Page 3 of 13 · complaints 101–150 of 615

2003 Ford Expedition complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 29, 2014220,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED DOWN TO THE FRAME. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Engine
Filed Aug 29, 2014140,000 milesAR

I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR POPPED, SPUTTERED AND DIED. HAS STEADILY GOTTEN MORE AND MORE FREQUENT. ENGINE DIES AT IDLE, DIES AT SLOW SPEEDS AS WELL AS FASTER SPEEDS. VERY DANGEROUS! HAVE REPLACED THE PCM, WIRING HARNESS, AND FUEL PUMP. IS NOT REPAIRED. POWER MIRRORS READJUST THEMSELVES WHEN THE KEYLESS ENTRY IS USED. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS STAY ON, DOOR AJAR, CHECK FUEL CAP, ADVATRAC WILL NOT TURN ON. REAR WINDOW WILL NOT WORK. BACK UP SENSOR WILL NOT WORK. INTERIOR LIGHTS AS WELL AS EXTERIOR LIGHTING WILL NOT POWER OFF WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. YOU MUST MANUALLY TURN THEM OFF OR THE BATTERY DRAINS.CD PLAYER WILL NOT EJECT CD'S LOUD POPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT END AND GRINDING SOUND WHEN STOPPING. I HAVE HAD THIS IN THE SHOP SINCE JUNE OF 2014 AND THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. HAVE ALREADY SPENT $1000 TRYING TO REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS AND CAN VERY LIKELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. FORD AUTO SHOP WANTS TO CHARGE ME $100 AN HOUR TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM THEN THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THEY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM, THEY ARE TELLING ME IT COULD COST BETWEEN $500-$1000 JUST TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I HAVE CHECKED SEVERAL WEB SITES AND SEE THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSED FROM THE CAR STALLING!!! *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 13, 2014164,523 milesPA

AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD. WHAT HAD HAPPENED? A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ALUMINUM HEAD, TAKING THE THREADS WITH IT. I WAS NOT AWARE THAT FUEL WOULD CONTINUE TO BLOW OUT OF THE SPARK PLUG HOLE WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN IGNITED BY THE IGNITION COIL OR EXHAUST MANIFOLD. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, BUT HAS NOT RECALLED THE DEFECTIVE ALUMINUM HEADS, BUT RATHER OFFERED A REPAIR KIT TO FIX THE STRIPPED THREADS WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFERENT ENDING IF THE FUEL WOULD HAVE IGNITED. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 11, 201480,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MEDAL STRAP WAS MISSING THAT SECURES THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MISSING PART WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Aug 6, 2014220,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 5, 2014145,000 milesCA

WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH IN THE FAST LANE WESTBOUND ON HWY 4 IN MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION A EXTREMELY LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AND SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT SOMETHING HAD HIT THE TOP OF THE VEHICLE. THANKFULLY I KEPT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO MERGE TO THE RIGHT TO PULL OVER IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. UPON STOPPING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED. KNOWING THAT I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING NOR DID ANYTHING HIT THE VEHICLE I STILL WALKED AROUND THE WHOLE VEHICLE TO INSPECT FOR ANY POSSIBLE CAUSES. AFTER CONTACTING MY INSURANCE COMPANY THEY STATED THAT THIS DAMAGE WOULD NOT BE COVER DUE TO FAULTY CAUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED FROM MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY STATED NO IMPACTED WAS SUSTAINED TO THE VEHICLE. CONCLUSION BEING THAT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN WITH NO IMPACT, POSSIBLY A SHORT OR JUST FAULTY EQUIPMENT. I'M GLAD MY FAMILY WASN'T HURT DURING THIS INCIDENT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 16, 2014185,400 milesAL

ENGINE WONT TURN OFF WITH KEYS TAKEN OUT, DASHLIGHTS ON AND OFF, AIR CONDITIONER CAME ON WHEN DOOR WAS OPENED, WARNING BELL AND NO KEYS IN IGNITION, HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS REMAIN ON, SIDE MIRRORS MOVE AND WILL NOT GO BACK, WHEN KEY POD USED ALL THESE PROBLEMS GO OFF AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 3, 2014132,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 30, 2014107,500 milesCA

