2003 Ford Explorer complaints

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MILES PER HOUR ON A STRAIGHT ROAD IN EXCELLENT CONDITION THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO BRAKING OR ACCELERATING OCCURING AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. THIS WAS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. 4 OCCUPANTS WERE PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE INCLUDING 2 TODDLERS. *AK

2003 FORD EXPLORER...DURING YIELD TO TURN LEFT AND THEN MAKING LEFT TURN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AS IF SOMEONE HAD PULLED KEY OUT OF IGNITION CAUSING VEHICLE TO STEER LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS MOVING BETWEEN 5-15 MPH AT TIME OF FAILURE. TURNING OFF VEHICLE AND RESTARTING WE FOUND THAT STEERING AGAIN RELEASED AND WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE HOME. I TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER NEXT DAY AND THEY SAID THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE CONCERN" OF COURSE IT HAPPENED FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 27,000 MILES,,,VERY UNLIKELY TO GET IT TO HAPPEN THE DAY THEY LOOK AT IT. THEY DID HOWEVER REPLACE THE COMPLETE STEERING COLUMN TO REMEDY AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM WHERE THE SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD POP INTO DRIVE(AFTER ACCELLERATING)EVEN THOUGH IT INDICATED THE SELECTOR WAS IN DRIVE ALREADY. I NEED IMMEDIATE REMEDY TO THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE SINCE CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY HOPING FOR HELP. CONSEQUENTLY NOT RELATED TO THE STEERING LOCKING PROBLEM THE REAR WINDOW ON THE LEFT REAR HAS HAD 3 REPAIR ATTEMPTS TO FIX A INTERMITT INOP PROBLEM,,,AND THE BLOWER MOTOR WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT MAKES NOISE...I HAVE 4 FORDS IN MY FAMILY(F150 AND F250) THAT WE HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH HOWEVER WE HAVE NOW LOST COMPLETE CONFIDENCE IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE...SEEMS THE DEALER JUST DOESNT KNOW OR WANT TO DO ANYTHING ADDITIONAL!*AK

VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE IT, ITS STALLS AS A RESULT OF THE LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER, AND CRUISE CONTROL WIRES. THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME.*AK

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE/DRIVESHAFT. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. *MR THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING ON IT'S OWN. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER CRASHED INTO THE BORDER WALL, SPUN AROUND, AND STOPPED ON THE OTHER SIDE. *SC *JB

THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *LA THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE ANTI THEFT LIGHT HAD COME ON ALONG WITH THE RPM'S GOING UP. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VALVE BOOT AND THE SOLENOID WAS REPLACED. SOON AFTER, THE VEHICLE DIED AGAIN TWICE AFTER TWO REPAIR ATTEMPTS. *SC *JB

WHILE OPENING THE TAILGATE WINDOW, THE RIGHT AND LEFT HINGES BROKE. *AK PE04045.PCO THE BACK WINDOW WAS HANGING BY THE PISTONS. WHEN POPPING UP THE WINDOW USING THE BUTTON IT DID NOT GO UP AUTOMATICALLY. THE TAILGATE WINDOW DOES NOT SHUT PROPERLY.*MR *JB

PURCHASED A 2003 FORD EXPLORER 4X4 JANUARY 2004, AROUND 10K MILES NOTICED A SHUDDER/SLIPPING IN TRANSMISSION UNDER HARD EXCELLERATION. I BROUGHT VEHICLE TO PULLIAM FORD IN COLA. SC TO HAVE TRANSMISSION AND WHINING REAR END REPAIRED. WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE WRITER, HE INFORMED ME THAT THE TECHNICIAN SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE TRANSMISSION VIBRATION, AND THAT THE WHINE WAS NO LOUDER THAN OTHER EXPLORERS, EVEN THOUGH THEY DID ACKNOWLEGE THAT THE EXPLORER DID HAVE A REAR END PROBLEM. I AM NOT SATISFIED AND WOULD LIKE TO GET MY 32K WORTH OUT OF THIS VEHICLE, NOT A EXCUSE FOR A POOR PRODUCT AND POOR SERVICE. *AK

