2003 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

GREETINGS THE PROBLEM THE CABIN NOT WELL SEALED FROM ANY FUMES PLUS THE A/C DOOR INSIDE TO KEEP THE AIR RECYCLE FALLING OFF NOT WELL SECURE CONSEQUENTLY GETTING FUMES FROM THE OUTSIDE AND ALSO I CAN SMELL THE CABIN IN THE MORNING WHEN I GET INSIDE FROM EITHER OIL LEAKS AND EXHAUST BURNS, IT NEEDS ATTENTION PROMPTLY SINCE FORD DOES CARE OR GET CONCERN ON ANY PROBLEM. IT HAS BEING HAPPENING MORE SINCE 2006 AND ALSO THE TRUCK INSULATION IT IS BAD SINCE MOST COLD WEATHER PENETRATES THE CABIN WHEN YOU DRIVING YOU CAN FEEL THE AIR COMING IN. IT NEEDS TESTING AND RECALL, IT HAS BEING INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF FUMES COMING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE OTHER TRUCKS. YOU MAY HAVE TO DO THE FUME SMOKE TEST HOW MUCH IT GOES INSIDE THE CABIN.

EXPLORER LIMITED. SIX MONTHS INTO OWNING THIS CAR, BOUGHT AT APPROXIMATELY. 32,000 MILES, I NOTICED THERE WAS BUBBLING ON THE HOOD OF CAR. IT WAS ON THE FRONT OF THE HOOD ON BOTH SIDES ABOVE HEAD LAMPS AS WELL AS IN THE MIDDLE (POINT OF THE OF THE HOOD). EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT KENNY ROSS IN PITTSBURGH WILL NOT WORK WITH ME IN GETTING REPAIRED. ONE OF THEIR COLLISION MEN SAID I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER HE SAID IF IT IS UNDER WARRANTY NOT A PROBLEM. THEN THE HEAD GUY OF THE COLLISION DEPARTMENT SAID EVEN IF I HAD A WARRANTY THE HOOD WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED ONLY UNDER THE 12 MONTHS, 12,000 MILES WARRANTY (???). JUST THE BASIC RUN AROUND AND THEY INSULT YOUR INTELLIGENCE. THE PAINT IS NOW CRACKING AND PEELING OFF. I NOTICED THE BUBBLING AT ABOUT 39,000+ MILES AND JUST REPORTED IT TO FORD MAY OF THIS 2006, ALTHOUGH I DID MENTION IT TO THE GUY THAT SOLD ME THE CAR A YEAR OR SO AGO. IN ADDITION I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN FROM THIS SO CALLED DEALERSHIP THINKING I WAS GETTING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH WAS IMPLIED, ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE EXTENDED SERVICE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. BUYER BEWARE BUT THEY SHOULD HAVE TO DISCLOSE THE DIFFERENCE. WHY WOULD I BUY AN ESP WHEN I CAN EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR JUST ABOUT THE SAME PRICE. *JB

REAR HATCHBACK WAS TAKEN TO FORD FOR A RECALL REGARDING THE HATCHBACK. PRIOR TO THAT, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE HATCHBACK, I.E. ACCIDENTALLY OPENING. NOW JUST BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF THE HATCHBACK, IT IS CRACKING. SIMILAR TO MANY OWNERS LISTED ON THIS SITE. *NM

