2003 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NEVER FIND THE ORIGIN OF THE NOISE. THE FOURTH TIME WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY FOUND THAT THE ORIGIN OF THE NOISE WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE DEALER CHANGED THE TORQUE CONVERTER ON 9-22-05. THE CONTACT SOLD THE CAR A FEW DAYS AFTER 9-22-05. THE CONTACT WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE SERVICE THEY RECEIVED FROM THE DEALER. WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO MAKE THE TRADE, THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED THEM $13,000.00, AND WHEN THEY WENT BACK THE DEALERSHIP OFFERING THEM $10,000.00. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE SHE FELT THERE MAY BE A DEFECT IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AND SHE WANTED TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP'. *AK

FORD HAS DEFECTIVE HUB ASSEMBLIES ON THE 2003 EXPLORERS. LEADING UP TO THE DEFECTIVE HUBS GOING OUT, THERE IS A VERY LOUD ROARING NOISE COMING FROM WHAT EVER WHEEL THE BEARING IS GOING OUT ON. NO ACCIDENT WAS INVOLVED BUT IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHEELS DO COME OFF OF VEHICLES WHEN THE BEARINGS GO BAD. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THEY HAVE. I REPLACED BOTH FRONT HUBS 9-15-05 WITH 41,000 MILES ON THEM. HAVE JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT HUB AGAIN THIS WEEK WITH UNFORTUNATELY 15,000 MILES ON IT WHICH THEY ONLY WARRANT IT TO 12,000 MILES. I HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AT A BIG EXPENSE TO ME. AT THIS TIME, I JUST CRINGE WAITING TO HEAR ANOTHER ONE START ROARING AND GOING OUT. I DO HAVE ALL THREE WHEEL HUBS THAT THE BEARING HAS GONE OUT. *NM

I WAS HAVING A ROARING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE. I ROTATED MY TIRES, PURCHASED A NEW SET OF TIRES AND THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INSPECTED IT AND SAID THAT I NEEDED BOTH , LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS REPLACED. I HAD THEM REPAIRED AND I KEPT THE OLD PARTS AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE. THIS CORRECTED MY PROBLEM. IT IS FAULTY PARTS THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED. MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, SO THE EXPENSE WAS ALL ON ME. COST ME $572. IF BOTH HAD TO BE REPLACED, ITS OBVIOUS THEY WERE DEFECTIVE. I HAD 41704 MILES AT THE TIME I HAD THEM REPLACED. I CONTACTED FORD , THEY TOOK MY INFORMATION, BUT SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME, THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER COMPLAINTS. *NM

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS PEELING PAINT ON ITS HOOD .THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD COMPLAINT. *TR

DT: WHILE DRIVING ON 8-24-05 THE BALL JOINT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BROKE. THE VEHICLE JUST PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT ANY ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE IS COMPANY OWNED. THE COMPANY IS AWARE THAT THE CONSUMER HAS FILED THIS COMPLAINT.*AK

WHY HAVE SOME CAR MANUFACTURERS REPLACED YELLOW REAR TURN SIGNALS WITH RED ONES. THESE LIGHTS ARE VERY HARD TO DISCERN DIRECTLY ABOVE BRAKE LIGHTS. THIS EVEN OCCURS BETWEEN MODELS OF THE SAME MAKE. I HAVE SPOKE WITH MANY PEOPLE ABOUT THIS AND THEY HAVE NOTICED THE SAME THING. WE CANNOT FIGURE OUT HOW THIS WAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN. ALL VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE SAME LIGHTING, PERIOD. THANK YOU.

