2003 Ford F-150 Complaint Log

FORD TAURUS 2003, WINDSHIELD WAS HIT WITH A STONE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ON MAY 10, 2007, A CHIP WAS VISIBLE AND WITHIN A FEW DAYS BECAME A 12 INCH CRACK. HAD REPLACED AT A COST OF $197.34. *TR

MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR'S TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. IT ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS GOING DOWN A VERY BUSY ROAD AND WHEN I PUSHED DOWN ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE REVVED UP. THANK GOD I WAS SOMEWHERE I COULD LET THE VAN COAST OFF THE ROAD BEING I HAD 4 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VAN WITH ME. I HAVE HEARD THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD'S TRANSMISSIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE FORD OUGHT TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE PER THEIR OWN EXPENSE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE THEIR VEHICLE JUST STOPS PULLING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR

NO ACCIDENT, EXPENSE REPAIR $1000.00 TO REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER. 22,145 MILES. THIS HAS TO BE THE RESULTS OF FAULTY PARTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE STRUCK THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN, AND THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES.*AK

ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON, INTAKE MNANIFOLD GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON A 2003 V6 4.2L ENGINE IN A FORD F150. *AK

CNG REGULATOR LEAKING COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

2003 FORD F150 4X4. A HEAVY SNOW STORM HIT NORTHEAST ON 3/16/07. I HAD MY PREGNANT WIFE AND THREE YEAR OLD SON IN TRUCK COMING BACK FROM A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE. WE WERE STUCK FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON EVENT WITH THE FORDS AND THERE SHIFT ON THE FLY 4X4 SYSTEM. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ON GOING PROBLEM BUT TOLD ME IT WAS MY PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE SYSTEM AND AGAIN STATED "IT WAS MY PROBLEM!" THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED OCCURENCES YET NOTHING HAS BEEN CORRECTED. TRUCK IS GOING IN FOR REPAIR ON FRIDAY AND MECHANIC STATED IT IS APPROX $500 TO REPAIR. THE VACUUM SOLENIOD AND VACUUM LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. FORD WAS ALSO AWARE OF THE VACUUM PROBLEM WHEN I SPOKE WITH THEM. VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS WITH A FAMILY RELYING ON A 4X4 WHEN NEEDED.

WE OWN A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WITH A 5.4 L, V-8 TRITON ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING WE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN IT SOUNDED LIKE THE ENGINE WAS BACK FIRING. WE SMELLED GAS AND A BURNING SMELL. WE HAD OUR EXPEDITION TOWED TO THE DEALER AND WERE INFORMED THAT SPARK PLUG #7 HAD BLOWN OUT OF THE HEAD, STRIPPING THE THREADS. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED US THAT THE HEAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $3,500. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY TAKEN THIS EXPEDITION INTO FORD AT 72,723 MILES BECAUSE THE ENGINE LACKED POWER AND SURGED. WE WERE TOLD THAT SPARK PLUG #7 NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS PRIOR TO THE FORD'S RECOMMENDATION OF A TUNE UP TO BE DONE AT 100,000. THEY REPLACED SPARK PLUG #7 UNDER WARRANTY, BUT WE WERE CHARGED TO REPLACE THE OTHER SPARK PLUGS. THIS IS THE SAME SPARK PLUG THAT BLEW OUT AT 108,411 MILES. WE HAVE CONTACTED MANY MECHANICS TO SEE WHAT OTHER OPTIONS WERE AVAILABLE. WE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE OUR EXPEDITION REPAIRED BY PLACING A RECOMMENDED PERMANENT THREAD REPLACEMENT INSERT PUT INTO THE #7 CYLINDER; WHICH DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS LOW COMPRESSION IN #7 CYLINDER AND NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $6,000. THE MECHANIC SHOPS THAT WE CONTACTED HAVE INFORMED US THAT THIS IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE ALUMINUM HEADS ON THE FORD EXPEDITION AND SOME OTHER FORD TRUCKS. A REVIEW OF THE COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA SHOWS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ENGINES. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT A DEFECT INVESTIGATION BE COMPLETED AND THAT FORD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFECT IN THEIR FORD EXPEDITION ENGINES/HEADS. *JB

I PURCHASED A USED 2003 F-150 WITH 38,000 MILES ON IT APROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS AGO. I STARTED NOTICING AN OIL LEAK IN DECEMBER BUT COULD NOT LOCATE WHERE IT CAME FROM. AFTER TRYING TO ADD STOP LEAK TO SEAL IT, I FINALLY BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER. WITH 49,000 MILES ON IT, THE FRONT GASKET AND LEFT HEAD GASKET WERE BAD. THIS SEEMS A LITTLE PREMATURE FOR A FAILURE OF THIS TYPE.