U-HAUL WILL NOT RENT ANY TRAILER TO OWNERS OF FORD EXPLORER'S. U-HAUL SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PICK AND CHOOSE IT'S CUSTOMERS. IF I HAVE A SAFE AND PROPERLY EQUIPED TOW VEHICLE LIKE A 2003 FORD EXPLORER, 4 DOOR, 4X4, AUTOMATIC, 4.0 LITER WITH A HEAVY DUTY TOWING PACKAGE THEN U-HAUL SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO TELL ME I DO NOT HAVE AN APPROPRIATE TOW VECHICLE. THE REAL REASON THEY DECLINE TO RENT A TRAILER TO FORD EXPLORER OWNERS IS BECAUSE THE COMPANY LAWYERS TOLD THEM NOT TO BECAUSE "U-HAUL HAS CHOSEN NOT TO RENT BEHIND THIS TOW VEHICLE BASED ON OUR HISTORY OF EXCESSIVE COSTS IN DEFENDING LAWSUITS INVOLVING FORD EXPLORER TOWING COMBINATIONS.*AK

2003 FORD EXPLORER...WHEN OPENING GLASS PORTION OF HATCHBACK, THE RIGHT HINGE FAILED, CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL ON MY WIFE'S HEAD, GIVING HER A CONCUSSION. AR HAS 38000 MILES AND HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. HINGE FAILURE DUE TO BOLT SHEARING OFF AT WINDOW. GOING TO GET IT LOOKED AT TOMORROW. *AK PE04045.PCO

THE REARVIEW MIRROR IN MY VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 20% OF ITS CAPACITY BLOCKED BY THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENT. *LA

VARIOUS COMPLAINTS INVOLVING THE 2003 FORD EXPLORER XLT.*MR CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT NOISE ON VEHICLE WAS COMING FROM REAR. REPAIRS AND/OR REPLACEMENTS WERE MADE ON: FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSIONS, TRANSFER CASE, AND SEALS IN THE REAR AXLE DUE TO LEAK. NOW, CONSUMER IS WAITING FOR A NEW AXLE ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO, A COOLING SYSTEM NOISE ON VEHICLE BUT DEALER COUDN'T FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. *LA

BACK (REAR) WINDOW DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. REQUIRES NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS. *LA

PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKING SYSTEM ON 2003 FORD EXPLORER.*MR WHEN MAKING EMERGENCY STOPS AND ABS INITIATED, BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY DECREASES, AND TRAVELS DOWNWARD PAST THE GAS PEDAL STOPPING CLOSE TO THE FLOOR. IN SOME CASES, CONSUMER HAS THE TENDENCY TO PRESS BOTH THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDALS DUE TO THE PROXIMITY OF THE TWO PEDALS, WHICH RESULTED CONSUMER TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE. *LA

WHILE DRIVING/IDLING HEAT WOULD BE COMING OUT OF THE AIR CONDITIONER (A/C) VENTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS PROBLEM CAUSED THIRD DEGREE BURNS TO THE CONSUMER'S RIGHT LEG. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

VEHICLE FAILURE PROBLEMS WITH 2003 FORD EXPLORER.*MR WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED IN AN INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT THE CONSUMER'S NEGLECT WAS THE CAUSED OF THE FAILURE AND IF HE REFUSED TO PURCHASE A NEW ENGINE FROM THEM THEY WOULD VOID MANUFACTURERS AND EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT HE TOOK CARE OF HIS VEHICLE PERFORMING ALL THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS PROBLEM IS RELATED TO A DEFECT IN THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. *NM