THE ENGINE WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING, OTHER TIMES WOULD SHUT OFF AT A STOP LIGHT. THE ISSUE HAPPENED 10 TIMES OVER A 3 DAY PERIOD. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT CRASH AS THE ENGINE DIED ONCE WHILE MAKING A TURN ON A BUSY ROAD. ONCE IT DIED, SO DID THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES - VERY SCARY. THERE WERE NO ENGINE CODES THAT CAME UP AND NO INDICATION ANYTHING WAS WRONG, THE ENGINE WOULD SIMPLY SHUT OFF. WHILE DIAGNOSING THE ISSUE I DID SOME INTERNET RESEARCH THAT INDICATED IT COULD BE THE FUEL PUMP RELAY ISSUE. THE FUEL PUMP RELAY IS A NON-SERVICEABLE RELAY THAT IS SOLDERED TO THE MAIN FUSE BOX CIRCUIT BOARD. I REMOVED THE FUSE BOX AND DISASSEMBLED IT REVEALING THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS GETTING HOT AND HAD MELTED THE SOLDER ON THE BOARD. WHEN THE RELAY COOLED, THE SOLDER MADE CONTACT AND THE ENGINE WOULD START RIGHT UP. WHEN DRIVING THE SOLDER WOULD WARM UP AND BREAK CONTACT. THIS WOULD SHUT THE FUEL PUMP OFF AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. THERE ARE REPORTS OF THIS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THE ONLY REPAIR FOR THIS ITEM WAS TO REPLACE THE MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD AS THE RELAY CANNOT BE REPLACED WITHOUT SOLDERING TO THE CIRCUIT BOARD. ONCE THE FUSE BOX WAS REPLACED, THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. I BELIEVE THIS COULD POTENTIALLY BE A HUGE PROBLEM AND COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. I HAVE READ THIS PROBLEM AFFECTS NUMEROUS YEARS OF THE FORD EXPEDITION. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 2, 2014139,000 milesAR

THE CAR WAS RUNNING WELL AND SUDDENLY IT DIE. NO LIGHTS IN DASH BOARD, NO SHAKES, NO ANY PREVIOUS SIGN OF TROUBLE. SIMPLY IT DIE. I PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE CAR CONTINUE RUNNING. NEXT TIME, FEW DAYS AFTER THE INCIDENT, THE CAR DOES THE SAME. THIS TIME DO NOT CONTINUE RUNNING WHEN I PUMP GAS. I HAVE TO PUT IN NEUTRAL AND START IT AGAIN. IT START AT ONCE. COULD BE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS WITHOUT SIGNAL OF PROBLEM AND THEN, IT HAPPEN AGAIN. SOME OTHER TIME, IT HAPPEN 4 OR 5 TIMES IN A HALF HOUR TRIP. *TR

Air Bags
Filed May 22, 2014105,774 milesCA

ON SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:00 PM, I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE NORTHBOUND ON CA-57 THROUGH BREA WHEN THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I DID NOT COME INTO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT NOR WAS THERE AN EMINENT ROLL OVER. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, BUT I WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND SAFELY MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE STOPPED, I OPENED ALL THE WINDOWS TO AIR OUT THE SMOKE FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed May 5, 2014139,000 milesAZ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 22, 2014150,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, DECELERATION BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES LINES HAD RUSTED. THE MECHANIC ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THE ROCKER PANELS AND FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 06/27/14*LJ

Seat Belts
Filed Apr 18, 2014124,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BOLT DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000 MILES.

Engine
Filed Apr 8, 2014155,207 milesFL

DRIVING DOWN STATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE BATTERY GAUGE WENT TO "L" AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. PULLED INTO APARTMENT COMPLEX PARKING LOT AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ALL LIGHTS AND BELLS WERE STILL WORKING. AAA WAS CALLED AND PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THE STARTER WAS GOING BAD. THE STARTER IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD AS IS THE BATTERY. WAS TOLD IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE HOME. TOOK VEHICLE TO LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT THE STARTER NOR THE BATTERY AND ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC SHOULD BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE CAUSE. ENGINE HAS NOT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING SINCE BUT AM APPREHENSIVE TO DRIVE VERY FAR FROM HOME. WILL WAIT FOR 3RD DIAGNOSTIC TEST. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Mar 6, 2014120,000 milesAL