2003 FORD EXPLORER BOYFRIEND'S DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: 1)I CAN CONSISTENTLY GET THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT WHEN COASTING DOWN TO A STOP. IT IS ALL IN THE WAY OF THE COAST DOWN. IT IS MORE REPEATABLE IF YOU START BRAKING WAY BEFORE A STOP EVENT (SLOWLY COASTING IN). THE BAD THING IS THE EVENT IS SO QUIET THAT HALF THE TIME YOU DID NOT KNOW IT STALLED (UNLESS YOU WERE LOOKING AT THE IPC). YOU HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK OR NEUTRAL TO RESTART ENGINE EACH TIME EVENT OCCURS. I WOULD SAY IT HAS HAPPENED 30+ TIMES. 2) THE FAILURE IS A STALLED ENGINE. THE CONSEQUENCE COULD BE ROLLING OUT TO INCOMING TRAFFIC, THINKING THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING, YET THE ENGINE IS STALLED. ) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET. TOOK IT INTO SHOP AND IT WAS SAID THAT NOTHING WAS SEEN (NOT A FORD DEALERSHIP).*JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH WHEN A DOG JUMPED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO HIT THE DOG. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THEY TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO BE TESTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE FOR THE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BELONGED TO THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHROME ON THE RIMS IS CRACKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON ALL FOUR RIMS AND IS DUE TO THE ALUMINUM UNDERNEATH CORRODING CAUSING THE CHROME TO CRACK. THE CONTACT HAS ALERTED NUMEROUS DEALERSHIPS AND NONE OF WHICH HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND EXPLAINED THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER AND WAITING FOR A RETURN CALL.

EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN NOVEMBER, 2003. DEALER "OILED" THE PEDAL. ON JULY 28, 2005, LOUD SQUEALING SOUND COMING FROM REAR, AND EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE REAR DRUMS, REAR SHOES, AND PADS AT A COST OF $390. EMERGENCY BRAKE IS CONSIDERED A "MAINTENANCE ITEM" AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IF BRAKES WERE TO FAIL, EMERGENCY BRAKE WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED EITHER. *NM

FACTORY REAREND WAS REPLACED IN MY 03 FORD EXPLORER. SINCE THEN THE PROBLEM OF GRADUAL REAREND DETERIORATION HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. IF THE REAREND FAILS CATASTROPHICALLY THEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. FORD MOTORS DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN, BUT IT DEFINITELY IS. FORD SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES WITH THE DEFECTIVE REARENDS AND FIX THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

WE OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT. WE WERE DRIVING ON I-79 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST POWER SO THAT WE COULD NOT GO ABOVE 25 MPH ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. WE WERE TOWED OVER 100 MILES BACK HOME TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE TOLD THAT "FOR SOME REASON THE AIR MASS SYSTEM WENT BAD AND CAUSED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS TO GO BAD." THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE WOULD TRY TO GET THE DEALERSHIP TO PAY FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS SINCE THEY ARE SO EXPENSIVE, HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THIS OFFER WAS MADE IN ORDER TO COVER UP AN ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP 5 DAYS LATER AND WE DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING MORE AS TO HOW THIS COULD HAVE OCCURED. WE HAVE BEEN DILIGENT AT KEEPINGUP REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THE CAR ONLY HAS 43,000 MILES ON IT, SO THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE OCCURED WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. WE HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND ARE VERY GREATFUL THAT NO LARGE TRUCKS WERE RIGHT AROUND US AS THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT OR WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT AS THEY CAN NOT SLOW DOWN FROM 75MPH TO 25MPH IN A QUICK MANNER.

BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON DURING LONG DRIVES AND REMAINS ON UNTIL WE STOP THE VEHICLE, OUR EXPLORER HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP ON 3 TIMES IN 3 STATES. WE''VE BEEN TOLD THAT WE SHOULDN''T WORRY IF THE LIGHT GOES OFF AFTER STOPPING. A ''GRINDING'' NOISE CHECKED IN COLORADO FOR 3 DAYS LAST YEAR WASN''T A PROBLEM UNTIL OUR REAR DIFFERENTIAL SUDDENLY WENT "OUT," IN OHIO. IN ILLINOIS, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE WENT TO THE CLOSEST FORD DEALERSHIP, AND SINCE IT DIDN''T REMAIN LIT, WE WERE TOLD TO GET IT REPAIRED IN IOWA, SINCE IT WASN'T "MAJOR." THE ABS REAR SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT EXPLORERS WITH DIFFERENTIAL REPLACEMENT WERE HAVING SENSOR PROBLEMS. WHEN THE DIFFERENTIAL WAS REPLACED IN OHIO, THE SERVICE REP MENTIONED A "KIT" TO REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL. BOTH GARAGES SEEMED CONVERSANT WITH THE ABS SENSOR AND DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEMS. THE SUV HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AT FORD DEALERSHIPS TO ENSURE SYSTEMS SERVICED BY MECHANICS AND TECHNICIANS WELL VERSED IN FORD PRODUCTS. THE ABS SENSOR LIGHT PROBLEM RECURRED IN MAY AFTER A 200 MILE ROAD TRIP, GOING OFF AFTER WE STOPPED. MY BRAKES FAILED WHEN I TRIED TO STOP WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH,ABOUT 550+ MILES INTO AN EXTENDED ROAD TRIP. NO CITATION WAS ISSUED AS THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY SAID THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS ON THE PAVEMENT TO INDICATE THAT I HAD "JAMMED" ON THE BRAKES. I HAD PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND HAD NO BRAKES WHEN I HIT THE BACK OF A PENSKE MOVING TRUCK. THE ABS BRAKES AND "AUXILIARY" BRAKES FAILED ON THE VEHICLE, WITH OVER $11,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE, EVEN AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, WHICH SEEMS TO BE A PATTERN OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS. THE AIR BAG DIDN''T DEPLOY. I REPORTED THIS TO FORD'S CUSTOMER CARE CENTER ON 7/18/2005, GOT A REFERENCE NUMBER, AND WAS TOLD I WOULD HEAR FROM THE CONSUMER ADVISORY GROUP WITHIN 3 BUSINESS DAYS, HAVEN''T HEARD FROM THEM, YET.

STRUCTURE,BODY, HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE,HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS. I WAS CLOSING MY HATCH ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER VIN#[XXX] WHEN THE LEFT HINGE BROKE FREE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

DT: CONSUMER STATES HE TOOK HIS CAR TO CANDY FORD BECAUSE HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER DEALER HAD MENTIONED TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE A WHEEL BEARING. HE ASKED CANDY FORD TO CHECK OUT THE CAR BEFORE PUTTING A WHEEL BEARING ON THE CAR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING ON THE CAR WITHOUT FIRST CHECKING THE CAR TO BE SURE THAT WAS WHAT IT NEEDED. A MAN THAT WORKS AT CANDY FORD TOLD HIM THAT ON THE WORK ORDER IT WAS LISTED THAT THEY HAD CHANGED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WITHOUT CHECKING THE CAR OUT. HE WAS CHARGED $280.00 FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT FIXED. HE IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM; AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. THE DEALER ASKED HIM TO LEAVE THEIR PREMISES. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THEY WOULD FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST THEM. *JB

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH SEATBELTS AND THE REMOTE ENTRY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS.THE SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY AND THEY CUT INTO THE PLASTIC. I AM AFRAID THAT THESE SEATBELTS ARE DEFECTIVE AND I WORRY THAT THEY WILL NOT WORK IN A CRASH. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THESE SEATBELTS BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. THE REMOTE ENTRY DOES NOT WORK ALL OF THE TIME. IT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US TO REPLACE THE BATTERIES WHICH WE DID BUT THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE REMOTES.

AFTER A SHUDDER WAS FELT IN THE STEERING AT 14,580 MI., IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE REAR-END. FORD RECOMMENDED A REAR-END ADDITIVE. (WHICH WAS PERFORMED). AT 37,000 MI. THE SHUDDER RETURNED AND A NEW CLUTCH PACK WAS INSTALLED IN THE REAR-END. AFTER RECEIVING CAR FROM DEALER, A WHINE STARTED TO OCCUR BETWEEN 50 TO 70 MPH. TOOK BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS NORMAL. I CALLED FORD MOTOR AND THEY RECOMMEND THAT A "RING AND PINION REPAIR KIT" BE INSTALLED TO PREVENT FAILURE. DEALER DOES NOT THINK THIS SHOULD BE INSTALLED AND THAT VEHICLE IS O.K. TO DRIVE EVEN THOUGH THE TECH CAN HEAR THE NOISE.

