2003 Ford Explorer complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN CROSS TERRAIN TIRES, SIZE: 235 R70/16 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TIRE BLEW OUT, IT CAUSED HIM TO SWERVE OFF THE ROAD . THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. UPDATED 03/03/15

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS DETERIORATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL BEARINGS ON TWO OCCASIONS. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED WHILE IN THIRD GEAR. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING UP HILLS, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE OVERDRIVE AND CHECK ENGINE SENSOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

ENGINE STALLS OUT WHEN BRAKING OR TURNING. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT OCCURS AT RANDOM WITH NO WARNING. THIS HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, AND LEAVES MYSELF AND FAMILY IN A, POWERLESS, DEFENSELESS, POTENTIALLY FATAL, SITUATION. *TR

THE PROBLEM WHEN YOU DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 65 MPH YOU FEEL THE TRUCK HESITATING, SINCE THIS TRUCK DID NOT COME WITH DIP STICK TO CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT IS HARD TO CHECK UNLESS YOU TAKE IT TO A TECH OR STOP ON THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK IT UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK RUNNING TRANS FOR THE FLUID TO DRIP, IT IS REALLY STUPID YOU CAN BE RUN OVER BY A CAR OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, IT SEEMS LIKE THE MANUFACTURES ARE GETTING STUPID, IN A EMERGENCY AND YOU ARE IN THE HIGHWAY CROSSING THE STATE LINE HOW CAN YOU CHECK THE FLUID ON TRANSMISSION, IT NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO ADD THE DIP STICK PRETTY PRONTO, IT NEED THE FORD COMPANY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO ADD THE DIP STICK, I SUBMITTED SEVERAL REPORTS TO THEM THEY DON'T CARE AT ALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO UNLOCK OR LOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A CHIME SOUNDED AFTER THE FAILURES OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELTS DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH RETRACTION FORCE LIKE IT USED TO BE, THEY HANG OUT, DAMAGING THE DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM AND DOOR SEAL, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. IT HAS BEING A PROBLEM NOT RETRACING THE BELT LIKE IT SUPPOSE TO. *TR

BOUGHT SUV IN DECEMBER OF 2012 AND EVERYTHING SEEMED TO WORK FINE. WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS THERE WERE SEVERAL TIMES THAT THE CRUISE WOULD NOT ENGAGE WITHOUT PUSHING IT ON & OFF SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER JUNE OF 2013 IT RARELY ENGAGED AT ALL AT ANY SPEED. NOW, SEPTEMBER 2014 IT WILL NOT ENGAGE AT ALL. AFRAID IT MIGHT CAUSE SHORT &/OR A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. NOTICED RECALL IDENTIFIED THIS PROBLEM ON 2002 MODELS. THIS VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY BUILT IN 2002, SO AM WONDERING IF THIS MIGHT BE ONE THAT GOT MISSED IN THE RECALL? OWN A 1994 F-250 THAT HAS BOTH 1993 AND 1994 PARTS ON IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PANEL OF THE LIFTGATE WAS CRACKED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT'S FINGERS TO BECOME PINCHED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE LIFTGATE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HINGES FRACTURED ON THE LIFTGATE. THE HINGES WERE REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NOTICED UPPER PART OF REAR TAILGATE UNDER GLASS NEXT TO FORD EMBLEM IS CRACKED FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. *TR

A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR 2003 FORD EXPLORERS FOR THE HINGES ON THE BACK WINDOW TAILGATE. THE RIGHT SIDE HINGE ON MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER BROKE, I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE STRONG ENOUGH TO CATCH THE GLASS BEFORE IT SNAPPED THE OTHER HINGE. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD AFTER SEEING THE RECALL NOTICE ONLINE, I WAS TOLD MY FORD WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED ON THE NHTSA SITE AND IT WAS NOT LISTED THERE EITHER. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IF EXPLORERS OF THE SAME YEAR ARE RECALLED AND MY HINGE BROKE, I BELIEVE THERE MAY BE AN ISSUE WITH A LARGER RANGE OF EXPLORERS THAN LISTED. *TR

