2003 Ford Explorer complaints

OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THE AIR BAG LIGHT BLINKS THEN STAYS ON CONSTANTLY WHILE THE CAR IS RUNNING. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY WHETHER MY AIR BAG IS ACTUALLY WORKING OR NOT. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET APPARENTLY SEVERAL OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO I HAVE A CRACKED PANEL ON THE BACK HATCH , I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME CRACK AND AT THE SAME LOCATION , TOOK THE FORD DEALER IN CLARKSVILLE INDIANA WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO WEATHER , WAS TOLD SEVERAL FORD EXPLORER OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM BUT UNFORTUNATELY FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NOT DOING A RECALL. WAS TOLD WOULD COST AROUND $300 TO REPLACE THE PANEL THE FORD DEALERSHIP INSTRUCTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT BECAUSE THEY HAVE SEEN TOO MANY THEMSELVES. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER MANUFACTURED IN 01/03. IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CURRENT 'VOLUNTARY' RECALL OF FORD VEHICLES DUE TO A DEFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITS THE SYMPTOMS OF THE VEHICLES WITH A DEFECTIVE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH (SEE FAQ BELOW FROM FORD.COM): Q. ARE THERE ANY EARLY WARNING SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS I WOULD NOTICE THAT WOULD INDICATE A PROBLEM? A. IF THE SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS, A CUSTOMER MAY NOTICE VEHICLE SYMPTOMS SUCH AS; THE SPEED CONTROL MAY BECOME INOPERABLE, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, THE REAR BRAKE LAMPS MAY NOT WORK, BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK AT THE SWITCH, THE BATTERY MAY DRAIN OR GO DEAD, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT MAY FLASH OR A FUSE IN THE SYSTEM MAY OPEN. MY VEHICLE HAS AN INOPERABLE SPEED CONTROL. IT STARTED AS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM, BUT IS NOW INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE FREQUENTLY DOES NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, AND THE ABS LAMP FREQUENTLY ILLUMINATES. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, AND THE DEALER TO REQUEST THE VEHICLE BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED AT NO COST. BOTH HAVE REFUSED. *TR

I HAVE EXPERIENCED ALL OF THE WARNINGS THE NHTSA LISTED FOR FORD DRIVERS REGARDING POSSIBLE IMMINENT FIRES INCLUDING GETTING THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK MODE. MY PROBLEM IS THE RECALL ONLY INCLUDES 1995-2002 EXPLORERS AND I HAVE A 2003 EXPLORER. THE MANUFACTURE DATE IS 02/03. IS IT POSSIBLE THE PLANT STILL HAD THE TEXAS INSTRUMENT CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH IN STOCK FROM 2002 AND INSTALLED IT IN MY VEHICLE? APPROXIMATE INCIDENT DATE IS THE MOST RECENT DATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GET OUT OF THE PARK MODE ON THAT PARTICULAR DATE (8/27/2009). THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WARNING HAS BEEN AN ON AND OFF PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 2 YEARS. BRAKE LIGHT WARNING ON DASHBOARD ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE MALFUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL LAST HAPPENED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AND MAY HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN BUT DON'T REMEMBER WHEN FOR SURE. THE ONLY ITEM I HAD CHECKED OUT WAS THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD. NOVEMBER 21, 2008 THEY REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL SPEED SENSOR, I HAVE YET TO FIND OUT IF THAT IS RELATED TO THE RECALLED SWITCH. IT FIXED THE ANTILOCK BRAKE DASHBOARD LIGHT FROM COMING ON MOSTLY. IT HAS COME ON AFTER THAT, BUT ONLY A COUPLE OF TIMES AND ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEALS ON 3 AXLES WERE LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED; THEREFORE, THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE AND BOTH REAR AXLES WERE REPAIRED. THE AXLES WERE IMPROPERLY INSTALLED AND WERE REPAIRED AGAIN FOUR WEEKS LATER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE REGARDING THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE AXLES COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE A CRASH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,828 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,294.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER AT 70 MPH IN THE FAST LANE OF THE FREEWAY AND DECIDED TO PULL THE DRIVER'S SIDE VISOR DOWN TO CUT DOWN ON THE SUN'S GLARE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE PLASTIC MOUNT THAT HOLDS THE VISOR METAL STEM IN PLACE SHATTERED AND THE VISOR CAME LOOSE DANGLING IN FRONT OF MY FACE BY AN ELECTRICAL CABLE. THE VISOR WAS SEVERELY OBSTRUCTING MY VISION SO I HAD TO QUICKLY GRAB THE IT AND HOLD IT OUT OF THE WAY WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE STEERING WITH MY RIGHT TO NEGOTIATE ACROSS 4 LANES OF FREEWAY TRAFFIC UNTIL I COULD STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. THE ELECTRICAL CABLE DOES NOT HAVE A CONNECTOR SO IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO DISCONNECT IT FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO DRIVE THE NEXT 20 MILES USING MY LEFT HAD TO HOLD THE VISOR UP WITH MY LEFT HAND WHILE DRIVING WITH MY RIGHT UNTIL I COULD REACH HOME. *TR

OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FINE, THEN THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT, WE WERE ON INTERSTATE 70 EASTBOUND BETWEEN WHEELING WV AND WASHINGTON PA TRAVELING AT 65 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW WITHOUT WARNING WE WERE NEARLY HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER THAT HAD BEEN FOLLOWING US! WE SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS HAD HAPPENED TO ANYONE ELSE AND LO AND BEHOLD HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS WERE LISTED ON NUMEROUS SITES, THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND BEFORE ITS ALL DONE IT WILL COST AT LEAST $2300 TO REPAIR AS THE TRANSMISSION WENT ALL AT ONCE WITH NO WARNING AT ALL! THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE DIY MECHANIC TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SEALED (NO DIPSTICK) SO I GUESS I AM GRATEFUL THAT THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS ABLE TO SWERVE ENOUGH TO NOT HIT US OR FORD WOULD BE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR DEATHS! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. SHE STATED THAT WHEN SHE PURCHASED HER VEHICLE THE HINGE ON THE BACK OF THE WINDOW WAS BROKEN. THE DEALER TOLD HER THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND THAT IT COULD BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER LATER ADVISED HER THAT HER VIN WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. LAST YEAR THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE BROKEN HINGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129000.

THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AS THE OVERHEAD LIGHTS COME ON. I HAD THIS OCCUR ONCE IN THE PAST AND THE DEALER REPLACED A SWITCH / RELAY BUT NOW IT IS OCCURRING AGAIN... MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY ... IN FACT, IT IS ILLUMINATED MORE THEN NOT NOW. *TR

TAILGATE IS SPLITTING. *TR

JUST HAPPEN DON'T NO WHY THE BOTTOM FRAME OF THE LIFT GATE HAS TWO CRACKS AND IM AFRAID THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS THE GLASS MAY FALL OFF THE FRAME AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, THANKS HOPE WE GET HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

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

PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM CARMAX ON 9-19-07 IT HAS BEEN TOWED IN AT LEAST 5 TIMES AND HAS BEEN IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE SAME ISSUES OVER AND OVER AGAIN TRANSMISSION, RADIO/NAV SYSTEM ,SPARK PLUGS BREAKING OFF AND GOING INTO ENGINE , BACK FIRING WHEN STARTING VEHICLE ,STARTER / IGNITION SWITCH,FRONT NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER .ON 11/28/07 IT WAS TOWED IN 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT. THEY STATED ON THE INVOICE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKES SEVERELY RUSTED, CARMAX HAS SAID THEY PERFORMED TWO INSPECTION ON THIS VEHICLE 1 IN VA. AND 1 IN MD. HOW DID THEY MISS BRAKES ( ON MONDAY, MARCH10TH 2009 HEADING SOUTH BOUND I95. THE SUV ( 2003 FORD EXPLORER) STARTED TO SHAKING VIOLENTLY. AT THIS POINT, I HAD STARTED SLOWING DOWN FROM 65 MPH TO 55 MPH TO GET OFF OF 95. MOMENTS LATER THE TIRE FLEW OFF OF THE FORD EXPLORER, BEFORE I EVEN HAD A CHANCE TO GET OFF. FORTUNATELY, I KEPT CONTROL OF THE SUV AND WAS ABLE TO GET OVER COMING INCHS OF HITTING THE GUARD RAIL AND OTHER CARS AROUND ME. . THE TIRE WENT OF THE ROAD UP THE HILL AND BACK DOWN ONTO 95. THE TIRE WENT ABOUT 2/10 OF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD. FORTUNATELY, THE TIRE DID NOT HIT ANYONE ELSE AND NO ONE HIT THE TIRE. I CAME SLAMMING TO A SCREECHING HALT HARD ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR ,JAMMING MY LEFT ARM. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO CARMAX IN WHITE MARSH, MD. THEY HAVE STATED TO ME, VIA VOICE MAIL , THAT THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. THIS WAS DUE TO FAULTY WHEEL STUDS AND WE SHOULD FOLLOW UP WITH FORD . MY WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER ANY