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

Engine
Filed Jan 22, 2014154,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE EACH TIME HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. UPDATED 02/27/14*LJ UPDATED 02/27/14

Electrical System
Filed Dec 7, 2013TX

BULBS MELTING THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ASSEMBLY INTERNALLY. THIS HAPPENED TO ORIGINAL AND RECENTLY REPLACED UNIT. BULBS WERE SEIZED TO THE PLASTIC MOUNTING AND MELTED/DEFORMED BOTH BULB MOUNTS AND REFLECTOR. UNIT IS NOW DEFECTIVE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 4, 2013130,000 milesFL

WAS DRIVING THE 2003 EXPEDITION ON INTERSTATE 10 NEAR PENSACOLA, WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE CAR COASTED TO A STOP, LUCKILY I DID NOT CAUSE A WRECK AND MY FAMILY AND I WAS SAFE. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AT LEAST 10 SO FAR. WE HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL PUMP RELAY SWITCH, THE FUEL FILTER, HAD THE INJECTORS INSPECTED AND IT STILL DOES IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH INTO THE PROBLEM AND IT TURNS OUT THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW LEAKS DOWN ONTO THE INTERIOR FUSE PANEL AND IS CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO SHORT OUT. IN ALL CASES ONCE THE VEHICLE COOLS DOWN, THE CAR STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 4 GARAGES AND NOW I HAVE IT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN PENSACOLA. WHERE THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE P0231 CODE KEEPS RE-APPEARING IN THE SYSTEM (FUEL PUMP RELAY CIRCUITRY) WHICH SHOWS THE PROBLEM COULD BE THE FUSE PANEL SINCE THE FUSES ARE SOLDERED TO THE BOARD AND NOT PLUGGED IN. HOPEFULLY FORD RECOGNIZES THIS PROBLEM AND WILL ORDER A RECALL SOON. *TR

EngineFire
Filed Sep 19, 2013120,000 milesMN

WE MOVED IT AROUND IN OUR SHED AT ABOUT 10PM ON 6/16/12 AND WE AWOKE AT 4 AM TO OUR SHOP, MACHINE SHED, AND CHICKEN COOP ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WE LOST OVER $100,000 IN PROPERTY. THE FIRE MARSHALL DETERMINED THAT OUR FORD EXPEDITION WAS TO BLAME AND THAT IT STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, SOMEWHERE IN THE ELECTRICAL. WE ONLY HAD LIABILITY ONLY ON 2 OF THE 3 VEHICLES IN THE SHOP ALONG WITH OUR MOTORCYCLE AND TRAILER SO THEY WERE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. I THINK FORD SHOULD OF COMPENSATED US FOR THE ITEMS WE DID NOT GET PAID FOR. THEY SHOULD DO A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE, AND COMPENSATE THE PEOPLE THAT HAD FIRES WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Sep 18, 201312,456 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING AND THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,456.

Power Train
Filed Aug 29, 201390,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL INDEPENDENTLY AND BEGAN TO ROLL AWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 10/29/13*LJ

WheelsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 27, 2013163,000 milesTX

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

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 22, 2013137,000 milesWA

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS AND DID NOT GET ANY RESPONSE. IN A FEW SECONDS I PUSHED ON THE GAS AGAIN AND NOTHING. I STARTED TO PULL OVER AND PUSHED ON THE GAS AGAIN AND THE CAR HAD POWER. THE SAME THING HAPPENED 25 MINUTES LATER GETTING BACK ONTO THE FREEWAY. NEXT INCIDENT WAS STARTING FROM A STOP LIGHT THE CAR JUST DIED. NO WARNING. ENGINE LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT AND SERVICE NOW LIGHTS COME ON. AGAIN I PULLED OVER PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED BACK UP. WE HAD THE COILS AND PLUGS CHANGED. NEXT TIME DRIVING AT 35 MPH OUT OF THE BLUE NO POWER TO THE GAS AND THE CAR SHUTS DOWN. CHANGED A RELAY. TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHO CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. WE CHANGED THE BATTERY NEXT TIME I AM COMING TO A STOP AND THE CAR STOPS. NO BATTERY LIGHT, NO SERVICE LIGHT NOTHING. AGAIN I PULL OVER AND IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK INTO FORD. THIS TIME I GAVE THEM A THREAD OF EMAIL ABOUT OTHERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. NOW THEY HAVE CHANGED ANOTHER RELAY AND WE HOPE THIS SOLVES THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. FOR A PERSON WHO IS DRIVING 55-66 MPH ON A HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY AND THEIR CAR DIES IS A BIG ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I DID EMAIL FORD BUT SO FAR HAVE BEEN TOLD TO TALK TO THE SERVICE PERSON. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Aug 1, 2013170,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT NO CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 23, 2013110,000 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD AS THERE WAS A LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES HAD TO BE USED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 11, 2013170,000 milesMI