2003 EXPLORER LIMITED. RECENTLY HAD TO REPLACE MY TIRES. I REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT A LOCAL SEARS. THE WHEELS THAT CAME WITH THE CAR WERE OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER MUST HAVE REQUESTED. 17" 5 SPOKE CHROME. AS SEARS WAS REMOVING WHEELS TWO OF THE 4 CENTER CAPS FELL APART AND COULD NOT BE USED AGAIN. AFTER THE TIRES WERE PLACED BACK ONTO MY CAR SEARS REP ASKED THAT I PUT ABOUT 20 MILES ON THE CAR AND BRING IT BACK JUST TO CHECK. ABOUT TWO DAYS LATER AS I WAS RETURNING TO SEARS I HEARD A RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE LEFT FRONT. AS I PULLED INTO SEARS, THE GARAGE THE REP LISTENED AND SAID IT WAS COMING FROM LEFT REAR. AS A MECHANIC PLACED A KEY ON THE LUG NUTS ALL LUGS HAD WORKED THEMSELVES LOOSE AND HE ACTUALLY COULD TURN THEM WITH HIS HAND. I HAD TO PUT MY SPARE TIRE ON AS A REPLACEMENT. A COUPLE OF THE OTHER LUGS ON THE OTHER WHEELS WERE ABOUT A 1/4 TURN LOOSE. I REPORTED THIS TO KENNY ROSS ONLY TO GET NO REAL ANSWER FROM THEM JUST AS I DID WITH THE BUBBLING/PEELING PAINT ON MY HOOD. EVIDENTLY THEIR CORPORATE OFFICE TOLD THEM TO ALWAYS BLAME THEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY SEEM TO ALWAYS DO IS BLAME THEIR CORPORATE OFF OFFICE AND THEIR HANDS ARE TIED, YOUR OUT OF WARRANTY, OR WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER. WHAT HAPPENED TO JUST HONESTLY WORKING WITH PEOPLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. NO WONDER THEY ARE IN TROUBLE. ANYWAY ALL FOUR CHROME WHEELS ALSO HAD VISIBLE CRACKING AS WELL AND SEARS SAID THAT THE LUG HOLES ON THE WHEELS ARE SLIGHTLY OBLONG SO THAT IS WHY THE LUGS WORK LOOSE. I HAD TO PURCHASE ALUMINUM SPOKE WHEELS. THIS IS ON A 2003!! GO FIGURE. I ALSO TOLD THE KENNY ROSS REP THAT I SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A TOYOTA OR GM. HIS REPLY WAS THIS HAPPENS ON ALL CARS. HAHA, WHAT A RESPONSE AND JUST WHAT YOU WANT TO HEAR. NO FORDS IN MY FUTURE AND I WILL UNLOAD THIS ONE AS SOON AS I CAN! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PAINT LOOKED BUBBLY LIKE A BLISTER ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE HOOD. THE CORROSION WAS LOCATED ON THE SIDE OF THE HOOD CLOSEST TO THE HEAD LIGHTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THERE WAS A VAST AMOUNT OF INFORMATION ON THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE REGARDING THE DEFECTIVE PAINT WHICH WAS OBSERVED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR FIRE.

EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN NOISE UPON MORNING FIRST USE. IF YOU LET THE CAR SIT OVERNIGHT AND THEN STARTUP THE CAR, BACK UP OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, AND ACCELERATE NORMALLY DOWN THE RESIDENTIAL STREET, THE COOLING FAN SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE PROPELLER CHOPPING THE AIR. THE PERFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE (A V8) SEEMS SLUGGISH AS THE ENGINE FIGHTS TO SPIN THE FAN AT EVERY INCREASING ENGINE RPM. THE NOISE IS EXCESSIVE AND UNNERVING. ONCE YOU COME TO A STOP SIGN AND THE ENGINE SLOWS TO IDLE, THE FAN RESUMES NORMAL OPERATING MODE AND NO LONGER SPINS AT ENGINE RPM SPEEDS. THIS IS A VERY REPEATABLE EVENT. 3 OUT 5 MORNINGS I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS. FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE SAYS THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE DEALER IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. THERE IS ONLY ONE THING THAT CAN BE WRONG HERE IS THE FAN CLUTCH. BUT UNTIL THE PROBLEM STAYS BROKEN, AND IT WONT AS IT GOES AWAY ONCE YOU GO TO IDLE, THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. MY CONCERN IS MULTIFOLD. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AS IT IS UNNATURAL FOR THE COOLING FAN TO BE SPINNING AT ENGINE RPM. IF THE FAN WERE TO DISINTEGRATE, WHO WILL BE IN THE WAY OF THE HIGH SPEED FRAGMENTS? I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE THAT WOULD OCCUR TO THE VEHICLE IF THE FAN WERE TO LET LOOSE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE FAN'S LIFE IS BEING REDUCED AND WILL SUFFER PREMATURE FAILURE. THE DEALER REFUSES TO REVIEW TSB 17163 -- EXCESSIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN NOISE. *TT (NHTSA ID #10004057) UNTIL THEY EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SEEMS TO BE UNCOOPERATIVE AND CHOOSES TO IGNORE THE CUSTOMER'S COMPLAINT. *NM