THE BACK PANEL ON THE HATCH IS CRACKED. *TR

MY TRUCK JUST WENT OUT OF WARRANTY BY 5,000 MILES AND I WAS DRIVING AND HIT A BUMP AND MY #3 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE. SCARED ME TO DEATH BECAUSE IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN. I HAD JUST TURNED OFF A RED LIGHT SO I HAD NO SPEED AT ALL. $500 TO PUT A HELIO COIL IN IT. THEN I HIT 170,000 AND ANOTHER ONE BLEW OUT WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND WE HAD TO LIMP HOME. TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THE TRUCK COULD HAVE STARTED FIRE. I HAD EVERY SINGLE SERVICE BY FORD UNTIL THE FIRST ONE BLEW. NEVER EVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING UNTIL I SEARCHED IT ON THE INTERNET. WHAT IF I HAD MY HOOD OPEN CHANGING THE AIR FILTER AND OR OTHER PART AND ONE OF THEM HAD BLOWN? COULD KILL ANYONE. HOW IS THAT SAFE. AND THE FACT THAT YOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE WITH NO CELL COVERAGE AND YOU HAVE TO DRIVE A TICKING TIME BOMB. PLEASE HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE FOR DESIGN FLAW. I TAKE CARE OF MY FORD EXPLORER, AFTER ALL IT COST 36K NEW AND I WANT TO GET MY MONEY OUT OF IT. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BUILT TO LAST WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE. IT HAS BEEN A GREAT SUV WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SPARK PLUG ISSUE. THE ONLY REASON I STILL HAVE IT IS BECAUSE I LOVE IT. (LAST NUMBER ON VIN IS 5 BUT IT WOULDN'T LET ME ENTER IT.) *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH IN HEAVY RAIN, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED, FLIPPED OVER, AND CRASHED INTO A RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND ONE INJURY WAS REPORTED THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WILL STALL AND I LOSE ALL POWER. NO POWER STEERING. I AM ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND CAN TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON. THE MECHANIC CAN NOT FIND ANY CODES ETC ON WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON THING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE OVERDRIVE WARNING INDICATOR WAS FLASHING. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE OVERHAULED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,300. UPDATED 9/12/14*CN UPDATED 09/23/14

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE PUSHING WATER INTO THE FUSE BOX WHEN IT RAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

CRACK IN REAR LIFTGATE BODY PANEL. MAY FAIL DURING OPENING/CLOSING AND CAUSE INJURY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH 2002-2005 EXPLORERS. FORD KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND COVERED IT UP. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PROGRESS. *JS

I HAVE HAD THREE INCIDENTS WITH MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE FIRST INCIDENT INVOLVED THE SUSPENSION ( SWAY BARS SNAPPED, TIRES HAD TO BE REPAIRED). SECOND INCIDENT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE AND A WIGGLING DRIVE SHAFT ALONG WITH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ( PARTS DEEMED DEFECTIVE BY MECHANICS) , AND EMERGENCY BRAKES THAT SNAPPED OFF IN MY MECHANICS HANDS BECAUSE THEY WERE RUSTY. NOW IT IS TRANSMISSION WORK FOR A POSSIBLE FAULTY SENSOR. FORD NEEDS TO RECALLS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED DUE TO CATASROPHIC EQUIPMENT FAILURE! IVE CALLED THEM EVERY TIME AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUES BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THEN DOCUMENT THEM AND SAY HAVE A NICE DAY! *JS