I WAS TURNING ON TO MY STREET WHEN I HEARD AVERY LOUD BANG AND MY CAR STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. AS I SAT THERE IN SHOCK IT APPEARED THAT MY CAR WAS TILTED DOWN ON THE LEFT SIDE. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND SURE ENOUGH IT WAS LEANING. THE BODY OF MY CAR WAS RESTING ON THE TOP OF THE TIRE. SINCE I COULDN'T DRIVE IT I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE TO BE LOOKED AT. AFTER MY CAR WAS INSPECTED FOR THE REASON FOR THE BANG I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT COIL SPRING WAS BROKEN IN TWO PLACES. ALSO, THE SWAY BAR WAS BROKEN AND THE FRONT STRUT MOUNT AND BEARING WERE BROKEN. WHAT COULD I DO BUT HAVE THE REPAIRS MADE. I HAD TWO NEW FRONT COIL SPRINGS PUT ON (I WASN'T TAKING ANY CHANCES WITH THE OTHER SPRING), A NEW SWAY BAR, A NEW STRUT MOUNT AND BEARING PUT ON AT A COST OF $444.64. I HAD JUST COME OFF OF THE HIGHWAY WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS 65 MPH. IF THE SPRING WOULD HAVE BROKEN THERE, I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN. I STILL HAVE THE BROKEN SPRING. IT STILL HAS THE PROTECTIVE COATING ON IT. SO CORROSION COULD NOT HAVE BEEN A FACTOR. *NM

DIFFERENTIAL REAR END FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

ON FEBRUARY 2007 I WAS DRIVING THE EXPEDITION IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFICWHEN I NOTICED THAT CAR BEGAN TO FEEL VERY HEAVY. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER WAS GOING DOWN DESPITE FACT THAT I WAS PRESSING DOWN THE GAS PEDAL, AND SUDDENLY ALL OF THE ENGINE LIGHTS TURNED ON. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND START THE CAR WITH NO PROBLEM ,BUT 5 MINUTES LATER IT WILL DO THE SAME THING ALL OVER AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND EVER SINCE THEY ARE AWAITING FOR PARTS TO COME IN ,AND THEY HAVE BEEN ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. FORD D REFUSES TO GIVE ME EITHER A RENTAL OR A LOANER. FORD CONSUMER DEPARTMENT SUCKS.*AK

MY VEHICLE IS A 2003 F150 XL. I AWOKE THIS MORNING TO FIND THE CAB OF MY TRUCK FULL OF SMOKE AND THE SMELL OF BURNING PLASTIC. I NOTICED A TRAIL OF SMOKE ORIGINATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. I IMMEDIATELY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND REMOVED THE DASHBOARD AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN. I FOUND EXPOSED WIRING AND MELTED COMPONENTS LEADING INTO THE HIGH-BEAM SELECTOR LEVER. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE 2003 FORD F150 WITH 15000 FAILURE MILEAGE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE HE PUT THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND IT ACCELERATED TO 35 MPH AND STRUCK A TREE. THE DRIVER THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND PUT IT INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WITH EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE CAUSE OF THE ACCELERATION HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *AK UPDATED 03/30/07. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXCURSION DIESEL TURBO 6.0 ENGINE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES SINCE THE ABOVE DATE FOR A/C PROBLEMS & SHUTTING OFF ON ME. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERIES ON 4 OCCASIONS IN THE PAST 7 MONTHS. THEY HAVE FOUND ONE SHORT IN FEBRUARY & AFTER REPLACING THE BATTERIES AGAIN IN APRIL 2007 THE VEHICLE DIED ON ME. WHILE I AM DRIVING THE LIGHTS TURN OFF & I LOSE POWER. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND & CORRECT THE PROBLEM & I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I HAVE TO PICK UP MY 4 CHILDREN AND FEEL I AM PUTTING THEM AT RISK FOR AN ACCIDENT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING I BEGAN TO DOWNSHIFT BUT WAS UNABLE. THE STICK WAS REAL LOOSE AND I COULD NOT FIND THE GEARS. THE ANALOGY (IT WAS LIKE A BROKEN ARM IT JUST WOBBLED) THIS WAS SCARY NOT KNOWING HOW TO GET MY TRUCK (FORD EXPLORER,SPORT TRAC) IN GEAR. I MANIPULATED THE SHIFT AND FINALLY GOT IT TO FIRST AND PARKED IT. THE SHIFT HAD TO BE MOVED WAY RIGHT OR WAY LEFT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS PROCESS OF GEAR CHANGING. GUESSING WHAT GEAR YOUR IN IS NOT WHAT I WANT WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO THE PATTCHETTS FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLTS THAT HELD THE SHIFT IN PLACE HAD WORKED THERE WAY LOOSE AND THAT ."IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE"RONNIE, SERVICE MANAGER STATED. RONNIE STATED THAT WAS ALSO COMMON FOR THE SHORT STICK MUSTANGS. THIS IS REAL UNSAFE FOR ANYONE WHO HAS THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPEN TO THEM. *NM

