2003 Ford Expedition Complaint Log

FORD EXPEDITION 2003 XLT, 53700 MILES, CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC SUV TIRES, TREAD SEPARATION ON LEFT REAR TIRE, DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL AREA, REPLACED ALL 5 ORIG. TIRES WITH MICHELIN TIRES FOR ABOUT $1.000.00, KEPT ALL TIRES. MANAGED TO STOP CAR BEFORE ROLL OVER. NO RECALL RECEIVED FROM FORD. WHAT SHOULD I DO?*JB

2ND SET OF CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC TIRES ON 2003 EXP. FORD TIRES CONTINUE TO GO FLAT ON WEEKLY BASIS. AFTER PUTTING CORRECT LBS OF AIR WITHIN 2 DAYS DOWN TO LESS THEN 10-15LBS 2ND SET HAS BEEN ON FOR LESS THEN 18 MONTHS. NOTE: 17 INCH MODEL IT IS NOT LISTED UNDER TIRE TYPE NOTE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING TIRE PROBLEM ON SAME MODEL. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, A LOUD POPPING SOUND WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER. UPON EXAMINATION, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS BLEW DUE TO INADEQUATE ENGINE DESIGN OF THE THREADING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THREADING. THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE THAT RELATED TO THE CONTACT'S ISSUE.

I KEPT FEELING A "SLIPPING FEELING" IN THE REAR OF MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. LIKE A GEAR AND NOTCHES OF THE GEAR WERE NOT LINING UP PROPERLY TO INTER-LOCK AND TURN. IT WOULD FEEL LIKE A JUMPING, SLIPPING. I TOOK IT LOCAL DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE REAR CLUTCHES. SINCE THAT TIME, IT HAS BEEN IN TWO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND THE REAR CLUTCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES AND NOW I AM ABOUT TO TAKE IN FOR NUMBER SIX. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT STALLED AGAIN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS CONTACTED, AND DETERMINED THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BECAUSE THE ALTERNATOR WAS NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY, THE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER BOTH REPLACEMENTS, AND CHECKING THE FUSES, THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED. NOT TOO LONG AFTER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS CORRODED. THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE DEALER THEREFORE THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER SERVICE DEALER WHO INSTALLED A NEW WIRING HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.

TL*-THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RESEARCHING THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BULLETIN ON THE 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH THE CURRENT MILEAGE OF 40,000. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE HAD A VIBRATION OF THE CLUTCH SLIP DIFFERENTIAL.*AK

2003 FORD EXPEDITION LOST ALL POWER AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. *KB ***NAR*** THE VEHICLE CROSSED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE CONSUMER'S HOME. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE CONSUMER. ABOUT A WEEK LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A LEFT FOR A FEW DAYS SO THEY COULD TRY TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY THEY WERE UNABLE TO AND THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER. THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE NO LONGER FELT SAFE DRIVING THE CAR ESPECIALLY SINCE SHE TRANSPORTED HER CHILDREN IN IT. THE CONSUMER READ SOMEWHERE THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS THE CAUSED OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER TOLD THE DEALER OF HIS FINDINGS BUT THEY WERE NOT INTERESTED. THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE COULD NOT FIX IT UNLESS THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC AW TIRES (SIZE P27560R17). ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THE TIRES, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN AIR BUBBLE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. SHE RETURNED TO THE STORE AND EXCHANGED THE FAILED TIRE. A FEW MONTHS LATER, SHE NOTICED AN AIR BUBBLE ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. A SALES REPRESENTATIVE FROM WAL-MART STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BATCH OF TIRES WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WITH A GOODYEAR TIRE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT AND ALL OF THE CABLES WERE EXPOSED. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE. THE DOT NUMBER, VIN, ENGINE SIZE, # OF CYLINDERS, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 97,000.

