2003 Ford Explorer complaints

THE PANEL BELOW THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2003 EXPLORER HAS CRACKED/BROKEN INTO PIECES. THE 6-8 INCH BREAK RUNS TO THE RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN 2002-2003 EXPLORERS WHICH FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *JB

REAR HATCHBACK WAS TAKEN TO FORD FOR A RECALL REGARDING THE HATCHBACK HINGES. THE STRESS OF THE FAILED HINGES HAS CAUSED CRACKS TO DEVELOP BELOW THE REAR WINDOW IN THE FACIA, IT IS CRACKING. *JB

TL* -THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH AN ODOMETER READING 58000 MILES AND THE FRONT DEFROSTER DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH HE HEARD SOUND COMING FROM DASHBOARD, THEN THE DEFROSTER FAILED TO BLOW HOT AIR. PRESENTLY, ONLY COLD AIR BLEW OUT FROM THE DEFROST. THE CONTACT TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. ALSO, HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT FIXED BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME.*AK UPDATED *JB

REAR AXLE NOISE. STARTED AT ABOUT 34,000 MILES BUT I DID NOT BRING TO FORD UNTIL JUST AFTER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. FORD WOULD DO NOTHING AND SAID REPAIR WAS ABOUT $2,000. AT 42,000 NOW AND NOISE IS GETTING WORSE. *JB

JUST NOTICED A LARGE CRACK IN PANEL UNDERNEATH REAR WINDOW OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT. THE CRACK JUST APPEARED WITHOUT ANY REASON. DEALER REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT. WE HAVE NOT REPAIRED YET BECAUSE WE ARE SEEKING DEALER REIMBURSEMENT. THERE ARE A HUGE NUMBER OF CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM IN 2002 AND 2003 EXPLORERS. ONE WEBSITE THAT LISTS MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM IS AUTOBEEF.COM. DEALER ESTIMATE WAS $648. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THIS COMPLAINT AND INFORM US ON HOW TO PROCEED. *JB

2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS HUMMING COMING FROM THE BACK WHEELS. THERE IS A SQUEEK AND GRINDING COMING FROM THE FRONT AXEL.

WHILE CRUISING UPHILL ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO MAINTAIN SPEED. AFTER CRESTING THE HILL, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO OVERDRIVE AND THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT 1-2 UNTIL APPROXIMATELY 4500 RPM AND THEN WOULD DO SO VERY HARSHLY. WHEN ACCELERATING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND DOES NOT PROVIDE FULL ACCELERATION. ACCORDING TO MY LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP THE REPAIR WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $3000 AND REQUIRE AN ALL NEW TRANSMISSION. *NM

EXCESSIVE NOISE FORM REAR DRIVETRAIN. *JB

2003 FORD EXPLORER'S DRIVER'S SEAT SHIFTED WHEN THE CONSUMER ACCELERATED OR DECELERATED QUICKLY. *TS THE SEAT WAS REPAIRED ONCE ALREADY. A LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THE SEAT RECENTLY BUT INDICATED THAT THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THE REPAIR. *NM

WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER IT STARTED TO SHAKE CAUSING LOSE OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL THE CAME OFF BECAUSE THE LUGS HAD UNSCREWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL HAD BLOWN APART FROM THE INSIDE OUT. IT APPEARED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY UNEVEN TIRES AND THE 4X4 ENGAGING AND DISENGAGING ON ITS OWN. *TS *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN THE CONTACT STOPPED TO INSPECT THE PROBLEM, LEAKING TRANSMISSION WAS NOTICED. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHERE A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILURE TO THE ONBOARD COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

REAR LIFTGATE BODY PANEL BELOW GLASS WINDOW DEVELOPED A CRACK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM TODAY AFTER CLOSING THE LIFTGATE. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS NOT COVERED AND THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT SINCE THIS PANEL IS BROKEN BUT NOT THE GLASS IN THE LIFTGATE. *JB

