2003 Ford Explorer Complaint Log

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND RECENTLY THE CHECK FUEL CAP LIGHT WENT ON, I HAVE CHANGE THE CAP 3 TIMES, RESET THE COMPUTER, CHECK THE CHARCOAL CANISTER, THE FUEL LINES AND ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE USERS MANUAL BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK, NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ALSO WENT ON, I CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM... NO SOLUTION FROM THE DEALER OR ONLINE YET. *TR

CRACK IN PANEL BELOW REAR GLASS OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER. PANEL JUST CRACKED FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT. WENT TO TRADE IN FOR NEW EXPLORER AND DEALER EVEN COMPLAINED ABOUT DAMAGE. *TR

THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER REACHES EXCESSIVE TEMPERATURES. IN MILD WEATHER ON A SUNNY DAY THE INTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD CAN BECOME SO HOT IT CAN EASILY MELT ITEMS PLACED AGAINST IT. ADDITIONALLY, IT APPEARS THIS IS THE ORIGINAL WINDSHIELD FROM THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

ABS LIGHT ON,SECOND WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACED. *TR

93,000 MILES AND ABS LIGHT AND LOUD GRINDING NOISE (IN ADDITION TO APPLIQUE CRACK IN REAR). NEED TO REPLACE BOTH REAR HUB BEARINGS, BRAKE PAD ROTORS, AND PARKING BRAKE SHOES. SEARCH THE WEB ON THESE PROBLEMS, AND OVER 3 HUNDRED COMPLAINTS SEEN ON JUST ONE SITE FOR 2003 EXPLORERS ALONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT (N/A). WHILE DRIVING THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 153,300.

2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH 74,000 MILES ON IT - O/D LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. AROUND THE SAME TIME I NOTICED THAT WHEN GOING FROM A STOP TO A START IT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. TOOK IT INTO THE MECHANIC - SUGGESTED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $4100!!! FOR A CAR THAT HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR

PAINT ON HOOD BUBBLING WITH CORROSION UNDER HOOD. *TR

WITH NO WARNING, WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 EXPLORER YESTERDAY, THE O/D OFF LIGHT COMES ON THEN THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT ALSO COMES ON. AFTER THAT I NOTICE THE SHIFTING OF GEARS FEELS REALLY WEIRD. IT SHIFTS SLOWER AND HARDER WHEN IT SHIFTS. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN. THE REPAIR SHOP SAYS I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH WILL COST ME $2000 THAT I DON'T HAVE, TO PUT INTO A VEHICLE I AM STILL PAYING ON. IF I CONTINUE TO DRIVE IT WITH THE TRANSMISSION THE WAY IT IS NOW, IT COULD LOCK UP AND MAKE ME STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND POSSIBLE GET MYSELF AND OTHERS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE THAT I HAVE, BUT I DIDN'T NOT KNOW THAT UNTIL I BEGAN DOING RESEARCH WHEN IT MESSED UP YESTERDAY. *TR

