2003 Ford Explorer complaints

THE HOOD ON MY VEHICLE IS BLISTERING AND BUBBLING OFF IN MANY AREAS. *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 ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS. *TR

A CRACK IN THE REAR HATCH NEAR THE FORD EMBLEM ON 2003-2005 FORD EXPLORERS. FORD HAS A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN) ON THIS ISSUE SO THEY KNOW IT EXISTS AND YET THEY ARE REFUSING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE IS JUST ONE OF A FEW OUT THERE REGARDING THIS MATTER... HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/EXPLORER/2003/BODY_PAINT/CRACKED_PANEL_BELOW_THE_REAR_WINDOW.SHTML. *TR

THE REAR HATCH HAS CRACKED FROM THE BACK GLASS DOWN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE EMBLEM. I CALLED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE BUT IT WAS NOT A RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. *TR

AFTER ONLY 24,000 MILES, OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS EXPERIENCED TWO PROBLEMS WITH FIBERGLASS & ALUMINUM BODY PARTS. BELOW THE REAR WINDOW A CRACK DEVELOPED IN THE FIBERGLASS AFTER CLOSING THE WINDOW DURING COLD WEATHER. AFTER TALKING TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL, I BECAME AWARE OF THE FACT THAT BODY SHOP OWNERS ARE INFORMING THEM THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THAT MODEL. SINCE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED AND THE OWNER SHOULD HAVE THEIR VEHICLES REPAIRED BY FORD. MY DEALER HAS SAID FORD HAS NOT ISSUED ANY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. WHY HAS THIS NOT HAPPENED? IN ADDITION, THE ALUMINUM HOOD IS NOW SHOWING BUBBLING UNDER THE PAINT, AND THE PAINT IS BEGINNING TO PEEL OFF THE HOOD. IT IS APPARENT FORD HAS EITHER HAD SOME DEFECTIVE PAINT DELIVERED TO THEIR PLANTS, OR THEIR IS AN ENGINEERING DEFECT ALONG WITH A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT HAS CAUSED THESE PROBLEMS. THIS IS FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY, NOT THE OWNER, AND SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL REGARDLESS OF THE PROBLEM SOURCE. AFTER REVIEW BY FORD'S ZONE MANAGER HE CONCLUDED FORD HAD NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING WEB SITES FOR OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS WITH FORD DENYING ITS ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MISTAKES: HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/VBULLETIN/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=489142&PAGE=2 HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/VBULLETIN/T489142.HTML HTTP://WWW.LEMONLAWCLAIMS.COM/FORD_EXPLORER_CRACKED_PAINT.HTM HTTP://CBS5.COM/CONSUMER/FORD.PEELING.PAINT.2.7559

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO, MY WIFE AND I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC TRIM BETWEEN THE REAR WINDOW AND THE FORD LOGO WAS CRACKED. I HAVE SINCE NOTICED IT ON A MAJORITY OF 2002 - 2004 EXPLORERS. I HAVE ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS ONLINE POSTS AND OTHER WEBSITES DESCRIBING THE SAME ISSUE WITH OTHER EXPLORER OWNERS AND A REFUSAL BY FORD TO REMEDIATE THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE HINGE BROKE ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GLASS WAS WEDGED INSIDE THE ROOF. IF THE HATCH HAD NOT BEEN WEDGED, THE GLASS WOULD HAVE SHATTERED ONTO HER FEET OR CAUSED INJURIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V442000 (STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,555 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 74,575. 4/01/09 *NJ UPDATED 04/07/09. *JB

2003 FORD EXPLORER STARTED ACCELERATION FROM 40 KM UP TO 90 KM IN JUST SECONDS, BRAKES WOULDN'T STOP OR SLOW IT DOWN, USED EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED. TOOK IT TO FORD, AND THEIR REASON FOR THE ACCELERATION WAS FLOOR MAT IN THE WAY. WHAT A JOKE, THAT'S WAS THE FIRST THING I CHECKED FOR AND THEY WEREN'T IN THE WAY. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER 4.0 SOHC ENGINE RATTLE NOISE.I GUESS THERE IS ALOT OF ISSUES DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. TIMING CHASIS *TR