THE LIFT GATE TRIM PIECE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE 4TH TIME NOT INCLUDING LIFT GATE RECALL WHICH WOULD BE THE 5TH REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY LOCAL DEALER THAT THIS IS "DESIGN FLAW" AND FORD HAS YET INFORMED THEM HOW TO CORRECTLY REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *JB

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 HAS DEVELOPED A SEVERE BINDING, SHUDDER SENSATION IN THE REAR AXEL DURING LOW SPEED TURNING MANEUVERS. IT ALSO HAS A WHINING SOUND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, TYPICALLY 55 - 70 MPH). THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 34,000 MILES ON IT AND THE DEALER WANTS TO REBUILD THE REAR AXLE/DIFFERENTIAL - AT MY EXPENSE SINCE THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY TIME LIMIT IS UP. IF LET GO, THE FORD DEALER INDICATES THE REAR AXLE COULD 'BLOW UP' (THEIR WORDS), RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF DRIVE TO THE REAR WHEEL. I HAVE DISCOVERED AT LEAST SIX (6) TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED BY FORD ON THIS PROBLEM! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A BAD DESIGN AND LATENT DEFECT WHICH CAN EFFECT THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. *JB

MY 2003 XLT EXPLORER HAS A FIBERGLASS PANEL BELOW THE WINDOW ON THE TAIL GATE. WE PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM A FORD DEALER IN AUGUST AND WITH IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS A CRACK APPEARED FROM THE WINDOW TO THE TOP OF THE FORD EMBLEM. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN MANY EXPLORERS AND FORD IS AWARE OF IT BUT THEY DO NOT OFFER ANY SAVINGS OR WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR REPAIR. IF THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT, THAN WHAT IS FORD DOING TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE? *NM

2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER. 50 TO 60 MPH REAR AXLE WHINE STARTED AT 6000 MILES, AT 12,000 MILES DEALER INSPECTED AND SAID THE REAR AXLE ASSY WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND REPLACED THE ASSY. WHINE RETURNED AND DEALER REPLACED THE ASSY AGAIN AT 24,000 MILES. WHINE HAS RETURNED AND I AM CONSIDERING GOING TO INDEPENDENT SHOP TO REPAIR SINCE BEYOND 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD CAN'T FIX THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. *NM

I HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT. MY OVER DRIVE LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. I HAVE JUST SEEN ONLINE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AND FORD IS NOT RECALLING OR DOING ANYTHING TO HELP WITH REPAIRS. I THINK THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. I ALSO GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT IN MAY OF 2006 WITH MY 2002 EXPLORER AND IT WAS TOTALED. I FLIPPED IN THE VEHICLE TWICE AND NOT ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. *JB

ON 11/07/06 WAS IN HEAD ON COLLISION WITH 4 INCH STEEL POST, AIR BAG ON 2003 FORD EXPLORER DID NOT DEPLOY. WOULD LIKE TO SEND PHOTOS. *NM

HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER 2WD THAT WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. STARTED HAVING TRANSMISSION CONCERNS IN EARLY 2005, VEHICLES JUST OVER A YEAR OLD. AFTER TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES IN A YEAR, WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T VERIFY THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, IN MARCH 2005 WAS TOLD THEY HAD TO TEAR TRANSMISSION DOWN AND REPLACE THE CLUTCH PACK, ON TESTING TRANSMISSION, LINE PRESSURE WAS LOW. AFTER WORK PERFORMED, TOOK BACK AGAIN, WAS HAVING SAME CONCERN, AGAIN TOLD COULDN'T VERIFY PROBLEM. HAD TRANSMISSION SERVICED, AFTER TELLING THEM I WAS EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM, THEY SERVICED TRANSMISSION AND SAID ALL WAS FINE. IN OCTOBER OF 2006, WAS HEADING OUT OF TOWN ON A TWO LANE ROAD, WHEN I WENT TO PASS A BIG RIG ON HIGHWAY 113, JUST OUTSIDE OF WOODLAND, AS I GOT AROUND BIG RIG, AND ACCELERATED, THE CAR WOULDN'T GO INTO 3RD GEAR, THE RPMS KEPT RACING AND FALLING, RACING AND FALLING. I HAD PLENTY OF ROOM TO PASS THIS TRUCK, OR SO I THOUGHT, UNTIL THE CAR DID WHAT IT DID. I WAS NEARLY HIT HEAD ON BY AN ONCOMING CAR BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET AROUND THE TRUCK, DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO A HIGHER GEAR. WE GOT TO WOODLAND AND IMMEDIATELY WENT TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SERVICEABLE, AND THAT WE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALLED. UPON RETURNING HOME, AND DOING SOME RESEARCH, HAVE DISCOVERED THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE HAD EXACT SAME FAILURE OF THEIR TRANSMISSIONS. CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO., AND HAVE HAD