DRIVING EAST BOUND ON ROUTE 3 FROM KING GEORGE, VA TO OAK GROVE, VA AT 3AM. I HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH A DEER AT 45MPH. AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WITH THE DEER. AIRBAG LIGHT LIT AND FLASHED. SMOKE CAME FROM STEERING COLUMN. SEATBELTS FAILED TO LOCK. DOOR AJAR LIGHT WAS LIT AND FLASHING AS WELL EVEN THOUGH THE DOOR WAS CLOSED ALL THE WAY AND LOCKED. REPAIR FACILITY WASNT CAPABLE OF TROUBLESHOOTING THAT FAULT. I WAS REFERED TO PURVIS FORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. PURVIS FORD FOUND A BAD DOOR SWITCH. MOST LIKELY RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WITH THE DEER. TOOK 2 WEEKS TO GET THAT PART IN. ONLY INJURIES I INCURED WAS MY BACK. VERTABRE WAS OUT OF LINE FROM L1-L5 AND SOME VERTABRE IN THE CENTER OF MY BACK. CURRENTLY ON PAIN MEDICATION FOR BACK PAIN. GAUTIER'S AUTO BODY AND GLASS INC. REPLACED THE ENTIRE BUMPER COVER AND REPAINTED IT. THEY ALSO REPLACED DRIVER SIDE FOG LAMP, LICENSE BRACKET, BUMPER GRILL, BRACKET RETAINER, VALANCE, FOG LIGHT COVER, GRILL, AND TENSIONERS FOR RESTRAINT SYSTEM. THEY ALSO REPAIRED LIGHT RAIL AND FRONT SHEET METAL. IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THAT THEY ALSO DID AN ALIGNMENT FOR THE 2 FRONT WHEELS. MY MAIN COMPLAINT HERE IS WITH ALL THE DAMAGE DONE, THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING LIT AND FLASHING, AND THE SEAT BELTS NOT LOCKING...WHY DIDNT THE AIRBAG NOT GO OFF WHEN I WAS PROPERLY WEARING THE SEATBELT AND DRIVING AT 45MPH. IT APPEARS TO ME AND TO GAUTIER'S AUTO BODY AND GLASS INC. THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SEATBELT SYSTEM DIDNT FUNCTION PROPERLY. I PERS

TOOK MY SUV INTO MR. TIRE TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES. LEFT MR. TIRE & MY O/D LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH @ 35 MPH. TOOK SUV BACK TO MR. TIRE TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. I WASNT SURE IF THEY MIGHT HAVE CAUSE IT OR NOT. THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC ON IT & FOUND A CODE P0741 TCC. THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE JUST A SELENOID OR THE CONVERTER. EITHER WAY, ITS NOT LOCKING UP TO DO A 1:1 CONVERSION FOR OVERDRIVE TO SAVE ON GAS & PREVENT OVERHEATING OF THE TRANSMISION. THEY TOLD ME TO GO IMMEDIATELY TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. I WENT TO PURVIS FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT & THEY DID THEIR OWN DIAGNOSIS. PURVIS FORD FOUND THAT THE CONVERTER IS BAD & COMING APART. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS OVERHEATING & THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION FOR MY VEHICAL FOR THAT YEAR WAS A BAD TRANSMISSION. ALSO THEY'VE HAD CUSTOMERS W/ THIS EXACT PROBLEM W/ AS LITTLE AS 100 MILES & SOME W/ AS MUCH AS 100,000 MILES. FOR A 120K MILE "MAINTENANCE FREE" TRANSMISSION (W/ EXCEPTION OF CHANGING OUT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID) THIS SURE SEEMS TO BE AN EXPENSIVE TRANSMISSION. WHAT IS MORE INTERESTING IS THAT FORD WONT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION W/ THE ORIGINAL TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. INSTEAD THEY WANTED TO PUT A DIFFERENT ONE IN THAT HAS AN EXTERNAL COOLER & FILTER. TOTALLING $3300 NOT INCLUDING TAX. IT WAS ALSO TOLD TO ME BY PURVIS FORD'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT FORD HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ON THESE VEHICALS. 2 OTHER PEOPLE ALONE WAS IN THEIR SHOP FOR REBUILDS ON THEIR 2003 FORD EXPLORER TRANSMISSIONS. WHY DOESNT FORD VOLUNTARILY RECALL