I WAS FOLLOWING UP ON THE DEATH OF A 1 MONTH THAT WAS EJECTED FROM A COSCO CHILD SEAT IN A MOTOR VEHICLE TRAIN ACCIDENT. WHILE FOLLOWING UP ON THE DEATH, I WAS LOOKING AT PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE INVESTIGATING AGENCY. I NOTICED THERE WERE NO PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE CAR SEAT OR THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE TRAIN HAD STRUCK THE VEHICLE. I WENT TO THE IMPOUND LOT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS STORED AND MET THE FATHER OF THE DECEASED CHILD. HE WAS COLLECTING PROPERTY FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE SHOWED ME A STROLLER AND THE CAR SEAT. THE STROLLER HAD BEEN EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE AND WAS DAMAGED AND THE CAR SEAT WAS STILL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THIS CAR SEAT AND STROLLER ARE SOLD AS A SET FROM K-MART AND HAD BEEN PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2005 IN HUTCHINSON KANSAS. UPON LOOKING AT THE CAR SEAT WHICH WAS REAR FACING IN THE VEHICLE AND STILL STRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE BY THE SEAT BELT. I WAS INFORMED BY THE CAPTAIN OF THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT THAT ONE OF THEIR OFFICERS TRAINED TO INSTALL CHILD SAFETY SEATS SAID THE SEAT WAS NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY. MY CONCERN OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THAT THE STRAP THAT WOULD HAVE GONE OVER THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE CHILD WAS COMPLETELY UNDONE FROM THE LATCH ON THE BACK OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THE STRAP ON THE LEFT SHOULDER WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY UNDONE AND I PHOTOGRAPHED THE ROUTING OF THE STRAP BEFORE REMOVING THE SEAT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER OF THE SEAT GAVE ME THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION OFF OF THE SEAT. MODEL # 22-300-SWB; 11/10/04 GBIB. REG NO PA-25334(CN) PERMIT # 1780-333 DOREL JUVENILE GROUP INC. FROM THE IMPACT OF THE TRAIN TO THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR 1/4 PANEL OF THE 20-03 EXPLORER, THE CHILD WAS EJECTED FROM THE CHILD SEAT AND DIED 3 HRS LATER FROM HEAD INJURIES. FROM THE INVESTIGATION, I BELIEVE THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE LATCHING AND HOLDING ABILITY ON THE BACK OF THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. *JB

LESS THAN 2 YRS AFTER PURCHASE OF A NEW 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BOWER 4X4 V8 FROM A DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GRINDING AND SLIPPING. DEALER SERVICE RECORDS DOCUMENTED MY CONCERNS AND THEIR INABILITY/UNWILLINGNESS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE LACK OF A "SERVICE WARNING" LIGHT. SUBSEQUENT VISITS WITH THE SAME ISSUE BROUGHT SIMILAR RESULTS FROM THE DEALER. WARRANTY EXPIRED LESS THAN ONE YEAR BEFORE I FINALLY GOT A WARNING LIGHT AND THE NEWS FROM MY DEALER WAS THAT IT MEANT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR JUST UNDER $6500. WITH ABSOLUTELY NO HELP FROM ANY LEVEL OF FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR JUST OVER $3000 - OBVIOUSLY NOT BY FORD. *NM

NHTSA 10003163. NOISE FROM CONVERTER HOUSING. SUV HAS 42,272 MILES AND DEALER ESTIMATED $1200.00 REPAIR. FORD KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH TSB #17050. *JB