THE VEHICLE'S PAINT IS BUBBLY/BLISTERING ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GERMAN FORD DEALERSHIP WHO NOTED THE CORROSION, TOOK PICTURES, AND INITIATED A REPORT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. AT THIS TIME THE DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE'S 36/36,000 WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED, AND IS AWAITING A FORMAL RESPONSE FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH OR FIRE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SHIFTING TO ANY GEAR AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE OIL NEEDED TO BE CHANGED EVERY MONTH.

I OWN A 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT, AND YESTERDAY I NOTICED THAT THE BACK PANEL BELOW THE BACK GLASS, HAS A 1/4 CRACK ALL THE WAY DOWN IT! IT IS LOCATED A INCH OR TWO RIGHT OF THE FORD EMBLEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME TO BRING IT IN FOR AN ESTIMATE, SINCE I HAVE 59,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, IT ISN'T COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. WELL, ON THE FORD WEBSITE UNDER MY WARRANTY INFORMATION IT STATES THAT CORROSION AND DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE COVERED FOR 5 YEARS REGARDLESS OF MILES DRIVEN. WELL WHAT DOES THIS FALL UNDER? I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF OTHER MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, THAT I AM NOT GOING TO PUT MORE MONEY IN IT FOR THIS. FORD NEEDS TO COVER IT, OR START SOME TYPE OF INVESTIGATION FOR A RECALL. *JB

FORD EXPLORER- 2003 LOCATION REAR HATCH OR DOOR. PANEL BELOW WINDOW WHERE FORD EMBLEM APPEARS. PLASTIC BODY PART SPLITS FOR NO APPARENT REASON. HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER EXPLORERS. DEALER SAYS IT IS CAUSED BY REAR WIPER MOTOR BEING HOUSED BEHIND CRACK. DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR, THOUGH THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT, WITHOUT CHARGING CUSTOMER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DEDUCTIBLE. *NM

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD EXPLORER THE END OF APRIL 2006 AT TIME OF PURCHASE ABS LIGHT WAS ON- DEALER FIXED PROBLEM WITHIN FIRST 1 1/2 WEEKS OF PURCHASE AFTER ORDERING A PART. NOW 6 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE THE CHECK ENGINE AND O/D LIGHT COME ON UNEXPECTANTLY. WITHIN 1 WEEK OF LIGHTS COMING ON CAR STOPS ON ME UNEXPECTANTLY. WHEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP FOR I AM TOLD I NEED A NEW ALTERNATOR AND A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AS THE SUV SLIPS OUT OF 2ND AND 5TH GEARS. I DIDN'T PURCHASE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THINKING IT WAS STILL UNDER ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND JUST PURCHASED. I FELT THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE OVERHAULED THE VEHICLE AND MADE SURE EVERYTHING WAS WORKING UP TO PAR. I NOW HAVE A REPAIR BILL OF ALMOST $2000 AND DON'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.