AT ABOUT 85K MILES, THE STUDS ON THE REAR TIRES OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER BEGAN BREAKING-OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND TWICE WHILE GETTING MY TIRES ROTATED. I HAVE PROBABLY REPLACED ALMOST 20 STUDS IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS DIAGNOSES FROM MECHANICS AND ALL HAVE BEEN WRONG. FINALLY, A SERVICE MANAGER AT QUIRK FORD IN QUINCY, MA ADMITTED THAT HE DID NOT KNOW THE PROBLEM. OF COURSE, I HAVE ALREADY PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED - TO NO AVAIL. THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED TECNICIALS AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL AND THEY RECOMMENDED SEVERAL THINGS. THE SERVICE DEPT AT QUIRK FORD HAD ALREADY DONE ALL OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE PAST. THE CORPORATE LEVEL TECHNICIANS CLAIM THAT THEIR IS NOT HISTORY OF THIS IN OTHER VEHICLES, BUT A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. THERE ARE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM 2002-2004 EXPLORER OWNERS IDENTIFYING THE SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 38 IN SC, THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SHAKING REAL BAD AND THEN THE ENTIRE SUV STARTED SHAKING AND WE VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A FIELD. THE FRONT LEFT TIRE CAME OFF AND WE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I SAW THAT 2 OF THE 5 LUG POSTS WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE OTHER 3 WERE BENT. IN ADDITION THE MOLDING AROUND THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE CAME OFF AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS JAMMED SHUT. AFTER EVERYONE WAS OUT SAFELY THE SUV HAS BEEN TOWED AND IS WITH AN AUTO CENTER FOR REPAIRS AND BODY WORK. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE YET FORD HAS NOT HAD ANY RECALLS DESPITE THE FREQUENCY OF THIS ISSUE. IF YOU SEARCH "2003 FORD EXPLORER PROBLEMS" IT WILL COME UP. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. I CAN SEE THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE PAID FOR THEIR VEHICLES TO BE REPAIRED ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN ON ANOTHER WHEEL. *TR

WHEEL BEARING NEEDS REPLACEMENT. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. AT ONLY 52,000 MILES THE TRUCK STARTED MAKING A HUMMING SOUND. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND THE FRONT WHEEL BEARING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. $500! *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER-4.6 LITER V8 4 WHEEL DRIVE, THE VEHICLE HAS 158,000 MILES AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SPARKPLUG BLOWOUT WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. I WAS TRAVELING ON A BUSY STATE ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE MISS FIRED AND THEN HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE ENGINE WENT TO MISSING BAD. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED TO THE SIDE AND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING. I LIMPED THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED TO REINSTALL THE PLUG AND COIL PACK. THE FORCING PUSH OF THE PLUG BROKE THE COIL PACK AND TORE THE PLUG BOOT. I JUST REPLACED THE COIL PACK AND PLUG BOOT ASSEMBLY AND REINSTALLED THE PLUG BCK IN. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE IS COMMON ON THE 4.6 LITERS, A FRIEND AND SHADETREE MECHANIC DID A MOTOR SWAP IN AN EXPEDITION WITH THIS SAME MOTOR FOR THE SAME REASON CAUSE THE PLUG IN CYLINDER #4(PASSENGER REAR) TORE THE THREADS COMING OUT AND LET LOOSE METAL INTO THE PISTON JOURNAL AND CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE. *TR

TRANSMISION FAILURE, REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP. NEW TRANSMISION FAILED WITHIN A WEEK, REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP ALSO REPLACED ALL HUB BEARINGS, EXCESSIVE NOISE. REAR END ALSO HAS EXCESSIVE NOISE. REAR BACK UP SENSOR FREQUENTLY TURNS OFF AND DOES NOT WORK. *TR

ENGINE STALLS OUT WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT OCCURS AT RANDOM WITH NO WARNING. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND LEAVES MYSELF AND FAMILY IN A, POWERLESS, DEFENSELESS, POTENTIALLY FATAL, SITUATION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE HINGES WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.....UPDATED 10/11/12 *BF UPDATED 10/16/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A CRACK HAD DEVELOPED ON THE LIFTGATE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH APPROX. 70,000 MILES ON IT. ON JULY 15, 2010, I NOTICED THAT THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING ON AND OFF AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT A WEEK. ON JULY 26, 2010, I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND A NEW SOLENOID PACK. THE COST OF THESE ITEMS WAS $2,500! I PROCEEDED TO DO SOME INTERNET RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 AND 2003 FORD EXPLORERS. THE TRANSMISSIONS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS AS NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION WITH ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. I FEEL FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL OF THIS ITEM AS IT HAS CAUSED MANY PEOPLE A LOT OF MONEY TO REPAIR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS THE TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 92000.

