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 →
THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED TWICE IN MY FORD EXPLORER, FIRST AT ABOUT 2500 AND NOW, AFTER A REBUILT ENGINE WAS INSTALLED, AT 205,000. AS WELL, I HAVE HAD DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEMS, MOON ROOF ISSUES, PAINT ISSUES, CRACKED HEAD, ETC. *JS
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY OUR ENGING JUST TURNED OFF WITH NO WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TMES. THIS COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. WE DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE OF THIS BUT I THINK FORD SHOULD FIGURE IT OT AND FIX IT. *TR
HEAD ON COLLISION, BOTH VEHICLES TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. 2003 EXPEDITION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH VEHICLES WERE TOTALED BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE IMPACT, HOWEVER THE EXPEDITION AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. AS A RESULT THE EXPEDITION DRIVER HIT HIS HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL, AND SHOULDER ON STEERING WHEEL, WITH TORN SHOULDER MUSCLES AND POSSIBLE UPPER GI BLEEDING FROM THE SUDDEN STOPPAGE AND SEAT BELT INJURY. *NOTE***- ALL AIRBAGS ON THE 2010 SUBURBAN DID DEPLOY (OTHER TOTALED VEHICLE). *TR
A MONTH OR SO AGO THE TRUCK STARTED RUNNING ROUGH AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT TURNS OUT IT WAS SPARK PLUG #4 MISFIRING. REPLACED IT AND ALL WAS GOLDEN UNTIL YESTERDAY (4/3/12) WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP UPON STARTING THE TRUCK AND THEN IT WAS IDLING ROUGH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND SPARK PLUG #4 IS MISFIRING AGAIN. WE BOUGHT THIS TRUCK USED AND IT'S BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER. SO DISAPPOINTED IN FORD. HOPE THEY ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND DUE THE PROPER THING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED AS A RESULT OF EXCESSIVE RUST CORROSION IN THE CORE RADIATOR SUPPORT BRACKET. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 05/08/12*LJ
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, MY EXPEDITION MADE A LOUD POP AND THEN STRANGE KNOCKING NOISE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICED I HAD BLOWN OUT A SPARK PLUG AND MY COIL PACK WAS BLOWN APART AS WELL. WHEN I CALLED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (THOMAS FORD, STILLWATER OK) THE MAN LAUGHED AND SAID "NO IT IS NOT A RECALL, BUT ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE AS THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THE TRITON MOTOR." I ASK THAT YOU RE-LOOK BACK INTO THIS "COMMON" PROBLEM AS THIS IS A TERRIBLE THING TO OVERLOOK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY STALLED. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ALL EIGHT IGNITION COILS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT FROM ITS CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK. THE DEALER DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED A TOTAL OF TWO TIMES PER MONTH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
DRIVING HOME FROM A NEAR BY STORE I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND THEN GOT READY TO GO AND HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE A DIRT BIKE MY HUSBAND CAME TO GET ME AND HE SAID THAT THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT SINCE THEN ITS BEEN BLOWING OUT ALOT AND WE HAVE 4KIDS SO A SMALL CAR WONT DO I ALSO STILL PAY PAYMENTS ON THE CAR SO I DON'T THINK ITS FAIR!! I SAW ONLINE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SO PLEASE DO A RECALL ALREADY I LOVE FORDS SO MUCH BUT NOW THAT THIS KEEPS HAPPENING I DON'T THINK I WILL EVER GET A FORD AGAIN SO PLEASE RECALL IT PLEASE !!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT REMAIN LATCHED OR CLOSED. THE DEALER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 108,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
PAINT IS SEVERELY PEELING OFF EVERY WHERE. MOSTLY THE HOOD, AND REAR HATCH. *KB
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH OUR INFANT SON AND OUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER IN OUR 2003 EXPEDITION XLT 4.6L 2X4. SHE HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STARTED SMOKING AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY. SHE THOUGHT THE EXPEDITION WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. WE HAD THE EXPEDITION CHECKED OUT AND THE CYLINDER NUMBER 7 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. THE ALUMINUM THREADS IN THE HEAD GAVE AND THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT, THE INJECTOR KEPT SPRAYING RAW FUEL AND THE COIL IGNITED IT. WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENED IT BURNED THE IGNITION COIL, COIL BOOT, SPARK PLUG AND THE COIL HARNESS. NOW WE WERE TOLD WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACED. WE LOVE OUR EXPEDITION AND I CONSIDERED BUYING A NEW ONE, BUT I DON'T KNOW NOW. *KB
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE ENGINE CUTS OUT/DIES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DRIVER SEAT WOULD MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT COMMAND. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF FOR THE SEAT TO STOP MOVING FORWARD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT TO MAKE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER TO GET A DIAGNOSIS ON THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,801 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,200.
