME THING HAPPEN. *TR
MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION HAD A SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE WHILE MY SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING. LUCKILY SHE WAS NOT HURT WHEN THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE. I FOUND THE BRAKE RESERVOIR TO BE COMPLETELY EMPTY AND REFILLED IT IMMEDIATELY. THEN I DISCOVERED THE REAL PROBLEM. THE REAR FACTORY BRAKE LINES WERE CONSTANTLY RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR SPRINGS OF THE CAR , THUS WEARING A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. THIS RESULTED IN RAPID LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID , WHICH ALSO LED TO SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE. THIS WOULD OBVIOUSLY BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND I CANT IMAGINE WHY SOMEONE AT FORD DIDN'T SEE SUCH AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
2003 EXPEDITION 5.4L ENGINE. PRODUCTION DATE 10-08-02 . HAVING OIL LEAK FROM RIGHT HEAD GASKET DIAGNOSED BY FORD. I BELIEVE PROBLEM IS RELATED TO TSB 02-22-7. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND REPAIR EXPENSES COVERED BY FORD / MANUFACTURER. *TR
DRIVING DOWN TAR ROAD WHEN MY TRUCK CAUGHT THE EDGE OF PAVEMENT AND SHOOT ACROSS THE GRAVEL SHOULDER THEN CAUGHT SNOWY HILLSIDE. VEHICLE CAME IN CONTACT WITH SEVERAL TREES. THE TRUCK HAD SEVERE IMPACT TOTALING THE UNIT . NO AIR BAGS EVER CAME OUT. *TR
WHEN IT RAINS THE REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE FILL WITH WATER. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE THE DOOR IS SEALED BUT IT STILL FILLS UP WITH WATER. IT HAS RAINED A LOT THIS WEEK AND THE DOORS ARE FULL AGAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED THE CONTACT NOTICED IT WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTED A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE THE CONTACTS ATTEMPTS TO BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ONTO THE PEDESTRIAN SIDEWALK. THE CONTACT STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN AND THE PEDESTRIAN WAS KILLED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HANDS AND FEET. A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND RIGHT FOOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
OUTSIDE MIRROR LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE AND PRESSING REMOTE LOCK BUTTON. THEY EVENTUALLY RAN THE BATTERY DOWN. THIS WAS AFTER A HARD RAIN. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED ONLY THIS TIME, THE RADIO WOULD NOT TURN OFF (KEY OUT OF IGNITION AND DOORS OPEN) THE CHIME KEPT GOING OFF AND THE BATTERY WENT DEAD BECAUSE I DID NOT DISCONNECT IT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON BECAUSE THE WINDSHIELD LEAKS, FROM THE FACTORY, AND WATER DRIPS DOWN ONTO THE COMPUTER MODULE AND FUSE BOX. I CHECKED MY FUSE BOX AND I DID HAVE DRIPPING WATER IN IT ALONG WITH CORRODED CONNECTORS, INSIDE THE VEHICLE, INDICATION LONG TERM INTRUSION OF WATER. THIS CAUSES ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING. UPON INSPECTING MY OEM WINDSHIELD I FOUND IT COMPLETELY SEPARATED AT THE TOP AND I COULD SEE LIGHT BETWEEN THE GLASS AND SEAL. I NOW HAVE TO BUY A NEW WINDSHIELD ALONG WITH FUSE BLOCK AND COMPUTER CRAP. THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THAT THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD, AS MENTIONED, IS NOT SEALED. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE WINDSHIELD INTEGRITY IS A HUGE PART OF THE STRENGTH OF THE VEHICLE AND THE WINDSHIELD IS USED TO SUPPORT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG IN CASE OF DEPLOYMENT. I DON'T HAVE THAT INTEGRITY ON MY VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE CONDITION AND THIS SHOULD BE SOMETHING THAT FORD PAYS FOR. *TR