ON AUGUST 26,2006 TOOK MY SUV TO DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT BECAUSE THE FRONT END WAS SHAKING REALLY BAD. WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED TO HAVE FRONT AND REAR ROTORS REPLACED HAD ANOTHER DEALER CHECK OUT ONLY NEED FRONT ROTORS REPLACED HAD THEM REPLACED. ON SEPT 8, 2006 TOOK BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE I HEARD A WHINNING NOISE THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING FLUID LOW. IT CHECKED OUT OKAY DEALER CHECK IT AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD HAD IT REPLACE. PICKED UP MY SUV AND IT WAS STILL MAKING THE SAME NOISE. WAS TOLD TO DRIVE FOR TWO WEEKS TO LET AIR BLEED OUT LINE AND BRING BACK IN TWO WEEKS CALL THEM TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE TOOK TO DEALER. NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT. CALL THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND MAILED THEM A LETTER ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE MY SUV TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER DID THAT WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS BAD THAT I HAD PUT ON IN AUG. AND THAT SOMETHING WAS CAUSING THEM TO GO BAD. THE STEERING RACK IS THE PROBLEM. I CALL THE DEALER WHERE I'VE ALL OF MY WORK DONE ON MY SUV AND TALK TO THE GENERAL MANAGER. HE WAS RUDE AND HUNG UP IN MY FACE I CALL BACK I'M GOING TO TAKE MY SUV TO THEM TOMORROW OCT 27,2006 AND SEE IF WE CAN COME TO TERMS TO GET MY SUV FIX. BUT I'VE SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM THAT 'M HAVING. *NM

VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO FORD DEALER FOR A "TAPPING NOISE" IN ENGINE AREA.. DEALER RAN A TEST AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. SEVERAL DAYS LATER ENGINE STARTING MAKING POPPING NOISES AND WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE DUE TO ENGINE NOT OPERATING PROPERLY..SAME DEALER TOWED TO THEIR FACILITY AND SAID SPARK PLUG IN #3 CYLINDER CAME LOOSE AND WAS EJECTED AND DAMAGED THE HEAD. THEY WANT $3K TO REPAIR THIS...VEHICLE HAS 75K MILES WITH NO MORE WARRANTY. *JB

MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW THE #3 SPARK PLUG ON AUGUST 22, 2006. THE TRITON 5.4 LITER ENGINE HAS 86K+ MILES. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER PURCHASING 12 FORD VEHICLES OVER THE PAST 32 YEARS. IT IS TIME FOR THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF THIS PROBLEM AND AT LEAST TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS DEFECT. MY REPLACEMENT COST OF THE ENGINE WAS $5,400.00. *TR

GAS PEDAL STUCK WHILE UNDER ACCELERATION. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT THE GAS PEDAL STUCK WIDE OPEN. MANAGED TO GET TO PARKING LOT WHILE HOLDING BRAKES TO THE FLOOR. AFTER SEVERAL KICKS THE PEDAL CAME UNSTUCK. TOOK TRUCK TO FORD DEALER WHERE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY STICKING DUE TO A SHIFTING IN THE LINKAGE AND CARBON BUILD UP INSIDE OF THROTTLE BODY. DEALER REPLACED PART #'S 3L1Z9E926 & F65Z9E936 AND PERFORMED FLUSH OF UPPER PLENUM WITH BG INDUCTION SERVICE. *NM

ORIGINAL AND 2ND FORD ENGINE BLEW. 1ST THREW A ROD, 2ND BLOCK CRACKED AND RUINED ENGINE DUE TO RAPID COOLANT LOSS. DEALERS OFFERED NO WARRANTY AS BOTH ENGINES BLEW AT 112,000 AND 120,000 RESPECTIVELY. THIS CAR WAS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND RECEIVED ROUTINE RECOMMENDED SERVICE FOR OIL AND FLUID CHANGES. *TR

CLUTCH PLATE AND PINION GEAR IS FAULTY AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY DOES NOT WANT TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM. *NM