ADD TO THE PILE. WE HAVE A FORD EXPLORER LIMITED, 2003 BUILT 2004 MODEL. I HAVE HAD THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPAIRED AT MY COST BUT THE CAR STILL KICKS WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE. WE LIVE IN AUSTRALIA. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO HAVE TWO ADDITIVES PUT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND REPLACE THE SOLENOID. THE ADDITIVES ARE NOT EVEN AVAILABLE FROM FORD IN AUSTRALIA. THEY SELL IT BUT NO PARTS. AMAZING. I EVEN HAD TO SOURCE THE PARTS FOR THE REAR DIFF MYSELF FROM THE U.S. FORD AUSTRALIA COULD NOT GIVE A PRICE, DATE ETC. THEY TOOK THE MONEY BUT DID NOT WARN ANYONE ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE DRIVING A TIME BOMB. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM A FORD DEALER. I ONLY WISH THERE WAS A WAY TO PROVE THEY KNEW AND DID NOT DISCLOSE. IT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING CLASS ACTION AGAINST THE DEALERS IF FORD WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. I JUST WANT TO GET RID OF IT BUT CAN'T IN CLEAR CONSCIENCE DUMP IT ON SOME OTHER POOR BUGGER. THIS CAR HAS SUFFERED FROM EVERY PROBLEM FROM FLASHING ABS TO DIFF TO TRANSMISSION. THE LAST TIME THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED THE CAR ROLLED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF THE CAR CONSIDERING IT WAS PUT INTO REVERSE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THAT STARTLED ME. IT WAS DARK AND I DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE NOISE WAS. I EXAMINED THE CAR AND A VERTICAL CRACK HAD APPEARED IN THE BACK LIFT DOOR PANEL THAT IS JUST BELOW THE BACK LIFT WINDOW. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE NOTICED OTHER 2003 FORD EXPLORES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT STATES WITH THE SAME FLAW. THE FLAW OCCURS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE FORD EMBLEM OR RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF IT. THE FLAW SEEMS TO OCCUR IN OTHER MERCURY MODELS AS WELL, WITH THE SAME ENGINEERING DESIGN. I BELIEVE THIS CRACK IS DUE TO STRESS AND AN ENGINEERING FLAW. I REPORTED IT TO FORD SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AS I CONTINUE TO SEE MORE AND MORE VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT. *TR

TRANSMISSIONS IN 2003 FORD EXPLORERS . FIRST TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 62,500 MILES AND SECOND NEEDS REPLACING AT 87,000 MILES. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT IS THE FORD TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR THAT YEAR OF EXPLORER MAY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION STARTED NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY AND THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. TOOK 2003 FORD EXPLORER TO GET CHECKED BY FORD DEALERSHIP. RESULT: TRANSMISSION FAILED AND REQUIRED REPLACING. FORD EXPLORER ONLY HAD 83,000 MILES. $3,000 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. TOLD THAT IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORD EXPLORERS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. WHEN I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED TO 70 MPH FIRST, THEN TO 80 MPH. I TRIED APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT IT DID NOT SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AT ALL. TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, I FORCED THE TRANSMISSION GEAR INTO PARKING. THIS MOMENTARILY SLOWED DOWN THE VEHICLE, AND I TRIED TO MOVE IT INTO THE FAR RIGHT LANE OF THE FREEWAY. THEN SUDDENLY IT STARTED DRIVING IN REVERSE AT A VERY HIGH SPEED, CAUSING ME TO COLLIDE WITH AN ONCOMING TRUCK ON THE FREEWAY. UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR AND FEARING FOR MY LIFE, I TURNED THE IGNITION KEY, WHICH BROUGHT THE CAR TO A HALT. THE HIGH PATROL ARRIVED WITHIN ONLY A COUPLE OF MINUTES. WHEN ONE OF THE OFFICERS TURNED ON THE CAR SO AS TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED TO 80 MPH. HE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND DIRECTED EVERYONE TO STEP AWAY FROM THE CAR, CAUTIONING THAT THE CAR WAS DANGEROUS. TWO OFFICERS DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND SAID THAT THERE APPEARED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. THEY THEN PUSHED THE CAR OFF THE FREEWAY TO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. FORTUNATELY, I DID NOT GET HURT. BUT THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT BODY DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND TO THE OTHER TRUCK WITH WHICH I COLLIDED. HOWEVER, THE DRIVER OF THAT TRUCK DROVE OFF, THUS I WAS UNABLE TO GET HIS INFORMATION. I HAD THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD FORD DEALERSHIP, WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEFECTIVE. WHEN I ADVISED THEM THAT THE EMER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 50-60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR SUSPENSION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE REAR BEARINGS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED AT A REPAIR SHOP. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, HE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS IDENTICAL FAILURE WITH OTHER FORD EXPLORERS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