UNEXPECTED SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT ANY ABRUPT SIDE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THESE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE TRAVELING STRAIGHT AT A CONSTANT RATE OF SPEED (65MHH) ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT EXPLOSIVE NOISE IN THE VEHICLE AND RESULTED IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER BEING DISORIENTED FOR A FEW SECONDS. THIS OCCURRED IN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 65K MILES AND NO MODIFICATIONS OR PREVIOUS DAMAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP SCANNED THE VEHICLE COMPUTER WHICH SHOWED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN IMPENDING ROLLOVER CAUSING THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. THE COMPUTER MALFUNCTIONED AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP NOR FORD WILL REPAIR THIS DAMAGE TO THE AIRBAGS AND HEADLINER.*CN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 50MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AFTER MAKING A LOUD NOISE. AFTER DESCRIBING THE SYMPTOMS TO THE DEALER VIA PHONE, HE STATED THAT THE FAILURE APPEARED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. THE NOISE IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. THE DEALER IS DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE TODAY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92900.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR SHUT OFF.I CAME VERY CLOSS TO BEING KILLED OR SERIOUS INJURIED.MY MECHANIC COULDNT FIND THE CAUSE. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 10 TIMES IN 7 YEARS.CAN YOU HELP ME? *TR
PAINT IS SEVERELY PEELING OFF EVERY WHERE. MOSTLY THE HOOD, AND REAR HATCH. *KB
FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE MIRRORS AND WINDOWS ON MY FORD SUV. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY CLAIM THEY COULD NOT FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE BROKEN GEAR SHIFT AND JAM RADIO. ONE MONTH LATER I WAKE UP TO MY TRUCK ON FIRE AFTER SITTING FOR SEVEN HOURS. *TR
GOING IN THE HIGHWAY THE OIL PUMP JUST STOPPED WORKING AND THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED, STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATION I HAVE LIVED. *TR
MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION IS SHUTTING OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING, NEARLY CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL AND BE REAR ENDED. IT HAPPENS WHEN I LEAST EXPECT IT AND THE DEALERSHIP IS BAFFLED. ALL THEIR EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT CAN'T EVEN TRACK DOWN THE ISSUE. SO FAR THEY HAVE REPLACED SOME FUEL PARTS AND MY FUSE BOX BUT IT STILL SHUTS DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY. I AM $900. IN THE HOLE ALREADY, LET ALONE I AM GOING TO HAVE MY FIRST GRANDCHILD WITHIN A WEEK, AND I HAVE THIS TANK THAT SHUTS DOWN ON THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. IT SOUNDS ELECTRICAL AND I AM IN FEAR OF CATCHING FIRE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, SOMEONE USED A SCREWDRIVER TO PUNCH OUT THE KEY CYLINDER ON THE KEY PAD. THE THIEF STOLE PERSONAL ITEMS THAT WERE LEFT IN THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 01-11-08. *KB THE THIEVES GAINED ENTRANCE TO THE VEHICLE BY PUSHING THE MECHANICAL KEY PAD OUT. UPDATED 1212/07.