THE PAINT HAS BLISTERED AND IS ACTIVELY PEELING OFF OF A SUBSTANTIAL AREA OF THE HOOD OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. ACCORDING TO LEMONLAW.COM, FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATING A MAJOR PAINT DEFECT IN MANY 2000-2005 FORD, LINCOLN, AND MERCURY CARS, TRUCKS, AND SUV'S THAT USE ALUMINUM BODY PARTS. THE BULLETIN FURTHER STATES THAT, "SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT BUBBLING OR BLISTERING UNDER THE PAINT ON ALUMINUM BODY PARTS". I AM NOT A LAWYER, BUT I DO KNOW THAT WARRANTY OR NOT, THIS IS A CLEAR BREACH OF ALL EXPRESSED AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BODY PARTS AND/OR PAINT WERE DEFECTIVE FROM THE START SINCE THE BULLETIN STATES THAT FORD RESEARCH ADMITTED THAT THE PROBLEM STEMS FROM IRON CONTAMINATION WITHIN THE ALUMINUM BODY PART PRIOR TO BEING PAINTED. I REGISTERED MY COMPLAINTS WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY, ASKING FOR FULL REMEDY OF THE SITUATION. THE ONLY OFFER THEY MAKE IS A DEAL ON A NEW CAR! I HOPE THAT FILING THIS COMPLAINT WILL HELP THE CONSUMER WHO HAS BEEN CLEARLY HURT AND IS EXPERIENCING ECONOMIC LOSS DUE DIRECTLY TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS SITUATION REMEDIED SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008, BUT MY COMPLAINT CONTINUES TO BE PUSHED ASIDE. I BELIEVE THEY HOPE ALL OF THE CONSUMERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WILL GO AWAY QUIETLY. *TR

HAD TO REPLACE WIRE HARNESS TO TRANSMISSION AFTER 85,000 MILES NOW THE OVERDRIVE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS FLASHING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND REMAINED LIT UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CODE WAS DISPLAYED DURING THE TESTING, BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND SENT A LETTER WITH A CHECK FOR $1,000 TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

LIFT GATE FRAME CRACKS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE. I WAS TOLD BY CORTESE FORD IN ROCHESTER THAT THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THIS DEFECT AND THEY BELIEVE IT HA SOMETHING TO DO WITH HOW THE FRAME IS PUT TOGETHER. *TR

3 LARGE CRACKS IN PLASTIC TRIM BELOW GLASS ON REAR LIFT GATE "APPEARED" AFTER A COLD/ICY DAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED ON HER VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS NOT DEFECTIVE; THEREFORE, SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT DISAGREES AND BELIEVES THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DEFECT AND WILL NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,300. UPDATED 03-04-09 *BF THE BACK OF THE LIFTGATE PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW CRACKED. UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB

PLASTIC BODY PANEL BELOW REAR WINDOW ON THE LIFT GATE HAS CRACKED. *TR

REAR TAILGATE/LIFTGATE DOOR PANEL CRACKED IN TWO PLACES VERTICALLY WHILE IN GARAGE PARKED. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER IN SEPT 2007. AFTER DRIVING IT TO AND FROM WORK I NOTICED A LOUD HUMMING SOUND UP FRONT @ 94,000MILES. WHEN I FINALLY HAD IT LOOKED AT 2 MONTHS LATER, I HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT SIDE WHEEL BEARING. NOW A FEW MONTHS LATER THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BEARING IS HUMMING EVEN WORSE SO I HAD THAT ONE REPLACED. 10,000 MILES LATER THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS STARTED DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. I DO NOT LIVE ON A DIRT ROAD, THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN IN SUCH A SHORT TIME. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A $400.00 WHEEL BEARING (EACH) IN MY LIFE ON ANY TRUCK OR CAR THAT I HAVE OWNED UNTIL NOW ON A FORD EXPLORE. *TR

WE HAD COLD WEATHER THE LAST FEW DAYS (-11 BELOW) AND NOW THERE IS A CRACK IN BODY, JUST BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE REAR HATCH. IT EXTENDS FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW TO THE END OF THE HATCH. *TR

CRACKED REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE SECOND ONE FOR MY EXPLORER AND WILL NOT BE REPLACED BY ME. *TR

JUST HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED LAST WEEK. NOW O/D LIGHT IS FLASHING AND CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT IS COMING ON. SEE BY INTERNET THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH THE FORDS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE LIFT GATE GLASS, THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,773.