THE CAR WAS IDLING ROUGH AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, EVEN AFTER I HAD THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP (PEP BOYS) CHECK AND FIX THINGS. THEY ADVISED ME TO GO TO THE FORD DEALER, AND SAID IT MAY BE THE TIMING CHAIN. FUTURE FORD RAN DIAGNOSTIC, SAID IT MAY BE TIMING CHAIN BUT HAVE TO OPEN ENGINE TO VERIFY. ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS $1500 TO OPEN ENGINE AND $2500 TO FIX). DID NOT HAVE WORK DONE YET. THE ENGINE HAS A LOUD RATTLING SOUND THAT STARTED SUDDENLY AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE, AND INCREASES UPON ACCELERATION. THERE IS AN OILY SMELL. AT STOP LIGHT WHEN IDLING, THE IDLE IS SLOW AND A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND - IDLE SOUNDS LIKE CAR IS ABOUT TO SHUT OFF. THE NORMAL IDLE SOUND FOR THE CAR IS SMOOTH AND LIKE A SOFT HUM. CALLED FORD TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, AS THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS SIMILAR TO MINE THAT ARE LISTED ON THE FORD WEBSITE ABOUT SEVERAL YEARS OF THE FORD EXPLORER. MILEAGE NOW IS 150,000 MILES. FORD SAID THERE IS NO RECALL, BUT KEEP RECEIPTS FOR WORK DONE IN CASE OF ONE IN THE FUTURE.

I WAS DRIVING ON A CURVE AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF , I WAS ABLE TO STOP ,AND TURN THE CAR ON AGAIN, THAT WAS THE THIRD TIME THAT HAPPENED , THE OTHER TWO TIMES THE CAR WAS AT LOW SPEED , AROUND 30 MPH . *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM VACATION WITHOUT PROBLEMS, O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON BUT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING. STOPPED, TURN KEY OFF, STARTED NO LIGHT. AFTER ABOUT 150 MILES AFTER STOPPING ON TRAFFIC LIGHT O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AGAIN. 10 MILES LATER ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON . *TR

THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT, 4'4 AND THE OD LIGHT CAME ON. IT DOES SHIFT GEAR FROM 1 TO 2 UNTIL 3000 RPM. *TR

TRANSMISSION OD LIGHT FLASHING, SLAMMING INTO GEAR WHILE SHIFTING. WE HAD THE PAN DROPPED AND FOUND PIECES OF THE GEARS INSIDE... NEED A TOTAL REBUILD OR NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER READING ALL OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL I BELIEVE FORD NEEDS TO MAKE SOME KIND OF RECALL.... *JS

WHEN CLOSING THE GLASS TAILGATE THE RIGHT HINGE THAT ATTACHES THE GLASS TO THE TAILGATE BROKE CAUSING THE GLASS TO DETACH FROM THE CAR AND FALL HITTING ME IN THE LEFT ARM UPDATED 09/16/14*LJ UPDATED 3/18/2015 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED DOWN TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND THE OVER DRIVE WARNING SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

2 COMPLAINTS - BACK REAR HATCH PANEL UNDER REAR WINDOW HAS MULTIPLE CRACKS LIVE IN AUGUSTA GA AND VISIT FLORIDA AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM EVERY MAKE BODY LIKE MINE HAVE THIS CRACK AND SOME PANEL HAS EVEN FALLEN OFF. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM FOR THIS LARGE AMOUNT OF SUV'S TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SEE MORE WITH PROBLEMS THAN WITHOUT. ALSO RECENTLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH WINDOW INTERMITTENTLY NOT GOING DOWN AND BACK UP AFTER ICE STORM IN AUGUSTA THIS YEAR ALL FOUR WINDOWS STOPPED GOING UP AND DOWN. THIS ALSO SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND BODY STYLE OF FORD EXPLORERS. OWNED A 1993 FORD EXPLORER EDDIE BAUER HAD APPROX. 300,000 MILES ON IT BEFORE I GOT RID OF IT AND THE MOST HAPPENED TO THIS CAR WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND REAR BRAKE LEAK WHICH WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PROBLEM I HAD. WISH I STILL HAD THE 1993 EXPLORER BECAUSE MY 2003 MAKES ME HESITANT ABOUT PURCHASING ANOTHER FORD EXPLORER NO MATTER HOW MUCH I LIKE THEM THIS ONE WILL MAKE TURN TO ANOTHER MAKE OF CAR. ONCE A LOYAL FORD OWNER NOT SO SURE NOW. YOU WOULD THINK THAT FORD WILL BE AS LOYAL TO US AS WE ARE OF THEM, IT IS THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU FRUSTRATED AND NOT WANTING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER. IF YOU CAN'T DEPEND ON THE SMALLER THINGS HOW CAN WE DEPEND ON THEM WITH THE LARGER THINGS. ONCE A LOYAL FORD OWNER. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE WINDOW BECAME DETACHED INTERMITTENTLY. THE LIFTGATE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE PROPERLY AND IT DEVELOPED A CRACK AT THE BOTTOM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LIFT GATE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED AND THE WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V442000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,002.