THERE WERE NO SYMPTOMS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION MADE A LOAD POP NOISE AND THEN CONTINUED TO MAKE A LOUD BUT MUFFLED POPPING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS THE # 3 SPARK PLUG HAD "BACKED OUT" OR WAS "SPIT OUT" OF THE ENGINE HEAD. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST TO REPLACE THE HEAD WAS $3,500.00. A LESS EXPENSIVE FIX OF $700 - $800 TO RETHREAD THE HEAD FOR THE #3 SPARK PLUG, BUT WITH NO GUARANTEE HOW LONG IT WOULD LAST. THE REASON FOR THE COMPLAINT IS THAT AFTER HAVING MY VEHICLE REPAIRED I FOUND OUT THROUGH A FRIEND THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND THAT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE #3 SPARK PLUG. EVEN THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS AN ISSUE AND A POOR DESIGN ON FORDS PART. HOWEVER, FORD IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM - LEAVING IT'S CUSTOMERS WITH A HEFTY REPAIR TO SAY THE LEAST. I ALSO FILED A COMPLIANT DIRECTLY TO FORD HEADQUARTERS. *TR
AS I WAS DRIVING, MY VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP, AND THEN A RATTLING SOUND. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND POPPED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON, AND NOTICED THAT MY SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD. I THEN HAD TO WALK APPROX 1/2 MILE (WHILE I WAS 8 MONTHS PREGNANT) TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPORTED THAT THE PLUGS THAT WERE IN WERE FACTORY, AND INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORDS. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE PLUGS WITH A HEALING COIL, AND THEN INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT A GUARANTEED FIX, IT WAS MORE LIKE PUTTING A BAND AID ON THE PROBLEM, IF I WANTED TO GUARANTEE THE ISSUE WAS FIXED, THAT I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE HEAD. I OPTED TO REPLACE THE PLUGS BECAUSE THEY WERE CONSIDERABLY CHEAPER, AND ABOUT 5 MONTHS LATER, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. SINCE I WAS QUITE A WAYS AWAY FROM THE MECHANIC THAT HAD PREVIOUSLY WORKED ON IT, I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT SHOP. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM BY PUTTING AN INSERT IN, AND CHARGING ME AN ADDITIONAL $300. *TR
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION THAT HAS SURFACE RUST ON THE ENGINE INTAKE COWLING. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT UNDER FORD'S RUST WARRANTY ONLY RUST THROUGH ISSUES ARE COVERED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *JB
A LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF OUR 2003 FORD EXPEDITION CAUSING AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. THE DAY WAS CLEAR, THE WEATHER WAS WARM. MY WIFE HIT HER MONTE CARLO DOING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. AFTER HITTING THE LADIES CAR, BOTH VEHICLES WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO THE TREES. OUR CAR HIT A RATHER LARGE PINE TREE. WITH BOTH OF THESE MAJOR IMPACTS, TOTALING BOTH CARS, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, AND MY WIFE'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO LOCK. THE FRONT OF OUR CAR WAS HIT ON BOTH THE FRONT RIGHT AND FRONT LEFT CORNERS. WE ARE DEPENDING AND PAYING FOR THESE SAFETY, IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE THAT THEY DON'T OPERATE WHEN NEEDED. PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT AIR BAG SENSOR WAS CORRODED, BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG SENSOR AND THE WIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,300. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WAS TWISTED. UPDATED.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND RIDE ROUGHLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE PULLED OVER AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. SHE RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE FORD DEALER. THE DEALER PERFORMED AN IDS DIAGNOSTIC AND PINPOINT TEST AND DISCOVERED THAT A CYLINDER MISFIRED ON CYLINDER NUMBER 4. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AND SPARK PLUG ASSEMBLY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,776.
MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW A SPARK PLUG COMPLETELY OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AT ALMOST 65 MPH, AND THE ENGINE STALLED, CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 59K MILES AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. IT COST ME OVER $4K TO REPAIR, AND I NOW FIND OUT THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF OWNERS WITH FORD TRITON MOTORS FROM 1999 TO 2004. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES, SIZE LT275/65R18. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT LOOKED IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE. HE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE TO A FUEL STATION WHEN THE TIRE COMPLETELY BLEW OUT. THE FAILURE BENT THE FENDER OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.