THIS IS THE SECOND OCCURANCE THAT I HAVE HAD A OIL SEAL OR GASKET ON THE ENGINE AFTER DRIVING 80 +MILE PER HOUR. I HAD MY TRUCK LESS THAN THREE YEARS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED IT VIBRATE WHEN REACHING THE SPEED MENTIONED. *NM

ON 11-21-06, ONE OF OUR EMPLOYEES, WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE FREEWAY AND REALIZED THAT THE THROTTLE LINKAGE ON HIS 2003 FORD F150 WAS STUCK. HE HAD TO PUT THE F150 IN NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER TO SAFELY STOP (THE ENGINE WAS RACING UNTIL HE TURNED IT OFF). HE FOUND THAT THERE IS A PLASTIC, TWO-PIECE COVER AROUND THE THROTTLE LINKAGE THAT HAD COME UNSNAPPED ON ITS UNDERSIDE AND HAD APPARENTLY CAUSED THE PROBLEM. HE REPLACED THE COVER. THIS PROBLEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SEVERE, PERHAPS FATAL, DEFECT. *JB

WHILE BRAKING THE VEHICLE JERKS AS IF THE ABS ENGAGES AND RELEASES CONTINUOUSLY THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE BROKE COMPLETE OFF, CABLE AND COVERING. AFTER REPLACING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE I STEPPED ON EMERGENCY BRAKE WHEN I PARKED, HEARD A POP AND LATER WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE REAR LEFT WHEEL WOULD GRAB MAKING A GRINDING SOUND AND SLOWING THE VEHICLE. WAS ABLE TO GET TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS HAD BROKEN OFF AND WERE BINDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. ON NOVEMBER 6, 2006, THE VEHICLE'S COIL PACK FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BEFORE IT FAILED, THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING EXTREMELY ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IN DECEMBER OF 2006, SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN, A SECOND COIL PACK FAILED, AND THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE CV BOOT. THE SECOND COIL PACK WAS REPLACED AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE CV BOOT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. UPON RETURNING HOME, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE CV BOOT HAD ONLY BEEN TURNED ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WAS NOT REPLACED. IN ADDITION TO THE FIRST CV BOOT NOT BEING REPAIRED, THE OTHER AXLE BOOT HAS DETACHED COMPLETELY OFF THE SHAFT. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000.

CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED ON 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND FIXED AT A COST OF 1479.67 PAID BY THE OWNER (ANGELA MORGAN). VEHICLE REQUIRED SERVICING AS IT BEGAN STALLING WHILE IN TRAFFIC (ATLANTA). CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS CAUSED OTHER ELECTRONIC PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND AS THIS CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEMS EXTEND BEYOND THE FORD 2002 MODELS; I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER 2003. PLEASE CONTACT ME ANGELA MORGAN *TR

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER IS EXPERIENCING SIMILAR SYMPTOMS REPORTED BY OTHER FIRE VICTIMS: CRUISE CONTROL TOTALLY INOPERATIVE, PERSISTENT ABS ALERTS, "LOW OIL PRESSURE" ALERTS (SOMETIMES JUST DAYS AFTER AN OIL CHANGE), AND STEERING ISSUES. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IS PROVIDING SERVICE AT MY EXPENSE BUT PRETENDED THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND READING TESTIMONIES FROM OTHER FIRE VICTIMS, I AM TERRIFIED. IN MY SUBDIVISION, HOUSES STAND ONLY A FEW FEET APART...THE HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION PROHIBITS ANY PARKING ON THE STREET. THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER MODELS SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY.