I HAVE A RUBBING / GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM MY REAR END ON MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. AND AS I LOOK ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE 100'S OF PEOPLE THAT ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS HAS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD AND THEY AREN'T STANDING BEHIND THERE PRODUCT. *TR

DT*: THE CONSUMER EXITED THE DRIVER'S SEAT, LEFT THE FRONT DOOR OPEN AND OPENED THE BACK DOOR TO PLACE SOME ITEMS IN THE BACK. UNAWARE HER 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD CLIMBED OVER THE FRONT SEAT AND SAT IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FACING THE OPEN DOOR, THE CONSUMER OPENED THE BACK DOOR FARTHER TO EXIT AND THEN SHUT THE DOOR. WHEN SHE SHUT THE DOOR THE CHILD'S HAND WAS CAUGHT IN THE DOOR, HER LEFT HAND RING FINGER WAS CRUSHED, ALMOST SEVERED BY THE HINGE THAT HOOKS THE DOOR TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONSUMER OPENED THE DOOR IT CRUSHED HER FINGER AND WHEN THE CONSUMER CLOSED THE DOOR IT RELEASED HER FINGER. *NM

MY BRAKES BEGAN TO SQUEAL AROUND 50K. THIS IS THE FIRST BRAKE SERVICING REQUIRED ON THIS VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD BY A NUMBER OF MECHANICS THAT THE FRONT ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE WORN DOWN TOO MUCH. I WAS SURPRISED ABOUT THIS AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 FORD EXPEDITIONS. APPARENTLY, THESE ROTORS ARE NOT "DEFECTIVE" IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP OTHERWISE THERE WOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS A PRIME EXAMPLE OF POOR DESIGN AND ENGINEERING. IT IS COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS TO EXPECT ANYONE TO BELIEVE IT IS NORMAL TO REPLACE BRAKE ROTORS ON EACH BRAKE PAD CHANGE. I HAVE BOUGHT AMERICAN MADE VEHICLES MY ENTIRE LIFE. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THAT THE FOREIGN CARS WERE JUNK AND COST A LOT OF MONEY TO MAINTAIN. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE SPENT MUCH MONEY AND TIME REPAIRING MY AMERICAN MADE CARS. I HAD BOUGHT THE CHEAPEST CAR I COULD FIND BACK IN 2000. A HYUNDAI ELANTRA. I HAVE HAD ZERO PROBLEMS. NOT A SINGLE ONE. THE MILEAGE IS OVER 100K AND I HAVEN'T EVEN NEEDED TO CHANGE THE BRAKE PADS. THIS CAR WAS THE ABSOLUTE CHEAPEST CAR I COULD FIND ON THE MARKET IN 2000. I WILL TAKE THIS AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOW POORLY THE FORD LINE OF PRODUCTS ARE EITHER DESIGNED OR BACKED UP BY THE MANUFACTURER. *JB

THREE OF THE FOUR ORIGINAL TIRES ON MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION HAVE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION FAILURE. THE FIRST OCCURRED JUNE 2006 AT APPROXIMATELY 36,000 MILES. THIS TIRE WAS REPLACED PRO RATA AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND OCCURRED FALL OF 2007 AT 48,000 MILES AND WAS ALSO REPLACED PRO RATA AT THE DEALERSHIP. NOW A 3RD TIRE HAS FAILED, FEB 2008 AT APPROXIMATELY 52,000 MILES. *TR