FIRST, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I CONTINUED TO GO AROUND THE VEHICLE OPENING AND SHUTTING THE DOORS AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ON. CONSUMER COULD NOT START THE VEHICLE SINCE THE LIGHT CAME ON, AND HAD TO GET A JUMP TO START IT. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF THIS THE BATTERY WAS FINALLY RUINED, AND I WAS FORCED TO BUY A NEW ONE. I USED LUBRICANTS TO TRY AND CLEAR DEBRIS FROM THE DOOR SENSORS AND THIS WORKED FOR 3 MONTHS. NOW IT WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. TALKED TO DEALER AND THEY WANT TO CHARGE 600 DOLLARS PER SENSORS. NOTHING WRONG WITH SENSOR ITS JUST DIRTY. SECOND, THE REAR AC IS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND WILL NOT CONTROL TEMPERATURE. I SENT IT UNDER WARRANTY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED THE AC MECHANISM, STATED "THIS WAS A COMMON DEFECT WITH THE VEHICLE". 5 MONTHS LATER THIS PART WENT OUT AGAIN AND IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PROBLEM AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER 300 DOLLARS. THEY APPARENTLY REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART AND WOULD REPAIR IT AGAIN 5 MONTHS LATER!!!. THIRD, THE SIDE PANELS ON THE EXPEDITION EXTERIOR STARTED FADING AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THEM UNDER WARRANTY. ABOUT 20,000 MILES LATER WE NOTICED THEY HAD FADED AGAIN. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PANELS THIS TIME BECAUSE IT WAS KNOW LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ANOTHER DEFECT REPLACED WITH A DEFECTIVE PART. FORTH, THE REAR PASSENGER EXTERIOR DOOR/WINDOW TRIM IS BUBBLING AND PEELING OFF. THIS LOOKS HORRIBLE! FIFTH, THE FRONT PASSENGER AND FONT DRIVER WINDOW SWITCHES THAT ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS ARE HAVING ISSUES. I HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED FOR THE PASSENGER WINDOW AND IT FIXED THE ISSUE FOR A LITTLE BIT. NOW THE PASSENGER CAN NOT ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW. HOWEVER THE DRIVER CAN??? PLEASE HELP! I NEED HELP WITH ANY OR ALL OF THESE ISSUES. I DON'T KNOW WHERE ELSE TO GO! *TR
I WAS IN A MVA ON JUNE 29, 2007. I HIT SEVERAL TREES AND WENT DOWN A LARGE EMBANKMENT. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. I HAD SEVERE FRONTAL DAMAGE AND DRIVER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION XLT. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT 840 TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE TIRE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND MELT. THE CONTACT IS CURRENTLY DRIVING ON THE SPARE TIRE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED HER TO CALL THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. BRIDGESTONE STATED THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TIRE. THE TIRE SIZE IS P265/70R17. CURRENTLY, THE TIRE IS STILL NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS AVAILABLE. THE FUEL SYSTEM, POWERTRAIN, AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,625 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,620.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SHUT OFF AND THE BLOWER PRODUCED WARM AIR BEFORE THE FIRE OCCURRED. HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND HE SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE DEFROSTER VENT UNDER THE WINDSHIELD. THE STATE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,000.