THE CRUISE CONTROL WON'T WORK AT TIMES. THE FEW TIMES IT DOES WORK THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL ACCELERATE OR TURN OFF ON IT'S OWN. I'VE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AS WELL AS TWO FIRESTONE BUSINESSES AND THEY HAVEN'T DETECTED ANYTHING WRONG. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 20, 201389,800 milesNJ

I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED 3 FAILURES OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE DUE TO CORRODED BRAKE LINES UNDER NHTSA ID# 10491754. THIS PAST WEEKEND I JUST HAD A FOURTH BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO A CORRODED BRAKE LINE IN 11 MONTHS. THIS BRAKE LINE RUNS ALONG THE LEFT FRONT BELOW THE ENGINE BAY. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 9, 2013MO

THE PAINT HAS BEEN BUBBLING ON THE LIFTGATE OF MY FORD, EXPEDITION FOR YEARS. JUST RECENTLY, THAT PAINT HAS BEEN CHIPPING, WHICH I'M SURE IS GOING TO CAUSE RUST TO FORM. I'VE READ MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER EXPEDITION OWNERS, BUT I CAN'T FIND A PLACE WHERE FORD HAS RESPONDED, EXCEPT TO SAY WHY IT IS HAPPENING. WILL FORD BE DOING ANYTHING TO REMEDY THIS FOR THEIR CONSUMERS? *TR

Engine
Filed May 7, 2013180,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FUSES AND THE COMPUTER WERE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE WEEK LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 24, 2013MI

WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION DOING AROUND 20-30 MPH AND NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYS I NEED TO KNOW Y AND WHAT INFO I COULD GET ON IT. *TR

Air BagsCrash
Filed Apr 10, 2013100,000 milesVT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION . THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED THE VEHICLE INTO A BUILDING AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. *TR UPDATED 05/23/13*LJ UPDATED 06/11/2013 *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 9, 2013PA

I WAS ON INTERSTATE 95 SOUTHBOUND WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BOOM FOLLOWED BY A FLAPPING SOUND I PULLED ONTO THE SHOULDER TO SEE WHAT HAPPEND WHEN I NOTICED GAS COMING FROM THE AREA WHERE THE SPARK PLUG WAS AT I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED FOR A TOW. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 26, 201349,000 milesID

FORD EXPEDITION 5.4L V8 SHUDDERS AND STALLS AT LOW RPM IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES AND IT IS LIKELY TO BE A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER OR TRANSMISSION WHICH CAN COST OVER $2,000 TO REPAIR. IT DRIVES MOSTLY NORMAL WHEN OD IS DISABLED, BUT THE ISSUE DOES NOT GO AWAY. *TR

Power Train
Filed Mar 26, 201349,000 milesID

FORD EXPEDITION 5.4L V8 SHUDDERS AND STALLS AT LOW RPM IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. THIS TRUCK ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES AND IT IS LIKELY TO BE A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER OR TRANSMISSION WHICH CAN COST OVER $2,000 TO REPAIR. IT DRIVES MOSTLY NORMAL WHEN OD IS DISABLED, BUT THE ISSUE DOES NOT GO AWAY. *TR

Engine
Filed Mar 7, 2013174,389 milesPA

I WAS TRAVELING HOME TO PHILADELPHIA FROM CHARLOTTE. AS I GOT CLOSER TO MY HOUSE SUDDENLY THERE WAS LOUD POP AND A SOUND AS IF SOMETHING WAS POPPING IN THE ENGINE. I PARKED THE TRUCK ON THE CORNER OF MY BLOCK AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANY FURTHER. I LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND I SAW A SPARK PLUG SITTING ON TOP OF MY BATTERY. AFTER LOOKING THIS PROBLEM UP ON THE NET I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM CONSISTENTLY WITH THE TRITON ENGINES. NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED AND TO ME FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS ISSUE.. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 201381,743 milesNJ

