2003 Ford Expedition Steering Problems

The brakes are burning while driving & the emergency brakes are not applied. The power windows are failing 1 by 1.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE JUST SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND SHUT DOWN. I MANAGED TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT STARTED AND I CONTINUED ON, AFTER A FEW MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I GOT IT STARTED AGAIN AND WAS TRYING TO MAKE A REST STOP A FEW MILES AWAY. WHILE PULLING INTO THE REST STOP THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AGAIN AND RESULTED IN A COLLISION BECAUSE OF NO STEERING OR BRAKES. THE LOSS OF POWER HAPPENED 8 TIMES THAT DAY. WHILE LOOKING FOR ANSWERS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I FOUND ON THE NHTSB WEBSITE THAT OTHER VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM THAT TURNED OUT TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUSE BLOCK. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THEY SAID IT WAS A FUEL PUMP ISSUE. THAT WOULD NOT CAUSE A LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO DID FIND THAT IT WAS INDEED A FAULTY FUSE BLOCK. THE SAME MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BEFORE SOMEONE LOSES THEIR LIFE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. THE LOSS OF POWER OCCURS WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR CODES.

TRUCK SHUT OFF AT 60MPH TOWING A CAMPER BECAUSE MY FUEL PUMP RELAY BLEW BECAUSE OF A DEFECT IN THE FUSE BOX!! ALMOST KILLED US........ NOT HAPPY AT ALL. I'VE SPOKEN TO MANY MECHANICS AND BEEN ON MANY FORUMS AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD AND DANGEROUS ISSUE FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. SPOKE WITH THE LOCAL FORD PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THIS IS NOT A CHEAP PART BY ANY MEANS, BUT ON TOP OF THAT IT ALMOST KILLED MY WIFE AND FAMILY! PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DEFECT. I CAN SEND YOU PICTURES OF THE FUSE BOX BOARD SO YOU CAN SEE THE BURNS.

LOST CONTROL, HIT PARKED CAR AND TREE, FRONT END DAMAGE, DRIVER SIDE FENDER, DRIVER DOOR, DRIVER RECEIVED LACERATION TO FOREHEAD AND TWO FRACTURED RIBS. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE ON 7/27/12 TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER BACK TO HER MOTHER, AS I HAD MY DAUGHTER DURING SUMMER VISITATION. HALF-WAY INTO MY TRIP (525 MILES ONE-WAY) IT STARTED TO RAIN AND I HYDRO-PLANED, RESULTING IN A ONE-CAR ACCIDENT. I SLID FROM THE INNER LANE (PASSING LANE), ACROSS THE OUTER LANE, INTO THE SHOULDER AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD-RAIL. IF NOT FOR THE GUARD-RAIL, MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE FALLEN ABOUT 30-FEET FROM THE INTERSTATE TO THE ELEVATION BELOW. AFTER THE RESPONDING DEPARTMENT ARRIVED (HIGHWAY PATROL AND LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS), WE EVALUATED THAT MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE OK PHYSICALLY. ONCE I STARTED TO EVALUATE THE DAMAGE, I LOOKED AT THE FRONT TIRES AND THEY ARE SEVERELY WARPED!! I'M NOT AN AUTOMOBILE AFICIONADO, BUT MY FRONT TIRES (BOTH) ARE COMPLETELY BALD ON THE OUTER PORTION OF THE TIRES, WHILE THE INNER THREADS ON THE TIRES SHOW LITTLE WEAR (THE TIRES ARE ONLY 2 YEARS OLD). FROM WHAT I HAVE GATHERED, THE "CUPPING" THE TIRES EXPERIENCED ARE FROM A FAULTY/DEFECTIVE FRONT END ALIGNMENT. I NOTICED SHORTLY INTO MY TRIP, THAT MY STEERING WHEEL HAD A MODERATE VIBRATION. I HAVE HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE WHEN I USED TO OWN A 1997 FORD EXPLORER (IT ALWAYS NEED A FRONT END ALIGNMENT/ADJUSTMENT). I WAS NOT TICKETED FOR THE INCIDENT AND AM COMING TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE FAULTY FRONT END ALIGNMENT MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE STEERING VIBRATION, AND THE WHEELS CUPPING, RESULTING IN UNEVEN TREAD-WEAR, LEADING TO MY HYDROPLANING ACCIDENT... *TR