10/10/06 7:20 PM I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT WITH MY DAUGHTER IN MY FORD F150 2003 TRUCK, WHEN IT BEGAN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I PLACED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, AND PUSHED THE BRAKE DOWN AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO TO TRY AND HOLD THE TRUCK IN PLACE. I COULD FEEL THE BRAKE PEDAL JUMPING UNDER MY FEET AS THE TRUCK WAS TRYING TO MOVE FORWARD. I DIDN'T THINK THE BRAKES WERE GOING TO HOLD THE TRUCK IN PLACE. I COULD HEAR THE TRUCKS MOTOR RACING LOUDER AND LOUDER FROM INSIDE THE CAB WITH ALL THE WINDOWS UP. THE TRUCKS RPM REGISTERED A 5. KEEPING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. I FEEL VERY LUCKY NO ONE WAS INJURED. I CALLED THE FORD HOUSE IN THE NEAREST TOWN AND REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ADVISED ME THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A REPORT OF THIS NATURE REGARDING FORD VEHICLES. I HAVE SINCE DONE RESEARCH REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THEIR VEHICLES APPEAR TO BE IN LITIGATION IN WHICH FORD HAS BEEN REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE DOCUMENTS THAT REVEAL THE BREADTH OF THE PROBLEM. (DEFECTS IN THE DESIGN OF THE ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROL ("CRUISE CONTROL"). "THE REPORT I READ STATES ALMOST NO FORD VEHICLE IS EXEMPT!" IN ADDITION THERE ARE PRIOR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WITH THE 2003 FORD F150 IN REGARDS TO THE SAME EXPERIENCE THAT I HAD. I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS THE PROBLEM WITH MY TRUCK, BUT THE EXPERIENCES APPEAR TO BE THE SAME. I PLAN TO FOLLOW UP BY TAKING MY TRUCK TO THE FORD HOUSE I CALLED WITH MY COMPLAINT ALONG WITH COPIES OF THE REPORT I FOUND, "FORD: SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION & STUCK THROTTLES, AND RECENT FILED CONSUMER COMPLAINTS. HOPEFUL SOMEONE WILL LISTEN. *JB

ON SEPT 31 ALL WAS WELL. THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED DOWN TO 40+ DEGREE'S THAT NIGHT. WELL MUCH TO MY SURPRISE I WENT TO GET IN MY 03 F150 TO GO TO THE STORE, AND THE REAR GLASS WAS ALL SHATTERED. NOTHING HIT, NOTHING AROUND IT. THE TEMP ONLY GOT UP TO 78 TODAY OCT.1-2006. WE HAVE HAD STRANGER WEATHER THEN THIS WHY WOULD THE GLASS JUST SHATTER LIKE THAT. THERE HAS TO BE SOME DEFECT IN THE GLASS TO DO THAT?I LIVE OFF A BUDGET AND CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR REPLACING THE GLASS. SO WHAT CAN BE DONE TO HELP ME REPLACE THE REAR GLASS,I SURE CAN'T DRIVE TO WORK WITH NO REAR GLASS. MY 03 F150 IS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. SO PLEASE HELP ME REPLACE THE GLASS. *NM

DROVE MY TRUCK HOME FROM WORK YESTERDAY AND AT 30 MPH MY ENGINE BLEW A SPARK PLUG. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $3000+. I RESEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. I CONTACTED FORD AT THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN DEARBORN, MI AND THEY REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE COSTS OF THIS KNOWN ISSUE. *JB

MY SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF MY 2003 FORD F150 5.4 L THIS WEEK. FORD WANTS 3800.00 TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE HEAD AND PLUGS. I HEAR ALOT OF THIS HAPPENING. WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN RECALLED. I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE MY TRUCK FIXED. NOW WHAT? WHO LOOKS OUT FOR THE LITTLE GUY NOW? *NM

ON MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR FUSES REPEATED BLOW AND ALSO THE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP ALL THE INTERIOR DOME LIGHTS COME ON AND SOME TIMES THEY JUST FLICKER OFF AND ON FOR NO REASON. THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE WIRING IN MY VAN AND I HAVE HEARD THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *TR