FOLLOWING THE ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO CORRECT THE FAULT WITH THE REAR DOOR/LIFTGATE RECALL, A LARGE CRACK DEVELOPED ON THE LIFTGATE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE GLASS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIFTGATE. I HAVE NOTICED THIS SAME CRACK ON SEVERAL OTHER EXPLORERS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT FORD RECOGNIZES AS AN ITEM FOR "RECALL." I AM UNSURE OF THE INTEGRITY OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE REAR DOOR/LIFTGATE. *JB

I HAVE OWNED THIS 2003 FORD EXPLORER SINCE IT WAS BRAND NEW IN 2003. IT CURRENTLY HAS 70,009 MILES AND HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE AND NOT DRIVEN OFTEN OVER 13 YEARS. WITHIN TWO YEARS OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LIFT GATE UNDER THE GLASS. I TALKED TO TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS THAT ADVISED IT WAS NOT A DEFECT BUT MY FAULT FOR GLIDING THE GLASS TO HARSHLY. I HAD NOT USED THE GLASS OFTEN AND HAD NEVER SLAMMED IT.M SINCE THAT TIME I'VE SEEN HUNDREDS OF FORD EXPLORERS FROM THE EARLY TO MID 2000S WITH THE SAME CRACK IN THE SAME LOCATION. TODAY I WAS BEHIND FOUR DIFFERENT EXPLORERS FROM THE SAME TIME PERIOD AND ALL HAD THE SAME CRACK. I CHECKED ONLINE AND REALIZED THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS DEFECT WITH SOME DRIVERS STATING THE BACK GLASS BURSTS WHILE THEY WERE DRIVING. IT IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT WITH SO MANY OF THESE VEHICLES HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT FORD HAS NOT OWNED UP TO THE DEFECT AND REPAIRED IT. ALL ONE NEEDS TO DO IS SEARCH THROUGH ONLINE IMAGES TO SEE IT US A HUGE PROBLEM AND A DEFINITE MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND WITH THE BACK GLASS BLOWING OUT IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN.

REF FORD TSB 05416 FEB 06 - FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IN 2003 EXPLORER BEGINS TO MAKE NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING, SLOWING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. DEALER HEARS PROBLEM, NO PARTS AVAILABLE, AGREE TO RETURN WHEN PARTS RECEIVED. MAR 06 - PARTS RECEIVED (RETAINER CLIPS) AND REPAIRS MADE PER TSB 05416 AUG 06 - SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING SEAT TRACK FRAME. WILL NOT COVER UNDER TSB AND CLAIMS "BUMPER-TO-BUMPER" EXTENDED WARRANTY ALSO WILL NOT COVER. NOW IN CAT AND MOUSE GAME WITH FORD REGARDING THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS POSSIBLY SAFETY RELATED AS WELL. *JB

REAR AXLE NOISE, REPLACED AT A PRICE OF 1200 DOLLARS. *JB

1 HISTORY OF ENGINE SURGE, VERY FAST IDLE UPON STARTING SINCE VEHICLE ACQUIRED.-ALL REPORTED TO DEALER.---------------------------------------------------------------- 2.CAR STOPPED, MOTOR OFF. STARTED, PLACED IN REVERSE-TOUCHED ACCELERATOR AND CAR JUMPED BACK FULL SPEED. VERY NARROW PARKING AREA (HAVE PICTURES). HAD TO TURN CAR RAPIDLY TO AVOID LARGE HILL AND TREES -TOO SHORT A DISTANCE TO TURN COMPLETELY AND HIT FRONT LEFT FENDER AND BUMPER GLANCING BLOW OFF TWO TREES. WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND GOT STOPPED AFTER GOING IN A SEMICIRCULAR AND BACKING OVER CONCRETE PARKING BARRIER.-MOTOR STILL RACING--UNABLE TO TURN OFF WITH KEY UNTIL FOURTH OR FIFTH TRY AND THAN MOTOR BUCKED SEVERAL TIME TRYING TO STOP. 3.NO CORRECTIONS TO DATE. REPORTED TO FORD! !*JB