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING THE RIGHT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE ENTIRE SIDE OF THE TIRE CAME APART WHERE IT WAS GLUED. *AK

DEAR NHTSA: IN OCTOBER 2003 I PURCHASED THE NBX - V8 VERSION OF THE FORD EXPLORER WITH AN UPGRADED TOW PACKAGE FOR MY WIFE. SHE NEVER USES THE TOW PACKAGE AND I, VERY OCCASIONALLY PULL A 300LB UTILITY TRAILER. I GET THE OIL CHANGED RELIGIOUSLY AND RECENTLY HAD THE 30,000 MILE 4WD LUBRICATION PACKAGE FROM GOODYEAR FOR APPROX. $500. AT 34,000MI MY WIFE BEGAN TO NOTICE A NON-DESCRIPT NOISE IN THE REAR END, A RUMBLE AT SLOW SPEEDS WHILE TURNING. SHE CARRIES THINGS IN THE BACK AND THOUGHT THEY WERE ROLLING AROUND. I DROVE THE CAR AT 36,600 MI AND ALSO NOTICED THE NOISE BUT WE HAD A LOW REAR TIRE AND I THOUGHT IT WAS THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE TIRE ACTUALLY PICKED UP A NAIL AND WENT FLAT AND I BROUGHT THE TIRE TO GOODYEAR FOR REPAIR. AFTER THE REPAIR THE REAR END NOISE PERSISTED ONLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND WE FINALLY GOT THE CAR IN TO GOODYEAR FOR EVALUATION AT 38,000 MILES. THEY REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FLUID AGAIN AND THE NOISE PERSISTED. THEY THEN WENT ON LINE AND PULLED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TSB 04-17-5 WHICH WAS FOR LIMITED SLIP AXLE CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING SENSATION OR VIBRATION DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS IN 2002-2004 FORD EXPLORERS, 2003-2004 EXPEDITIONS AND 2004 F-150S. THIS WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. SINCE THIS VEHICLE IS NOT USED OFF ROAD, IS NOT USED TO TOW ANYTHING HEAVY, IS PAMPERED BUT DOES GET A FAIR AMOUNT OF HIGHWAY MILES 38,000MI IN 19 MONTHS, I FELT THAT HAVING A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AT THIS STAGE WAS UNUSUAL. WELL, AFTER TALKING TO MY MANAGER AT WORK, HALF THE FORD EXPLORER FLEET IN BOSTON WAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM, WITH ONE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP 3 MONTHS AND ONE NEVER SEEING THE LIGHT OF DAY YET. THE TSB NOTED PROBLEMS WITH THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. WHAT ABOUT NEXT TIME?? MY VEHICLE. VEHICLE # [XXX] FORD EXPLORER SILVER V8 NBX VERSION? THEY ALSO KNOW THEY HAVE A REAL PROBLEM WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AND THE CONSUMER WILL END UP EATING IT. IS FORD QUALITY JOB 1?? *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT 4X4, I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT, A FEW MONTHS AGO I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON AND THE 4X4 WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, THEY SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IT AND TOLD US THEY REPLACED A SPEED SENSOR, THEY ALSO FOUND 2 REAR AXLE SEAL LEAKS AND SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THOSE, THEN IN OCTOBER OF '05 I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS JERKING BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH AND UPON ACCELERATION ON HILLS NOT MENTION THAT I COULD HEAR SOMETHING HAPPENING UNDERNEATH MY VEHICLE, THEY PUT IT UP ON THE RACK AND CAME BACK OUT AND SAID THE CLUTCH IN THE REAR END WAS SCORCHED AND NEEDED TO HAVE THE WHOLE REAR END REPLACE, SO I DID BUT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT BACK HOME AFTER THE REPAIR IT STARTED JERKING AGAIN, AND AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS OF WORRY AND WONDER ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE TRANSFER CASE IS BAD, MY EXPLORER IS TRYING TO ENGAGE ITSELF IN 4X4, SO NOW I AM HAVING THE TRANSFER CASE REPLACED! MY EXPLORER HAS 41,000 ON IT RIGHT NOW AND FORD HAS NOT BEEN MUCH OF A HELP, I HAVE TO PAY $1500 FOR THE TRANSFER CASE, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT, I WILL BUY A FOREIGN CAR. FORD REALLY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS AND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON THESE VEHICLES AND I WILL DO ANYTHING I CAN TO PROMOTE THAT. *NM