2003 FORD EXPLORERS HAVE DEFECTIVE REAR RING AND PINION GEARS. STARTING WITH A WHINE, THE MISALIGNMENT AND WEAR COULD CAUSE THE DRIVE TRAIN TO SEIZE UP. REPLACEMENT PARTS BY DEALERSHIPS ARE ALSO INFERIOR, AND ONLY PROVIDE ~ 40-45K MILES OF RELIEF. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2003 EXPLORER IN 2002 AT 110 MILES. WITHIN THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD A URINE SMELL AND KNOCKING NOISE IN THE REAR BUT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIX IT. AS A RESULT I HAVE A SLOW LEAK WHICH MEANS IT HAS TO BE CHARGED EVERY YEAR. IN FEB 2007 A CRACK FORMED IN THE REAR PANEL THEY DIDN'T WANT TO FIX. OCTOBER 2007 AT 45000 MILES I NEEDED WHEEL BEARINGS FOR INSPECTION. AT 48000 MILES WHEN I PAID MY TRUCK OFF MAY 2008, WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE 0/D LIGHT & SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON RESULTING IN MY GEARS SLIPPING. I FOUND OUT THROUGH SEVERAL SHOPS THAT MY 2ND AND FIFTH GEARS WERE BURNED OUT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE SOLENOID BODY, THEN HAS TO GO IN TO CHECK FOR MORE. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BECAUSE I HAD NO EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH WAS A WASTE OF TIME BECAUSE FORD WASN'T COOPERATING. SO NOW IT'S JUNE 2009 AND I'M STILL DRIVING IT A WHOLE YEAR LATER BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. I LEARNED HOW TO DRIVE THE TRUCK BUT I'M REMINDED EVERYDAY ABOUT THE PROBLEMS. PARK TO REVERSE IS A STRUGGLE, IT DOESN'T START EASILY SOMETIMES, IT HAS NO POWER WHILE DRIVING, ABS AND DOOR AJAR LIGHTS STAY ON, AND REVERSE ALARM WHEN TO CLOSE DOESN'T WORK, AND INSTEAD OF BEING HAPPY I PAID IT OFF IT'S NOTHING BUT A FEELING OF FRUSTRATION, ANGER, AND REGRET FOR BUYING FROM FORD. *TR

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER SOMETIMES WILL LOCK THE SHIFTER AT REVERSE AS I MOVE IT TO PARK. IT FEELS LIKE IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO PARK, BUT IT REALLY STOPS (AND WON'T MOVE) AT REVERSE. LETTING OFF THE BRAKE, ASSUMING IT IS IN PARK, CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HINGES FOR THE REAR LIFTGATE FRACTURED AND ALMOST CAUSED THE GLASS TO DISENGAGE AND CAUSE INJURY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

03' FORD EXPLORER, STEERING COLUMN WON'T SHIFT INTO OR OUT OF PARK CORRECTLY, HAVE TO PUSH VERY HARD ON BRAKE AND STRUGGLE W/SHIFT TO GET IT TO WORK. DURING OIL CHANGE OPERATOR NEARLY HAD A ROLL AWAY ACCIDENT AS PARKING TO RETURN TRUCK TO OWNER AFTER CHANGE. THIS OCCURS AT LEAST 4 TIMES A DAY. *TR