MY SON PURCHASED THIS EXPLORER BRAND NEW AND I BOUGHT IT FROM HIM FOUR YEARS AGO AND I LOVE THIS AS IT IS THE BEST DESIGN IN THE SUV'S, AND I CAN NOT AFFORD A NEW VEHICLE AS I AM NO YOUNG GAL ANY MORE. WE HAVE MAINTAINED IT FAITHFULLY AND HAVE HAD NO SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IT AND IS AT 145000. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK GOING 55 MPH AND THE O/D LIGHT COMES ON AND I PUSH THE BUTTON AND IT WOULD NOT GO OFF. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED THE BUTTON A FEW TIMES-NOTHING. I SHUT IT OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON-NO LIGHT WAS ON-PROCEEDED DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE LIGHT TURNS BACK ON AND IT WILL NOT SHIFT AND IS STRAINING SHIFT. I TOOK IT IN TO JIFFY LUBE TO GO AHEAD AND GET ANOTHER OIL CHANGE AND LET THEM CHECK THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT ACCESS IT TO CHECK THE FLUID-THEY SUGGESTED A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AT $200-WHY CAN'T THEY ACCESS IT? WOULDN'T A DIP STICK SAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE? AS I LOOK AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION TROUBLES IN THE EXPLORERS, I AM VERY SHOCKED. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME OUT HERE AS I CANNOT AFFORD HIGH MAINTENANCE BILLS THAT WOULD BE CHARGED THROUGH A DEALER. JUST TELL ME IF THERE IS A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO FIXING IT SO THAT MY BROTHER MAY REPAIR IT AND GET IT BACK ON THE ROAD. ONE RESPONSE IS AS SUCH: AFTER TALKING TO 2 FORD REPS TODAY, AND TURNED DOWN FLAT FOR HELP, I HAVE DECIDE ITS NOW A QUEST.... FORD STATED THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS FOR THE NHTSA TO OPEN UP AN INVESTIGATION TO POSSIBLY ORDER A RECALL...... SOOOO, FOR ALL THOSE THAT

MY 2003 FORD EXPLORER HAS SOME SERIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES. MY RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WILL NOT ROLL DOWN. IT GETS VERY HOT IN MY TRUCK OUT IN THE HEAT. IT STOPPED WORKING ALL OF A SUDDEN AND THE A/C IN THE CAR DOES NOT BLOW. (I DIDN'T BREAK ANY OF THESE THINGS) MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON THE DASH... MY DRIVER'S DOOR SENSOR WENT OUT FOR SOME REASON AND NOW MY VEHICLE THINKS THAT THE DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN, WHICH DRAINS MY BATTERY AND MY LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN OFF AT TIMES. I HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN THEM ON/OFF. I DISLIKE DOING THAT BECAUSE I'LL FORGET SOMETIMES. MY REAR LIFT-GATE CRACKED ONE DAY TOO. I BELIEVE ITS FROM THE CHEAP PLASTIC. IT'S DANGEROUS AND MY GLASS CAN FALL OUT ANY DAY NOW. I ALSO PINCHED TWO BLOOD CLOTS IN MY HAND FROM OPENING THIS CRACKED REAR HATCH AND HAD TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR IT. PLEASE HELP ME GET THESE THINGS FIXED. THANKS IN ADVANCE. *TR

I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND WHEN I SHIFTED TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO REVERSE SO HARD THAT IT HIT THE VEHICLE THAT WAS PARKED BEHIND ME. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