2003 FORD EXPEDITION FIRE, STARTED NEAR THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AT THE TIME WITH NO ONE IN IT. *TR
VEHICLE UNDERWENT NORMAL DRIVING. 2. SUDDENLY UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS HEARD. THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER, AND WOULD CONTINUE WHENEVER THE ENGINE STARTED. THE ODOR OF GASOLINE AND OIL WAS EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE IMMEDIATELY BROUGHT INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP. INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE ENTIRE HEAD AS REQUIRED BY FORD , HELICOIL, SPARK PLUG, AND IGNITION COIL HAD TO BE INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP. *AK
2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 5.4 LITER V8 WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES. #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD. *TR
CLUTCH FAILED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO PRODUCE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN TURNING. THIS PROBLEM WAS NOTICED, BY ME, WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST SYSTEMATIC OF THE VEHICLE UNTIL PASSENGERS NOTICED AND EVENTUALLY IT GOT SO BAD THAT IT FELT LIKE A VERY UNSAFE AND SERIOUS PROBLEM. DEALER IS CHARGING $1600 HALF OF WHICH IS PARTS. NEXT WEEK WHEN I GET THE VEHICLE BACK, WILL DETERMINE IF I AM KEEPING THE CAR OR HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OR FUTURE PROBLEMS. *AK
64000 ON 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE #2 PLUG WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND CRUISE CONTROL ON. HAD A HELA COIL PUT IN. CONTACTED THE DEALER, NO RESPONSE, 2 WEEKS LATER 68000 BLEW THE #3 PLUG SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AGAIN HAD A HELA COIL REPAIR. AGAIN NO HELP FROM THE DEALER, AND TOLD THERE WAS NO OPEN RECALL ON THAT MOTOR . I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE IN MINNESOTA. BOTH REPAIRS WERE DONE AT A DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED REPLACING THE HEAD WA S THE CORRECT FIX, BUT FORD ALLOWED THEM TO DO HELA COILS, BUT IMAGINE THAT, THEY WON'T WARRANTY IT !! *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH IN DRY CONDITIONS, BOTH REAR TIRES LOST THEIR TREAD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH, BUT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE FROM THE TREAD SEPARATION. THE TIRE SHOP STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NORMAL. ON JUNE 5, 2007, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME TIRE FAILURE WITH THE REAR REPLACEMENT TIRES. THE DRIVING SPEED AND ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ALSO THE SAME. THE TIRES WERE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC AW (P27560R17), WHICH WERE RECALLED UNDER NOTICE # 02T012000 (TIRES:TREAD/BELT) ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES ALONG WITH THE TIRE TO SEND. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS, MULTIPLE PICTURES OF THE PROBLEMATIC TIRES, AND ALSO A COPY OF THE RECALL FOR PERTAINING TO THE DEFECT OF THE TIRES. UPDATED 08/06/07 *TR
ALTERNATOR FAILED AT 55,000 MILES, SEEMS A BIT EARLY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. REPLACED WITH NEW, BATTERY LIGHT AND CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING WILL NOT GO OFF. BOTH ALT AND BATTERY TESTED FINE ON ANALYZER. *TR
ON APRIL 13, 2007 MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH THE 5.4 LITER TRITON ENGINE BLEW OUT THE #3 SPARK PLUG DESTROYING THE THREADS AND REQUIRING A TOTAL HEAD REPLACEMENT. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR, IN SPITE OF THE FACT I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WAS $3655.22. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF FORD OWNERS. *TR
ON MARCH 13, 2007, OUR 2003 FORD EXPEDITION HAD A TREAD SEPARATION TIRE FAILURE. WE WERE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER AND BOTH VEHICLES ROLLED OVER TWICE. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT CONTINENTAL TIRES. TWO OF THE FOUR PASSENGERS WERE INJURED ENOUGH TO REQUIRE EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT. ONE WAS AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL, THE OTHER DRIVEN TO THE HOSPITAL. BOTH WERE TREATED NAD RELEASED THE SAME DAY. CONTINENTAL TIRES ARE DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THE TIRE RECALLS THAT HAVE OCCURRRED. I WAS UNAWARE OF ANY SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES.*AK
THE VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY FAIL TO START OVER A PERIOD OF 2 MONTHS, USUALLY IN THE MORNING. ALL LIGHTS, GAUGES, RADIO, AND HEATER WOULD WORK, BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK. AFTER TURNING THE KEY 4-5 TIMES, IT WOULD EVENTUALLY START. ONE TIME, NOTHING WORKED AND HAD TO JUMP START THE BATTERY. I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND 1 WEEK LATER, IT DID NOT TURN OVER AGAIN AT ALL, BUT EVERYTHING ELSE WAS WORKING. I LET IT SIT, AND TRIED IT LATER IN THE DAY, OF WHICH IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TESTED IT. THEY HAD THE PROBLEM HAPPEN TWICE ON THE FIRST DAY AND DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE THE STARTER TERMINAL WIRING PIGTAIL WAS CORRODED, AND THEY REPLACED IT WITH A NEW ONE. *JB
REAR HEATING/AC AIR BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR HAS FAILED. A DRIVE GEAR INSIDE THE ACTUATOR HAS STRIPPED AND IS MISSING TWO TEETH. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IT APPEARS THAT THE MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL CAUSES THE ACTUATOR TO REACH ONE END OF IT'S INTERNAL TRAVEL LIMIT PREMATURELY, STRAINING THE INTERNAL GEAR DRIVE. ALSO, THE AIR BLEND DOOR TRAVEL LIMITS ARE REACHED BEFORE THE ACTUATOR LIMITS, STRAINING THE INTERNAL GEAR DRIVE FURTHER AT BOTH ENDS OF TRAVEL. THE TWO ISSUES CAUSE THE EFFECTIVE ROTATION RANGE OF THE MANUAL TEMPERATURE CONTROL TO BE REDUCED FROM 300 DEGREES OF ROTATION TO 135 DEGREES OF ROTATION, AND ANY POSITIONING OF THE CONTROL OUTSIDE THE EFFECTIVE RANGE STRAINS AND STRIPS THE GEARS OF THE BLEND DOOR ACTUATOR.