TODAY I GOT IN MY FORD EXPLORER AND NOTICED THAT MY OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. SO, PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT THE OWNERS MANUAL SAYS AND SOON RIGHT AFTER THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON..I THEN LOOK THROUGH THE MANUAL AND IT INDICATES THAT IF THESE LIGHTS WERE TO COME ON PLEASE TAKE IT TO SERVICE ASAP. I DID THE FOLLOWING AND TOOK THE SUV TO PEP BOYS. I DESCRIBED MY PROBLEM TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE SAID PLEASE DON'T TELL ME IT'S A FORD EXPLORER....I HESITATED AND LOOKED AT HIM WITH A PUZZLED LOOK ON MY FACE AND SAID YES. WHY ? I SAID. WELL FORD EXPLORERS ARE KNOWN FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THAT I SHOULD CHECK TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS. I THEN WENT TO FORDS WEBSITE AND FOLLOWED THE DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS ON YOUR VEHICLE AND ENTERED MY VIN# AND GOT BACK NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS AND CONSUMERS CRYING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM HOW CAN WE ALLOW A CAR GIANT LIKE FORD TO GET AWAY WITH THIS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM? AT LEAST THEY SHOULD HAVE THE DECENCY TO INFORM YOU THAT THERE CARS HAVE BEEN KNOWN FOR HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DATING BACK TO 1995. THE LIST OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE WAS RUDE AWAKENING AND VERY DISTURBING TO SEE. WE NEED A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF WHAT IT TAKES. PLEASE CONTACT ME DIRECTLY IF YOU NEED TO. *TR

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000, THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUTS BRACKETS AND GLASS HINGES WERE ALLEGEDLY REPAIRED. ONE OF THE GLASS HINGES THAT WAS ALLEGEDLY REPLACED HAD FAILED. THE HINGE PIN FOR THIS HINGE HAS BEEN SHEARED OFF IN A SIMILAR MANNER TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL HINGES COVERED UNDER THE ABOVE REFERENCED RECALL. MY FORD DEALER AND FORD ARE ENTIRELY UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE UNDER THE ORIGINAL RECALL, STATING THAT THEY HAVE MET THEIR OBLIGATION. SINCE THE 'REPLACEMENT' HINGE HAS FAILED IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE ORIGINAL I AM LEFT WITH ONLY TWO POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS. THE 'REPLACEMENT' PART IS SIMILARLY FLAWED OR THE PART USED IN THE RECALL WAS NOT THE REPLACEMENT PART. REGARDLESS OF THE EXPLANATION, A SAFETY ISSUE REMAINS WITH THE GLASS LIFTGATE ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND IT IS MY BELIEF THAT THIS DIRECTLY RELATES TO THE ABOVE RECALL. THE LIFTGATE GLASS HAS NOT (YET) FALLEN, BUT WITH A FAILED HINGE SUCH A ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR. *TR

NO NOISE/WARNING. THE CAR HAD BILLOWING BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ON INSPECTION OIL WAS GUSHING FROM A VALVE AT THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND BURNING, IT NEARLY BURST INTO FLAMES. IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO FOUND THE TIMING CHAIN HAD BROKEN, SLASHING A VALVE COVER AND CUTTING INTO THE BACK OF THE ENGINE. IT CAN BE FIXED FOR $3,000 PLUS TAX ESTIMATE, BUT THE FORD DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDS AGAINST THIS AND SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW ENGINE /REFURBISHED ENGINE $5,000 PLUS TAX. FORD REFUSE TO ACCEPT THIS IS A DEFECT, DESPITE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ON THE INTERNET. THE CAR WAS A FORD EXPLORER 2003 WITH ONLY 60,720 ON THE CLOCK. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND MAINTAINED IT WELL. I STILL HAVE PAYMENTS ON IT SO AM SELLING IT FOR $2000 TO COVER THE PAYMENTS. IT WAS A $34,000 CAR. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY FOR NO REASON (HAS SINCE I BOUGHT IT USED IN 2006). THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND WON'T ALLOW ME TO LOCK/SET MY ALARM ON MY VEHICLE PLUS IT LEAVES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS ON FOR A WHILE (STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO). I AM NOW EXPERIENCING A BANGING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I CHANGE THE TEMPERATURE (HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONING)(STARTED IN LAST 4 MONTHS). I HAVE TO TURN THE FAN ON HIGH TO GET IT TO STOP. IT WILL DO IT EVEN IF THE TEMP IS OFF SOMETIMES. IT ALSO WILL NOT LOCK INTO GEAR WHEN PUT INTO PARK ON AN INCLINE (MY DRIVEWAY)...WITHOUT ROCKING BACKWARDS INTO GEAR(STARTED IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS). *TR