CRACK IN BODY OF TAILGATE WITH NO CAUSE; CRACK STARTS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BACK WINDOW AND RUNS TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PLASTIC PANEL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS A KNOW DEFECT, BUT WILL NOT FIX IT. IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD ALONE, THERE ARE AT LEAST 4 OTHER EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS ! IT TAKES AWAY FROM THE TRADE-IN VALUE OF MY CAR. *TR

THIS MORNING I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE TAILGATE OF MY 2003 EXPLORER XLT. IT WAS NOT THERE TWO DAYS AGO. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL DEALER AND HE SAID THAT THE PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL SO I WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES. HE HAS PERSONALLY SEEN MANY OF THESE. I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL FORUM SITES AND KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IS ANYTHING BEING DONE FROM FORD'S SIDE? *JB

HAVE HAD MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MILES ON IT. HAVE HAD REAR BRAKE SENSOR REPLACED 2 TIMES UNDER WARRANTY, FRONT AXLE SEAL REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND REAR AXLE BEARING REPLACED WITH 44000 MILES AND NOW THE REAR AXLE SEAL IS LEAKING ON THE RIGHT SIDE. THE MECHANIC WHO DOES MY REPAIRS STATED THE AXLE SEALS ARE ON BACKORDER DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF EXPLORERS THE SEALS ARE DEFECTIVE ON. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALL INFORMATION ON THE SEALS AS I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. COULD YOU PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS DEFECT. I BELIEVE THERE WERE SEVERAL DEFECTIVE PARTS USED ON THE 2003 FORD EXPLORERS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED OR REPORTED. THANK YOU. *JB

PLASTIC UNDER (ATTACHED TO) REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW CRACKED. CRACK IS 10 TO 12 INCHES LONG. ENTIRE LIFTGATE NEEDS REPLACING. FORD SAYS I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL EXPLORER ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE SAME DEFECT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING CORNERING AND EMERGENCY MANEUVERS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCKS UP. THERE IS ALSO A SHUDDER IN THE STEERING AT THIS TIME. THIS HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST 4,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH PACK REQUIRED REDESIGN. THERE IS A NEW CLUTCH PACK AVAILABLE AT THE CONSUMER'S COST.

AFTER HAVING ABOUT OF FREEZING WEATHER MY WIFE NOTICED A CRACK ON THE PLASTIC PANEL ATTACHED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR HATCH BACK WINDOW. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER UPON WHICH I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND THAT THEY REPLACE QUITE A FEW OF THESE EVERY YEAR. BUT BEING THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN AUGUST OF 2005 THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE. *JB

THE REAR PANEL BELOW MY WINDOW ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I WENT SNOW SKING AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS SCENARIO IS COMMON. THE PANEL GETS MOISTURE BEHIND IT AND FREEZES, THEN CRACKS. I HAVE A FORD MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, AND I AM STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, AND CONTACTED THE LOCAL MEDIA, WHO SUGGESTED YOUR WEBSITE. NO ONE IS WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND ONE DAY IT WILL FALL OFF WHILE I AM IN TRAFFIC. CURRENTLY I HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I ADVISED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE THAT I WOULD NEVER FIX THE PROBLEM. I WOULD KEEP IT THERE AS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. CHECK OUT THE INTERNET (AUTOBEEF.COM) LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *JB

FORD EXPLORER DOES NOT SHIFT FROM 1ST INTO 2ND GEAR, ALLOWING VEHICLE TO MOVE INTO INTERSECTION THEN STALL UNTIL TRANSMISSION EVENTUALLY SLIPS INTO GEAR. FORD TECH LINE WANTS US TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PROBLEM OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY SO THE PROBLEM WILL BE EASY TO FIND. DEALER HAS RESET CPU, REPLACED VALVE BODY, AND NOW PLACED AN "ADDITIVE" IN TRANSMISSION. OBVIOUSLY HAVING NO IDEA AS TO THE REAL PROBLEM. *JB