THE BACK HATCH CRACKED ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HEAR THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS SUV. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER EXT WITH LESS THAN 85,000 MILES. AFTER HAVING MY ABS (ANTILOCK BRAKES) LIGHTS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES, I HAD THE ABS MODULE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO COME ON AFTERWARDS, SO I HAD SEARS COMPLETE A FRONT END INSPECTION. FOUND OUT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDS BOTH FRONT END WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLIES REPLACED. THIS IS APPARENTLY AFFECTING THE TIRES AND THE BRAKES AS WELL. HAD I NOT FOUND OUT WHEN I DID, THE BEARING COULD HAVE WENT OUT COMPLETELY, AND CAUSED A CRASH AND POSSIBLE INJURIES AND DEATH. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ALOT OF MILAGE ON IT AND SHOULD NOT NEED BEARINGS THIS QUICKLY. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS COMPLAINT... AFTER ALOT OF RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND ALOT OF PPL WITH THIS PROBLEM. VIEW THIS WEBSITE FOR MORE INFO.. HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2003/WHEELS_HUBS/FRONT_WHEEL_BEARING_FAILURE.SHTML. *TR

ONE OF THE TWO HINGES THAT SECURE THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS TO THE VEHICLE RECENTLY BROKE. UNDER THE NHTSA'S GUIDANCE, FORD PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A RECALL DESCRIBING AND ADDRESSING THIS EXACT PROBLEM. HOWEVER, FORD CLAIMS THAT MY TRUCK FALLS OUTSIDE THE BUILD DATES FOR THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THIS ISSUE ONLINE, SO IT APPEARS THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO THE LATER BUILD DATES. *TR

WHILE I AM DRIVING THE TRUCK SLOWS DOWN THEN SPEEDS BACK UP. VEHICLE IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD AND HAS 71,000 MILES, A FEW DAYS AGO THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THEN A DAY LATER THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP THEY HOOKED THE TRUCK UP TO THE MACHINE AND 5 MALFUNCTIONS CAME UP IN THE TRANSMISSION HE SAID THAT THE 1ST AND 5TH GEAR IS SLIPPING. HE WOULD HAVE TO REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD COST AT LEAST $2000. HE ALSO STATED THAT MY TRUCK WAS TOO YOUNG AND DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MILES IN IT TO ALREADY HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I SEE BY THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ON CARCOMPLAINT.COM THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WHO DO WE HAVE TO CONTACT IN ORDER TO HAVE FORD NOTICE THAT THEY TRUCK SHOULD GET RECALLED B/C OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR COIL SPRING WAS ABNORMALLY COVERED BY AN UNKNOWN PLASTIC SHEET. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 02/03/11*LJ UPDATED 02/04/11*JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF IT NOT EASILY CHANGING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, AND REVERSE TO PARK. LAST NIGHT, I WAS UNLOADING SOME ITEMS FROM THE EXPLORER. THE CAR WAS IN PARK, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. I WAS STANDING IN THE RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER DOORWAY. I REACHED OVER TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. UPON TURNING IT OFF, THE EXPLORER IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ROLL INTO REVERSE. MY MOTHER WAS SITTING IN THE BACKSEAT AT THIS TIME AS WELL AS MY TWO BABIES, WHO WERE STRAPPED IN THEIR CAR SEATS. MY DRIVEWAY IS AN INCLINE, SO THE EXPLORER ROLLED BACKWARDS. I TRIED TO RUN WITH IT AS I WAS TRAPPED IN THE DOORWAY. THE EXPLORER GAINED SPEED GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, CAUSING ME TO BE KNOCKED DOWN, UNSURE OF WHETHER OR NOT I WAS ABOUT TO BE RUN OVER, OR WHETHER MY MOM AND CHILDREN WERE GOING TO BE INJURED. I WAS THROWN DOWN, LANDED ON MY BUTTOCKS WHICH HAS CAUSED SEVERE BRUISING, HIT MY HEAD ON THE CONCRETE, AND WAS LEFT WITH PAINFUL, OPEN CUTS ON MY LEFT ARM. MY MOTHER WAS TOSSED ABOUT CAUSING PAIN TO HER BACK. MY KIDS WERE THANKFULLY RESTRAINED IN THEIR CAR SEATS. THEY ROLLED BACKWARD INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD, THEN PROCEEDED TO ROLL FORWARD BACK ACROSS THE STREET INTO MY YARD. WHEN THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS STILL ENGAGED, AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS STUCK BETWEEN PARK AND REVERSE. IT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THIS POSITION. IT TOOK QUITE A LOT OF WORK TO GET THE CAR TO GO INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE SO THAT THE EXPLORER COULD BE PROPERLY MOVED. I AM VERY UPSET AT THE INCIDENT WHICH COULD HAVE LEFT MYSELF, MY KIDS, OR MY MOM CRITICALLY OR FATALLY INJURED. I AM VERY AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE NOW, AND I AM VERY AFRAID TO PARK IT. IF I HAD ANOTHER VEHICLE TO DRIVE RIGHT NOW, I CERTAINLY WOULD BE DRIVING IT INSTEAD OF THE FORD EXPLORER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE REAR LIFT GATE WINDOW, THE HINGE FOR THE WINDOW BROKE AND THE GLASS BECAME DISENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE: HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000.