I HAVE A 2003 EDDIE BAUER FORD EXPLORER. LAST NIGHT, WHEN MY SON WAS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE REAR LIFT GATE GLASS DOOR, THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE OFF. THE GLASS LIFTGATE IS PRESENTLY BEING HELD UP BY THE OTHER HINGE AND IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THAT ONE BREAKS ALSO. I SPOKE WITH AN ANDREA AT FORD 1-800-392-3673 AND SHE BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT I WAS OUT OF LUCK, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS BECAUSE MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY, I TOLD HER THE DESCRIPTION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE A FRIEND WHO OWNS A FORD EXPLORER AND HE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, AND SINCE HIS WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HE DIDN'T ENCOUNTER ANY PROBLEMS IN HAVING IT REPAIRED. YOU WONDER WHY SO MANY PEOPLE BUY JAPANESE CARS AND TRUCKS. HERE IS ONE OF MANY REASONS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS OBVIOUSLY ATTEMPTING TO SAVE MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR SAFETY. *TR

THE BACK PANEL OF MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE. IT IS THE PANEL JUST BELOW THE BACK WINDSHIELD. IT WAS FINE ONE DAY, AND SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE THE NEXT. I KNOW IT IS NOTHING I DID. I GOOGLED TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THE EXACT SAME THING! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS DEFECT, NOT THE CUSTOMER. PLEASE, PLEASE, RECALL THIS FOR US. WE PUT OUR TRUST IN FORD BY PURCHASING THEIR VEHICLES AND WE WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THEIR MISTAKES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR

APPLIQUE UNDERNEATH THE REAR WINDOW CRACKED NEXT TO EMBLEM WITH NO IMPACT. *TR

CRACKED REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL FORD EXPLORERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MINE. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON LINE AT CARCOMPLAINTS.COM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS, BUT THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BEFORE DAWN AND HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE (IT WAS THE SOUND OF AN EXPLOSION). I THOUGHT THAT A TIRE MAY HAVE BLOWOUT, WHICH WAS STRANGE SINCE THE CAR HAS A SET OF NEW TIRES AND I DID NOT NOTICE ANY CHANGES IN THE DRIVING OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKED THE CAR USING A FLASH LIGHT. I SAW NOTHING. LATER THAT DAY WHEN I WENT TO GET GASOLINE, I SAW A CRACK IN THE PANEL THAT CONTAINED THE FORD LOGO, ABOUT 2 INCHES TO THE RIGHT OF THE LOGO THAT EXTENDED FROM THE TOP OF THE PANEL TO THE BOTTOM. IT WAS JUST A CLEAN CRACK ON THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW. THIS HAPPENED ON A COLD NIGHT (19 DEG. F). FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND READ IT SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FACT THAT A PLASTIC PART IS GLUE TO A METAL PART WITH A DIFFERENT COEFFICIENT OF EXPANSION. THE CAR IS A FORD EXPLORER XLT 2003. ALTHOUGH THE CRACKED PANEL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A SAFETY DEFECT, THE DISTRACTION CAUSED BY THE LOUD BANG NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND STOPPING IN THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE CLEARLY PUT ME AND MY FAMILY AT RISK. MOREOVER, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THE REAR WINDOW PANEL MAY SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE AT SPEED, BEING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR OTHER MOTORISTS. *TR

I TOOK MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS REFUSE RECALL REPAIRS. WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE AT MY OWN EXPENSE BECAUSE HE COULD NOT FIND RECALL NOTICE IN FORD SYSTEM. BELOW IS THE DETAILS OF RECAP. AT THIS TIME THE LIFTGATE HINGE IS BROKEN AND WINDOW IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF. PLEASE HELP. VEHICLE MAKE / MODEL: MODEL YEAR(S): FORD / EXPLORER 2002-2003 FORD / MOUNTAINEER 2002-2003 MANUFACTURER: FORD MOTOR COMPANY MFR'S REPORT DATE: SEP 09, 2004 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 PE04045 NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE04045. *TR

FORD EXPLORER REAR HATCH DEFECT, CRACK IN HATCH, FORD HAS RELEASED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN BUT SAYS IT IS AN OWNER RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. AS A DISABLED VETERAN ON A FIXED INCOME I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH BASICALLY THE SAME ANSWER FROM FORD. *TR

DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON AND TURNS ON INTERIOR LIGHT WHICH MAKES DRIVING DIFFICULTY. INTERIOR LIGHT COME ON WITH NO WARNING. VEHICLE HAS NO DAMAGE AND PERIODS OF EXTENDED WET WEATHER CAUSES SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATION MECHANISM FAILED TO RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE IGNITION KEY WAS TURNED OFF WITH THE GEAR SHIFTER PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE RPM'S RACED WHEN THE IGNITION WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND, AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE ENGINE IDLED NORMALLY. WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS NOT IN USE, THE VEHICLE OPERATED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 93,000. UPDATED 3/12/10 *CN UPDATED 06/01/10.*JB