2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO LURCH AND SLIP UNEXPECTEDLY. FEARFUL OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION MIGHT LOCK UP. FORD IS AWARE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2002 AND LATER MODELS. *NM

WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS ON AN INCLINE, I PROCEEDED TO START THE CAR AND SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BROKE OFF INTO MY HAND. I WAS FORTUNATE BECAUSE I WAS NOT ON THE ROAD OR HIGHWAY, NOR DID I BACK OVER A CHILD, CAT OR DOG, ETC. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF I WERE ON TRAIN TRACKS AND THE TRAIN WAS COMING AND I COULDN'T GET OUT OF GEAR, OR TRY TO PARK ON A HILL IN SAN FRANCISCO, OR DOWNSHIFT TO MAKE IT UP A MOUNTAIN GRADE. TOWED VEHICLE TO TUTTLE CLICK FORD. RECEIVED QUOTE FROM THEM AS WELL AS SANTA MARGARITA FORD. (OVER $600 DIFFERENCE. QUOTE WAS DOUBLED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TUTTLE CLICK VS OVER THE PHONE QUOTE!) CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO AUTOMOTIVE PLUS WHERE A RELIABLE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN, AS FORD RECOMMENDED. ALSO, A RENTAL CAR WAS NEEDED, AND THERE WAS A "DIAGNOSTIC" CHARGE OF $50. I SAVED THE OLD PART FOR INSPECTION/LEGAL ACTION. *NM

HAVE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER EDITION. AT 13,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. HAD TO TOW MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THEIR INITIAL ASSESSMENT WAS THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN DUE TO A "FACTORY DEFAULT". THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE MY ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. AFTER 3 WEEKS, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM, MADE NO REPAIRS AND DID NOT REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM MYSTERIOUSLY FIXED ITSELF. NOW AT 28,000 MILES, MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING EVERYTIME INTO 3RD GEAR, SOMETIMES JUST REVVING INSTEAD OF GOING AND THEN JERKING VERY HARD INTO GEAR. FORD DEALERSHIP STATES THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME COMPLAINT ABOUT FORD EXPLORERS AFTER 2002 AND TRANSMISSIONS GOING OUT TOO EARLY. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND RECALL THOSE PARTS. IT FEELS AS IF THEY ARE BLOWING ME OFF UNTIL MY WARRANTY EXPIRES SO THEY WON'T HAVE TO FIX MY CAR. I AM SCARED DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY THAT I WILL GET REAR ENDED EVERY TIME MY TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND GOES INTO NEUTRAL. I HAVE HAD A FEW CLOSE CALLS. I AM GOING BACK ON MONDAY, STILL TRYING TO GET THEM TO FIX MY CAR... *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN A DRIVEWAY UNLOADING THE VEHICLE, THE REAR GATE HINGES FRACTURED AND THE GLASS DROPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND INFORMED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN BECAUSE THE HINGES HELD THE GLASS AND THE INCIDENT COULD HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING AFFECTING OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.

THE SEAT BELT IS CUTTING THROUGH THE PLASTIC ON THE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT WHERE THE BELT COMES OUT OF THE HOLE, WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD WEAR OUT THE BELT AND CAUSE IT BREAK IN AN ACCIDENT. *NM

ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS THE GATE LIFT OF MY EXPLORER OPENED ON IT'S OWN. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS QUITE NEW. I REPORTED IT TO FORD AND THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY SAID THAT UNLESS IT MALFUNCTIONED WHILE THEY WERE IN POSSESSION OF IT, THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I NOW TIE DOWN THE GATE WHEN CARRYING PRECIOUS CARGO, MY DOGS. *JB