VEHICLE TYPE - 2003 FORD F-150 (HARLEY-DAVIDSON EDITION) ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS OTHER YEAR MODELS OF THE SAME TRUCK. 1) NO KNOWN EVENTS - PART SEEMS TO HAVE BROKEN EASILY UNDER NORMAL USE AND NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. 2) THE PART THAT HAS FAILED IS A FOG LAMP BRACKET. WHEN THE BRACKET FAILS (IT IS MADE OF BRITTLE PLASTIC), THE FOG LAMP ASSEMBLY WILL FALL TO THE GROUND IN FRONT OF EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT TIRES. THIS CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHEN THE TRUCK TIRE IMPACTS THE FOG LAMP ASSEMBLY. 3) FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART - THEY DISAGREE THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. THERE ARE SEVERAL REPORTS OF THESE PARTS FAILING ONLINE IN DIFFERENT USER FORUMS. *NM

I PURCHASED MY 2003 FORD FOCUS IN 2005 AND EVER SINCE THE IGNITION SWITCH GETS STUCK BUT IT HAS GOT STUCK OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS . *CN

I AM ONE OF THE THOUSANDS OF FORD OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD SPARK PLUGS BLOWN OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEADS WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A MAJOR DISGRACE THAT YOU ALL WILL CONTINUE TO LET FMC LIE AND STEEL FROM ITS CUSTOMERS AND DENY THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THERE ENGINES. PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE FORD STAND UP FOR THEIR MISTAKES. *NM

2003 FORD EXPLORER OVERHEATED AND LOST COOLANT. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. FIRST 2 TRIPS, PROBLEM NOT FOUND. AFTER 3RD INCIDENT, A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK WAS FOUND. IN ADDITION TO ENGINE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP, THIS OCCURS MOSTLY IN COLD WEATHER AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY. UPON TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP (PROBLEM CANNOT BE REPLICATED); THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH, DAMAGE TO A PEDESTRIAN........GEE, HATE TO THINK OF THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT RETRACT ON THE VEHICLE. HE WAS ABLE TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELTS INTO THE LOCKING MECHANISM, BUT IT FAILED TO PROVIDE RESTRAINT. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT OPERATE IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 57,000.

2003 F150 TRUCK BED CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TS *JB THE TRUCK BURNED TO THE FRAME. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENTIRE FRONT WINDSHIELD GLASS SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING. ALTHOUGH THE WINDSHIELD GLASS BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE MOLDING, THE GLASS DID NOT CRACK OR BREAK. THE GLASS RESTED BETWEEN THE HOOD SLIT AND THE GLASS MOLDING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED A GLASS COMPANY IN REFERENCE TO THE ISSUE. THE GLASS COMPANY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REINSTALLED THE WINDSHIELD GLASS WITH NEW GLUE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD MOLDING. UPDATED 3/17/2006 - *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ADJUSTED, THE TURN SIGNALS AND BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,184 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 05/27/14*LJ UPDATED 8/17/17*CN

AMERISTAR TIRES!! ARE THEY GOOD TIRES? MY OPINION IS NO, NO, NO! I HAVE 16,000 MILES OF GRANNY-LIKE DRIVING ON MY 2003 FORD F-150, WITH THE ORIGINAL AMERISTAR TIRES PROVIDED STOCK ON MY TRUCK. WE DON'T GET THAT MUCH RAIN IN CALIFORNIA BUT EVERY TIME IT DOES RAIN I NOTICE THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE EVEN MORE CAUTIOUSLY THAN I EVER HAVE. I SLIDE ALL OVER THE PLACE EVEN WHEN THE TIRES WERE BRAND NEW. WELL TODAY I MERGED ONTO THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, WHILE EVERYONE ELSE WAS PASSING ME IN THERE LITTLE TINY CARS AT 75 MPH. I HIT A PUDDLE AND THAT'S ALL SHE WROTE. I SLID ACROSS 4 LANES AND SMASHED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDE. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF CAR MANUFACTURERS AND JUST ABOUT EVERYONE ELSE CUTTING CORNERS TO SAVE A BUCK AND RISKING THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, MINE WAS IN THE CAR, AND CONSUMERS. I HAVE ALREADY READ THAT AMERISTAR TIRES ARE FALLING APART ANYWAY AND FORD SHOULD RECTIFY THE SITUATION AND REPLACE THOSE GARBAGE TIRES WITH SOMETHING BETTER. NOW, AFTER I HAVE JUST ABOUT KILLED MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER, I HAVE COME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION. PLEASE HELP!!! I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGE DONE TO MY TRUCK AND MY HIGHER INSURANCE RATES BECAUSE OF A CHEAP PRODUCT. "AW HE'S PROBABLY A BAD DRIVER." YOU SAY, WELL I HAVE DRIVEN THOUSANDS OF MILES IN TRUCKS IN RAINY, SNOWY WEATHER AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH HYDROPLANING. GET RID OF YOUR AMERISTAR TIRES RIGHT AWAY IF YOU LIVE IN RAINY AREAS. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD CONTINUE TO ILLUMINATE EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THERE WAS A LEAK WITHIN THE DOOR PANELS AND WINDSHIELD. DUE TO THE LEAK, WATER WAS GETTING INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND CAUSING A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE WIRING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 05/13/11 *BF