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 70 MPG VEHICLE STALLS THEN PROCEEDS, THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER A COURSE OF 1 YEAR. ONE LATER INCIDENT ENGINE DIED BUT RESTARTED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER COMPLETELY DIES. AFTER SEVERAL HRS VEHICLE RESTARTS. FORD MECHANICS CLAIM THEY CANNOT MAKE A DIAGNOSIS. IT WILL NEVER STALL OR QUIT WHEN IT'S IN THE SHOP. I'M AFRAID THIS VEHICLE WILL BE SOMEONE'S DEATH TRAP. *TR

ON SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 P.M I WAS DRIVING ON THE 215 FREEWAY GOING SOUTHBOUND IN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, CA. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, WEATHER WAS MODERATE AND IT WAS NIGHTTIME. WHILE DRIVING MY PARENTS' 2003 FORD EXPEDITION ON THE FAR RIGHT LANE AT THE SPEED OF 60-65MPH I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP AND I TRIED TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT THE WHEELS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND I VEERED OFF THE LANE AND INTO THE DIRT ON THE SHOULDER LANE. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, IT SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER TWO OR THREE TIMES, AND TOOK OUT A BIG PIECE OF FENCE AND FINALLY STOPPED. I WALKED OUT OF THE CAR IN COMPLETE SHOCK AND PANIC, PEOPLE PULLED OVER TO HELP, POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AS WELL AS AN AMBULANCE. ACCIDENT REPORT WAS TAKEN BY THE CHP AND I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE AMBULANCE. I SUFFERED FROM MINOR INJURIES TO HEAD AND BODY AND HAD NIGHTMARES AND WOKE UP SCREAMING FOR A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY AT THE SCENE OF ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY IN RAINY CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE FISHTAILED AND ALMOST SLIPPED ON A RAMP UNTIL HE REGAINED CONTROL. HE ALSO NOTICED A VIBRATING NOISE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BUT THERE WERE NO DEFINITE ANSWERS AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS. HE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER OR TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

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

FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY ON OUTSIDE EDGES. TOOK TO TIRE SHOP FOR ROTATE AND ALIGNMENT. THEY SAID THAT ALIGNMENT WAS OUTSIDE MANUFACTURER SPECS, BUT THERE IS NO ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM ON VEHICLE. SPECIAL CAMBER/CASTOR ADJUSTER KIT MUST BE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED AT MY EXPENSE TO ALLOW ADJUSTMENT. OTHERWISE TIRES WILL CONTINUE TO WEAR UNEVENLY AND CAUSE PREMATURE FAILURE AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH DRIVESHAFT AND THE TIE ROD BROKE . AS A RESULT, VEHICLE ACCELERATED. *AK

DT: THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD HAS BROKEN TWICE. BOTH TIMES WAS WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAS FIXED IT ONCE AND NOW IT IS BACK TO THE DEALER FOR THE SECOND TIME FOR SAME PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK INFORMATION FROM THE CONSUMER, BUT SHE HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM. *JB PASSENGER SIDE REAR WINDOW DOES NOT GO DOWN FROM MASTER SWITCH. DOOR AJAR LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF. LEFT FRONT BALL JOINT SEPARATED, THEN VEHICLE HIT SIGN. LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKEN, UPPER BALL JOINT BAD, SPINDLE BROKEN SWAY BAR LINK BROKEN, CV BOOT TORN AND AXLE PULLED OUT OF FRONT DIFFERENTIAL. TIE ROD END ON LEFT SIDE BROKEN AND VACUUM HUB CRACKED ON SPINDLE AND TIRE AND RIM DAMAGED. ALSO FENDER LINER RIPPED OUT. SPINDLE, UPPER CONTROL ARM, LOWER CONTROL ARM, CV BOOT REPLACED. CLIP FOR AXLE VACUUM HUB AND WHEEL AND TIRE, REMOVED FRONT DIFFERENTIAL TO REINSTALL, AXLE AND CLIP REPLACED WHEEL AND TIRE AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT. DAMAGE TO HOOD WHEN KNUCKLE SPLIT. *TT *SB