TRUCK JERKS WHEN TRYING TO PICK UP SPEED PICKS UP SPEED VERY SLOW SOMETIMES DOESN'T WANT TO GO IN DRIVE. *TR

PAINT "BUBBLED UP" ON THE FRONT EDGE OF THE HOOD A FEW YEARS AFTER PURCHASE AND HAS CONTINUED TO FLAKE AND PEEL OFF. APPLE VALLEY FORD SERVICE REFUSED TO FIX THE PAINT PROBLEM WHEN REPORTED IN APPROXIMATELY 2006. *TR

O/D OFF DASH LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. ADVISED TO REPORT THIS KNOWN COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2003 FORD EXPLORER MODELS. *TR

I HAVE HAD TO HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED 3 TIMES SO FAR ON THIS VEHICLE. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE AND TALKING TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOPS IN THE AREA, THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM (AT LEAST FOR THE FORD OWNER) WITH THIS YEAR OF THE FORD TRANSMISSION. ONE ESTIMATE IS THEY SEE THIS YEAR AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES IN A TWO WEEK SPAN. THE ENTIRE 2003 FORD TRANSMISSION SEEMS FAULTY AND COSTING CUSTOMERS THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX. FORD HAS BEEN ASKED TO INVESTIGATE THEIR TRANSMISSION FOR THIS YEAR WITH NO RESOLVE (AT LEAST NOT TO THE PUBLIC). IF A TRANSMISSION FAILS ON AN UPHILL AND THE OWNER DOES NOT CATCH ON FAST THEY MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

FORD EXPLORER 2003 34.656 MILES GARAGE KEPT O/D LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AT 25MILES HR. TRANSMISSION SERVO PORTS NEED TO BE BORED & SLEEVED. HYDRAULIC PRESSURE LOW AT SERVO PORTS. UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 45000 MILES. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. COST $3200. OUT OF WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH THE CAR IS 11 YEARS OLD IT HAS NOT MUCH MILEAGE. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 45000 MILES. *TR

SUBMISSION FROM CONSTITUENT RE A FILED COMPLAINT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSE FOR ALL THE COST BY FORD. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT CRANK. HE REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, THE ENGINE HAD SEIZED. THERE WAS NO WARNING FROM THE DASH INDICATORS, NO ENGINE SOUNDS, AND THE OIL WAS AT THE PROPER LEVEL. IT COST $3,669.98 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING AND TRANSMISSION LINES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKES LINES, FUEL TANK COVER, DOOR LOCKS AND THE RUNNING BOARDS WERE ALSO CORRODED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,372. RK

ON FEBRUARY 18TH I NOTICED A CRACK IN THE REAR GLASS LIFT GATE MOLDING OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE REAR APPLIQUE. AFTER A GOOGLE SEARCH I REALIZED THIS IS KNOWN DEFECT THAT FORD MOTOR CO. DOES NOT RECOGNIZE OFFICIALLY. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS DEFECT. ON APRIL 25TH 2014 I OPENED THE REAR GLASS LIFT GATE TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE REAR CARGO AREA. UPON CLOSING THE GLASS LIFT GATE THE ENTIRE WINDOW SHATTERED INTO MANY PIECES AND ACTUALLY PUT THREE CUTS ON MY ARM. I HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS ONLINE AND FOUND MANY OWNERS OF THE 2002-2005 FORD EXPLORER'S, MERCURY MOUNTAINEER'S AND LINCOLN AVIATOR'S ALL HAD THIS CRACKING OF THE REAR APPLIQUE. ALSO FOUND OUT WHETHER OR NOT A CRACK WAS VISIBLE MANY PEOPLE HAD THE REAR GLASS SHATTER UPON THEM WHILE CLOSING THE GLASS LIFT GATE. RIGHT NOW I MUST PAY FOR THE ENTIRE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET, INSURANCE DOESN'T COVER IT SINCE THEY SAY I HAVE A $1000.00 DEDUCTIBLE. THE COST FOR THE GLASS WAS QUOTED AT $495.25 PLUS TAX. I ALSO WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR APPLIQUE WHICH COVERS A PORTION OF THE GLASS WINDOW AT AN ADDITIONAL COST. NOT SURE WHY THIS IS NOT COVERED BY FORD SINCE THE WINDOW SHATTERING CAN CAUSE INJURY AND THEREFORE SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. I WILL GET THIS FIXED AND KEEP MY RECEIPTS FOR ALL REPAIRS AND HOPE ALL OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE GET SOME SORT OF REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE REAR LIFT GATE SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED, LEAVING GLASS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,000.