DRIVING IN MY BACK YARD, TESTING NEW SNOW TIRES, SPEED APROX. 25 MPH, HIT 10" DEEP HOLE, BROKE AXLE, DIRECTLY BEHIND BRAKE DISC, REAR WHEEL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, PICTURES AVAILABLE. HAD TO REPLACE AXLE. *NM

TRUCK WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT (NO PROBLEMS). NEXT MORNING, I STARTED THE TRUCK. IT SOUNDED LIKE A LAWNMOWER TRYING TO START WITH A LOUD "POPPING" NOISE. SMELT RAW GAS VAPORS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. TOOK TO FORD TO FIX. THEY QUOTED ME $3200 REPAIR JOB BY REPLACING A CYLINDER HEAD. I REFUSED AND TOOK TO A (FARTHER AWAY) TRUSTWORTHY MECHANIC TO PUT A THREAD INSERT INTO SPARK PLUG HOLE AND USE A HELICOI FOR APPROX $400. FORD REFUSED TO DO THREAD INSERT REPAIR, AND WANTED TO SELL ME SAME PART THAT BROKE IN THE FIRST PLACE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON DRY FREEWAY ROADS, THE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS PRESSED. THE ENGINE REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE ROSE, BUT THE VEHICLE SPEED DID NOT GO BEYOND 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER FIVE TIMES, EACH TIME WITH A DIFFERENT PART BEING REPLACED TO TRY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS NOT MANAGED TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE.

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WINDSHIELD LEAKED. AS A RESULT OF THE LEAK THE VEHICLE SUFFERED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MALFUNCTIONED. WHEN HE TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR SERVICE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THE WINDSHIELD WAS BEING REPAIRED ALONG WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE SOLUTION. *AK

2003 F-150 WITH 5.4L TRITON ENGINE. 54K MILES, EXPERIENCING RIGHT CYLINDER HEAD GASKET LEAK. FORD HAS TSB 02227 CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. TRUCK HAD 36K WARRANTY. THE COSTLY REPAIRS ARE NOT COVERED BY FORD. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECT IN WHICH THE PARTS AND LABOR IS COVERED. I HAVE RESEARCHED WITH OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR VEHICLES. I ALSO BELIEVE THERE MAYBE A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE LEAKING OIL DRIPS ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTERS WHICH MAY CAUSE A FIRE. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. THANKS. *NM

2004 EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER WITH 45K MILES WINDSHIELD BUBBLED MAKING VIEWING DIFFICULT AND DRIVING DANGEROUS. THIS STARTED SMALL AND THEN WENT ON TO INVOLVE MOST OF THE WINDSHIELD IN LITTLE OVER A WEEK. DEALER REPLACED WINDSHIELD FOR $150.00. WINDSHIELD DEFINITELY DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS NEEDS REPORTING. *JB

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, MY F-150, 5.4 LITER ENGINE BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG. THE REPAIR COST IS IN EXCESS OF $4000. THE AFFECTED ALUMINUM CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE DOES NOT COVER THE ROUTINE TIGHTENING / INSPECTION OF SPARK PLUGS DURING THE PERIODIC 30K, 60K SERVICES EVEN THOUGH THEY (THE DEALER) KNOWS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. THE DESIGN PROBLEM STEMS FROM A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF THREADS TO HOLD THE SPARK PLUG IN PLACE. THE 5.4 LITER ENGINE IS A POWERFUL ENGINE THAT NECESSITATES A THICKER AND LONGER WELL TO TORQUE AND HOLD THE SPARK PLUGS IN PLACE. THE INTERNET IS FILLED COMPLAINTS MADE BY FORD CONSUMERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME TYPE OF PROBLEMS ON FORD ENGINES. *NM