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE CHECKED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO DUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO OUTSIDE SOURCES WHO CONCLUDED THAT THE BRAKES WERE BAD AND THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAS ALSO REPLACED THE STEERING RACK, SEAT MOTOR AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK. *NM

BRAKES, STEERING FAILED. *AK

2003 FORD EXPEDITION. NO COMPONENT METIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK

VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED NOTICEABLE PLAY/SHIMMY IN STEERING. WHEN VEHICLE WAS NEW PLAY WAS NOT THERE. IT WAS MENTIONED TO DEALER. THEY CHECKED VEHICLE OVER BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. HOWEVER, WHEN VEHICLE IS DRIVEN OVER SURFACES LIKE RAIN GROOVES, OR ANY SURFACE LESS THAN SMOOTH, VEHICLE WANDERS/SHAKES BAD. I TEST DROVE A COUPLE OF SIMILAR VEHICLES AT DIFFERENT DEALERS, NEITHER VEHICLE HAD THE 'PLAY' IN THE STEERING. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT 7500-8000 MILES. *AK

MY EXPEDITION IS A 1YR AND 5 MONTHS. WITH LESS THAN 500 MILES PAID FOR A FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND TIRE ROTATION, BECAUSE OF BAD VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OF 60-70 MILES AN HOUR. STILL HAD VIBRATION, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER, THEY SAID THE TRUCK CAME WITH TIRES OUT OF BALANCE. STILL HAD VIBRATION, TOOK IT BACK TO DEALERSHIP, A BOX DEALING WITH THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THEN I HAVE PAID FOR ANOTHER FRONT END ALIGNMENT AND TIRE BALANCE, NOW TIRES HAVE WORN SO BAD DEALERSHIP WILL PROBABLY BLAME WORN TIRES FOR THE VIBRATION. THERE IS MORE!!! THE SEAL ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAME LOOSE AND STARTED LEAKING, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. IN THE FRONT DEFROST VENT SOME FOAM STUFF HAD COME LOOSE AND WOULD FLAP AROUND WHEN THE VENT WAS ON, THE DEALERSHIP CALLED IT ( PACKING) IT WAS REPLACED OR GLUED BACK DOWN. THE SIDE TRIM ON BOTH SIDES FROM THE TWO FRONT DOORS, TO THE TWO REAR DOORS FADED BADLY, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DOME LIGHT HAD A PINCHED WIRE AND WOULD FLICKER WHEN TURNED ON OR HIT A BUMP, IT WAS REPAIRED. THE POWER WINDOW SWITH LIGHT, DRIVER SIDE WENT OUT, AND THE UNIT HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND NOW THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT STAY ENGAGED WHEN I HIT A BUMP MOST OF THIS HAPPENED IN UNDER A YEAR. *AK

THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. *JB

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHILE UNLOCKING THE DRIVER'S DOOR WITH THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH BOTH SIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS WOULD AUTOMATICALLY MOVE UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR MOTORS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB CONSUMER ADDS BOTH SIDE VIEW MIRRORS MOTORS REPLACED 2 TO 3 MORE TIMES. THE FOG LIGHT HOUSING REPLACED, REAR LIGHT COVERS REPLACED DUE TO MOISTURE, HEATER CORE SWITCH REPLACED FROM DASH. BRAKES SQUEALING WHEN APPLIED. TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AND POWER STEERING PUMP WINDING. *TT

WHEN DRIVING 70 MPH OR HIGHER STEERING WHEEL AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK EXCESSIVELY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE TIRES TWICE, AND REPLACED THE STEERING GEAR BOX. HOWEVER PROBLEM RECURRED. DEALER INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THAT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED. *AK