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION AND I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC MIRRORS THAT ROTATE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT MIRROR WOULD CONTINUE TO MOVE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE MIRROR WAS SUPPOSE TO GO BACK TO THE PRE-SERT POSITION BUT IT WOULD NOT. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LT AND RT MIRROR MOTORS. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED AGAIN WITH LITTLE DIFFERENCE. NOW WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE MIRRORS ROTATE IN AND DOWN AS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE BUT THAT IS EVEN BEFORE THE DOORS AR OPEN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED NEITHER MIRROR WILL GO BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITIONS. SO NOW BEFORE I CAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO ADJUST EACH MIRROR. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED WITH THE REMOTE. IF I USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE LEFT DOOR THE MIRRORS STAY AT THE PRE-SET POSITION UNTIL I PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT THE MIRRORS WILL NOT MOVE BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITION AFTER GOING TO THE DRIVE POSITION. WITH THE MIRRORS IN THE AUTOMATIC REVERSE POSITION, NEITHER WILL GO BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITION. AFTER TURNING OFF THE AUTOMATIC REVERSE ON THE MESSAGE CENTER COMPUTER, BOTH MIRRORS WILL STILL DRIVE TO THE IN AND DOWN POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED AND BOTH HAVE TO BE SET AGAIN BEFORE DRIVING. *JB
I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION AND I HAVE THE AUTOMATIC MIRRORS THAT ROTATE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE RIGHT MIRROR WOULD CONTINUE TO MOVE IN AND DOWN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE THE MIRROR WAS SUPPOSE TO GO BACK TO THE PRE-SERT POSITION BUT IT WOULD NOT. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED WHEN I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE. ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LT AND RT MIRROR MOTORS. NOW THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED AGAIN WITH A LITTLE DIFFERENCE. NOW WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH THE REMOTE BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE MIRRORS ROTATE IN AND DOWN AS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE BUT THAT IS EVEN BEFORE THE DOORS AR OPEN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED NEITHER MIRROR WILL GO BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITIONS. SO NOW BEFORE I CAN DRIVE THE VEHICLE I HAVE TO ADJUST EACH MIRROR. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS EACH TIME THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED WITH THE REMOTE. IF I USE THE KEY TO UNLOCK THE LEFT DOOR THE MIRRORS STAY AT THE PRE=SET POSITION UNTIL I PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT THE MIRRORS WILL NOT MOVE BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITION AFTER GOING TO THE DRIVE POSITION. WITH THE MIRRORS IN THE AUTOMATIC REVERSE POSITION, NEITHER WILL GO BACK TO THE PRE-SET POSITION. AFTER TURNING OFF THE AUTOMATIC REVERSE ON THE MESSAGE CENTER COMPUTER, BOTH MIRRORS WILL STILL DRIVE TO THE IN AND DOWN POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNLOCKED AND BOTH HAVE TO BE SET AGAIN BEFORE DRIVING. *JB