RIGHT SIDE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WOULD JITTER AND BOTTOM OUT WHEN YOU OPEN AND CLOSE WINDOW. THIS PROBLEM WAS CONTINUOUS SINCE DAY ONE. I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS JUST OFF ITS TRACK. SO I DIDNT WORRY ABOUT IT TO MUCH AND I WAITED (WHICH IS MY FAULT AS TO WHY I HAD TO PAY FOR IT) UNTIL SOMETHING MORE WORTH WHILE GOING IN FOR CAME UP. WHEN I TOOK MY TRUCK IN TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT FROM MY DEER ACCIDENT, THEY SAID THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WAS DOING WHAT IT WAS DUE TO A BAD ELECTRIC MOTOR. I THINK FORD NEEDS TO BE MORE THOROUGH WHEN TESTING THE VEHICAL FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE. THE WINDOW WAS ONLY USED THREE TIME TO DATE. I DIDNT MIND PAYING FOR THE REPAIR AS I AM SURE FORD WOULD OF HONORED THE WARRENTY IF I WOULD OF DELT WITH IT THEN. BUT ITS JUST THE FACT OF THE MATTER THAT THEY PUT A FAULTY ELECTRIC MOTOR IN THE SUV THAT SHOULD OF BEEN CAUGHT WHEN IT CAME OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE.*AK

2003 FORD EXPLORER RECALL REGARDING THE TRAVEL ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. *MR ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS WHEN IT WAS NECESSARY TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT, THE CONSUMER HAD SIMULTANEOUSLY ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS. THIS RESULTED IN THE CONSUMER HITTING A VEHICLE THAT HAD SUDDENLY STOPPED IN TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF HIM. THE BRAKE PEDAL NEVER PASSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, INCLUDING PANIC STOPS. THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE FIXED. *SC THE CONSUMER REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER ADJUST THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP HIGHER THAN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE AS IN OLDER MODELS DUE TO ABS. *JB

THE LIFTGATE GLASS SHATTERED WHEN CONSUMER'S SON WAS CLOSING THE LIFTGATE. THE GLASS LANDED IN CONSUMER'S SON HAIR AND FACE. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN #10004078 WAS ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK THIS IS A MY2002 VEHICLE AND NOT MY2003 PER CONSUMER_081704.PCO PE04045.PCO

I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED OUT FROM A STOP SIGN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME WHILE I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. MY EXPLORER EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DURING THIS ACCIDENT NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I AM JUST BEGINING TO MAKE CONTACTS TO TRY AND GET AN EXPLAINATION AS TO WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DIGITAL PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE ARE AVAILBLE.*AK

2003 EXPOLRER - DEFECTIVE COMPUTER SENSOR MODULE FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM FOR THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. *AK

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE ROD SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULL OVER. THE DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE TIRE ROD DUE TO WORN PARTS. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE MANY TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC *JB

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

2003 FORD EXPLORER- 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY DISENGAGES. REPRODUCED BY FIRST ACCELERATING FROM 1ST OR 2ND GEAR AND BACK OFF GAS JUST BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AND ENGINE REVS UP. MUST EITHER REV ENGINE UP OVER 4K OR BACKOFF GAS ALTOGETHER TO RECOVER. FORD IS NON-RESPONSIVE TO INQUIRES. PROBLEM WEBSITES ARE FULL OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. *LA

WHILE PARKED REAR LIFTGATE GLASS EXPLODED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND WOULD ONLY STEER TO THE LEFT. THIS RESULTED IN VEHICLE GOING OVER AN EMBANKMENT. *AK