I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER NEW, EVER SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE, I BELIEVE THE FIRST 6 MONTHS IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS. ISSUES WITH WINDOWS, PAINT BUBBLING AFTER HAVING THE PROTECTIVE COAT PUT ON IT. THERE HAVE BEEN FAR TO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE TO EVEN RECALL. I TRIED ONCE TO GET IT REPLACED UNDER THE LEMON LAW AND WAS TOLD IT DID NOT QUALIFY. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 39,000 MILES ON IT AND ALREADY HAS HAD 2 RACK AND PINIONS REPLACED. WHEN I ASKED FORD IF THERE WAS A RECALL THEY SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT, WHEN I SAID HOW CAN A 36,000 MILE VEHICLE ALREADY NEED 3 RACK IN PINIONS THERE RESPONSE WAS WELL ITS ACTUALLY ONLY TWO, I SAID NO IT ORIGINALLY HAD A RACK IN PINION WHEN I PURCHASED IT SO IT IS ON ITS 3RD. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE ELECTRICAL REPAIRED IN THE REAR WINDOW AS WELL AND NOW IT HAS STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. WHEN I CALLED TO SET UP AN APPT. WAS TOLD I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME, THEY TOLD ME KNOW BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HONOR MY WARRANTY BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A FORD WARRANTY. I CALL THE SHOP BACK COMPLAINING WHY WAS I SENT THERE, THEY SAID BECAUSE IT WAS THE ORIGINAL SHOP AND THEY SHOULD HAVE SERVICED IT. THIS IS THE PROBLEM, YOU TAKE THE VEHICLE IN WITH PROBLEMS NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT AND WHEN THEY DO THEY FIX IT AND IT BREAKS AGAIN. SO AT THIS POINT MY REAR WINDOW DOES NOT OPEN, I AM ON MY 3RD RACK IN PINION, HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE GAUGES NOT WORKING AND SO ON AND SO ON. THIS IS THE WORST VEHI

FORD HAS DEFECTIVE HUB ASSEMBLIES ON THE 2003 EXPLORERS. LEADING UP TO THE DEFECTIVE HUBS GOING OUT, THERE IS A VERY LOUD ROARING NOISE COMING FROM WHAT EVER WHEEL THE BEARING IS GOING OUT ON. NO ACCIDENT WAS INVOLVED BUT IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WAITING TO HAPPEN. WHEELS DO COME OFF OF VEHICLES WHEN THE BEARINGS GO BAD. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THEY HAVE. I REPLACED BOTH FRONT HUBS 9-15-05 WITH 41,000 MILES ON THEM. HAVE JUST HAD TO REPLACE THE LEFT FRONT HUB AGAIN THIS WEEK WITH UNFORTUNATELY 15,000 MILES ON IT WHICH THEY ONLY WARRANT IT TO 12,000 MILES. I HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM AT A BIG EXPENSE TO ME. AT THIS TIME, I JUST CRINGE WAITING TO HEAR ANOTHER ONE START ROARING AND GOING OUT. I DO HAVE ALL THREE WHEEL HUBS THAT THE BEARING HAS GONE OUT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING HEAVY BRAKING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKES VIBRATED. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE ABS SENSOR 7 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL DOES WORK. FAILURE OF BLEND DOOR OR EVAPORATOR ASSEMBLY HEAT DOES NOT WORK AND WINDSHIELD DEFROST DOES BLOW WARM AIR. BLEND DOOR MOTOR OR PLENUM BOX IS AT FAULT.*JB

THE PANEL DIRECTLY BELOW THE REAR WINDOW IN MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS DEVELOPED LARGE CRACKS IN IT. AFTER TALKING TO THE DEALER, IT WAS VERY EVIDENT THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT AS THEY SAID THEY SEE A MINIMUM OF 10 PER YEAR AND THAT FORD WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS IT IS UNDER WARRANTY. MY VEHICLE HAS 68,000,MILES ON IT. I ALSO HAVE SEEN THIS DEFECT LISTED MULTIPLE TIMES IN AUTOMOBILE DEFECT WEBSITES SUCH AS WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. *NM