WHEN MOVING A SLOW SPEED (10MPH TO 15MPH) A SMALL SUDDEN TAP OF THE BREAKS AND THE BRAKE SOMETIMES WILL GO DOWN FARTHER THAN MY FOOT. ALMOST AS IF WHEN TAPPED THE BREAK KEEPS GOING DOWN WHEN MY FOOT IS GOING UP. THIS HAS HAPPEN 2 TIMES TO DATE. WHEN IT HAPPENS THE TRUCK ALMOST FEELS AS THOUGH I AM SLAMMING THE BREAKS TO THE FLOOR AND ALL PEOPLE INSIDE ARE SLUNG FOWARD. WHEN I AM JUST TRYING TO SLOW CAUSE OF A CAR IN FRONT HAS SLOWED. BUT I HAVE TO TAP THEM JUST RIGHT TO DO IT AND I CANT ALWAYS MAKE IT HAPPEN AT WILL, IT JUST DOES IT EVERY NOW AND THEN WHEN YOU LEAST EXPECTED IT.

2003 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER: WHEN EXECUTING LOW SPEED TURNS IN EITHER DIRECTION, THERE IS A FEELING THAT THE TIRES ARE RUBBING THE INSIDES OF THE WHEEL WELLS. THERE IS A BINDING OR GRINDING FEELING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND NOISE OF SUCH CAN BE HEARD MOST OF THE TIME. AS I HAVE SEEN ON PREVIOUS REPORTS, THERE IS ALSO THE SAME CHATTER AND SHUDDER AND VIBRATIONS ALSO. WE TOOK IT IN TO SERVICE DEPT AND AFTER 2 DAYS THEY REPORT THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND NOR REPRODUCE WHAT WE WERE STATING. AFTER A TECHNICIAN TOOK A TEST DRIVE WITH MY HUSBAND, THE TECHNICIAN DID NOTICE A HUMMING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE REAR HUMMING AND THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR END. (ALL OF THIS OCCURRING AT 29,000 MILES. AFTER THE REAR END WAS REPLACED, THE ABOVE MENTIONED CHATTER, SHUDDER, BINDING, GRINDING AND VIBRATIONS WERE GONE. HOWEVER...NOW AT 31,000 MILES THEY ARE ALL BACK AND PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. WE WILL AGAIN, RETURN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS AND WILL UPDATE ON THE MATTER. *NM

SO FAR I HAVEN'T HAD ANY COLLISIONS, BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY EMERGENCY BRAKES. MY EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE STICKING WHICH IS CAUSING THEM TO RUB AND GRIND WHEN BRAKING. WHEN I ACCELERATE MY ESCAPE JERKS FORWARD. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I GET MY VEHICLE WORKED ON TONIGHT. *NM

I HAVE A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY EXPEDITION 2003 SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO THE GUARANTEE ITS ALMOST EXPIRED, NOW THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE AIR CONDITION. *JB

MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION IS NOW ON ITS 4TH REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN 8 MONTHS. WE STARTED COMPLAINING ABOUT IT IN DEC. OF LAST YEAR AND NOW HAVE RECEIVED OUR FOURTH REPAIR, NOT COUNTING THE 3 TIMES THAT THEY DIDN'T FIX IT FOR SOME REASON OR OTHER. THE FIRST FIX LASTED TWO WEEKS AND LAST AND MOST RELIABLE LASTED 3 MONTHS. I ALSO HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING A POPPING NOISE AFTER THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER IS RUN FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME, HOWEVER THAT CAN'T BE REPAIRED, NO FIX AVAILABLE. I AM FEED UP, I CONTACTED FORD CORP DIRECTLY, BUT THEY WON'T HELP ME. *JB

AFTER HEARING AN ANNOYING WHISTLE AND/OR WIND SOUND IN OUR 2003 FORD F150 SUPER CREW FX4 TRUCK FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE UPPER PART OF THE CAR (WE COULD SEE DAYLILGHT). WE TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP THE NEXT DAY WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT ATTACHED BY ANY SEALANT, IT WAS BEING HELD IN BY THE MOLDING ONLY. A AUTO GLASS COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE POLY THAT IS SUPPOSE TO BE ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS ON THE RUBBER MOLDING.