SOON AFTER PURCHASE THE EXPLORER (2WD) DEVELOPED AN AXLE WHINE FROM 55-70 MPH ON ACCELERATION. IT'S QUIET ON COAST. THE LOCAL DEALER FOUND A TSB (#16898). THEY REPLACED THE DRIVESHAFT AS SPECIFIED. THE ONLY CHANGE WAS THE RANGE OF THE WHINE, NOW 58-63MPH. BACK TO DEALER ON 1/8/04. THEY SAID A FIX WAS IN THE WORKS, CALL BACK IN 3 MONTHS. CALLED TODAY (4.21), NO FIX AND NO DATE. PS: SURE SOUNDS LIKE A BAD RING/PINION TO ME...*AK

WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HIT A GUARD RAIL HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE SPRING ON THE SECOND SET OF SEATS REPAIRED BECAUSE IT WAS EXTREMELY TIGHT. EVEN AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT THE SPRING WAS STILL TOO TIGHT/STRONG. CONSUMER WENT TO A FORD DEALER AND EXPLAINED TO HIM JUST WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT HE SHOULD CALL NHTSA AND COMPLAIN. CONSUMER PULLED THE LEVEL TO ADJUST THE SEAT, AND THE SEAT CAME DOWN WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT IT SPLIT. CONSUMER STATED THIS WAS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IF A CHILD WOULD PULLED THE LEVEL HE OR SHE WOULD CERTAINLY BE INJURED.*AK *JB

THE VEHICLE JERKED WHILE BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 4-5 TIMES. EACH TIME THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED BUT EACH TIME THE JERKING PROBLEM RETURNED. THE CONSUMER DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT THE TECHNICIAN CAN REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *NM THE VEHICLE WOULD OSCILLATE INTERMITTENTLY WHILE PULLING IN AND OUT OF A DRIVEWAY OR PARKING. THE WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WHEN THE STEERING OSCILLATED. *SC

WHILE ON ANY TYPE OF INCLINE OUR FORD EXPLORER XLT ROLLS BACK WHILE IN DRIVE. AFTER TELEPHONING FORD MOTOR COMPANY, I WAS TOLD BY ANN TO TAKE THE ISSUE UP WITH THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. SHE SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE ISSUE OF THE ROLLBACK WHILE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE ON AN INCLINE. WHEN WE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED IT, THEY SAID THEY WOULD WORK WITH US AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY. IN EARLY DECEMBER AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP MANAGER AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER, I WAS TOLD THAT THE 8 CYLINDER VEHICLE THAT I PURCHASED HAS A DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION THAN THE 6 CYLINDER. WHILE THE 6 CYLINDER EXPLORERE DOES NOT ROLL BACK ON AN INCLINE WHILE IN DRIVE, THE 8 CYLINDER MODEL DOES. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS SIMPLY THE WAY THE TRANSMISSION IS DESIGNED AND THAT CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ELIMINATE THE ROLL BACK ISSUE. WHEN I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE ON DEC. 7, 2003, TONY (SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER) TOLD ME THAT CLAUDIA WOULD BE CALLING ME WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK TO MAKE SOME TYPE OF ARRANGEMENTS WITH ME ALONG THE LINES OF AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE FACT THAT PERHAPS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD. MY MAIN CONCERN WITH THE ROLL BACK ISSUE IS THAT MY DAUGHTER IS GOING TO BE DRIVING THIS SUMMER, AND WE CANNOT ALLOW HER TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. FOR AN INEXPERIENCED, NEW DRIVER TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF TURNING INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE VEHICLE ROLL BACK WHILE ON AN INCLINE IN DRIV

PURCHASE VEHICLE ON JULY 30, 2003. REAR AXLE WHINE DURING SPEEDS BETWEEN 45 - 60 DURING ACCELERATION/ DECELLERATION DIAGNOSED ON 13 OCTOBER 2003. ADVISED THAT ENGINEERS WERE WORKING ON A FIX AND NO SERVICE WAS TO BE PERFORMED. VERY DISPLEASED AT THE ATTITUDE OF FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AND THE LACK OF SERVICE RECEIVED WITH FORD VEHICLE. FILED COMPLAINT WITH SETTLEMENT DISPUTE BOARD AND WITH BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU. NEXT STEP IS TO CONTACT ATTORNEY TO FILE LEMON LAW. ALSO, CONSUMERS NEED TO GET OUT INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC THAT FORD IS SELLING THESE VEHICLES KNOWING THERE IS A PROBLEM AND IS NOT WILLING TO FIX THEM.*AK