MY 2003 EXPEDITION HAD A CRACK IN THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT USED IN 2004. I DIDN'T SEE IT AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE AND DIDN'T THINK THAT MUCH OF IT WHEN I DID DISCOVER THE CRACK. IN THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF THE CONSOLE HAS SIMPLY CRACKED APART AND THE PLASTIC IS VERY BRITTLE. I'VE GLUED IT A NUMBER OF TIMES BUT IT KEEPS CRACKING APART IN DIFFERENT PLACES. I'VE CALLED THE PARTS DEPARTMENT AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT I CANNOT PURCHASE THE HOUSING FOR THE OVERHEAD CONSOLE SEPARATELY. THEREFORE, I MUST PURCHASE AN ENTIRE NEW CONSOLE PACKAGE INCLUDING THE LIGHTS, SWITCH, ETC. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THIS PART WILL COST ME APPROXIMATELY $450.00 NOT INCLUDING ANY INSTALLATION LABOR. I DON'T NEED THE LIGHTS, SWITCH, MIRROR, ETC., BECAUSE THOSE PARTS ARE ALL FUNCTIONAL AND FINE. ALL I NEED IS THE HOUSING. THE PART CANT BE WORTH MORE THAN $10.00, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER HOW EASILY IT BROKE INTO PIECES. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS PROBLEM IS PREVALENT IN OTHER EXPEDITIONS, BUT I SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY OVER $500.00 (PARTS AND LABOR) FOR A SMALL, CHEAP PIECE OF PLASTIC. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS RUST APPEARING ON THE LIFTGATE UNDER THE HANDLE AND BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE DOOR. IT APPEARED TO BE BUBBLING AND RUST FORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE WHEN THE RUST WAS OBSERVED. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE RUST MAY BE DUE TO WATER CAPTURED BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE DOOR. *AK

1.) I WAS JUST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE. 2.) I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION 5.4 L TRITON V8 WITH 78,000 MILES AND THE SPARK PLUG BLOW OUT OF THE ENGINE. 3.) A FORD DEALER IS REPLACING THE HEAD ON MY EXPEDITION, COST $3000. *JB

THE BRAKES ON THE 2003 EXPEDITION ISN'T DESIGNED TO HOLD THE HEAVY WEIGHT OF THE EXPEDITION. THIS CAUSE THE BRAKES TO NEED TO BE REPLACED NUMEROUS TIMES. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE BRAKES AND PUT BIGGER BRAKE PADS IN THEM. I HAVE HAD TO EVEN REPLACE THEM METAL TO METAL IN THE FRONT 7 TIMES IN 3 YEARS AND UNDER 45,000 MILES. I EVEN HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER DUE TO LEAKAGE AT 45,000 MILES. ALSO DUE TO ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD I WAS UNABLE TO LOCK THE SUV AND HAD THE ALARM SOUND BECAUSE OF IT AND WINDOWS DON'T GO UP AND DOWN CORRECTLY. *JB

PURCHASED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO, SINCE THEN DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. WEEK AND HALF AGO, PASSENGERS FWD INOPERATIVE, YESTERDAY, DRIVERS SIDE INOPERATIVE. WHEN FIRST ONE WAS FIXED. TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS A BIG PROBLEM. THE REGULATOR CABLES BIND UP. HE SAID BAD DESIGN. STILL WAITING FOR MY APPOINTMENT TO REPAIR THE OTHER 2 WINDOWS. WHEN THESE WINDOWS FAIL. THEY ARE EITHER STUCK UP, OR DOWN. RESULTING IN A SAFETY ISSUE IN FLOODS OR WATER, OR HEAT ISSUES IF THE WINDOWS CANNOT BE ROLLED DOWN. NOT TO MENTION, EMERGENCY ESCAPE ISSUES. LOOKING ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND MANY WEBSITES WITH ARCHIVED FORUMS WITH MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME SITUATION. *NM

COIL PACK WENT OUT ON MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION @ 36,200 MILES, 200 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. DEALER WOULD NOT MAKE EXCEPTION AND COVER. *NM

AFTER MY 100,000 MILE SERVICE WHICH INCLUDED A SPARK PLUG CHANGE, TWO SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD AND MAJOR REPAIR COST. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED AND THE RPM'S SURGED TO 6000. THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A DEALERSHIP.