TL* THE DRIVER OWNED A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 40 MPH AND COMPLETING A TURN WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A BRICK BUILDING. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED AND FOUR OTHER PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AFTER MAKING A COMPLETE STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I MADE A LEFT TURN AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POP WHICH AT FIRST I THOUGHT WAS A TIRE BLOW OUT. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING SO ERRATICALLY THAT I COULD FEEL IT IN MY STEERING. WE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR A FLAT WHEN WE NOTICED EVERY TIRE WAS FINE. I OPENED THE HOOD AND REMOVED THE TOP COVER TO THE ENGINE TO DISCOVER A SPARK PLUG LAYING ON TOP OF THE ENGINE AND THE COIL THAT WAS ONCE ATTACHED BLOWN OFF OF THE PLUG AND DAMAGED OFF TO THE SIDE STILL CONNECTED TO ITS ELECTRICAL SOURCE. THIS COLD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. FOR THE RECORD THESE PLUGS WERE THE ORIGINAL FACTORY SPARK-PLUGS. VIA THE INTERNET I HAVE DISCOVERED THIS WEBSITE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE BOLTS WERE ROTTED AND CAUSING FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SMELL OF THE FUMES CAUSED DIFFICULT IN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE NICKEL BOLTS WEAKENED AFTER TIME AND BEGAN TO ROT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS COMMON IN THE PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
BLEW #3 SPARK PLUG AFTER STARTING UP FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. WITH VEHICLE IDLING, OPENED THE HOOD, BUT THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. CALLED AAA AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP. *KB
I JUST EXPERIENCED MY SECOND SPARK PLUG BLOWOUT. THE FIRST WAS THE #4 PLUG IN FEBRUARY AND NOW THE #3 IN JULY. BOTH REPAIRS HAVE BEEN OVER 700 DOLLARS EACH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES AND WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ABSORB IMPACT FROM DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE MAY BE CAUSED BY THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING AND BALL JOINTS PREMATURELY WEARING OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
MY BEST FRIEND'S 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW A SPARK PLUG OUT OF THE CYLINDER HEAD WHILE PULLING A BOAT ACROSS A HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, AND SEVERAL CARS HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES AND SWERVE TO BARELY AVOID COLLISION. UPON INTERNET RESEARCH, I LEARNED THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS SAME ENGINE IN FORD VEHICLES OVER SEVERAL YEARS OF PRODUCTION. FORD DENIES THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND ENDANGERS LIVES EVERYWHERE WITH THIS MOTOR. I SAW THIS PROBLEM MYSELF, AND MECHANICS I HAVE TALKED TO SAID THAT THESE FORD CYLINDER HEADS ARE ALL BAD WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS FOR EVERY FORD TRITON 5.4 LITER V8 ENGINE, SO IT EXISTS ACROSS THOUSANDS OF VIN NUMBERS. *TT
FACTORY SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF ENGINE. I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. *TR
AT 4:40AM, WAS WOKE UP BY THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO RESPONDED TO A CALL IN OF OUR VEHICLE, A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BEING ON FIRE. BASED ON THE INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM THE FIRE CREW CHIEF, THE FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND APPEARED TO BE ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. THE CAR HAD LAST BEEN USED THE PRIOR NIGHT AT 8PM, WHEN WE RETURNED FROM EATING DINNER, AND HAD REMAINED IDLE SINCE THAT TIME. UPON HEARING OUR STORY, SEVERAL FRIENDS MENTIONED THAT THEY HAD READ STORIES ABOUT FORD VEHICLES THAT HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH CAUSING FIRES, EVEN IN VEHICLES THAT HAD REMAINED IDLE FOR SEVERAL HOURS. I CHECKED AND IT DOES NOT APPEAR THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE'S YEAR, BUT HAD BEEN FOR THE PRIOR YEAR'S (2002). HERE IS A LINK TO ONE ARTICLE (ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY): HTTP://ARTICLES.CNN.COM/2005-06-16/US/FORD.VEHICLES_1_FORD-VEHICLES-BRAKE-FLUID-CRUISE-CONTROL?