NUMEROUS PROBLEM: BRAKES, REAR WINDOW OPENING, SEAT BELT RETRACTION, HEATER, REAR DEFROST, BODY WORK, ETC.. *PH WHILE BRAKING THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE REAR WINDOW HINGE FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE WINDOW TO OPEN WHILE THE CONSUMER WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTED SLOWLY WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO BECOME HOOKED ONTO THE DOOR LOCK SYSTEM. AS A RESULT THE PASSENGER COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE LEFT WIPER WAS NOT CLEARING THE WINDSHIELD. THE LEFT REAR DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY UNLESS IT WAS SLAMMED HARD. *NM

BRAKE PEDAL GOES DOWN TO THE FLOOR INTERMITTENTLY.THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETTY ISSUE.THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM YET.TOOK IN THE SHOP FOR MORE THAN 3 TIMES.ALSO THE OIL LEAK FROM THE REAR MAIN SEAL,HARSHE SHIFT IN TRANSMISSION ,POWER STEERING PUMP FAILURE,OIL PAN GASKET LEAK ,MASTER CYLINDER LEAK ,COIL (SPARK PLUG) FAILURE.*AK

TRANSMISSION BEGAN LOCKING UP WHEN VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE TO BACK-UP. *NM

VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND LEFT IT THERE FOR 30 DAYS. DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE LIFTBACK ON THE VEHICLE UNLATCHED ITSELF. IN ALL BUT ONE OCCURANCE, THIS WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS IN A PARKED POSITION. THE MOST RECENT OCCURENCE WAS MARCH 9, 2004.*AK

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 EXPLORER XLT IN MID-FEBRUARY 2003. AT ABOUT 9500 MILES THE SUV DEVELOPED A WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. LOCAL FORD DEALER CONFIRMS NOISE, BUT IS UNABLE TO FIX AS "FORD ENGINEERS HAVE NOT YET FOUND A FIX" ALSO AT 3800 MILES THE AT FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED-NOT REPLACED. LOCAL DEALER IS SUPPOSED TO LET ME KNOW. AS OF 3/9/04 NO WORD. THIS SUV IS A POOR VEHICLE.

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE LEFT FRONT REAR. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. *AK

ENGINE TAPS AND LOUD. *JB

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK CONSUMER SEEKING OR VEHICLE REPLACEMENT REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS ON ENGINE, RIGHT REAR DOOR, AND CENTER CONSOLE LID. *LA

2003, FORD, EXPLORER XLT 4X4 - ENGINE JUST STOPPED, NO WARNING, NO SIGN OF ANY PROBLEM, AND WOULD NOT RESTART, COMPUTER PROCESSOR FAILED. NO BRAKES ,NO POWER STEERING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST TIME MECHANIC REPLACED AN AIR BYPASS VALVE. THE SECOND TIME MECHANIC RESET COMPUTER MODULE. THE THIRD AND FOURTH TIMES MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS, COLLIDING INTO A TREE. *AK

2003 EXPLORER XLT, 2WD: LOUD NOISE COMING FROM DRIVELINE FROM 30 THROUGH 70 MPH. DEALER CHANGED DIFFERENTIAL GEAR SET--NO FIX. THEN CHANGED THE DRIVESHAFT--NO FIX. I NOW HAVE 26,000 MILES ON IT AND THE NOISE IS SO LOUD IT IS DISTRACTING. FORD SAYS THEY HAVE NO FIX (TRANSMISSION? AXLES? ANOTHER BAD RING AND PINION SET?). DEALER SAYS ONE OF THEIR STAFF HAS A 2003 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM....STILL NO FIX.*AK