FUEL PUMP COULD NOT MAINTAIN PROPER FUEL PRESSURE. WHEN IT WAS REPLACED, DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPT. DISCOVERED NECK ON FUEL TANK WAS WARPED WHERE FUEL PUMP CONNECTS TO FUEL TANK. EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAK DUE TO THIS PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED. *NM

WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE ENGINE WOULD QUIT WITH NO PROCEEDING SYMPTOMS OR INDICATIONS. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND TRYING TO RE-START WOULD NOT WORK. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL, TURNING OFF THE IGNITION AND THEN TURNING THE KEY TO START DID CAUSE A RE-START. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ON THE DASH TO LIGHT, SO A CODE IS BEING GENERATED. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, SINCE IT HAS ISSUED A NOTICE (NOT A RECALL) TO IT'S SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. THE REPAIR IS THE REPLACEMENT OF A WIRING HARNESS AND REPROGRAMMING OF THE PROCESSOR. FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM, SO THE CHARGE FOR THE WORK IS $ 358.18. *NM

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION THAT HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS SINCE DAY ONE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE LIGHTS TO REMAIN ON AT ALL TIMES AND MY BATTERY TO RUN DOWN TWICE. THE DOORS ALL SEEM TO LOCK AND UNLOCK ONLY WHEN THEY WANT TO AND THE MOST RECENT OF MY COMPLAINTS IS THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAS BEGUN OPENING ON ITS OWN WHILE BEING DRIVEN. MY 10 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE OUT SHOPPING AT A LOCAL SHOPPING CENTER A FEW WEEKS AGO AND WHILE MAKING A TURN AND PREPARING TO PARK IN A SPACE THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FLUNG COMPLETELY OPEN. I WAS STUNNED. MY DAUGHTER LUCKILY WAS SAFELY BELTED IN HER CAR SEAT IN THE MIDDLE SEAT. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF MY OTHER TWO CHILDREN HAD OF BEEN WITH ME AT THE TIME AND HAD BEEN SITTING BY THAT DOOR WHICH MY 5 YEAR OLD USUALLY DOES ON A DAILY BASIS. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY TOLD ME TO HAVE IT EVALUATED BY A FORD DEALERSHIP WHICH I DID AND IT WAS PROVEN TO BE A FAULTY LATCH AND SWITCH. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO MORE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE AND THAT NO EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD COVER IT. IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 3 YEARS AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A FAULTY LATCH AND SWITCH COULD END UP BEING MY FAULT. I HAVE AUTHORIZED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR NEEDLESS TO SAY IT IS NOT WORTH THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN, BUT I AM STILL UNSURE HOW A FAULTY PART IS DEEMED THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CONSUMER. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SWITCHES FIXED FOR TWO OTHER DOORS WHILE UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE PROBLEM JUST SEEMS TO BE CONTINUING. THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF THE REPAIR WILL RUN ME $257.00. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH IN SNOW, WHILE CHANGING LANES THE VEHICLE HIT A TREE HEAD ON, THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND PICTURES WERE TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER RECEIVED MINOR INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED BODY DAMAGE AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. CONTACT WAS SEEKING FROM FORD THE REASSURANCE OF SAFETY . HE WANTS FORD TO TON INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINE WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK. THE IMPACT WA SHARD ENOUGH TO TRIGGER THEM. THE REASON GIVEN TO THE CONSUMER WAS THAT THE SENSOR WAS NOT HIT HARD ENOUGH. WANTS THE DEALER TO BE MORE FORTHRIGHT WITH CONTACT AND TELL HIM THE TRUTH. *AK

2003 EXPEDITION RELAY JUNCTION BOX BURNED. *TS ***NAR*** THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A RELAY PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE RELAY. AFTER REPAIR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. THE DEALER PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE JUNCTION HAD MELTED. THE JUNCTION BOX WAS REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE STILL HAD NO OVERDRIVE NOR THIRD GEAR. THE DEALER REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND FOUND INTERNAL TRANSMISSION DAMAGE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DESTROY WHEN THE JUNCTION BOX BURNED OUT. THE CONSUMER HAS THE BURNED JUNCTION BOX IN HIS POSSESSION. PRIOR TO THIS FAILED THE VEHICLE ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