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSION. IT CLUNKS OUT OF GEAR WHEN LETTING OFF THE GAS GOING FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR. IT ALSO SEEMS TO DISENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION AT TIMES AS IT ACTS LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL GOING FROM FIRST TO SECOND ON OCCASION. I HAVE HAD IT IN FOR REPAIR SEVERAL TIMES. THE "SAID" THE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH ONE THAT WAS REBUILT, BUT IT ACTED THE SAME WAY. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK AND WAS NOW TOLD THAT UNTIL IT ACTUALLY BREAKS, THEY WILL NOT WORK ON THE TRANSMISSION ANY LONGER. *JB

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ROLLED OVER. THERE WERE TWO PASSENGERS INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THE SECOND HAD LESS SERIOUS INJURIES DUE TO THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING ON EITHER SIDE. THE AIR BAG SWITCH WAS ON. *JB *SB *NM

ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO, MY EXPLORER BEGAN OCCASIONALLY EXPERIENCED DRAMATIC, RANDOM ENGINE ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING, THE RPMS WOULD SHOOT UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. 2 MONTHS AGO, IT WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MILLINGTON, TN. THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS AND HINTED IT WAS "DRIVER ERROR". A WEEK LATER, I MADE AN 800 MILE DRIVE TO VISIT MY NEWLY HOSPITILIZED FATHER. THE SUDDEN, DRASTIC INCREASE IN RPM' STARTED OUT HAPPENING 1 - 2 TIMES IN THE FIRST 30 MINUTES. THE FREQUENCY RAPIDLY INCREASED, AND 4 HOURS INTO THE TRIP, THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS OCCURRING AT LEAST 1 TIME EVERY 5 MINUTES OR SO. AFTER ARRIVING IN PITTSBURGH, THE EXPLORER WAS AGAIN TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE CO2 DETECTOR HAD GONE BAD. THIS WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT SINCE I WAS DRIVING WITH A BAD DETECTOR, THE EGR SENSOR WAS CAUSED TO MALFUNCTION. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE IT WAS A RESULT OF MY CONTINUING TO DRIVE IT WITH A BAD CO2 DETECTOR. THE EGR SENSOR COST ME $300 TO GET REPLACED. A WEEK AFTER THIS "REPAIR" WAS MADE, I BEGAN THE TRIP BACK TO TN. 2 HOURS INTO THE TRIP, THE SUDDEN, DRASTIC ACCLERATION STARTED AGAIN, AND SOON WAS OCCURING SEVERAL TIMES EVERY 30 MINUTES. ON REACHING TN., I ONCE AGAIN TOOK THE EXPLORER TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MILLINGTON. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY PROBLEM. SO, NOT ONLY DID I PAY FOR A REPAIR THAT 1) WAS CAUSED BY THE DEALERSHIP'S INABILITY TO FIND A PROBLEM, IT 2) SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THEN IT BECAME APPARENT THAT THE "REPAIR" DID NOT EVEN FIX THE PROBLEM. TO THIS DAY, THE RANDOM ACCELERATION IS A PROBLEM.*AK

2003 FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH GLASS SHATTERED WHILE PARKED.*MR *JB

I WAS DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS WHEN A COLLISION OCCURED IN THE LANES NEXT TO ME AND THE VEHICLES SWERVED INTO MY LANE. I SLAMED ON THE BRAKES AND THE ABS SYSTEM STARTED WORKING, THEN FAILED. THE BACK WHEELS LOCKED UP AND I FISH-TAILED, ENDING UP IN THE DIRT CENTER MEDIAN. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE DASH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ON. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE REAR ABS SENSOR FAILED (OPEN CIRCUT).

LOUD WHINE COMING FROM REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *NM

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS MECHANICAL FAILURES WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORERE. THE FRONT WHEEL BREARINGS AND FRONT AXLE BEARING HAVE FAILED. THE REAR AXLE HAS BEEN REBUILD TWICE AND REPLACED ONCE. ANOTHER REBUILD IS NEEDED. TOTAL MILEAGE IS 49,000 MILES.