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN SHOWING SOMETIMES AND GAINED A SMALL VIBRATION IN THE ENGINE. THEN ONE DAY BY A TURN OF THE KEY THERE WAS A LOUD THUMB SOUND AND IT NEVER STARTED AGAIN. PUT A NEW STARTER ON GOT IT STARTED BUT IT HAD A MAJOR PECKING SOUND COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. TOOK TRANSMISSION OUT AND FOUND THAT THE TORQUE HAD A BAD RATTLE IN IT. REPLACED TORQUE AND RESTARTED ENGINE AND STILL HAD ANOTHER SMALL PECKING SOUND IT WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE DROPPED OIL PAN AND FOUND TO HAVE A BALANCE SHAFT CHAIN GUIDE BUSTED AND THE TIMING CHAIN WAS LOOSE. SO BY THE TURN OF THE KEY RESULTED IN TORQUE LOCK UP IN WHICH CAUSED STARTED DRIVE TO BUST AND ALL THE PRESSURE WHEN THE NEW STARTER KICK IN BROKE TORQUE LOOSE AND CAUSED THE CRANK TO OVER SPIN THE TIMING CHAIN IN WHICH BROKE CHAIN GUIDE. SO LUCKY IT HAPPENED BY THE TURN OF THE KEY INSTEAD OF DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. *TR

ON 5-14-09 AT ABOUT 7:15AM I GOT MY CHILDREN'S DIAPER BAG OUT OF THE BACK OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER MY HATCH DOOR WAS FINE. I THEN WENT TO WORK AND IT WAS A WARM DAY BUT NOT HOT. AT ABOUT 6:10PM THE SAME DAY I WENT OUT TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK AND I SAW IT. THERE IS 2 CRACKS THE UPPER PART OF THE HATCH IN TO THE LEFT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. ONE STARTS AT THE WINDOW AND GOES DOWN THE OTHER STARTS AT THE BOTTOM AND GOES UP. AT THAT POINT I CONTACTED THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THEM TO LOOK AT. THE SERVICE GUY SAID HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAVE MADE THIS HAPPEN. HE STATED HE COULD TELL IT HAD NOT BEEN HIT OR ANYTHING AND THAT IT WASN'T A FLEX POINT. HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. I CONTACTED APPLE FORD (LYNCHBURG VA) ON 5-15-09 AND WAS INSTRUCTED THEY HAD SEEN MANY CASES OF THIS BUT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL FORD PUTS OUT A RECALL. I THEN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS INSTRUCTED THEY WILL NOT FIX IT BUT TO HAVE A DEALER LOOK AT IT. MY CONCERN IS IF THE WINDOW FALLS OUT BECAUSE OF THIS WHAT IS IT GOING TO DO TO MY 1 YEAR OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT OR THE PEOPLE IN THE CARE BEHIND ME ON THE ROAD. I HAVE DONE NOTHING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. IT IS A DEFAULT FROM THE COMPANY THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE HARM. I HAVE ALSO RESEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND VIA GOOGLE THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE LIKE ME. IF WATER GETS DOWN THROUGH THE CRACK IT COULD VERY WELL RUST THE LATCHING MECHANISM AND MAKE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSIDE OF BOTH FRONT TIRES ON HIS VEHICLE WERE SLICK. THE DEALER ROTATED THE TIRES, BUT CURRENTLY THE REAR TIRES ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE LINE AND SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND ROW MIDDLE SEAT BELT WAS NOT WORKING. THE SEAT BELT CANNOT BE PULLED OUT TO HOOK INTO THE CHILD SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO A CHILD SEAT TECHNICIAN AND THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I RECENTLY WAS PULLING OUT OF MY GARAGE WHEN I REALIZED I NEEDED TO CHECK AND SEE IF I HAD MY GLOVE AND SHOES IN THE BACK FOR MY SOFTBALL GAME. I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND POPPED THE TRUNK, WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY CAR THE CAR KICKED BACK INTO REVERSE AND STARTED TO ROLL. LUCKILY THE DOOR CAUGHT ON THE GARAGE DOOR AND BENT IT, BUT NO ONE WAS HURT. CLEARLY, THE TRANSMISSION KICKED BACK INTO REVERSE WITHOUT ME DOING IT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ITEM I HAVE NOTICED SOMETHING 'SCREWY' LIKE THIS WITH MY CAR, IT HAS BEEN ACTING UP A TIME OR TWO BEFORE. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER 4 DR. REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN. NO RUST ON OUTSIDE OF SPRING, BUT ITS BROKEN DUE TO BAD METAL USED TO MAKE IT. *TR