HAVE A FORD EXPEDITION. THE 2ND ROW, MIDDLE SEAT WILL NOT STAY IN A LOCKED UPRIGHT POSITION. NOTIFIED FORD, AS THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY INFRACTION. ANY CHILD OR ADULT COULD BE SERIOUSLY HARMED IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, AS THE SEAT WOULD COLLAPSE FORWARD. FORD CLAIMS THE PART WHICH CONTROLS THE LATCHING OF THE SEAT INTO AN UPRIGHT POSITION (KNOWN AS A SEAT HANDLE RELEASE) IS TRIM AND THEREFORE UNCOVERED BY WARRANTY. THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF FIXING A DOOR HANDLE OR A CRACKED PIECE OF PLASTIC, BUT TO CORRECT A SAFETY CONCERN THAT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. REPEATED PHONE CALLS TO FORD HAS YIELDED NO RESULTS AND WHILE THE FORD EMPLOYEES I SPOKE WITH CONCUR THAT THE ISSUE IS A SAFETY CONCERN, THEY ARE UNWILLING TO RE-CATEGORIZE THE PART OR ALLOW THE PART TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE GEARS THE GEAR SHIFTER BROKE. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING WHEN THE SHIFTER BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER DETERMINED THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 3/10/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. *NM UPDATED 2/9/2006 - *NM

ON JANUARY 18, 2006 I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH A 5.4L TRITON V8. JUST SOUTH OF CHICAGO THE ENGINE BLEW A SPARK PLUG FROM THE #5 CYLINDER. FORD WANTS $4500 TO REPAIR AND SEEMS TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO KNOWN PROBLEM. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FIRE SINCE THE PLUG WAS OUT OF THE ENGINE AND THE INJECTOR WAS STILL FIRING PUTTING RAW GAS IN THE CYLINDER. I COULD SMELL THE GAS. IF IT HAD SPILLED OUT ONTO THE ENGINE, A FIRE COULD RESULT. FORD HAS NO INTEREST IN REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM. *NM

RUNNING ABOUT 50 MPH AND SIDEWALL BLEW OUT ON TIRE CONTINENTAL TIRE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WAS DEFECTIVE FOR A SECOND TIME IN A TWO-YEAR PERIOD. THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED AT ALL TIMES AND WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE AIR BAGS WERE REPLACED IN FEBRUARY OF 2006, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,035 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,096.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FIRST TIME THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED WAS WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND THE ENGINE LOCKED , AND WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED AN UNKNOWN FUSE. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE DID NOT SUFFER ANOTHER LOSS OF POWER AS STATED BEFORE THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT AS WELL AS THE FRONTAL AIRBAGS. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THERE WAS NO DANGER AND THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, HOWEVER THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER PLANS TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS.*AK