ENGINE FAILURE ON MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION HAVING A 5.4 LITER TRITON V8 ENGINE. NUMBER 2 SPARK PLUG WAS BLOWN OUT AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS $3000. FORD HAS KNOWN OF THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME BUT WILL NOT ACCEPT BLAME. THE NUMBER OF THREADS TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUGS IS TOO FEW. *NM
WIFE WAS DRIVING THE 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH 73000 MILES ON IT WHEN LOUD POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD, UPON EXAMINATION SPARKPLUG WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN EJECTED FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK REPAIR AT CLOSEST FORD DEALER WAS $3000. *AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK AFTER VIEWING A NEWS REPORT RELATED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL.*AK
WHILE DRIVING ALONG I SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD 'BANG'. THINKING IT MUST BE A FLAT TIRE I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT MY TIRES. AFTER I FOUND NO ISSUES WITH MY TIRES, I NOTICED THAT THE NOISE WAS IN FACT COMING FROM MY ENGINE WHICH ALSO SMELLED AS IF SOMETHING WAS BURNING. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO BE INSPECTED, I WAS ADVISED THAT THE ALUMINUM AROUND THE SPARK PLUG HAD MELTED AND I NEEDED A NEW HEAD REPLACED WHICH WILL COST OVER 3000 DOLLARS. THEY INITIALLY THOUGHT THE SPARK PLUG HAD EJECTED. WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO HAVE FORD STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES? *JB
ROTORS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AT LOW MILEAGE ON FORD EXPEDITION 2003- OR NEWER AND 2004 FORD F150'S 2003 OR NEWER. *JB
DRIVING NORMALLY. #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT DAMAGING IGNITION COIL AND RUINING THREADS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THESE FORD TRUCK ENGINES.
REAR VIEW MIRRORS FAIL TO RETURN TO CORRECT POSITION AFTER BACKING UP CAUSING A DRIVING HAZARD. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE - NEW IN 2003. DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT AND STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO SERVICE BULLETINS EXISTED AS OF MARCH 2006. OTHER INTERMITTENT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS EXIST - 1. PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR - AUTOMATIC LOCK DOESN'T ALWAYS OPERATE. 2. INTERIOR LIGHTS STAY ON AS IF A DOOR HAS BEEN LEFT OPEN, EVEN WHEN ALL DOORS AND HATCHES HAVE BEEN CHECKED TO ENSURE THEY ARE COMPLETELY CLOSED. *NM
TL*- THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 75 MPH. SIMULTANEOUSLY THE AIRBAGS ON THE RIGHT FRONT AND REAR SIDE DOOR, AS WELL AS, THE LEFT FRONT DOOR AND REAR FRONT DOOR DEPLOYED. BEFORE INCIDENT CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY PRIOR NOTIFICATION REGARDING HIS AIRBAGS. HE DID GET A WARNING LIGHT REGARDING HIS AIRBAGS AFTER THE INCIDENT. IF NEEDED CONTACT CAN PROVIDE PICTURES OF HID DEPLOYED AIRBAGS
MY WIFE AND I WERE INVOLVED IN A DIRECT FRONTAL ACCIDENT IN OUR 2003 FORD EXPEDITION ON DEC. 1, 2006 AND OUR AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS A RELATIVELY HIGH SPEED ACCIDENT. I SPOKE WITH A REPRESENTATIVE OF FORD AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS THEY WOULD GIVE ME A WRITTEN RESPONSE WITHIN 10 DAYS. I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS UNSURE IF MY AUTO WAS REPAIRABLE BUT IF IT WAS I HAD NO CONFIDENCE IN THE CURRENT AIRBAG SYSTEM AND FELT IT SHOULD BE REPLACED. *JB