THE O/D LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD TO LET OFF ON MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GET MY CAR TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. SOMETIMES I WOULD PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR AND AT 4000 RPM, MY CAR WOULD SHIFT. AFTER TAKING THE CAR INTO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP, THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THAT THE BAND FOR SECOND GEAR SNAPPED AND A ROD STARTING GRINDING WHICH DISPERSED METAL INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE ROD AS WELL AS THE GEARS, SOLENOID, AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR WAS 1700 DOLLARS. SHOULD MY TRANSMISSION BE GOING OUT THIS SOON? WHY WASN'T THERE A RECALL FOR THIS TRANSMISSION? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A DRAGGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE LUG NUTS WERE LOOSE AND CAUSED THE WHEEL TO SEPARATE. THE FAILURE WAS PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE. THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACED THE LUG NUTS HOWEVER THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE LUG NUTS CONTINUED TO SEPARATE FROM THE REAR WHEELS WHILE DRIVING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

O/D LIGHT STARTED BLINKING AND MY TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IN THE EARLY GEARS. *JS

THE VEHICLE IS A CLOSED TRANSMISSION ..CONSUMER HAS NO WAY OF CHECKING OR MAINTAINING LEVEL..OR CHECKING THE COLOR OR IF CLUTCH SHARDS ARE PRESENT...CONSUMER HAS TO PAY $115 TO EVEN HAVE TRANSMISSION LEVEL CHECKED...CONSUMER CANNOT PERFORM PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE ON THEIR VEHICLE...THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH FORD OWNERS THAT FORD IS NOT WILLING TO ADDRESS. *TR

I HAVE KEPT UP WITH FORD'S SUGGESTED SERVICING INTERVAL FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS HALFWAY THROUGH AN EXTENDED DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE TRANSMISSION FLUID TEMPERATURE READING ON MY SCANGAUGE II WAS IN EXCESS OF 235 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND THE O/D OFF LIGHT COMES ON AND THE DASHBOARD CONTAINED ERROR MESSAGE OVERHEATING TRANSMISSION. I PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION AND SAW THAT THERE WAS NO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKAGE THAT WAS READILY APPARENT. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID SERVICED AND THE OVERHEATING ISSUES SEEM TO HAVE REDUCED, BUT SEVERAL TECHS AT VARIOUS TRANSMISSION SHOPS NOW SEE ERROR CODES P0732 AND P0755. I NOW NOTICE GEARS 1 AND 2 ARE SEVERELY SLIPPING, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE A TOTAL REPLACEMENT COSTING OVER $3,000. I DO NOT HAVE THIS KIND OF MONEY JUST LYING AROUND, AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 100,000 MILES SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE AMONG 2002-2004 FORD EXPLORERS/MERCURY MOUNTAINEERS/LINCOLN AVIATORS. WHY IN OVER 10 YEARS THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL OR WARRANTY I DO NOT KNOW, BUT IT SPEAKS OF GREAT IRRESPONSIBILITY AND DISTRESS IN FORD'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. IF FORD DOES NOT ISSUE ANY TYPE OF RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR FAILURES OF THIS NATURE, I WILL CEASE TO BUY THEIR PRODUCTS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TOP PORTION OF THE LIFTGATE ON THE VEHICLE OPENED INDEPENDENTLY AND THEN THE DRIVER SIDE HINGE FRACTURED CAUSING THE LIFTGATE TO FALL AND HANG BY ONLY ONE SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE COMPRESSION ROD WAS BENT WHEN THIS OCCURRED. IN ORDER TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE COMPRESSION ROD HAD TO BE REMOVED AND THE LIFTGATE HAD TO BE TEMPORARILY FASTENED WITH HARNESSES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD EXPLORER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE ENGINE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A TROUBLE CODE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.