BRAKE LINE RUNNING ACROSS THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE RUPTURED DUE TO RUST CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKING. I HAD A LOCAL GARAGE REPLACE THE RUPTURED LINE AND INSPECT THE OTHER LINES. I WAS ADVISED THEY WERE ALL RUSTED BUT THEY DID NOT SEE A NEED TO REPLACE THEM AT THIS TIME. IN OCTOBER 2012 I HAD ANOTHER BRAKE LINE RUPTURE, THIS TIME IT WAS A BRAKE LINE RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE BACK BRAKES. THIS ALSO CAUSED A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKING. I HAD IT REPAIRED AT A DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOP. I ALSO HAD HIM INSPECT ALL OTHER LINES AND AGAIN I WAS TOLD THE OTHER BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED BUT HE SAW NO REASON TO REPLACE ANY OTHERS AT THAT TIME. ON JANUARY 6, 2013 I HAD ANOTHER BRAKE LINE FAILURE NEAR WHERE THE BRAKE LINE FAILED IN OCTOBER 2012 (THE OTHER BRAKE LINE RUNNING PARALLEL) AGAIN CAUSING A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKING. BOTH REPAIR FACILITIES INFORMED ME THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO WENT TO DIFFERENT REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED WHEN THEY SAW MY NEW BRAKE LINES, THEY ASKED WHAT HAPPENED. WHEN I TOLD THEM THEY SAID, "OH IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM" I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ALLOWS VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS TO MAKE BRAKE LINES OUT OF A MATERIAL SO PRONE TO CORROSION. THERE IS NO OTHER SAFETY DEVICE ON A VEHICLE MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE BRAKES. WHAT GOOD ARE THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES YOU MANDATE IF THE BRAKE LINES FAIL? *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 6, 2012121,000 milesMD

DRIVING SOUTH ON RT 202 IN LEFT LANE AT 35 MPH /A CAR IN RIGHT LANE CHANGED LANES TO THE LEFT IN FRONT OF CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO GET TO AN EXIT. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME APPLIED BRAKES / I PRESSED BRAKES HARD TO AVOID REAR END COLLISION.. ABS SYSTEM LOCKED BRAKES BUT PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. AFTER THAT BRAKES FELT SOFT WHEN APPLIED.. FOUND LEAK IN RUSTED LINES FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO BOOSTER. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 5, 2012159,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 9, 2012127,500 milesAZ

MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION AND WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FORD EXPEDITION WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TURNED LEFT DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF MY CAR. MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE OTHER VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND RIGHT FRONT QUARTER PANEL LOCATIONS. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED BUT THE DRIVER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

Engine
Filed Aug 3, 2012135,000 milesTX

WAS DRIVING ON WITH FAMILY AT POSTED 70 MPH SPEED. CAR LOST ALL POWER WITH NO WARNING LIGHT OR ERROR CODES. I HAD NO POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES. I MANAGED TO PULL STEERING WHEEL TO GET OFF HWY. I TURNED KEY OFF. THE CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEM. DROVE ANOTHER 2 MILES WITH SAME RESULTS. IT WAS NIGHT AND OUT OF TOWN. THE CAR STARTED RIGHT BACK UP WITH STILL NO ERROR CODES. DROVE HOME WITH NO PROBLEMS. TOOK IN TO MECHANIC NEXT DAY WITH NO HELP. WAS TOLD TO BRING IN WHEN SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THEY CAN'T FIX WITH NO IDEA WHY AND STILL NO ERROR CODES. LEFT THERE DROVE TOWARDS HOME DIED AGAIN ON WAY HOME IN TOWN. NO ERROR CODES. *TR

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 2, 2012120,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING SOUTH IN THE FAST LANE, THE FRONT LEFT TIRE BLEW OUT (NO APPARENT REASON). THE DRIVER STRUGGLED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE SUV BUT HIT THE GUARD RAIL WITH THE LEFT FRONT BUMPER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH. THE BACK LEFT TIRE THEN BLEW AND THE DRIVER HIT THE GUARD RAIL AGAIN, AT WHICH POINT THE A-FRAME AND FRONT AXLE WERE DESTROYED, ELIMINATING STEERING AND BRAKING FUNCTIONS. THE SUV CAREENED ON THE TWO LEFT TIRES, THEN SEVERAL MOMENTS LATER THE CAR FELL BACK DOWN TO ALL FOUR WHEELS, AND THE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS FIVE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO A STOP IN THE FAR RIGHT LANE. AT NO POINT IN TIME DID THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY. *TR