_S=PM:US THE CAR IS A COMPLETE LOSS, THE ENGINE MOSTLY GONE AND THE TIRE AND PART OF THE BODY MELTED TO MY DRIVEWAY. THE DAMAGE INSPECTOR FOR OUR INSURANCE COMPANY STATED IT WAS LIKELY THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COVER OUR FULL LIEN AMOUNT AND I BELIEVE AT THE VERY LEAST FORD SHOULD MAKE WHOLE FOR US. THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS WORKING WITH FORD ABOUT POSSIBLE SUBROGATION, BUT IT IS UNCLEAR AT THIS POINT IN TIME IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY WILL ASK FOR DOLLARS BEYOND WHAT THEY WOULD PAY OUT IN THE LOSS. WE WERE FORTUNATE IT DID NOT SPREAD TO OUR HOME, MY HUSBAND'S FO
DRIVING SOUTH ON HWY 42, MCDONOUGH, GA. SPEED LIMIT 55MPH. WIFE WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 45-50MPH. CAR IN FRONT OF HER SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO TURN INTO A GAS STATION, WHICH HAPPENED TO HAVE THE COUNTIES CHEAPEST GAS. WIFE ATTEMPTED TO STOP, BUT NOT IN TIME, RESULTING IN THE FRONT OF HER 2003 FORD EXPEDITION CRASHING INTO THE REAR OF THE STOPPED DRIVER. ON A FAIRLY SEVERE TRAFFIC CRASH, THE AIRBAGS FOR OUR 2003 FORD EXPEDITION DID NOT DEPLOY. ALL DAMAGE TO THE EXPEDITION WAS FRONTAL. ALL DAMAGES TO THE STOPPED VEHICLE WERE TO THE REAR. *TR
GOODYEAR TIRE BLOWOUT. SIZE: 265/75/17 #1306431. *TR
MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION WILL BE DRIVING FINE, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL DIE IN TRAFFIC AND HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS OF BEING REAR ENDED. ONE OTHER TIME IT DIED AND WHILE COASTING AFTER IT DIED, IT STARTED AGAIN CAUSING VEHICLE TO LUNGE AND MY WIFE ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE ELSE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE REPAIR SHOP AND IT IS DIAGNOSED AS A PCM THAT IS AND NOW HAS A HARD FAILURE. *TR
SPARK PLUG STRIPED AND BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD ON MY 5.4L ENGINE. *TR
2003 FORD EXPEDITION WOULD NOT START AFTER LONG TOW TO MECHANIC IT WAS A BURNT RELAY SWITCH BUT NOW IT TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING, CHANGE THE RELAY SWITCH AND PROBLEM IS TEMPORARILY FIXED NOW SINCE THE RELAY IS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND PCM MY TRANSMISSION IS ACTING UP NOT SHIFTING 3RD OR OVER DRIVE NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BUT WE ARE SCARED TO DRIVE THE TRUCK! *TR
THIS EVENT OCCURRED DECEMBER 2008. WE WERE HEADING TO A DINNER, PULLED ONTO GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE FROM HWY 114 IN IRVING, TX. THE ROADWAY IS FLAT, OUR SPEED WAS ACCELERATING TO GET ONTO THE FREEWAY FROM AN ENTRANCE RAMP. AS WE WERE MERGING ONTO GB TURNPIKE WE HEARD A LOUD BANG, OUR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED....FOR NO REASON. WE WERE SHOCKED. AT FIRST WE THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEONE HIT US. WE EVEN THOUGHT MAYBE SOMEONE SHOT AT OUR VEHICLE, THEN WE REALIZED THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED. FORTUNATELY, NEITHER OF US WERE SITTING WITH OUR HEADS OR ARMS NEAR THE WINDOWS TO BE INJURED BY THE DEPLOYMENT. WE CONTACTED OUR INSURANCE COMPANY, HOWEVER THEY TOLD US THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR US. WE CONTACTED OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING, SO WE SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT OUR VEHICLE. THEY CALLED A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FORD TO COME AND INSPECT IT. BASED ON THE READING BY THE "COMPUTER", IT INDICATED THAT OUR VEHICLE HAD ENCOUNTERED AN "IMPENDING ROLL-OVER". WE DISPUTED THIS BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SUCH IMPENDING ROLLOVER, NOR WAS THERE ANY SWERVING, ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE EVEN BEEN CONSIDERED SOMETHING TO HAVE CAUSED THIS SITUATION. FORD WOULD DO NOTHING BECAUSE THE COMPUTER INDICATED THERE WAS AN IMPENDING ROLLOVER IT WAS DEEMED OUR FAULT, NOT A FAULTY COMPUTER. WE CONTACT FORD CORPORATE, THEY TREATED US AS THOUGH WE WERE JUST PEOPLE WANTING SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. WE WANTED OUR VEHICLE REPAIRED DUE T