2003 EXPLORER - TRANSMISSION GOES INTO *NEUTRAL* WHEN ACCELERATING BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD AND/OR 3RD AND 4TH. A SOLENOID BODY HAS BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AT DECREASING MILEAGE INTERVALS. NOW FAILING FOR 5TH TIME WITH 2,000 MILES SINCE LAST *FIX*. FAILURE HAS OCCURRED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE WITH FREEWAY TRAFFIC. PURSUING BBB ARBITRATION FOR REPURCHASE AS FORD IS UNABLE TO REPAIR. *NM

REAR AXLE IS LEAKING AND THERE IS A HUMMING NOISE ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND THEW TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I HAVE 75000 MILE WARRANTY AND VEHICLE HAS ONLY 45,500 MILES ON IT. *NM

PURCHASED NEW 2003 FORD EXPLORER. AT AROUND 9000 MILES HAD REAR END REPLACED DUE TO INFAMOUS LOUD WHINING NOISE. PROBLEM IMPROVED...BUT WAS NOT COMPLETELY FIXED. AFTER COMPLAINING THAT THERE WAS STILL SOME NOISE, SALE FORD IN KINGSTON, NC SAID IT WAS "UNEVEN TIRE WEAR." REPLACED 2 TIRES. WHEN TAKEN BACK AND TOLD THERE WAS STILL A PROBLEM, WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY HAD "DONE ALL THEY COULD DO EXCEPT OFFER US A GOOD DEAL ON A TRADE." (LIKE WE WILL EVER BUY FROM THEM AGAIN). AT 59,000 MILES, WE ARE NOW HAVING REAR END "CHATTER" WHEN STARTING OR STOPPING. FORD IS CRAP AND SO IS THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE. *NM

ABS SPEED SENSOR FAILURE AT 63,000 MILES. THIS ALSO HAPPENED ON MY SON'S 2003 EXPLORER AND 2002 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER. *JB

I HAD 2003 FORD EXPLORER THAT CAUGHT FIRE IN MY DRIVEWAY, MY CAR WAS BACKED IN ABOUT 10 FEET FROM HOUSE WITH TAILGATE OPEN. THE INVESTIGATOR FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY IS TELLING ME IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN BACK INSIDE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE AND I ALSO HAVE DAMAGES TO MY HOUSE AND PROPERTY. *JB

CRACK IN BODY OF TAILGATE WITH NO CAUSE; CRACK STARTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BACK WINDOW AND RAN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PANEL. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE RADIATOR, FUEL FILTER, AIR FILTER, AND STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED, THE FRONT END WAS ALIGNED AS WELL. TWO DAYS LATER WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH SMOKE WAS NOTICED IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND LESS THAN ONE MINUTE LATER THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE MARSHAL DETERMINED THIS FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A MECHANICAL FAILURE MALFUNCTION. THERE WAS A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT FILED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH HESITATION WHEN THE SPEED WAS KEPT CONSTANT. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE HESITATION PROBLEM CONTINUED, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHICH WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. WHILE BACKING INTO THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. ALTHOUGH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE HIT THE CONTACT'S HOME RESULTING IN A NECK SPRAIN INJURY. THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED UNTIL THE SHIFTER WAS MOVED INTO DRIVE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION. ALSO, CONTACT COMPLAINED THAT ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND PEDAL FELT STIFF. VEHICLE RAN ROUGH. IN ADDITION, REMOVED AND INSTALLED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAIN CONTROL VALVE BODY. *AK