I WAS APPROACHING A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED . I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS PREPARING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SPED UP. I INCREASED THE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I WAS AFRAID THAT I WOULD HIT A CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAITING AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT. I THEN SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. MY TACHOMETER WAS READING ABOVE 5000 RPM. I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE RPM RETURNED TO NORMAL. THIS ALL HAPPENED WITHIN A FEW SECONDS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED BY A FORD DEALER TOMORROW. *TR

MY CAR IS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS. OVERALL THE CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION. WHEN WASHING THE CAR THERE IS SOME CHROME PEELING FROM THE WHEEL AT THE HUB EXTENDING OUT TO THE LUG NUTS. I REMOVED THE WHEEL AFTER SOME EFFORT DUE TO THE CORROSION OF THE ALUMINUM. I CLEANED HE CORROSION FROM THE ALUMINUM AT THE HUB AND FOUND INTERNAL PITTING BETWEEN 1/8" AND 1/4" DEEP WHEN PROBING. I AM A ARCHITECT WITH A ENGINEERING BACKGROUND AND IN MY OPINION THE LOSS OF ALUMINUM STRUCTURE IS SIGNIFICANT AND THE WHEEL NO LONGER SAFE. THE OTHER WHEELS HAVE SOME CHROME PEELING AS WELL AND WILL ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE DEPTH OF THE PITTING OR REMOVED THE WHEELS. AS FORD HAS THE EXPLORER HAS HAD ISSUES WITH WHEEL FAILURE IN THE PAST AND THIS IS A ISSUE THAT WAS NOT OBSERVABLE WHEN I CHANGED THE BRAKES ABOUT A YEAR AGO TO VERY SIGNIFICANT NOW IT MAY BE WORTH LOOKING INTO. I HAVE A PHOTO OF THE ALUMINUM IF YOU LIKE AND WILL RETAIN THE RIM WHEN I GET A NEW ONE. THE OTHER THREE WHEELS HAVE NOT BEEN REMOVED IF YOU WISH TO SEE THESE IN THE NEAR FUTURE UNDISTURBED PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT. THE THREADED PORTION OF THE AXLE IS CORRODED WITH NO THREADS VISIBLE AND 10% OF THE DIAMETER LOST. THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL BEHIND THE PLASTIC CAP WAS 20% FILLED WITH CORROSION RESIDUE WHEN I REMOVED IT. THE OTHER SIDE HAS NOT BEEN OPENED UP YET. I HAVE HAD OTHER CARS OVER THE YEARS INCLUDING FORDS AND NEVER HAVE SEEN AN ISSUE LIKE THIS. *TR

MY 2003 EXPLORER CRACKED FROM THE BACK WINDOW TO THE FORD EMBLEM. FORD TOLD ME ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO RECALL INITIATED. I HAVE 3 OTHER FRIENDS WHO ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS IT IS BY NO FAULT OF THE OWNER AND APPARENTLY IS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO PICK UP SPEED. ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER YET THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES IN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,900.