II PURCHASED A 2003 EXPLORER, 2-11-03. KEPT HAVING PROBLEMS SHIFTING OUT OF REVERSE, AND FINALLY, 3-8-04, AND AGAIN, 9-13-04, AND WAS TOLD BY DEALER THE PROBLEM WAS NOT VALID, AND WOULD EVENTUALLY GO AWAY, WITH NO DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. I CONTINUED TO HAVE PROBLEMS, ON AND OFF, AND NOW HAVE OVER 89,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, AND IT IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE. SOMETIMES, I HAVE TO CONTINUE CUTTING THE ENGINE OFF, RESTART, AND KEEP TRYING TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT OUT OF REVERSE. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANY RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION, EITHER FROM FORD, OR DEMPEWOLF, THE DEALER. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, BUT, ENOUGH TO MAKE ME NERVOUS THAT ONE DAY IT MIGHT NOT BACK UP AT ALL. WHEN IT DOES SHIFT, THE FORCE ALMOST THROW ME OUT OF THE SEAT. IT IS A SCARY SITUATION. I ALWAYS TOOK MY VEHICLE TO DEMPWOLF FOR SERVICING, AND TO TRY AND GET THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM RECTIFIED. I HAVE MY MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS, ALL OF THEM! *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I NOTICED MY VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE THIS TAPING NOISE. I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO SEE WHAT IT COULD BE THEN NOTICED IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I DIDN'TTT FEEL SAFE CONTINUING TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY SO DROVE TO THE NEXT EXIT AND GOT OFF. THE NOISE STARTED TO GET LOUDER SO I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND WAITED FOR SOMEONE TO COME PICK ME UP BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. AS I WAS SITTING THERE WITH THE CAR TURNED OFF, SOMETHING ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER THE HOOD BURST INTO FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO COME OUT AND PUT VEHICLE FIRE OUT. *TR

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I JUST READ THE ARTICLE IN THE PAPER REGARDING TRANSMISSION HAZARDS. I CAN HONESTLY SAY I DO BELIEVE THESE SUV'S DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR ON THERE OWN. I HAVE SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE MINE HAS DONE IT. ONE TIME I HAD PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND IT JUMPED FORWARD AND I ACTUALLY RAN OVER THE CURB IN FRONT OF ME BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN REVERSE. THERE IS PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS SUV. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO CARMAX WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM BUT IT STILL DOES IT. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY NOW. IT WILL DO IT RANDOMLY. I DON'T KNOW THE REASON BUT I DO THINK IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

THE BACK REAR PANEL OF THE HATCHBACK CRACKED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH THE COMPANY IS UNWILLING TO PAY FOR. *TR

BOTH FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER AT 67,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY DRIVEN ON PAVED ROADWAYS AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY BOTH MYSELF AND FORD. UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS ALL 4 OF THESE BEARINGS SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED. *TR

WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND TRANS STARTED SLIPPING. O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND THEN NEXT DAY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO A DEALER WHO TOLD ME I NEED TO EITHER REBUILD MY TRANS FOR $3200 OR PUT IN A REBUILT FROM FORD FOR OVER $4000 WHICH WOULD GIVE ME A 100K MILE WARRANTY, 64K MORE THAN THE BRAND NEW ONE THAT WAS IN THE CAR WHEN I BOUGHT IT. CAR HAD 74,500 MILES ON IT BUT WAS LESS THAN 3 WEEKS OVER THE 5 YEAR/ 75K EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED FROM FORD. I CALLED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP NUMBER AND THE WARRANTY PEOPLE NUMEROUS TIMES AND NO ONE OFFERED ANY HELP. I EVEN OFFERED TO BY A NEW FORD IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME A FAIR TRADE ON MY OLD ONE, IT SEEMED AS IF AFTER DRIVING FORD'S FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS THEY DID NOT WANT ME AS CUSTOMER ANY LONGER. I TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AND FIXED IT FOR $2000 AND I JUST TRADED IT FOR A NEW NISSAN PATHFINDER WHICH COST ME LESS, HAS MORE POWER AND GETS BETTER GAS MILEAGE. I AM HAPPY TO SAY I HAVE OWNED MY LAST FORD. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER IT HAS A CRACK IN THE REAR PANEL UNDER WINDOW OF LIFTGATE I HAD IT REPLACE BEFORE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM NOW FORD REFUSE TO FIX THE CRACK SAYING THE HAVE NO RECORDS OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING THE VEHICLE FROM WI TO MN AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT WAS FLASHING AND THE FORD EXPLORER WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND A FEW TIMES WAS STUCK AT 50+ MPH EVEN THOUGH THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. WE RETURNED TO OUR HOME AND TOOK THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER IN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO SAID THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION ON THESE VEHICLES DOESN'T ALLOW THE OWNER TO CHECK FLUID LEVELS. IT FELT LIKE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND THE VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY AND ACTUALLY "REVVING" AND STAYING AT 50+ MPH WHILE THE CRUISE WAS NOT ON. *TR