THREE WHEELS ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER WERE REPLACED DUE TO CRACKING OF THE "CHROME" FINISH IN THE HUB AREA, THE 4TH WAS NOT DONE SINCE THERE WAS NO CRACKING AT THAT TIME; IT NOW REQUIRES REPLACEMENT . I AM DEALING WITH THAT AT THIS POINT BUT I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CRACKING MAY BE MORE THAN THE FINISH MATERIAL; IT MAY BE THE CASTING ITSELF. IF THIS IS THE CASE THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I AM CURIOUS IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THIS AND SHOULD THIS WARRANT AN INVESTIGATION BY YOUR DEPARTMENT. THE NUMBERS FOR THIS WHEEL, FROM THE DEALER WORK ORDER, ARE: 3L2Z-1007-KA AND A801881. *JB

THE CRUISE CONTROL ON MY VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. I CAN TURN IT ON BY HITTING THE OFF BUTTON AND VISE VERSA. THE CAR WILL SPEED UP WHEN I TOUCH THE COAST BUTTON AND SLOW DOWN WHEN I HIT THE SET BUTTON. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM ON THE EXPLORERS, BUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE FORD F150 FOR A SIMILAR PROBLEM.*AK

VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS AND THE OWNER DROVE ACROSS THE STREET TO THE SHELL GAS STATION, OWNER PARKED THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE GAS STATION, AND GOT SOME CASH FROM THE ATM MACHINE. OWNER WALKED BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND IT IGNITED. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ENTIRE TRUCK WAS BURNED. THE FIRE MARSHALL SAID THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *AK

ENGINE CUT OFF, WHEN HIGH BEAMS WERE SWITCHED ON. *NM

COMPLAINT REGARDING RECALL 04S20 RELATING TO THE REAR LIFT GATE.*** NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE CONSUMER STILL HAD NOT RECEIVED A CALL OR LETTER AS TO WHEN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK PERFORMED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. WHEN I PULLED OFF THE INTERSTATE, I NOTICED THAT 3 OF THE 5 THREADED LUGS WERE BROKEN ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. I HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TOWING VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY, HUB ASSEMBLY BRAKE SHIELD AND LUG NUTS. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE WHEELS WERE ROTATED ON MARCH 11, 2005 BY A LOCAL FORD DEALER PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS MAKING A CLANKING NOISE AND IT JUMPED OUT OF GEAR. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND UPGRADED THE TRANSMISSION. THEY REPLACED PARTS IN THE REAR END OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPLACEMENT OF THESE PARTS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN ADJUSTING STEERING WHEEL FOR DIFFERENT LEVELS IT WON'T LOCK IN POSITION. WITH THE SLIGHTEST PRESSURE ON THE STEERING WHEEL IT WILL FALL INTO DRIVER'S HANDS. HAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO A DEALER.*AK

OWNER WAS DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR GLASS SHATTERED. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM MANUFACTURE STATED RECALL ONLY APPLIED TO 4 DOOR MODEL, NOT 2 DOOR MODEL WHICH THE CONSUMER OWNS. *BF *NM

THE PLASTIC MOLDING AROUND THE REAR GLASS ON THE LIFTGATE CRACKED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE GLASS MAY FALL OUT WHILE OPENING THE LIFTGATE OR WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED.*AK.....THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP THAT THIS HAPPENED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. IF NOT UNDER WARRANTY THE CONSUMER MUST PAY. THE CONSUMER'S GAS GAUGE FAILED WITH ONLY 2500 MILLES OVER WARRANTY. *AK

CLUTCH IN TRANSFER CASE DEFECTIVE. CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE UNEXPECTEDLY.*AK

WHEN COLD, BELOW 35 DEGREES F, THE REAR HATCH WILL NOT FULLY OPEN. THE HATCH STOPS AT HEAD HEIGHT. I'VE HIT MY HEAD TWICE. FORD HAS SAID BECAUSE THE HATCH OPENS WHEN IT'S WARM, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. IT'S A MINOR HEAD BUMP, BUT HAS POTENTIAL TO DAMAGE AN EYE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HATCH SHEET METAL PROTRUDES. THE SUV IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER.*AK

AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL LETTER FOR THE LIFTGATE, THE CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO OBTAIN REPAIR, SINCE THE PART IS NOT AVAILABLE. LIFTGATE RECALL NHTSA 04V442000