I PUT THE DATE OF INCIDENT AS THE DATE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I PUT THIS DATE AS SUCH BECAUSE EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT RUN AROUNDS BY THE SERVICE PROVIDERS AND CONSTANT REPAIRS EVERY 3-7 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST MAJOR REPAIR OCCURRED WHEN I HAD OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR 18 MONTHS, AT 35,998. IT HAD AN $1800 TRANSMISSION JOB. SUBSEQUENT REPAIRS HAVE BEEN FOCUSED TRANSMISSION ISSUES (ALWAYS SOMETHING SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT THAN PREVIOUS), ENGINE FUNCTION, AND OTHER MECHANICAL ISSUES. AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS PURCHASED, BUT DUE TO THE PARAMETERS OF THE WARRANTY, ALL ISSUES WERE NOT FIXED BECAUSE THEY "WERE NOT ABLE TO BE DUPLICATED", (I.E. AN INTERMITTENT TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT HAD BEEN OCCURRING FOR 30,000 MILES). NOW THAT WE ARE OUT OF OUR WARRANTY VEHICLE, WE HAVE AN OVERPRICED VEHICLE THAT IS STILL OWED ON THAT WILL CONTINUE TO NEED SIGNIFICANT REPAIRS. THE MOST RECENT ISSUE IS THE HEATING ELEMENT, INCLUDING THE ACTUATOR AND BLEND DOOR FUNCTION. THIS FAULTY PIECE WILL FAIL IN THE COLD POSITION. THIS CAUSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE YOU ARE FACED WITH A REPAIR THAT YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE AFFORD (SINCE THEY CAN RUN UP TO $1200) AND HAVING HEAT IN THE WINTER. WITH THE CURRENT AUTO INDUSTRY HAVING THE ISSUES THEY ARE, THEY NEED TO BEGIN TO MAKE QUALITY VEHICLES THAT AREN'T MADE TO BREAK JUST TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF CUSTOMERS. TO HAVE CONTINUED CUSTOMERS, A COMPANY MUST HAVE A CONSISTENT PRODUCT THAT PEOPLE CAN TRUST. THE CURRENT A

2003 FOR EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER - THE REAR LIFTGATE PANEL UNDER THE REAR GLASS HAS A CRACK ALL THE WAY THROUGH IT. NO KNOWN CAUSE. THERE APPEAR TO BE A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IN OUR 2003 FORD EXPLORER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER ONLY 58,000 MILES. FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH 2003 EXPLORERS AND I WANTED TO DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM WE HAD. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY REFUSED ANY HELP. *TR

WHILE DRIVING LOUD GRINDING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A PULLING TO THE SIDE. A DANGEROUS AND POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC EVENT. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD EXPLORERS. HAD CAR TOWED AND NEW WHEEL BEARING PLACED. A VERY EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD BE UNNEEDED REPAIR. *TR

THE REAR PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE HATCH JUST SUDDENLY CRACKED... IT WASN'T HIT OR ANYTHING, IT JUST CRACKED. *TR

TRIM PANEL ON THE BOTTOM OF REAR HATCH WINDOW DEVELOPED A LARGE CRACK UNEXPECTEDLY. CRACK IS VERTICAL FROM WINDOW TO BOTTOM OF LIFTGATE GLASS. *TR

I NOTICED MY TRANSMISSION SLIPPING AROUND 27 OCT 29TH 2008, TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR WHAT I PRESUMED WAS PERHAPS A NEEDED TRANSMISSION FLUSH, THE SERVICE MANGER TOLD ME THAT I HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CAN GO AT ANY TIME, TWO DAYS, TWO MONTHS OR TWO YEARS, TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME THAT NIGHT, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE, HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AAMCO FOR A FREE DIAGNOSTIC, WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT AT A COST RANGING FROM 2500 TO 3500, I THEN CALLED FORDS NATIONAL NUMBER TOLD THEM THAT I AM A (4) TIME EXPLORER OWNER AND ASK IF THERE IS ANY HELP OR ASSISTANCE THAT I CAN RECEIVE FORM FORD, I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WILL HONOR ANY PRICE ASSISTANCE GIVEN TO ME BY ANY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION, I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM WHAT NATIONAL HAD TOLD ME, THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION FOR $2200 OUT OF THE DOOR, LATER THAT DAY THAT NUMBER WAS REDUCED TO $1900, I TOLD AAMCO TO PLEASE MOVE MY VEHICLE TO THE DESIGNATED FORD DEALERSHIP, AFTER ABOUT 5 DAYS I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THAT THE VEHICLE IS FINISHED AND WAS TEST DRIVEN AND EVERYTHING WAS OK,, THEN IT WAS TEST DRIVEN AGAIN LATER THAT DAY AND A PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED AND NOW THE VALVE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF AN ADDITIONAL $400.00. I GOT MY VEHICLE BACK THEN AFTER ABOUT 10 DAYS I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AGAIN AND THERE WAS LEAK SPOTS ON MY DRIVE