HORIZONTAL CRACK IN LIFT GATE RUNNING FROM TOP OF PIECE (BOTTOM OF WINDOW) TO BOTTOM OF PIECE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON AND BEGAN FLASHING. I BROUGHT IT IN TO GET CHECKED AND WAS TOLD IT IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. SUPPOSEDLY NEED TO CHANGE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I AM NOT THE FIRST AND AFRAID THAT I WON;T BE THE LAST WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR

THE PANEL BELOW THE GLASS ON THE REAR HATCH OF MY WIFE'S 2003 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED FORNO APPARENT REASON. THE DEALER TELLS ME IT WILL COST $800 DOLLARS TO REPAIR PLUS A BODY SHOP EXPENSE (PAINT). I'VE NOTICED ON MANY FORUMS ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND FORD SHOULD ADDRESS IT! *TR

WE HAVE OWNED THE SUBJECT 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT SINCE IT WAS NEW. THE REAR LIFTGATE HINGE HOLDING THE REAR GLASS FAILED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS FAILURE IS THE SUBJECT OF NHTSA RECALL #04V442000. FORD INFORMS ME THAT THEY WILL NOT FIX THIS CONTINUING SAFETY DEFECT BECAUSE THEY REPLACED THE HINGE ONCE BEFORE IN 2006. I HAVE NO RECORD OF SUCH A REPAIR, NOT DO I AGREE THAT FORD'S POLICY OF ONLY PERFORMING ONE REPLACEMENT IS VALID. EVEN IF THEY DID REPLACE IT ONCE, THE DESIGN IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AND THE SAFETY ISSUE STILL REMAINS. I WOULD EXPECT NHTSA TO DIRECT FORD TO PROPERLY FIX THE PROBLEM, RATHER CAUSE ME TO PAY FORD FOR YET ANOTHER REPLACEMENT FOR THE INEFFECTIVE ONE THEY PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED. *TR

LARGE SPONTANEOUS STRESS CRACK APPEARED, BISECTING THE UPPER LIFTGATE BODY PANEL ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. FORD REFERS TO THIS PART AS LIFTGATE GLASS APPLIQUE. *TR

THREE DAYS AGO I GET INTO MY TRUCK AND START TO DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND MY TRUCK DOESN'T SHIFT INTO GEARS. THEN WHEN IT FINALLY DID IT JERKED REALLY HARD AND I BOUT WENT INTO A DITCH. THEN THE O/D LIGHT STARTS FLASHING. LATER THAT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I TRY TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL BUT YOU CAN'T IN THIS TRANSMISSION. WHEN I GOOGLE THIS PROBLEM I FIND ALL THESE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE. THE TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT ON MY TRUCK AND IT ONLY HAS 69,000 ON IT. I OWNED AN OLDER MODEL EXPLORER AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TWO TIMES IN IT. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM FORD HAS WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THEY AREN'T DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THEIR CUSTOMERS FIX IT OR FIX IT THEMSELVES. I THINK THIS BEING SUCH A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH FORD EXPLORERS THAT FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE CONSIDERING YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOUR TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO GO OUT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN FIND SOME SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

REAR HATCH BELOW WINDOW HAS CRACKED FROM TOP OF PANEL TO BOTTOM THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO COLD WEATHER BUT I'M READING ABOUT ALL KINDS OF THESE CRACKS HAPPENING IN ALL PROVINCES AND STATES. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO ACCEPT THE FACT THIS IS A DEFECT AND MAKE A RECALL? *TR

THE BACK LIFT GATE (HATCH) OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS A VERTICAL CRACK UNDER THE WINDOW NEXT TO THE CENTER FORD LOGO. I NOTICED ON THE INTERNET THAT 1,000S OF OTHER PEOPLE TO INCLUDE IN OUR CITY ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS. THIS HAPPENED IN WINTER. I SEE IN CAR STATS THERE ARE COMPLAINTS THERE TOO. *TR

REAR TAIL GATE HAS A CRACK IN THE FIBERGLASS FROM THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY DOWN. *TR