I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER 2WD , I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THAT BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEED TO BE REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS POSSIBLY A DEFECT WITH THESE PARTS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH REAR WINDOW SHATTERED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FOR HINGES ON REAR WINDOW OF HATCH AND WAS ADVISED NOT TO OPEN UNTIL HINGES WERE REPLACED, WHICH I DID NOT. NOTICED THE FIBERGLASS UNDER THE WINDOW CRACKED APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES TO THE LEFT OF THE LATCH. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER AND THE WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR SAID THE FIBERGLASS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. THE WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR SAID HE WOULD SEND A REQUEST FOR FORD TO REPAIR THE FIBERGLASS UNDER THE GLASS BUT DOESN'T KNOW IF THEY WILL SINCE THEY HAVE DENIED PAYING FOR A FEW OF THESE THAT HE HAS ALREADY SUBMITTED. I AM CONVINCED THIS DAMAGE IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE HINGE AND FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD REPAIR MY VEHICLE. *JB

THE CONSUMER HIT A TELEPHONE POLE AT 30 MPH WHEN HE/SHE TRIED TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER MOTORIST. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER. *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE LIFTGATE LATCH. SHE THEN TOOK VEHICLE TO GET SERVICED. RECENTLY WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING, THE BACK WINDOW LITERALLY CAME OFF. SHE WAS AWARE OF A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. NHTSA'S RECALL #04V442000. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY DENIED THAT THERE WAS SUCH A RECALL. *JB

DRIVING ON SEMI-CLEAR ROAD ABOUT 40 MPH, AIR TEMPERATURE WAS -7 DEGREES. HIT BLACK ICE AND WENT OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A DITCH. THE EXPLORER HIT A TREE STUMP ON THE FRONT LEFT CORNER OF BUMPER AND WHEEL. THE TRUCK DID NOT ROLL OVER DURING THE ACCIDENT. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE WEARING THE SEAT BELT/SHOULDER BELT. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A FRACTURE/COMPRESSION OF THE L1 VERTBRAE (SPINE) DUE TO THE SEAT BELT (SEAT-BELT SYNDROME). THE TRUCK SUSTAINED HEAVY DAMAGE TO THE FRONT, FRONT WHEEL AND ENGINE AREA. THE REPAIR MECHANIC DID PERFORM A CHECK OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM DURING THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SYSTEM CHECKED OUT AS NORMAL. NO AIR BAG SYSTEM PART HAD BEEN REPLACED DURING THE REPAIR. *AK

THE VEHICLE STARTED VIBRATING WITHOUT WARNING THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. THE DRIVER NOTICED THE RIGHT SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CHANGE THE TIRE. THE TIRE WAS A GOODYEAR . PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE SERIAL AND DOT NUMBER. *JB

VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. OWNER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. OWNER HAS ALSO CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO HAS BEEN OF NO HELP EITHER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

THE REAR LIFT GATE CRACKED DOWN THE CENTER. EVERY FORD EXPLORER LIFT GATE I SEE HAS A CRACK DOWN THE CENTER. THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE GATE. THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. *TR

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND THE REAR GLASS HATCH HAS A RECALL. RECALL # 04S20 WE FIRST BROUGHT THE PROBLEM TO HAWKINSON FORD'S ATTENTION SEPT 2004. IN OCT 2004 WE RECEIVED A NOTICE AND WERE TOLD THE HINGE HAD TO BE REDESIGNED AND WOULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS. JAN 11, 2005 WE HAD THE REPAIRS DONE TO THE HINGES. THE NEXT DAY THE VERY FIRST TIME THE HATCH WAS OPENED BOTH HINGES MOVED I DROVE RIGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I SPOKE TO PAUL'S THE ASSISTANT MANAGER AND SHOWED HIM THIS PROBLEM, HE WAS AMAZED. WE SET UP ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND REPAIRED. MY CONCERN IF THIS IS THEIR NEW DESIGN, WOW IT LASTED 1 OPENING AND NOW I HAVE MOISTURE IN MY EXPLORER BECAUSE THE WINDOW DOESN'T CLOSE PROPERLY. I CAN ONLY USED THE LIFT GATE AND HAVE TO WORRY IF I DRIVE COULD BUMPS CAUSE THE WINDOW TO FALL OUT. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO SOMEONE ON THE SUBJECT IN REGARDS TO MY OPTIONS." *NM