WheelsCrash
Filed Jul 28, 2012150,000 milesAL

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

SeatsFire
Filed Jul 24, 2012150,000 milesNM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN SHE NOTICED FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE SEAT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE. NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER HOME AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND THAT THEY WOULD FURTHER INSPECT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Engine
Filed May 27, 2012119,300 milesCA

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT, THREADS IN CYLINDER HEAD GONE! *TR

Engine
Filed May 21, 201297,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED THE CONTACT NOTICED IT WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Structure › Body
Filed May 18, 201288,000 milesSC

WHEN IT RAINS THE REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE FILL WITH WATER. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE THE DOOR IS SEALED BUT IT STILL FILLS UP WITH WATER. IT HAS RAINED A LOT THIS WEEK AND THE DOORS ARE FULL AGAIN. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed May 17, 201295,905 milesCA

WHY IS THERE NO WARNING LIGHT,OR SIGNAL OF ANY KIND WHEN THE PCM FAILS? OUR PCM FAILED, WHICH CAUSED OUR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, 02 SENSORS, & FUEL PUMP TO FAIL. OUR IGNITION COILS HAD TO BE REPLACED. WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. THIS HAS CAUSED OUR EXPEDITION ENGINE TO RANDOMLY SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING COUNTLESS TIMES! I HAVE MIRACULOUSLY BEEN ABLE TO MANEUVER MY EXPEDITION TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY &HAVE IT TOWED EIGHT TIMES WITHOUT KILLING MYSELF, MY FAMILY OR ANY ONE ELSE! WE HAVE HAD ODD ELECTRICAL AND PERFORMANCE PROBLEMS SINCE AUGUST OF 2002 WHEN WE PURCHASED IT. NOT ONE FORD MECHANIC (3 DIFFERENT DEALERSHIPS) COULD EVER DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR ISSUES. BECAUSE THERE IS NO WARNING LIGHT/CODE WHEN THE PCM IS OUT, THE DAMAGE SNOWBALLS. THERE ARE NO COMPUTER CODES, OR WARNING LIGHTS TO SHOW UP ON THE DASH BOARD WHEN THE PCM IS OUT, WHICH BEFUDDLES THE MECHANICS. WE ARE LITERALLY $5,000 IN THE HOLE SO FAR! FORD DEALERSHIP "REPAIRED" OUR EXPEDITION BY REPLACING THE PCM ($1,300.00). 48 HOURS AFTER THEY REPLACED THE PCM, AND 18 MILES AFTER WE DROVE EXPEDITION OFF THE FORD LOT, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD -FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER! WE DROVE BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AND HE SAID FOR $3,400 PLUS TAX HE COULD REPLACE OUR NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN "BANK ONE" THAT WERE DESTROYED AGAIN, & THE "BANK TWO" CONVERTERS WHICH ARE NOW VERY WEAK, NOT UP TO SPEC. THE DRIVER'S SEAT MOTOR THAT HAS BEEN FICKLE SINCE AUG OF 2002, STOPPED WORKI

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 26, 2012104,045 milesWV

RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS 2003 EXPEDITION WITH THE 5.4L ENGINE. PURCHASED ON 12/20/2011. SINCE OWNING SAID VEHICLE I HAVE HAD TWO SPARK PLUG FAILURES. ON CYL 8 AND CYL 3. THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 25 MPH. THE SECOND AND RECENT HAPPENED DRIVING HIGHWAY SPEED, CRUISE SET TO 65 MPH. THE PLUG EJECTS FROM THE CYL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE COIL, AND POSSIBLY CREATING A FIRE HAZARD. THERE WAS NO RECENT TUNE UP TO MY KNOWLEDGE. *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Apr 20, 2012103,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN HE NOTICED FLAMES ERUPTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,000.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Ford Expedition → · Every Expedition year → · How the figures are calculated →