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REFERENCE TO A MECHANICAL PROBLEM I HAD WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I-90 NEAR BOSTON, MA, THE ENGINE EJECTED A SPARK PLUG FROM THE HEAD CASING OF MY MOTOR (THIRD PLUG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE). WHEN THE PLUG EJECTED, IT TOOK WITH IT ALL OF THE THREADS IN THE CASING, RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE HEAD. THIS HAPPENED VERY SUDDENLY, AND RESULTED IN A DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN VEHICLE PERFORMANCE - WHICH NEARLY CAUSED A VEHICLE CRASH ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS STRANDED ON THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE FOR SOME TIME AND HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, MY MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THIS WAS THE 4TH EXPEDITION HE HAD SEEN THIS YEAR WITH THIS DAMAGE TO THE EXACT SAME PLUG CASING - IN HIS MIND CLEARLY A DEFECT GIVEN THAT THESE WERE ALL RELATIVELY NEW VEHICLES WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT MILEAGE ON THEM. I CALLED FORD ON THIS - BUT THEY CLAIMED THIS WAS NOT A COMMON PROBLEM (I DID NOT BELIEVE THEM). MY REPAIR COSTS FOR THIS WERE OVER $2,000. SUBSEQUENT REVIEW OF YOUR WEBSITE INDICATES THAT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED BY SEVERAL PERSONS IN CALIFORNIA CLAIMING TO HAVE INCURRED THE SAME TYPE OF DAMAGE. IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THIS IS ON YOUR RADAR SCREEN, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FORMALLY SUBMIT THIS REQUEST THAT THIS BE LOOKED INTO ON MY BEHALF AS WELL AS FOR OTHERS WHO I'M SURE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ALREADY - BUT ARE NOT AWARE THAT THIS MAY BE A WIDESPREAD DEFECT/SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE CAME APART ON THE TREAD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. IT PULLED OFF THE BOTTOM PART OF THE TRUCK, AND DID DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER AND PAINT DAMAGE TO THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND A MECHANIC HAD TO BE CALLED TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE TIRE STILL HAD AIR, JUST THE TREAD WAS COMING OFF. THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY STATE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. *AK

WE OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CHILD-LOCK ON DRIVER SIDE STAYS IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND THE DOOR HAS TO BE MANUALLY OPENED FROM EXTERIOR. THE SAME DOOR WILL ONLY LOCK MANUALLY AND NOT BY AUTOMATION. CAUSING MY CHILDREN NOT TO WANT TO SIT BY THAT DOOR OUT OF FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT IN AN EMERGENCY. *JB

SIDE VIEW MIRRORS FAIL TO RETURN TO PROPER POSITION AFTER USING REVERSE AID. MIRRORS OFTEN TILT TOO HIGH, TOO LOW, ETC. AND MAX OUT CREATING BAD CLICKING AS IF THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO TILT PAST FURTHEST POINT. HAVE TO RESET MANUALLY ON EACH SIDE EVERY TIME. HAPPENS 9 OUT OF 10 TIMES USED, AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE PURCHASE. FORD SAYS THERE IS NO FIX TO THIS PROBLEM, AND HAS NOT HEARD OF THE ISSUE MUCH, EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN FIND HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT ON WEBSITES SUCH AS THIS AND OTHERS. *TR

CONSUMER IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH AIR CONDITION MAKING NOISE, POWER WINDOWS ONLY LOWER, RADIO VOLUME GETS LOUDER WHEN ACCELERATING SEAT CONTROL BUTTONS ARE INOPERABLE. *TS WATER LEAKED FROM THE SUNROOF, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS DUE TO BRAKE AND ROTOR NOISE. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED LACK OF POWER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HEAR THE RADIO SEPARATELY WHEN THE DVD WAS PLAYING. *JB

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON ACCIDENT ON 9/29/05. MY 2003 EXPEDITION HAS BEEN TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POINT OF IMPACT WAS THE FRONT CENTER OF THE CAR WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. I HAVE MADE 3 SEPARATE PHONE CALLS TO FORD'S COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT, AS OF TODAY NO RETURN CALLS FROM FORD HAVE BEEN RECEIVED. *JB