O/D LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING, LATER ABS LIGHT ON. AAMCO SAID TRANNY WAS GOING OUT...PROBABLY TORQUE CONVERTER BUT COULD BE SEAL. RECOMMENDED JUNK YARD TRANNY. HE SAID THAT FORD HAD ALL KIND OF TROUBLE WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. *TR

PLASTIC BODY PART BELOW REAR WINDOW GLASS CRACKED. *TR

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HEATING SYSTEM STARTED MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN I TURNED IT ON, THEN I FOUND THAT IF I TURNED IT TO COOL SIDE THE CLICKING STOPPED, NOW THERE IS NOT HEAT AT ALL ONLY COLD AIR. I AM TOLD BY A FORD MECHANIC THAT IT IS A BROKEN BLEND DOOR, AN EXTREMELY COMMON & COSTLY REPAIR SINCE THE BLEND DOOR IS IN A RIDICULOUS SPOT BEHIND THE DASHBOARD THAT TAKES 6-8 HOURS OF REPAIR TO REMOVE & REPLACE THE $20 PART. I FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORD OWNERS DATING BACK TO THE 1993 FORD RANGER MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM...WHY IS THIS NOT FORCED TO BE A RECALL FOR FORD TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM? THE PIN THAT BREAKS ON THE BLEND DOOR IS PLASTIC, ANY NIMROD KNOWS HEAT AND COLD WILL CAUSE PLASTIC TO BECOME BRITTLE AND BREAK, THUS YOU WOULD THINK THAT MAKING THE PIN METAL WOULD HAVE BEEN A SOLUTION YEARS AGO, IT IS ONLY A 3-4 INCH PIN...NOT THAT EXPENSIVE TO FIX BUT SURE IS COSTLY TO FIX THIS NUTTY ERROR FOR FORD. *TR

2003 FORD EXPLORER PAINT PEELING. *TR

I HAVE A FORD EXPLORER 2003 WITH 93000 MILES AND THE O/D LIGHT AS WELL AS THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS ON. FROM MY RESEARCH IT SEEMS THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS ON THE CAR MENTIONED. *TR

THE BACK LIFTGATE PANEL IS CRACKED ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. I LIVE IN COLORADO AND THE LOCAL FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT WAS LIKELY DUE TO OUR DRY WEATHER, THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF IT OCCURRING IN OTHER STATES. I TRAVEL BEYOND COLORADO FREQUENTLY AND HAVE SEEN SEVERAL OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SOUNDS LIKE A MANUFACTURER/FORD DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UNDER A RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE DOORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND WOULD NOT DIM. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WERE NO DEFECTS. THE FAILURE PERSISTED OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. THE CONTACT ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO REMAIN PARKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AGAIN; HOWEVER, IT BEGAN TO STALL SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT RIGHT OFF THE LOT BRAND NEW. WITHIN MONTHS I NOTICED A SMALL WET SPOT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER MY FIRST OIL CHANGE I MENTIONED IT TO WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND THE TOLD ME THAT MY DIFFERENTLY IS LOW BUT NOT LEAKING. THEN I ASKED WHAT ABOUT THE WET SPOT ON THE GROUND. WITH 7 MONTHS FROM THAT A HUGE PUDDLE FROM THE REAR OF MY CAR ON VACATION WITH THE VEHICLE AND DROP IT AT A FORD DEALER IT'S MY REAR DIFFERENTLY SEALS. FIXED THAT PAID FOR IT BECAUSE THEY SAY WHERE AND TEAR. ABOUT 1 YEAR LATER SAME THING GET IT FIXED ABOUT 1 YEAR AND HALF SAME THING AND CONTINUE TO FIX IT. TALK TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY THEY SAY IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT WHEN I STARTED CALLING THEM IN 2004 IT WAS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD AND I PAID FOR THE PIECE TO BE REPAIRED. TODAY MY VEHICLE IS BACK IN THE SHOP FOR A FOURTH TIME SAME EXACT PROBLEM ALTHOUGH NOW THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THE AXLE IS FROZEN IN THERE AND THEY NEED TO BREAK IT BEFORE FIXING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN RECALLED. SEEKING HELP FOR THIS LEMON!!!! *TR