OUR FORD EXPLORER WAS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE LIKE IT IS EVERY NIGHT. IN THE MORNING WE WENT OUT TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE BACK OF THE EXPLORER WHEN WE NOTICED THAT THE BACK TOP HATCH WAS CRACKED. IT CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE FORD SIGN. WHEN WE CLOSED THE HATCH AFTER NOTICING IT IT PINCHED MY FINGERS. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE TOLD THAT IT WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT NOT A RECALL AND THAT HE UNDERSTOOD THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS AND TOLD US TO CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. MY HUSBAND CONTACTED THEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FORD GAVE US AN ESTIMATE TO FIX IT AND IT WOULD BE ABOUT $400. THE PROBLEM WITH THE HATCH BEING CRACKED IS THAT IF SOMEONE WAS SITTING IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT AT ANY TIME THE GLASS COULD POP OUT AND HIT THEM IN THE HEAD. WHEN YOU DO OPEN THE HATCH YOUR FINGERS GET PINCHED IF THEY ARE IN THE WRONG PLACE. WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THE PROBLEM FIXED YET. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S BOTTOM REAR LIFTGATE HAS CRACKED. HE STATED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON THE HINGES FOR THE LIFTGATE. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE LIFTGATE FALLS REPEATEDLY AND CAUSED THE LIFTGATE WINDOW TO CRACK. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 64,370 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS BF GOODRICH TIRES, SIZE P245/65R17, RUGGED TRAIL T/A. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE KEEPS LOSING AIR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE VALVE STEM, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTS. THE TIRE IS FINE FOR TWO WEEKS AND THEN NEEDS TO BE INFLATED AGAIN. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,300.

TRANSMISSIONS IN 2003 FORD EXPLORERS . FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 62,500 MILES AND SECOND NEEDS REPLACING AT 87,000 MILES. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IS THE FORD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR THAT YEAR OF EXPLORER MAY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

THE TRUNK, ON THE HALF PART KEEP ON CREAKING I REPLACE IT ONCE OUT OF PACKET COST BECAUSE FOR D DOESN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE PLASTIC PANEL JUST BELOW THE TAIL GATE WINDOW HAS CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE 100'S OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *JB

REAR AXLE NOISE. STARTED AT ABOUT 34,000 MILES BUT I DID NOT BRING TO FORD UNTIL JUST AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. FORD WOULD DO NOTHING AND SAID REPAIR WAS ABOUT $2,000. AT 42,000 NOW AND NOISE IS GETTING WORSE. *JB

STALLING WITH NO WARNING. FORD FOUND NOTHING. THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM. SAID I SHOULD GET AN AFTER MARKET COMPUTER. OK *TR

PAINT "BUBBLED UP" ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD A FEW YEARS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS CONTINUED TO FLAKE AND PEEL OFF. APPLE VALLEY FORD SERVICE REFUSED TO FIX THE PAINT PROBLEM WHEN REPORTED IN APPROXIMATELY 2006. *TR

THE WEATHER WAS MILD FOR MICHIGAN, MID 40S. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR 1 HOUR AFTER HAVING BEEN DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 40 HIGHWAY MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN STARTED AND DRIVEN LESS THAN ONE QUARTER MILE TO A STOP LIGHT. WHILE WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE, THE VEHICLE SURGED AHEAD. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY STOMPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THOWING THE GEAR SHIFT INTO PARK. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLS. THE REAR LIFT GATE ON THIS VEHICLE HAS CRACKED DIRECTLY BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP HERE AND THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO FIX THIS PIECE DUE THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF THE INITIAL WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE PREMIUM ESP PLAN AND THE FACT THAT TEMPERATURES GOT TO BELOW FREEZING (27 DEGREES F). THIS IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH SINCE THE PIECE LOCATED ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THIS IS A PART I BELIEVE SHOULD BE COVERAGE AGAINST DEFECT. COST OF $57.00 PLUS INSTALLATION AND PAINTING. I WOULD LIKE ANY HELP IN THIS MATTER. *JB

PANEL UNDER TAILGATE WINDOW CRACKED AND SPLIT WHILE VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY ON COLD DAY. VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD TAILGATE HINGES REPLACED UNDER RECALL. DEALERSHIP ADVISES THAT MANUFACTURER DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR/REPLACE. DEALER ESTIMATE OF $401 TO REPAIR. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE HEARD THE LIFTGATE GLASS EXPLODE. NOTHING HIT THE GLASS AND THE HYDRAULIC SHAFT RELEASED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A LOCAL MECHANIC, BUT THEY HAVE NOT DIAGNOSED WHAT HAPPENED. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT WILLING TO ASSIST WITH REPAIRS, THEREFORE, THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. *AK