THE REAR PANEL BELOW MY WINDOW ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER CRACKED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I WENT SNOW SKING AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS SCENARIO IS COMMON. THE PANEL GETS MOISTURE BEHIND IT AND FREEZES, THEN CRACKS. I HAVE A FORD MANUFACTURER WARRANTY, AND I AM STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE, AND CONTACTED THE LOCAL MEDIA, WHO SUGGESTED YOUR WEBSITE. NO ONE IS WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM, AND ONE DAY IT WILL FALL OFF WHILE I AM IN TRAFFIC. CURRENTLY I HAVE NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM. I ADVISED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE THAT I WOULD NEVER FIX THE PROBLEM. I WOULD KEEP IT THERE AS A CONSTANT REMINDER OF THEIR COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE. CHECK OUT THE INTERNET (AUTOBEEF.COM) LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER 4.0L V6 THE ENGINE STOPS RUNNING WITH NO WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES RANDOMLY. TWO TIMES WERE ON A HIGHWAY COASTING TO A TOLL BOOTH. EACH OF THOSE TIMES I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE THIRD TIME WAS ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. *NM

REF FORD TSB 05416 FEB 06 - FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IN 2003 EXPLORER BEGINS TO MAKE NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING, SLOWING OR GOING OVER BUMPS. DEALER HEARS PROBLEM, NO PARTS AVAILABLE, AGREE TO RETURN WHEN PARTS RECEIVED. MAR 06 - PARTS RECEIVED (RETAINER CLIPS) AND REPAIRS MADE PER TSB 05416 AUG 06 - SAME PROBLEM AGAIN, DEALER RECOMMENDS REPLACING SEAT TRACK FRAME. WILL NOT COVER UNDER TSB AND CLAIMS "BUMPER-TO-BUMPER" EXTENDED WARRANTY ALSO WILL NOT COVER. NOW IN CAT AND MOUSE GAME WITH FORD REGARDING THIS OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT IS POSSIBLY SAFETY RELATED AS WELL. *JB

2003 FORD EXPLORER 63,000 MILES OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING 2 DAYS AGO. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP THEY RAN A CHECK ON IT AND THE CODE CAME UP: PO741-TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID INTER/MECHANICAL FAILURE. I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SOLENOID PACK AND THAT IT WOULD BE 218.00 PLUS LABOR. WENT TO PICK IT UP 3 HOURS LATER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT NEW AND SHOULD NOT NEED A TRANSMISSION REPLACED! *NM

LESS THAN 2 YRS AFTER PURCHASE OF A NEW 2003 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BOWER 4X4 V8 FROM A DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED GRINDING AND SLIPPING. DEALER SERVICE RECORDS DOCUMENTED MY CONCERNS AND THEIR INABILITY/UNWILLINGNESS TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE LACK OF A "SERVICE WARNING" LIGHT. SUBSEQUENT VISITS WITH THE SAME ISSUE BROUGHT SIMILAR RESULTS FROM THE DEALER. WARRANTY EXPIRED LESS THAN ONE YEAR BEFORE I FINALLY GOT A WARNING LIGHT AND THE NEWS FROM MY DEALER WAS THAT IT MEANT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR JUST UNDER $6500. WITH ABSOLUTELY NO HELP FROM ANY LEVEL OF FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR JUST OVER $3000 - OBVIOUSLY NOT BY FORD. *NM

4 ITEMS 1 - HAVE OWNED THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER FOR 7 MONTHS. WHILE TEST DRIVING, I NOTICED A HUM NOISE COMING FROM REAR TIRES. WAS TOLD IT WAS TREAD NOISE. WE TOOK IT FOR OIL CHANGE AT VERY WELL RESPECTED NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE SHOP. I WAS INFORMED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY THAT IS WAS CRITICALLY BROKEN. WAITING TO CONTACT LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR RESOLUTION BASED ON TSB RESEARCH I HAVE DONE. 2 - WHINING NOISE FROM AIR CONDITIONER WHEN ACCELERATING. DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. SAW THIS ALSO ON TSB. CONTACTING LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. 3 - ABS LIGHT RANDOMLY COMES ON. DON'T KNOW WHY AND NO PATTERN TO WHEN. CONTACTING LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. 4 - CRUISE CONTROL NOT WORKING. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THIS WEEKEND, USING CRUISE CONTROL. STOPPED QUICKLY FOR A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I STARTED GOING AGAIN, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULDN'T WORK AND HASN'T WORKED SINCE THEN. I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKES. I NOTICED FORD RECALLED SOME CRUISE CONTROL MECHANISMS IN OTHER VEHICLES BUT NOT IN THE 2003 EXPLORER. *JB