REPAIR SHOP "PERRIER AUTO CENTER" CHANGE OIL FOR ME BY OVERLOAD ENGINE WITH 10 QUARTERS OF OIL AND ALSO OVERLOAD POWER STEERING FLUID THAT COST FAILED POWER STEERING. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 77,000 MILES, JUNE 2010. REPLACED WITH FORD PART AT FORD DEALER. REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION LASTED 3 YRS/8 MOS, AND LASTED 45,000 MILES (8 MONTHS BEYOND WARRANTY). FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM, OR PROVIDE ANY RELIEF WHATSOEVER IN RESOLVING THE PROBLEM. TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ANY POINT, AT ANY TIME, COULD BE VERY VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

ALTHOUGH THIS DEFECT DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY, THE POTENTIAL WAS THERE FOR SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THIS OR FOLLOWING VEHICLES. SPECIFICALLY, THE DEFECT WAS THE REAR STRUT/SPRING ASSEMBLIES I.E. BROKEN AND SHIFTED COIL SPRING. AS THIS PART SITS CLOSE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE PIECE OF SPRING THAT BROKE OFF COULD HAVE EASILY PUNCTURED THE FUEL TANK RESULTING IN POSSIBLE FIRE. IT COULD ALSO HAVE WEDGED AGAINST A BRAKE LINE, THUS CAUSING A BRAKE FAILURE AND/OR SUSPENSION FAILURE/MISALIGNMENT CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. IN ADDITION, IF THE PIECE OF SPRING, WEIGHING ABOUT THREE (3) POUNDS HAD FALLEN OUT, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED SEVERE DAMAGE TO A FOLLOWING VEHICLE OR IT'S OPERATOR HAD IT BOUNCED UP AND PENETRATED A WINDSHIELD. THE REASON FOR THE LAPSE IN TIME IN MY REPORTING THIS CONDITION IS BECAUSE I THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS JUST A ONE TIME ISOLATED FAILURE TO MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER, IN TALKING TO OTHER FORD EXPLORER OWNERS, AS WELL AS SEVERAL AUTO REPAIR SHOPS, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON FAILURE ON SIMILAR VEHICLES. IF THIS WAS A SIMPLE REPAIR TO A COMPONENT THAT HAD LITTLE OR NO AFFECT ON THE VEHICLES PERFORMANCE OR DID NOT PRESENT A SAFETY CONDITION, I WOULD HAVE PROBABLY JUST WRITTEN IT OFF TO NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR. HOWEVER, WITH MY KNOWLEDGE OF AUTOMOBILES, AND A CONDITION THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE DAMAGE AS WELL AS PERSONAL INJURY, AS WELL AS BEING A QUITE EXPENSIVE REPAIR, I FELT COMPELLED TO REPORT IT TO THE PROPER PEOPLE WHO PERHAPS HAVE A LARGER DATA BASE THAN I DO, AND TAKE ACTION AGAINST FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO MANDATE A RECALL OR REIMBURSEMENT TO THOSE FORD EXPLORER OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS I HAVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED A CRACK AT THE REAR HATCH BACK UNDER THE REAR WINDOW. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRACK WAS BECOMING WIDER WHEN THE HATCH BACK WAS OPENED AND CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD NOT SHUT OFF OR WOULD SPORADICALLY FLICKER ON AND OFF WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THE FAILURE AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 161,000.

OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHES ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER, FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAIL. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW THEY ARE GOING OUT AGAIN. AFTER INVESTIGATION, THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR. SOMETHING ABOUT POOR DESIGN. CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEAL AND HE SAID FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS, BUT ON SUCH AN "OLD" VEHICLE, FORD ISN'T GOING TO TAKE ANY ACTION. *TR

A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO I AND A FRIEND CAME OUT OF A GROCERY STORE TO DISCOVER THERE WAS A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I DROVE RIGHT OVER TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. I DO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR 100,000 MILES. IT WAS REPORTED TO THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND I WAS DENIED REPAIR. I WAS TOLD I COULD PAY $1,000.00 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED OR PUT CAULKING ON IT TO HELP TO SEAL THE CRACK. I PUT THE CAULKING ON IT AS I DID NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM RETIRED AND ON A FIXED INCOME. OVER THE COURSE OF TIME THE CRACK WIDENED CAUSING THE PANEL AND WINDOW TO SHIFT TO THE LEFT. ON MONDAY 4/12/10 I OPENED THE HATCHBACK WINDOW TO PLACE A FEW ITEMS INSIDE AND THE WINDOW CAME CRASHING DOWN ON MY HEAD ALMOST DRIVING ME INTO THE GROUND. THE HINGES BROKE AND HAD A FRIEND NOT BEEN THERE WITH ME I COULD NOT HAVE LIFTED THAT WINDOW. HE AND I WORKED FOR 45 MINUTES TO GET IT PLACED BACK TO WHERE IT WAS NOT HANGING AND HAD TO PUT BUNGY CORDS ON TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. I HAVE HAD A HEADACHE FOR 3 DAYS NOW. I DROVE RIGHT OVER TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THE INCIDENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER TOOK MY INFORMATION AND CONTACTED THE WARRANTY COMPANY WHO GOT BACK TO HIM AND STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE HINGES. I TOLD HIM THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!! THIS CRACK HAS WIDENED OVER THE LAST YEAR AND THE HATCHBACK HAS SHIFTED TO THE LEFT. REPLACING THE HINGES IS A TEMPORARY FIX. LIKE PUTTING A BANDAID ON A COMPOUND FRACTURE! I THINK THE ENTIRE HATCHBACK HAS WEAKENED AND IF THE BIG DOOR FALLS ON ME I COULD BE KILLED. AT THIS POINT I AM UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE HATCHBACK AT ALL AND MUST CLIMB OVER THE BACK SEAT TO RETRIEVE ANYTHING BEHIND IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE HEATER STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TEMPERATURE BLEND DOOR NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGES FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE REAR WINDSHIELD GLASS TO FALL AND SHATTER FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE AND ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OWNER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDINGLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,950 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW, IT NOW HAS 135,553 MILES ON IT. HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS AND IT ACTUALLY DRIVES VERY WELL, BUT THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER 3 DAYS LATER, WAS TOLD THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,225.00. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, THE O/D OFF LIGHT STILL FLASHING AND AFTER FURTHER DIAGNOSTICS THEY HAVE NOW DETERMINED THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $1,325.00. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS YET TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

THE FRONT BEARINGS ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAVE GONE OUT IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR STOPPED STEERING AND I HAD A VERY DIFFICULT TIME DRIVING IT TO THE NEAREST REPAIR STATION. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. THE RIGHT FRONT BEARING WENT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH AND THE LEFT AT THE END OF THE MONTH. THE MECHANICS THAT WORKED ON THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THEY SEE MANY OF THESE. ADDITIONALLY WE HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR STRUT ASSEMBLY SINCE THE SPRING ACTUALLY SNAPPED. THIS TOO WAS FAMILIAR TO THE MECHANIC. WHEN RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO STATED THAT WHEEL BEARINGS SHOULD NOT GO THAT SOON AND THAT THIS IS A HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE FIXED. *TR

REAR APPLIQUE "REAR LIFTGATE PANEL" BELOW THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED IN HALF. NO IMPACT INVOLVED. *TR

CAR SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD AND ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN STARTED, IT SUDDENLY LURCHED FORWARD, ROCKING BACK AND FORTH LEAVING A BRUISE ACROSS MY SHIN FROM THE RUNNING BOARDS. TWO DAYS EARLIER, MY DAUGHTER CLOSED THE BACK HATCH WHICH CAUSED THE TRUCK TO LURCH BACK AND FORTH, LUCKILY, JUST BUMPING HER. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR SHIFT WAS ALWAYS PROPERLY IN PARK WHEN IT HAPPENED.

THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER SINCE I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW IN AUGUST OF 2003. BUT IRONICALLY THEY HAVE ALL APPEARED AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. IN SEPTEMBER 2007 THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT NO LONGER WORKED. IT COST ME $2000 AND A WEEK WITHOUT A CAR, TO GET IT FIXED. IN AUGUST 2009 THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW WOULD NO LONGER WORK. IN SEPTEMBER 2009 MY SUV STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN TURNING ON THE HEATER. SINCE WE LIVED IN A WARM CLIMATE THIS DID NOT CONCERN US MUCH, AS THE HEAT HAD WORKED EVEN WITH THE CLICKING SOUND. BUT WE MOVED TO A COLDER CLIMATE AND THE HEATER WENT OUT IN MARCH 2010. IN APRIL 2010 THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE MECHANIC, HE SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR SHIFTED FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AND FROM 4TH TO 5TH GEAR. HE COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY MORE INFORMATION AND WAS NOT WILLING TO FIX MY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM (HE SUGGESTED I GO ELSEWHERE BECAUSE HE WAS NOT AN EXPERT IN TRANSMISSIONS). IN MAY 2010 THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING OFF. AFTER SPEAKING TO MECHANIC AGAIN, HE SAID IT WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IN AUGUST 2010 THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT STARTED COMING ON RANDOMLY, EVEN WHEN THE DOOR IS NOT OPEN. AND IN SEPTEMBER 2010, I NOTICED MY ABS LIGHT WILL COME ON RANDOMLY. IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE TRIGGERED BY ANY SPECIFIC REASON, AND DOES NOT ALWAYS COME ON. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 20-30 MPH WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, AND AFTER HEARING A NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A BLOW-OUT, THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE, AFTER REVIEW OF THE VEHICLE, THE LUG BOLTS WERE ALL SEVERED FROM THE VEHICLE. NO DAMAGE TO THE RIM OR THE TIRE EXISTED

NO SECOND GEAR. *TR

WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURE. *TR

FORD 2003 EXPLORER OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHING AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE TO BE TOLD FORD HAS THIS PROBLEM BUT THEY'VE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. COULD BREAK DOWN ON STREET AND STRAND MOTORIST. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. I FEEL MY FAMILIES SAFETY WAS JEOPARDIZED BY FORDS NEGLECT. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND WAS CLOSING THE WINDOW OF THE BACK HATCH WHEN THE REAR LIFT GATE HINGE FAILED AND BROKE AND THE WINDOW BECAME DISLODGED AND HIT ME IN THE HEAD. MY SON WAS STANDING NEXT TO ME AND THANKFULLY THE WINDOW DIDN'T FALL OUT COMPLETELY AND LAND ON HIM! I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM, YOUR AGENCY DID NOT IDENTIFY MY VEHICLE AS BEING AFFECTED AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT AT THEIR COST. AGAIN, THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE YOUR AGENCY DID NOT IDENTIFY MY VEHICLE AS BEING AFFECTED BY THIS DEFECT. AT THE PRESENT TIME, THE WINDOW IS HANGING BY THE STRUTS AND THE LEFT HINGE. FURTHER, I HAVE GONE ONLINE AND SEEN THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM AND IT WAS NOT COVERED BY FORD'S RECALL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS THAT WINDOW COULD HAVE FALLEN OUT AND LANDED ON MY SON! THANKFULLY, I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED MORE EXTENSIVELY. I THINK IT IS REASONABLE TO EXPECT THAT A WINDOW OR A DOOR IS NOT GOING TO FALL OFF A HINGE AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A SERIOUS INJURY. SAFETY IS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION! *TR