THE LIFT GATE TRIM PIECE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE 4TH TIME NOT INCLUDING LIFT GATE RECALL WHICH WOULD BE THE 5TH REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY LOCAL DEALER THAT THIS IS "DESIGN FLAW" AND FORD HAS YET INFORMED THEM HOW TO CORRECTLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT STALLS WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED/REPLACED TRANSMISSION MAIN CONTROL VALVE TWICE; REPROGRAMMED/RECALIBRATED THE PCM TWICE; REPAIRED/REPLACED TRANSMISSION SOLENOID VALVE; REPLACED FUSE RELAYS; TESTED FUEL PRESSURE AND DID NUMEROUS OTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST. STALLING PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 6 PLUS TIMES SINCE MARCH 05 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *JB

REPEATED FAILURE OF REAR AXLE, DRIVE TRAIN NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE BETWEEN45-65MPH.

MOLDED RUNNING BOARD BROKEN UNDER NORMAL USE, ONE DEALER ACCUSED ME OF HAVING A CHILD JUMP ON THE RUNNING BOARD - REASON UNKNOWN. ANOTHER DEALER TOOK PHOTOS AND SENT TO DETROIT, WARRANTY REPAIR REFUSED? *JB

ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE RUNNING, WHEN I TURNED ON HIGH BEAMS. ENGINE RPMS AND ENGINE ACCELERATED, WHEN I TURNED ON HIGH BEAMS LOSS CONTROL OF ACCELERATION, WHEN FOG LIGHTS WERE TURNED ON. MESSAGE CENTER FLASHED "CHECK TRANSMISSION", O/D OFF (OVERDRIVE OFF) FLASHED, WHEN FOG LIGHT WERE TURNED ON. *NM

I OWN A FORD EXPLORER 2003 V6 TRUCK I HAVE HAD FORD VEHICLES FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS. MY ISSUE IS WITH FORD SERVICE AND THE TRUCKS TRANSMISSION. I WAS IN THE SERVICE BAY ON AUGUST 17 FOR ROUTINE RECALL STUFF AND ADDED SOME BASIC SERVICES TO MY VISIT. OIL CHANGE, FLUSH AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE/CHECK WAS IN ORDER. $500 LATER I AM OUT THE DOOR. 25 DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL VISIT I AM BACK AT FORD WITH CONCERNS ABOUT MY TRANSMISSION. IT SEEMS TO BE WHINING AND REVVING HIGH WHILE CHANGING INTO 2ND AND OR 5TH GEAR. THE FLUID ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY CERTAINLY DIDN'T GIVE ME A COMFORTABLE FEELING. FORD SERVICE CONFIRMED A PROBLEM BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE IT UNLESS THEY TORE IT APART. I WAS INSTRUCTED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE END OF THE MONTH BECAUSE THE TRANS MECHANIC WOULD BE ON VACATION THROUGH END OF MONTH. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY TRUCK TO "ONCE AGAIN" VISIT THE FORD SERVICE FOR AN OVERNIGHT VISIT. ON SEPTEMBER 29TH. DROPPED IT OFF AND NEVER GOT A CALL FOR THREE DAYS. ON OCTOBER 3 END OF BUSINESS DAY, I CALLED. THEY SEEMED TO HAVE FORGOTTEN MY VEHICLE AND WOULD WORK ON IT THE NEXT DAY. TUESDAY I GET A CALL IN THE MID MORNING STATING THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION OR A REBUILT ONE . PRICING RANGES FROM $2600 TO $3400. THEY COULDN'T TELL MY WHY OR ANY MORE SPECIFICS ON HOW AN ENGINE WITH 47K NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS RECENTLY IN THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE TRANSMISSION MAINTENANCE LESS THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN...I HAVE HAD MANY FORDS FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TRANSMISSION GO UP UNDER 50K MILES. WHETHER THE SERVICE GUYS DIDN'T TIGHTEN UP SOMETHING RIGHT OR FORD HAS AN INFERIOR PRODUCT; I FEEL THAT I SHOULD NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE. *NM