A SPARK PLUG WAS EJECTED FROM MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND DEADLY SAFETY (FIRE) PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR AND THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKING CAPABILITY. THE CONTACT STATED HE CRASHED INTO A TREE STUMP AND SNOW ON THE GROUND AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,535. UPDATED 3/14/11 *CN IT WAS DETERMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING FLUID AND ULTIMATELY FAILED. UPDATED 05/04/11
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTED A RIGHT TURN, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE THE CONTACTS ATTEMPTS TO BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE ONTO THE PEDESTRIAN SIDEWALK. THE CONTACT STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN AND THE PEDESTRIAN WAS KILLED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HANDS AND FEET. A PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND RIGHT FOOT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DECLINED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION SECOND ROW MIDDLE SEATBELT WILL NOT FASTEN. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES AND CAN NOT GET IT TO WORK, MY 5YR. OLD CAN NOT BE BUCKLED. THEY SHOULD GIVE ME ANOTHER ONE ,BUT THE FORD DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME 150.00 BUCKS. WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TR
OIL LEAKING FROM HEAD GASKET ON PASSENGER REAR OF HEAD..... LEAKS ONTO MANIFOLD WHERE A FIRE CAN START. FORD MECHANICS KNOW THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE MECHANICS SAY THAT THERE IS A FLAW IN THE CASTING IN THE HEAD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A TENDENCY TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE SITTING IDLE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL GEAR OR THE IT HAD TO BE TURNED OFF BECAUSE THE BRAKES DO NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89187.
WENT OUT TO WARM UP OUR FORD EXPEDITION FOR WORK. UPON STARTING IT HEARD A LOUD BOOM AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED LOUD. HAD IT TOWED TO GARAGE. FOUND OUT THAT THE #7 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT. FOR SAFETY SAKE, FORD SHOULD ADMIT TO THE DEFECT IN THE ENGINE, AND ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
ON 11/7/10 TRAVELING HOME WITH MY FAMILY IN MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION I HEARD A LOUD BANG THOUGHT I BLEW A TIRE. I STARTED SMELLING A STRONG ODOR OF GAS. THE CAR STARTED TO MISFIRE. I PULLED IT OVER TO MAKE SURE IT WASN'T ON FIRE. TURNS OUT A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE. FOUND OUT THREW SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A ON GOING PROBLEM WITH FORD. WHY ARE THEY NOT STANDING BEHIND THERE PRODUCT. I'VE HEARD IT IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE SPARK PLUGS NOT HAVING ENOUGH THREAD ON THEM. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME SOMEWHERE AROUND $3000.00 TO GET FIXED. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW FROM THE DEALER. I ONLY HAVE 58,000 MILES ON IT TO ME THIS IS STILL A NEW TRUCK SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE THEY DO KNOW THAT THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW BECAUSE IN 2004 THEY CHANGED THE DESIGN. SHAME ON FORD. AN AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE .THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FORD SHOULD MAKE GOOD ON THERE PRODUCT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH AT NIGHT, THE HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY TURN OFF AND BACK WITHOUT WARNING. THE HEADLIGHT RELAY MADE A NOISE AS WELL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 91,000.