2003 FORD EXPEDITION WINDOW ROLLED UP ON CONSUMER'S HAND.*MR *JB

2003 FORD EXPEDITION HEADLIGHTS ARE TOO DIM TO DRIVE SAFELY. HUSBAND HAS RETURNED VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER AND HAD THEM CHECKED, NOT LONG AFTER WE BOUGHT IT NEW. SERVICE DEPT SAYS HEADLIGHTS ARE FINE. BOTH MY HUSBAND AND I FEEL THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE WITH THE DIMS ON, BECAUSE WE CAN'T SEE FAR ENOUGH IN FRONT OF US. THE BRGHTS ARE FINE, JUST THE DIMS SEEM TO BE FAULTY. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE LIKE THAT WHEN THE CAR WAS BRAND NEW, SO IT ISN'T SOMETHING THAT STARTED DETERIORATING WITH AGE. HUSBAND THOUGHT MAYBE THEY WERE OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, AND HAD THEM CHECKED, BUT WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE. WE OWN A FORD ECONOLINE VAN AND A FORD F-150 PICKUP AND BOTH OF THE OTHER FORD VEHICLES HAVE MUCH BETTER VISIBILITY THAN OUR 2003 EXPEDITION. DUE TO MOUNTAIN DRIVING IN A RURAL AREA IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SEE FAR ENOUGH IN FRONT OF US TO AVOID HITTING ANIMALS. THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH TO SEE FAR ENOUGH IN FRONT OF US TO AVOID ROCKS IN THE ROAD OR EVEN DEER. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BECAUSE IT IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WHEN NIGHT DRIVING HERE. I AM ADDING A NUMBER IN THE FIELD (NUMBER OF FAILURES) THAT REALLY ISN'T ACCURATE BECAUSE THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE BEEN THIS WAY SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED.

THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY WARPING. THE ROTORS WERE MACHINED AT 24985, 35498 AND 40520 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS WILL BE THE LAST TIME THE ROTORS CAN BE TURNED AND NEW ROTORS WILL HAVE TO BE PURCHASED IF/WHEN THEY WARPED AGAIN. DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL FOR THE ROTORS TO BE TURNED EVERY 5000 TO 10000 MILES. 8JB

BRAKING SYSTEM DEGREDATION, ALL FOUR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AT 27K MILES. DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF DRIVING THE NEW VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM PERFORMED WORSE THAN THE 2000 EXPEDITION I HAD JUST TRADED IN. AFTER EXPLAINING THIS TO THE DEALER, THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL FOUR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. AFTER A ROUNTINE MAINTANENCE AT 26K MILES, I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE PADS HAD 10% LIFE LEFT AND ALL FOUR ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE ROTORS WERE BEYOND SPECIFICATIONS FOR TURNING. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THIS WORK AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I AM AFRAID THAT I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT DUE TO POSSIBLE TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MAKER SAID IT'S A MAINTANENCE ISSUE AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR IT'S REPLACEMENT. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 EXPEDITION AND HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET WITH THE SAME ISSUE.

DT: 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ROTORS CREATED A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD . THE BRAKES WERE MADE OF HARD METAL, AND THE ROTORS WERE MADE OF SOFT METAL WHICH WORE THEM DOWN. THERE WERE NO BRAKE PROBLEMS PRIOR TO FINDING THIS DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT, AND WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE TO THE BRAKES. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO LET THE CONSUMER TAKE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THEY HAD NEVER BEEN TURNED. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED. THE ROTORS WERE WORE OUT BELOW SPECIFICATION. THIS HAPPENED A MONTH AGO. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. A REGIONAL DIRECTOR WAS TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT CONTACT THE CONSUMER, HE CALLED THEM, AND THEY TOLD HIM HIS CLAIM WAS DENIED.*AK

ON THE 15TH OF JULY I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A FORD TAURUS WHICH FAILED TO YIELD A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS DRIVING A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. AS THE TAURUS EXECUTED THE TURN I PROCEEDED TO HIT HIS FRONT PASSENGER QUARTER PANEL, THE IMPACT OF WHICH MAINLY TO MY FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED HOWEVER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES INVOLVED, HOWEVER HAD THIS BEEN A HIGHER RATE OF SPEED THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. AT PRESENT, I AM TRYING TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR CO. TO DETERMINE WHY MY AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THEY HAVE YET TO CALL ME BACK. THE VEHICLE ITSELF HAS $10K WORTH OF DAMAGES NOT TO INCLUDE FIXING THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG. *JB