AFTER OPENING THE HATCHBACK TO PUT GROCERIES INSIDE, THE WINDOW FELL. AFTER INSPECTING IT, IT TURNS OUT THE HINGE ON HATCHBACK BROKE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL. IT HIT MY LEFT ARM AND FOREARM CAUSING SEVERE BRUISING, OTHER THAN THAT NOBODY ELSE WAS HURT AND THE WINDOW DID NOT FALL OFF COMPLETELY. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ASKED TO DROP IT OFF FOR INSPECTION. WAS EVENTUALLY FIXED. BUT I CAN'T HELP TO WONDER IF IT WILL HAPPENED AGAIN AND IF THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE WORSE. *JB

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER WITH 94,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN 2000 MILES THE REAR END BEGAN HOWLING SO MUCH THAT MY FIANCE IS AFRAID TO RIDE IN THE VEHICLE AS THE THINKS SOMETHING IS READY TO BREAK. I READ SOME FORUM POSTS TO LEARN THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2001-2004 EXPLORER. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS CLEARLY A MECHANICAL FAILURE THAT WILL LEAVE A FAMILY STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *NM

AT 58,000 MILES, BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR AXLE SEALS DEVELOPED SUBSTANTIAL LEAKAGE NECESSITATING IMMEDIATE REPAIR. FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT MADE NO MENTION THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND REQUIRED FULL PAYMENT BY ME FOR COST OF REPLACEMENT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT ON THE EDGES OF THE VEHICLE FRONT HOOD WAS BUBBLED AND PEELED. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED IT WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REQUESTED THE VEHICLE OWNER TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON THE PAINT ISSUE FROM THE SERVICE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING FOR THE REPORT FROM THE SERVICE DEALER

DT:* THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHUTTERED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 35MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. A NEW FUEL FILTER WAS INSTALLED BY THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.

CONSISTENT REAR AXLE WHINE FROM 45-65 MILES PER HOUR HIGHWAY DRIVING, DEALER, RAMP FORD IN PORT JEFFERSON, NY REPLACED REAR END THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, AND FINALLY STATED THAT ALL EXPLORERS MAKE THE SAME NOISE. THEY COULD NOT GIVE ME ANY INDICATION WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I DEFINITELY GET THE FEELING THAT THEY WISH I WOULD JUST GO AWAY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS TSB'S ON THIS ISSUE AND I CAN NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL ON THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT. *NM

THE CONSUMER'S 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAD A ROCK CHIP THE WINDSHIELD. A CRACK DEVELOPED FROM THE CHIP. *KB THE CRACK RAN THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE WINDSHIELD ARE POORLY MANUFACTURED. *NM

2003 FORD EXPLORER REAR AXLE FAILURE AT 66,266 MILES. REAR END WAS GRINDING WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP AND DURING A LEFT TURN. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE COMPLETE INTERIOR PARTS OF THE AXLE ASSEMBLY. REPLACED RING AND PINION GEARS, REPLACED BEARINGS DUE TO PITTING, REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL CLUTCH PACK. *JB

THE REAR SEAT (CUSHION PORTION) WAS DISLODGED AND THREW THE PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT WITH A SEAT BELT ON UP AGAINST THE BACK OF THE FRONT SEAT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WITH SUDDEN STOPS. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT SEVERAL TIMES AND CAN FIND NO WAY TO ANCHOR THAT PORTION OF THE SEAT IN. *JB