2003 FORD EXPEDITION SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD AT 85K MILES. FORD DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT SEES 2 SPARK PLUG BLOW OUTS A MONTH AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM IN 2003 EXPEDITIONS. REPAIRED WITH A FORD FIX - HELIACOIL OR LINER INSTALLED INTO HEAD FOR DAMAGED SPARK PLUG. FOR TRUE FIX, FORD NEEDS TO REPLACE THE HEAD AND SPARK PLUGS TO ENSURE THAT OTHER SPARK PLUGS DON'T COME UNTHREADED AS MILEAGE INCREASES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH, WE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION OF RIGHT REAR TIRE. TIRE HAD APPROXIMATELY 60-70% TREAD LEFT. *TR
ON SUNDAY AUGUST 22, 2010 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 P.M I WAS DRIVING ON THE 215 FREEWAY GOING SOUTHBOUND IN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, CA. TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT, WEATHER WAS MODERATE AND IT WAS NIGHTTIME. WHILE DRIVING MY PARENTS' 2003 FORD EXPEDITION ON THE FAR RIGHT LANE AT THE SPEED OF 60-65MPH I FELT THE STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP AND I TRIED TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BUT THE WHEELS TURNED TO THE RIGHT AND I VEERED OFF THE LANE AND INTO THE DIRT ON THE SHOULDER LANE. I LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, IT SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER TWO OR THREE TIMES, AND TOOK OUT A BIG PIECE OF FENCE AND FINALLY STOPPED. I WALKED OUT OF THE CAR IN COMPLETE SHOCK AND PANIC, PEOPLE PULLED OVER TO HELP, POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AS WELL AS AN AMBULANCE. ACCIDENT REPORT WAS TAKEN BY THE CHP AND I WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN THE AMBULANCE. I SUFFERED FROM MINOR INJURIES TO HEAD AND BODY AND HAD NIGHTMARES AND WOKE UP SCREAMING FOR A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND TOWED AWAY AT THE SCENE OF ACCIDENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION EDDIE BAUER. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT IT OUT OF PARK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE LINES FOR THE FRONT BRAKES WERE RUSTED THROUGH. THOSE BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE BUT HE EXAMINED HIS VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LINES FOR THE REAR BRAKES WERE VERY RUSTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 58,900. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
HELLO, I AM WRITING TO YOU ABOUT MY VEHICLE. I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION AND WE WERE TRAVELING OUT OF TOWN TO NORTH CAROLINA SUNDAY 8/22/2010 WHEN I WAS ABOUT 10 MINUTES AWAY FROM MY DESTINATION & ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A LOUD SOUND & A LOT OF PRESSURE HIT US IN THE CHEST. THE TRUCK THEN BEGINS TO FILL UP WITH SMOKE. I PULLED OVER NOT KNOWING WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED, WE THEN NOTICED THAT THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS HAD DEPLOYED. I DID NOT HIT ANYONE NOR DID ANYONE HIT US. I THEN CALLED 911 & ASK FOR THE POLICE TO COME OUT & GIVE ME A POLICE REPORT AND HE REFUSED TO GIVE ME ONE. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO MALCOLM CUNNINGHAM FORD & THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME BUT TO PUT IT ON A CENSOR MACHINE & FIND OUT WHY THEY DEPLOYED. THEY THEN TOLD ME THAT MY CAR INSURANCE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS & THE INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THAT IT WAS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE & NOT THERE PROBLEM. I CALLED FORD CORPORATION & THE ONLY THING THAT THEY TOLD ME WAS THEY COULD JUST PUT IN A CLAIM BUT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THAT THEY COULD DO UNLESS SOMEONE DIE OR WAS SEVERELY INJURED. WELL ALL 3 OF US WERE INJURED IN THIS INCIDENT. I NEED HELP IN THIS MATTER. I AM NOW OUT OF A TRUCK THAT I AM STILL PAYING ON & LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE WILL NOT PAY FOR ME A RENTAL AND I HAVE FULL COVERAGE INSURANCE. EVERYWHERE I TURN EVERYONE IS TURNING ME DOWN, LIKES IT MY FAULT. THIS HAS CAUSED ME PAIN, SUFFERING, EMOTIONAL STRESS AND NOT TO MENTION TIME OFF WORK. IF SOMEONE COULD HELP IN ASSISTING ME WI
SUDDEN BACKFIRE RESULTING IN SPARK PLUG EJECTION. REPLACED WITH HELICOIL KIT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPEDITION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AS IT OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS LATER. WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER TWENTY MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO PRODUCE ANY FAILURE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
A DEER CAME ONTO THE HIGHWAY AS I WAS SWITCHING LANES AND I SWERVED TO PREVENT HITTING. HIT THE DEER AND DRAG IT APPROX 60 FT. SPARKS AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AS WE FLIPPED. VEHICLE BEGAN TO FLIP 6-8 TIMES PER PASSENGER (DAUGHTER) AND A TRACTOR TRAILER DRIVER. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR THE FAILURE OF THE BAGS. THE EXPEDITION WAS TOTALED BECAUSE THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOW CAME OUT, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOW IN THE FRONT ROW WERE SHATTERED, THE ASHTRAY DISCONNECTED AND WENT OUT THE WINDOW. THE MIRRORS ON THE EXPO WERE DAMAGED AND THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE WAS TERRIBLY DAMAGED. A NEW VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. *TR
ONE OF MY SPARK PLUGS BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD WITH ONLY 47,000 MILES ON MY 2003 EXPEDITION. 4 HOURS TO FIX IT. NOW I HAVE TO GO BACK AND TORQUE THE OTHER 7 PLUGS AND HOPE THE PIECE OF CRAP DOESN'T SPIT OUT ANY OTHER PLUGS. THIS IS MY LAST FORD! *TR
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 →