I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER IN APRIL OF 03. WHEN WE TOOK RECEIPT OF THE VEHICLE THE DOME LIGHT WAS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND WE TOOK OVER THE VEHICLE. FROM ABOUT 6000 MILES WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING OR NOT STARTING IN COLD OR HUMID WEATHER. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE TO THE DEALERSHIP APPROXIMATELY 8-10 TIMES A YEAR FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS. WE HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING CONCERNS WITH THE VEHICLE; THE DOME LIGHTS HAVE BEEN OUT, THE REAR DRIVER WINDOW HAS GONE OUT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON NUMEROUS TIMES, THE LIGHT FOR THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS COME ON SEVERAL TIMES, THE POWER DOOR LOCKS HAVE FAILED OR LOCKED AND UNLOCKED WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING OR NOT STARTING IN COLD TEMPERATURES OR WHEN IT IS HUMID OR DAMP OUTSIDE. THEY HAVE REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER TWICE AND REPLACED VARIOUS SENSORS. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO PUT A FLIGHT RECORDER ON THE CAR TO TRY AND DETERMINE WHAT THE SENSORS WERE DOING AT THE TIME. ON ONE OCCASION, WHILE THE AUTO WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP, THE CAR WAS IN PARK, THE CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS. WE ARE STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR STARTING HARD OR STALLING OR NOT STARTING AND ARE FRUSTRATED THAT NOTHING SEEMS TO BE ABLE TO BE DONE FOR IT. I HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE VEHICLE HOOKED UP TO THE MACHINE AND IT IS SHOWING A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL SENSORS NOW. THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP STATED THE IGNITION COILS ARE RUSTY AND SHOULD NOT BE THIS WAY FOR THE

CHROME WHEELS ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED "CENTENNIAL" MODEL ARE CRACKED AND PITTED AT THE CENTER HUB WHERE THEY GET MOUNTED TO THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO BUY NEW TIRES RECENTLY, BUT THE TIRE DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL NEW TIRES ON THESE WHEELS. THEY SAY THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT THE WHEELS NEED TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID THE WHEELS COULD FAIL AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED ONE OF THESE WHEELS BACK IN 2006, BUT NOW 2 MORE OF THEM ARE CRACKED. THESE ARE TOP-OF-THE-LINE CHROME WHEELS AND SELL FOR MORE THAN $400 EACH. *TR

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN JULY, 2008 AND MECHANIC AT COUNTRY FORD NOTED NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING ON VACATION IN OCT. 2008, I NOTICED NOISE IN REAR WHICH WAS NOTICEABLE AT 35-40 MPH AND GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO COUNTRY FORD AND THEY FOUND THE REAR CARRIER BEARINGS WORN AND HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. COST WAS $1132. VEHICLE NOT UNDER WARRANTY (52,000 MILES). VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AS PER FORD GUIDELINES AT COUNTRY FORD SERVICE, LEVITTOWN, NY. *TR

RE: FORD MOTOR COMPANY FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS ILLEGALLY CHARGING CUSTOMERS FOR COMPUTER ENGINE UPDATES. IN JULY OF 2008 MY SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER 2003. . I WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT BUERGE FORD THAT MY ENGINE CODES HAD TO BE UPDATED PER FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THEY UPDATED THE ENGINE CODES IN 15 MINUTES AND CHARGED ME $128.00 DOLLARS FOR UPDATING FORDS NEW ENGINE COMPUTER CODES. THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS THAT IF THE ENGINE CODES ON MY FORD EXPLORER XLT 2003 NEEDED TO BE UPDATED TO FORDS NEW ENGINE CODES A RECALL SHOULD BE IMPLEMENTED, OR THE CHARGE SHOULDN'T BE PASS ON TO THE CONSUMER. A RECALL WAS NEVER DONE, AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS BEEN ILLEGALLY PASSING ON THIS CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER FOR YEARS, WITHOUT A RECALL NOTICE. NOTHING WAS AT FAULT AT MY END. I HAVE A COPY OF MY BILL FOR YOUR RECORDS ON THIS ILLEGAL CHARGE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR NOT IMPLEMENTING A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR SUV'S, CAR'S AND TRUCKS. SINCERELY. JEFFREY ROTH *TR